Ellen’s writing ranges from short stories, flash memoir, and picture books to humor essays and semi-ribald parody. Click on each book cover for more information. Continue scrolling for links to more stories and other creations.
Books
Stories
- “How to Spell the Name of God” During Hanukkah, Emma, who loves words, grapples with the most complicated word of them all. Listen here on NPR’s 2021 Hanukkah Lights.
- “Erev Christmas” A young girl’s allegiances are torn when the second night of Hanukkah falls on Christmas Eve. Listen here on NPR’s 2016 Hanukkah Lights.
- “Risen” Read a chapter from Inside, the World Is Orange, in the journal wigleaf.
Other Creations
O-8: My Visit With a Nuclear Missile
Standing with a group of Quakers just yards from an underground nuclear missile silo, Orleans ponders destruction, fragility, and hope.
Sauna Drama
Two women thrash out life’s big questions, fully dressed, in a sauna.
Residencies
Read about Ellen’s 2015 residency at Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park.
Ellen Orleans 