I am a storyteller—a journalist, novelist, documentary producer, photographer, and person broadly curious about the craft of creating a story.
The stories that I am most interested in telling are centered on a strong sense of place and the belief that human beings are a part of—and not separate from—nature. My writing explores this connection between people and place primarily through topics related to farming, food, drinks, climate, culture, and travel. I also work with words and collaborate with others through copyediting, proofreading, recipe development, and cookbook reviews, as well as translation. I am a native English speaker and fluent in Italian.
I have a deep personal connection to Italy that is rooted in my family’s Calabrian heritage and that I have cultivated over the last decade living in Italy and traveling through all of its twenty regions.
In addition to my work as a writer, I offer travel consulting services to individuals and institutions seeking to explore Italy in a meaningful way.
I’m based in Portland, Oregon, with frequent travel to California and Italy. If you’re interested in reaching out, send me a message on Instagram @elenavaleriote.