So much fun sharing stories with lively, vibrant readers at the recent Sewanee bookstore signing! Many thanks to all who came!
Goood News!
Currently ranked among the top 6% of all titles in Women’s Literary Fiction on Amazon, An Umbrella Made for a Man continues to find readers and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with major-house releases.
Costa Rica Writing Residency Winner!
Katie was one of two authors selected by Atmosphere Press out of some 500 applicants to attend their 2025 Writing Residency in Costa Rica. In the announcement, Atmosphere Press said, “It was a tough competition, but we loved your work and the energy you bring to the literary world. We’re thrilled to offer you this opportunity.”
The Residency will take place in Playa Flamingo.
Just returned from the writing residency in my beloved Costa Rica! Check out these wondrous views of the countryside. Son Mark went with me and got a lot of his own writing done, too!
At our local independent bookstore
So much fun and great conversation at The Reading Attic’s Author Event for An Umbrella Made for a Man in Marietta, GA! Many, many thanks to all who came and shared stories, memories and many laughs!!
Featured Works
All publications
About Katie
Katherine Elberfeld’s southern childhood and background as Episcopal priest infuse her work across a variety of genres including fiction, nonfiction and reflections. In addition to advanced degrees in writing, Elberfeld holds a Master’s in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary. She was ordained to the priesthood in 1994.
Elberfeld grew up in Gainesville, GA, and now lives in nearby Marietta. She has two grown sons, is a Far Side aficionado, and cannot live without pickleball.
Review for 'The Lady of the House'
“In Elberfeld’s debut novel, a newly widowed, 50-ish woman looks back at significant moments in her life, reflected through the prism of memory and dream. ... Elberfeld creates a sense of ominous significance in small events, as memories often turn to dreams or nightmares. ... A lyrical exploration of memory, grief and choice.”
“In Elberfeld’s debut novel, a newly widowed, 50-ish woman looks back at significant moments in her life, reflected through the prism of memory and dream. ... Elberfeld creates a sense of ominous significance in small events, as memories often turn to dreams or nightmares. ... A lyrical exploration of memory, grief and choice.”
Review for 'The Lady of the House'
“Elberfeld’s novel is at once an evocation of southern child- hood and the record of a quest for meaning. ... In some ways Elberfeld reminds me of Jane Austen, for she carves careful detail in a tiny compass. In other ways she reminds me of Marcel Proust, for she meditates on the past: on the past as lived but also—inevitably—on the past as it might have been lived.”
“Elberfeld’s novel is at once an evocation of southern child- hood and the record of a quest for meaning. ... In some ways Elberfeld reminds me of Jane Austen, for she carves careful detail in a tiny compass. In other ways she reminds me of Marcel Proust, for she meditates on the past: on the past as lived but also—inevitably—on the past as it might have been lived.”
Review for 'Make Yourselves at Home'
"[The stories] are united by a memorable voice, unique and engaging while reminiscent of other great voices of Southern literature."
"[The stories] are united by a memorable voice, unique and engaging while reminiscent of other great voices of Southern literature."
Review for 'Make Yourselves at Home'
"Katherine Elberfeld's acute eye for detail and a deep understanding of human nature bring the characters to life in her short story collection Make Yourselves at Home. We come to know Red as she searches her husband’s changed psyche for the boy with whom she fell in love. We come to realize the ways in which a perfume bottle links a dying grandmother with her past. We gather for lunch in a boardinghouse filled with confusion, sorrow, joy, and grace. Through it all, what stands out in Elberfeld's stories is her ability to strike a delicate balance between the comic and the dark."
"Katherine Elberfeld's acute eye for detail and a deep understanding of human nature bring the characters to life in her short story collection Make Yourselves at Home. We come to know Red as she searches her husband’s changed psyche for the boy with whom she fell in love. We come to realize the ways in which a perfume bottle links a dying grandmother with her past. We gather for lunch in a boardinghouse filled with confusion, sorrow, joy, and grace. Through it all, what stands out in Elberfeld's stories is her ability to strike a delicate balance between the comic and the dark."
Review for 'An Umbrella Made for a Man'
"Elberfeld stirs the soul through Irene’s journey, nudging readers toward an intense awakening that will leave them wary but hopeful."
"Elberfeld stirs the soul through Irene’s journey, nudging readers toward an intense awakening that will leave them wary but hopeful."
Review for 'An Umbrella Made for a Man'
"In a series of connected vignettes that, at times, metamorphose into prose poems, Katherine Elberfeld treats her readers to a plethora of existential dilemmas in a unique voice laced with rich metaphors and repeated imagery. Elberfeld’s work, reminiscent of such diverse authors as Flannery O’Connor, Marcel Proust, and Marilynne Robinson, explores topics ranging from childhood influences and adult companionship to male-female relationships in the workplace and beyond, and, ultimately, to love and God, illness and death. If you are looking for a book with stellar prose that skirts the boundaries of creativity, An Umbrella Made for a Man is the book for you."
