about
Heidi Fettig Parton is a writer, mostly of essays. The possibility, the creativity of the essay form continues to amaze and astound her. Heidi considers herself a perpetual student of the essay.
Heidi hasn’t always been a Writer writer, but she’s always journaled to understand the world and her place in it.
After earning a BA (summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa) in English at age 21, Heidi went on to get her Juris Doctorate (with distinction and Order of the Coif), both from the University of North Dakota (graduating as Heidi Hellekson) at 24. Before a midlife career shift in 2009, Heidi spent 15 years careering, first as a lawyer, and then as an acquisitions editor in legal academic publishing.
In 2014, Heidi returned to graduate school and, three years later, earned an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Bay Path University.
In addition to her degrees in higher education, Heidi has added many certifications to her name over the past decade. She is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor and an INELDA trained end-of-life doula. She studied ritual creation through Be Ceremonial and often creates rituals to nurture her own writing practice. She’s also helped other writers create meaningful rituals.
Heidi is working towards a book coaching certification with Author Accelerator, and is currently offering one-on-one essay coaching.
Heidi’s most thrilling writing moment (to date) came in January of 2023, when Brevity nominated her essay “The Once Wife” for Best American Essays 2023.
Heidi’s writing can be found in many publications, including Angels Flight literary west, Brevity: A Journal of Concise Literary Nonfiction, Forge Literary, Fugue, Multiplicity Magazine, North Dakota Quarterly, Saint Paul Almanac, Sweet Lit and The Keepthings.
When she’s not essaying, or helping other writers with their essays, Heidi is writing a novel set in the early 2000s about a woman who discovers her mettle in the fires of divorce.
In time set aside for self-nurturance, Heidi practices yin yoga, studies Irish mandolin and the Bodhrán, and walks outdoor labyrinths and the many natural spaces in and around the Twin Cities metro. Heidi regularly hugs trees and listens for their ancient wisdom.
Heidi Fettig Parton 