Background & Upbringing
Celeste grew up in Savannah’s elegant historic district. Her father, an architect dedicated to preserving the city’s antebellum mansions, and her mother, a classical pianist, nurtured Celeste’s deep appreciation for art, literature, and the rich tapestry of Southern Gothic heritage.
Education
After attending a private academy in Savannah, she pursued a Bachelor’s in Art History at Emory University in Atlanta, followed by an MA in Southern Cultural Studies at the University of Georgia.
Professional Background
Initially working as a guide for Savannah’s historic home tours, Celeste transitioned to writing travel essays and cultural articles for regional magazines. This paved the way for her debut novel, a lyrical exploration of a fictionalized Savannah family’s history. Currently, she lectures on Southern art and architecture while continuing to publish both non-fiction and fiction set in the region.
Places Lived
Savannah remains her home base, with several years spent in Atlanta for her undergraduate studies and Athens, GA, for grad school. She also completed a summer internship in Charleston, fueling her fascination with Lowcountry culture.
Influences
Celeste admires the haunting prose of Flannery O’Connor and the elegant storytelling of Carson McCullers. She also finds inspiration in classic Southern hymns and the Spanish moss-draped streets of Savannah itself. Her notion of romance and sophistication is imbued with a gentle nostalgia for bygone eras, balanced by a modern understanding of the South’s complexities.
