Bio

     Eli Renholder was born just outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Eli holds a Master’s in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in Military History from Kansas State University, where he focused on exploring the psychological toll of warfare on soldiers. Much of his childhood was spent immersed in stories passed down from older relatives who lived through World War II both in military service and at home. Those of his family who did not serve in the field directly contributed in other ways, such as working in the factories outside of Detroit and collecting resources for those overseas. This gave Eli a profound respect for those who served and a deep curiosity for their plight.

     His writing blends meticulous historical research with raw, emotional storytelling, which allows readers to connect on a deeply personal level. His prose is vivid and haunting as it captures the stark realities of war while giving a voice to those who faced its many horrors. Eli has won the Midwest Writers Association Prize for Fiction in 2019 for his novel Echoes in the Trenches, which follows a young infantryman grappling with the psychological toll of his first kill, the bonds of brotherhood, and the aftermath of battle. He also received the Great Lakes Book Award – Fiction Finalist in 2021 for his novel Letters Left Behind, which tells a story of love, loss, and unspoken fears through the undelivered letters a soldier writes to his family that he hopes will never be read.

     Eli’s future writing goals focus on expanding his reach and refining his craft as a storyteller of the untold human costs of war. He is currently working on a story involving a group of soldiers enduring the winter campaign of 1944, capturing the physical and emotional toll of extreme conditions, separation from loved ones, and the struggle to maintain their humanity amidst the chaos of war. While Eli has previously worked with independent publishers to maintain more creative control, he is now considering seeking literary representation to explore broader distribution and larger audiences.  Eli also writes for the military history journals “Voices of Valor: The Journal of Soldier Experiences” and “Fields of Fire: Perspectives on War and Humanity.”