Charlotte Donlon

Charlotte Donlon is a writer, spiritual director, creativity coach, and faculty member for Alma College MFA’s spiritual writing pathway. Her work has woven together themes of belonging, art, and soul exploration for more than 25 years. With a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing (2015-2018), a certificate in spiritual direction (2018-2020), and a life coach certification (2026), Charlotte guides writers and other creative souls in developing sustainable and nourishing practices so they can make their art, do their work, and love their people.

A Christian in the Episcopal church who believes the tenets of the Nicene Creed, Charlotte employs a universal framework of belonging and connection in her spiritual direction work. She fosters meaningful, soulful conversations and gatherings that are welcoming to all—regardless of faith tradition or spiritual inclinations.

In 2020, Broadleaf Books published Charlotte's first book, The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. Here Below, a new imprint of Eerdmans, published Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life in 2026. Three volumes of Charlotte's "Guidebooks for the Soul"—Take More Retreats, The Great Belonging Project, and Belonging Through Art—will also be published in 2026 and 2027.

As the founder of several initiatives—including Spiritual Direction for Writers®, Parenting with Art®, Belonging Through Art™, and Spiritual Direction for Creative Souls™—Charlotte is an established thought leader and authentic presence at the intersection of creativity and spirituality.

Her essays have been featured in publications such as The Washington Post, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Writer’s Digest, and The Millions, among others. An essay about art conservation, Joan Mitchell, and mystery is forthcoming with Image journal. An essay on AI and the soul is forthcoming with Literary Hub.

For those interested in staying updated on Charlotte's latest work, news, insights, and offerings, subscribe to her newsletter at Spiritual Direction for Creative Souls™ and visit Flourish Anyway®.