"In a series of connected vignettes that, at times, metamorphose into prose poems, Katherine Elberfeld treats her readers to a plethora of existential dilemmas in a unique voice laced with rich metaphors and repeated imagery. Elberfeld’s work, reminiscent of such diverse authors as Flannery O’Connor, Marcel Proust, and Marilynne Robinson, explores topics ranging from childhood influences and adult companionship to male-female relationships in the workplace and beyond, and, ultimately, to love and God, illness and death. If you are looking for a book with stellar prose that skirts the boundaries of creativity, An Umbrella Made for a Man is the book for you."
Review for 'An Umbrella Made for a Man'
"Through memories, dreams, experiences, losses and joys, the author invites the reader to remember how experiences affect our voice - our ability to identify our needs and express them, often in a world where patriarchy discounts the feminine. Through short stories about a female with grown children, the author interweaves a spiritual journey of lifelong faith in God. Exquisite descriptions of both family life and loneliness keep the reader engaged to the final pages."
"Through memories, dreams, experiences, losses and joys, the author invites the reader to remember how experiences affect our voice - our ability to identify our needs and express them, often in a world where patriarchy discounts the feminine. Through short stories about a female with grown children, the author interweaves a spiritual journey of lifelong faith in God. Exquisite descriptions of both family life and loneliness keep the reader engaged to the final pages."
Review for 'An Umbrella Made for a Man'
"The umbrella that was made for a man appears early in the novel and encompasses Irene’s struggle to survive the patriarchal reality that permeates every aspect of her life as an Episcopal priest. Friends, family, life, and death culminate in confusion first and then razor-sharp clarity revealing to Irene that love, after all, never goes away and is the fiercest of all forces pulsing through the universe. Elberfeld assures us that we need only to remember our dreams. I’ll see you in my dreams."
"The umbrella that was made for a man appears early in the novel and encompasses Irene’s struggle to survive the patriarchal reality that permeates every aspect of her life as an Episcopal priest. Friends, family, life, and death culminate in confusion first and then razor-sharp clarity revealing to Irene that love, after all, never goes away and is the fiercest of all forces pulsing through the universe. Elberfeld assures us that we need only to remember our dreams. I’ll see you in my dreams."
Review for 'An Umbrella Made for a Man'
"An Umbrella Made for a Man by Katherine Elberfeld is an unflinching, gracefully written account of a woman navigating the institutional and personal costs of leadership in a male-dominated church. Elberfeld’s prose is confident and observant, bringing Irene’s experiences into sharp focus without overstatement. The novel refuses neat resolutions, instead presenting a protagonist whose intelligence and integrity are consistently met with condescension, dismissal, or boundary violations. The writing maintains a steady, grounded rhythm, even when describing moments of subtle humiliation or private despair. Irene’s story unfolds organically, and as readers, we get a front row pew to the accumulation of incidents that ultimately shape Irene in a massive decision. Moments of sharply drawn conversations and sensory memory add texture and flesh the whole story out. Overall, this is a quietly assertive book, and one that takes its subject seriously without ever insisting on its own importance. Very highly recommended."
"An Umbrella Made for a Man by Katherine Elberfeld is an unflinching, gracefully written account of a woman navigating the institutional and personal costs of leadership in a male-dominated church. Elberfeld’s prose is confident and observant, bringing Irene’s experiences into sharp focus without overstatement. The novel refuses neat resolutions, instead presenting a protagonist whose intelligence and integrity are consistently met with condescension, dismissal, or boundary violations. The writing maintains a steady, grounded rhythm, even when describing moments of subtle humiliation or private despair. Irene’s story unfolds organically, and as readers, we get a front row pew to the accumulation of incidents that ultimately shape Irene in a massive decision. Moments of sharply drawn conversations and sensory memory add texture and flesh the whole story out. Overall, this is a quietly assertive book, and one that takes its subject seriously without ever insisting on its own importance. Very highly recommended."
Review for 'An Umbrella Made for a Man'
"Readers of An Umbrella Made for a Man by Katherine Elberfeld will find themselves cheering for Irene regarding how she handled her unfortunate circumstances while fulfilling her ministry. You’ll develop feelings for her as if she was a real person you might know and become friends with."
"Readers of An Umbrella Made for a Man by Katherine Elberfeld will find themselves cheering for Irene regarding how she handled her unfortunate circumstances while fulfilling her ministry. You’ll develop feelings for her as if she was a real person you might know and become friends with."
Review for 'An Umbrella Made for a Man'
"Katherine Elberfeld’s An Umbrella Made for a Man is a tender, raw, and quietly furious excavation of one woman’s spiritual calling—and the institutional and intimate betrayals that nearly silence it. With poetic precision and a fierce commitment to emotional truth, Elberfeld offers a story that feels less like fiction and more like revelation."
"Katherine Elberfeld’s An Umbrella Made for a Man is a tender, raw, and quietly furious excavation of one woman’s spiritual calling—and the institutional and intimate betrayals that nearly silence it. With poetic precision and a fierce commitment to emotional truth, Elberfeld offers a story that feels less like fiction and more like revelation."
Review for 'An Umbrella Made for a Man'
"Your book already has the hallmarks of a breakout literary work: a strong, relatable protagonist, emotionally resonant storytelling, and a narrative that tackles complex social and personal issues with poetic precision."
"Your book already has the hallmarks of a breakout literary work: a strong, relatable protagonist, emotionally resonant storytelling, and a narrative that tackles complex social and personal issues with poetic precision."