Q&A with Author Ellen Airgood

About Ellen Airgood

Ellen Airgood grew up on a farm in Michigan's thumb, where her favorite things to do were read books, ride horses, swing in her tire swing, and write stories. She almost left the University of Michigan after her first year to go back home and farm, but did return to school after her parents offered to cosign the loan for the new fencing she'd need to raise beef cattle on their eighty acres, the only crop they considered feasible. (She was a vegetarian at the time.) She graduated with a Bachelor's Science from the School of Natural Resources and Environment and now lives on the shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula, where she writes and owns a diner along with her husband. The two share their home with a characterful cocker spaniel named Harwood, a tank full of peaceful fish, and many plants, books, and antiques. Ellen is the author of three novels published by Penguin Books, including Michigan Notable Book and Midwest Bestseller, SOUTH OF SUPERIOR (also featured on National Public Radio's Radio Reader), the award-winning PRAIRIE EVERS, a Bank Street Best Book for middle grade readers, and THE EDUCATION OF IVY BLAKE, a companion book to PRAIRIE EVERS. Her work also appears in THE WAY NORTH: NEW UPPER PENINSULA WRITINGS, from Wayne State University Press; HERE: WOMEN WRITING ON MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA, from Michigan State University Press; and BOB SEGER'S HOUSE, also from Wayne State University Press. Her new novel for adults, TIN CAMP ROAD, is due out from Penguin Random House’s Riverhead Books in 2021.