

Ashlen Renner
Writer, Multimedia Storyteller
About
Howdy! My name is Ashlen.
I'm a multimedia journalist and creative based in Washington D.C. I'm passionate about bringing to light complex issues and histories using a blend of writing, photography, and videography. I hold an MFA degree in Creative Writing from George Mason University where I specialized in nonfiction and historical writing. Currently, I am writing a book on the life and works of 12th-century Abbess Hildegard of Bingen and my pilgrimage from where she was born to where she died.

What I do
Creative Writing
I hold an MFA in Creative Writing specializing in nonfiction and literary journalism. I bring stories from the distant past to life in the modern world through meticulous research and vivid prose.
Journalism
With more than 5 years of experience as a reporter and photojournalist, I thrive in deadline-driven environments. My multimedia work has won several awards, including finalist in the Hearst Journalism Awards.
Videography
From documentary, to marketing and advertising, to TikToks, I have produced, edited and filmed a variety of video stories. My documentary short film "Showdown" was featured in the Athena Film Festival in New York.
Research
Currently, I am writing a book on Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th Century abbess and author. Through archival research and interviews with experts, I produce fact-based creative works illuminating history's hidden narratives.