Julia Ridley Smith

Julia Ridley Smith is a Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializing in creative writing and literature. She holds an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College and a BA in English from UNC Chapel Hill. Her research interests span a wide range of literary fields, including feminist theory, African American literature, and visual culture. She has published two books: Sex Romp Gone Wrong (a story collection) and The Sum of Trifles (a memoir in essays). Her work explores themes of family, identity, and material culture through inventive narrative techniques.

Smith has received prestigious awards such as the Cos Barnes Fellowship, Regional Artist’s Grants, and a Tennessee Williams Scholarship. She has taught courses ranging from creative writing fundamentals to advanced publishing practices, emphasizing the intersection of literature and visual arts. Her recent publications include short stories in Missouri Review and Copper Nickel, which critically examine modern relationships and moral complexities. She also leads workshops at the Weatherspoon Art Museum, bridging creative writing with art-based education.