Personal Journey

Organizations:

Michigan Writers
Rochester Writers
Poetry Society of Michigan

Stylebook Expertise:

Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)
Associated Press
Modern Language Association (MLA)

About Julie Bonner Williams:

Julie Bonner Williams is an accomplished author, poet, and editor whose writing captures the extraordinary within everyday moments. With a distinctive voice that illuminates life's subtle beauty, she creates work that resonates deeply with readers seeking authentic human connection.

Writing Philosophy:

As a writer, I create from a place of observation, illuminating moments, people, and sights with the intention of framing them and preserving them in a new light.This approach infuses her work with authenticity and emotional depth that speaks across genres and generations.

Academic Background:

Julie dedicated much of her career to education, teaching Writing and English courses at Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College. Her passion for language and literature has guided countless students in discovering their own voices and mastering the craft of effective communication.

Literary Influences:

Julie draws inspiration from literary masters who have shaped her understanding of craft and voice: Sylvia Plath's raw honesty, F. Scott Fitzgerald's lyrical prose, Li-Young Lee's intimate poetry, Joy Harjo's powerful imagery, and Ernest Hemingway's precise storytelling. These influences weave through her work in subtle but meaningful ways.

Julie's Fun Facts:

I am a devotee of the Oxford comma and will defend it to my last breath.

In high school I submitted poems to Seventeen magazine because Sylvia Plath started that way. (My poems were published, launching a lifelong love affair with seeing my work in print!)

I love editing. My inner treasure hunter loves the quest to find the perfect word, the exact rhythm, the precise image that brings writing to life.

I own a ridiculous amount of blue Bic pens and Docket Gold legal pads—analog tools in a digital world, but there's something magical about the connection between hand and page.

I binge watch vintage television shows, including Bewitched, The Odd Couple, The Andy Griffith Show, and Frasier. Good writing is timeless, whether in books or on screen.

I live in an artsy community on the southwest lake shore of Michigan with my husband and our many pets, where Lake Michigan provides endless inspiration and our animal companions provide endless entertainment.