About Alicia
Alicia Varnedoe has been telling stories since seventh grade, when a shortage of acceptable reading material (as determined by her mother) led her to simply write her own novels. She never really stopped. A 2024 honors graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in English, she concentrated in world literature and creative writing. Her classes cultivated a conviction that the most interesting thing about any place is not just what the people wear or eat, but what they value and how they talk about it.
Her freelance career began after she interviewed a local florist who had just decorated the White House for Christmas. Alicia loved it. She found out that she is drawn to people who are not just passionate about what they do but about why they do it. For instance, a recent profile of a tie brand turned into a reflection on how dressing up can be an act of love. That's the kind of story she's always looking for.
When she isn't writing, Alicia is likely perusing a farmers market, chatting up her church friends with her husband Phillip — an aerospace engineer with two master's degrees and an Ironman — or being enthusiastically herded around the house by Miso, their very chaotic, very cuddly rescue dog.
Beats & Interests
Alicia's work centers on the things that require being there: the interview, the meal, the room, the person across the table. She covers:
Local business profiles
Personal Essays
Travel & the Outdoors
Food & Hospitality
Bios (for Editors)
50 words
Alicia Varnedoe is a Southern freelance writer specializing in local business profiles, food, and travel. She chases the whys underneath the whats -- leading her to find fascinating stories everywhere. A 2024 honors graduate of the University of Alabama, she lives in the South with her husband and their rescue dog.
100 words
Alicia Varnedoe is a Southern freelance writer specializing in local business profiles, food, and travel. A 2024 honors graduate of the University of Alabama, she believes the most interesting thing about any place is not what people wear or eat, but what they value and how they talk about it. She is drawn to subjects who are passionate not just about the what but also the why. Her work is regularly featured in the magazine SoulGrown. She lives in Alabama with her husband and their rescue dog, Miso. She loves books that feature regional folklore, complicated sister relationships, and enemies-to-lovers.
200 words
Alicia Varnedoe started telling stories since seventh grade, when a shortage of acceptable reading material (as determined by her mother) led her to simply write her own novels. She never really stopped. A 2024 honors graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in English, she concentrated in world literature and creative writing. Her classes cultivated her conviction that the most interesting thing about any place is not just what the people wear or eat, but what they value and how they talk about it. Her freelance career began after she interviewed a local florist who had just decorated the White House for Christmas. She found out that she is drawn to people who are not just passionate about what they do but about why — for instance, a profile of a tie brand turned into a reflection on how dressing up can be an act of love. Now, the Southern lifestyle magazine, SoulGrown, regularly features her work. When she isn't writing, Alicia is likely at a farmers market or at church with her husband Phillip — an Ironman and aerospace engineer— or being enthusiastically herded around the house by Miso, their very chaotic, very cuddly rescue dog.