About

I write, draw, swim, and love to drink beer. 

I'm a freelance journalist and editor working with several publications and clients on a range of projects. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Language (German) from Georgetown University in 2000 and a Master of Arts degree in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College in 2006. Check out my online portfolio for clips of my work.

I'm also a working artist specializing in pastel drawings of animals. I take commissions for all sorts of pieces. Message me for details. 

When I'm not writing or drawing, I'm probably swimming--I'm a marathon and ice swimmer getting up to some chilly shenanigans in the most beautiful places on earth.

Recent Media

“There’s cold plunges. Then there’s the ‘ice mile.’” Photographs by Jessica Rinaldi and interview by Billy Baker for the Boston Globe, February 27, 2023.

“Not your average polar plunge: 1-mile ‘ice swim’ in Boston Harbor” by Ted Wayman for WCBV5, February 19, 2023

“How dipping into the cold has become a hot trend,” by Billy Baker for The Boston Globe, November 24, 2022

“Is Swimming in Ice Water Good for You?” by Laura Baisas for Popular Science, September 22, 2022.

“Swimmer raises thousands for Greater Boston Food Bank with Record Swim,” by David Bienick for WCVB Channel 5 ABC, September 22, 2022.

“Massachusetts Woman Swims Across English Channel” by Mary Saladna for WCVB Channel 5 ABC, September 16, 2022.

“Cold-water Legend Martha Wood on Swimming the English Channel,” Remembering I’m an Animal: In Search of What We Were Born to Do, a podcast hosted by Billy Baker, September 2, 2022.

“Martha Swims! ‘Pure Bliss’ as Manchester Woman Swims the English Channel,” by Erika Brown for the Manchester Cricket, August 26, 2022.

“The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Training,” by Steven Munatones for the Daily News of Open Water Swimming, August 10, 2022.

“Tips for Open Water Swimming” by Nicky LaMarco for VerwellFit. September 29, 2021.

“How Her Father’s Fight with Pancreatic Cancer Inspired This Olympian’s Historic Swim,” KCM, katiecouric.com, September 9, 2021.

Featured guest on Pam Moore’s Real Fit Podcast, “Episode 15: Elaine Howley, Marathon Swimmer, Writer and Artist: Finding Her Limits at the Intersection of Hard Work and Joy,” August 31, 2021.

Featured in "It’s an 8-mile swim in Boston Harbor, and no one goes it alone.” by Stan Grossfeld for the Boston Globe, August 18, 2021.

Featured on WCVB’s Chronicle program, “Main Streets and Back Roads: Concord,” aired March 1, 2021, producer Clint Conley. L Street Ice Swimmers took a road trip to the ‘burbs.

“Adventures, Challenges, and Learning From Failures: Journeying with Marathon Swimmer Elaine K. Howley” by Emma Chuck for the Georgetown University Campus Recreation blog, February 4, 2021.

“South Boston Group Continues New Year’s Day Plunge Tradition Despite Pandemic,” January 1, 2021

“Everything You Need for Open-Water Swimming, According to Swimmers,” by Karen Iorio Adelson for the Strategist, New York Magazine, August 19, 2020.

“Elaine Howley Making, Documenting History on WOWSA Live,” one-on-one interview with Ned Denison, chairman of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, May 5, 2020. (35-minute video interview)

“Marathon Swim Stories with Elaine Howley,” April 28, 2020. (35-minute video interview)

“Polar Plungers: Photos of Ice Swimming in New England,” a photo series by Jessica Rinaldi for the Boston Globe, March 5, 2020.

Profiled by WOWSA in “Write On, Elaine Howley,” December 2019.

Quoted in “Open-Water Swimmer Sarah Thomas Didn’t Let Cancer Stop Her in Record-Breaking Quest,” by Charlotte Carroll for Sports Illustrated, September 30, 2019.

Quoted in GMA’s coverage of Sarah Thomas’ record swim, September 17, 2019

Quoted in “Sarah Thomas: Woman first to swim Channel four times non-stop” BBC News, September 17, 2019

Quoted in “Sarah Thomas Closes in on Record 4-Time Swim Across English Channel,” by Phil Boucher for People Magazine, September 16, 2019

Named in “The Great Garbarino” by Thor Jourgensen for The Item Live, July 18. 2019

Quoted in “Pasadena Resident Becomes Oldest Man to Complete Boston Light Swim” by Brad Dress for the Pasadena Voice, September 18, 2018.

Featured profile, "Waltham Resident Swims for Cancer Research," by Diana Nunez for Waltham Wicked Local, June 22, 2018

Profiled in "Voila! Vermont! Open Water Hall of Fame 2018 Inductees," by Steven Munatones for the Daily News of Open Water Swimming, May 30, 2018

Quoted expert in "How to Recover from a Thanksgiving Eating Binge--the Right Way" by Jennifer Lea Reynolds for Reader'sDigest.com, November 15, 2017

Quoted in "EDCs and Breast Cancer" by Greta Stieger for the Food Packaging Forum, August 16, 2017

Daily News of Open Water Swimming: Supporting and Crewing on Sarah Thomas' Century Swim, Aug. 11, 2017

COPD commentary for All Sides with Ann Fisher's Wellness Wednesday program June 28, 2017

Named to the Daily News of Open Water Swimming's 2017 list of "50 Most Adventurous Open Water Women," June 5, 2017

Daily News of Open Water Swimming: Elaine Howley to Star in END-WET, April 5, 2017

Quoted in "Reduce Senior Moments by Increasing Brain Fitness" by Debbie Slade Smith writing for Prime Women, March 29, 2017