About ........... Writing ......... Contact
Lauren Barton
Lauren is an award-winning writer and freelance journalist from northeastern Tennessee. They are currently studying Communication Studies with a minor in History at East Tennessee State University, and hopes to one day pursue a graduate-level project about parental propertarianism within homeschooling families.
About...
In Work
With my graduation set for next year, I’ve been a journalist for ~4 years — I began freelancing in high school and became passionate about the work due to my mom’s (and subsequently my) involvement in politics after President Trump’s initial election in 2016. As a former K-12 homeschooler and young non-binary/queer teenager living in a deep red state, I quickly learned that the communities that I loved and that supported me were frequently under-researched or under-/mis-reported. I decided to take matters into my own hands, and haven’t looked back since.Despite most of my writing being journalistic in nature, I enjoy writing poetry and personal essays. One of my personal essays, Queer Love in Appalachia, won first place in the 2025 Mildred Haun Conference’s nonfiction category. Additionally, I enjoy public speaking and hope to give a Tedx Talk one day (I came super close last year!). I also learned that I love dabbling in video, like documentary-making, short films, and TikTok edits.After graduation, I hope to attain a Master's degree in Journalism — my ultimate dream is to write for a reader-supported publication rather than a corporate-owned media empire — and to eventually teach at a university level. I am a proud member of the TJA and the NLGJA and a former award-winning member of the Walters State Debate Club.
And In Play
If I had to compile a list of the top 10 things that I can’t leave the house without (in no particular order), they would be: the leather journal my partner made for me, my birth control pills, my Hermaphroditus necklace, hand cream of some kind, my green tea roll-on perfume, my iPad mini, a pen, a mask, my “manly” black bifold wallet, and Burt’s Bees lip balm.In my spare time, I like to be creative and watch content creators that appease my inner Sagittarius moon (e.g., The Chaotic Witch Aunt, JESYCU, Mina Le, and The Norse Witch). I'm currently obsessed with sparkling water, Sinners, The Summer Hikaru Died, SuperBat (yes, the ship), and Vocaloid Lily.
Writing...
These are some of my most recent and highlighted clips. I often write about homeschooling, the Appalachian region, and marginalized communities. I have also been honored to share my experiences with deepfake AI technology with NBC News (Kat Tenbarge), my take on thoughtful reporting as a trans journalist with Poynter (Nora Neus), my slightly strange love story with Mashable (Anna Rose Iovine), and my thoughts about the state of journalism with countless college students.
Contact…
The following lists the best ways to get in touch with me. Email is the easiest/quickest way to reach me, but if you’re interested in staying updated on my work, miscellaneous projects, or day-to-day ramblings about my life and the state of the world, follow me on my socials.
Email: ……….…………………………..…………..……….…. [email protected]
Bluesky: ………………………::………………..………………….… laurenbarton.bsky.social
Signal: …………………..:.:…:::::…………………………:::::.::::………….. laurengbarton.14
LinkedIn: ................................................................................... laurenbarton03
Instagram: ……………..………………………………………..…………………………………. lbrtn__