Our Editors 11.1
Editor in Chief | Melissa Naiad White | She/Her
I’m a mother of six, a non-traditional student, and a creatrix of many things. When I’m not writing poetry or short stories, I’m painting abstracts in an ecstatic, meditative state or knitting socks. I love fiction that is deep and contemplative, asking me to do deeper inner work, and challenge my perspective like Setterfield’s The Thirteenth Tale and Heller’s The Dog Stars.
Favorite piece: “Flush” by Caroline Fox
Lead Prose Editor | Maris Tiller | She/They
I am a senior graduating this fall. I am majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. I am an aspiring writer, working on a number of novel and short story projects. My favorite thing to read is fiction, and I am particularly a fan of modernist literature.
Favorite piece: “I Look, I Speak” by Lucia Trujillo
Lead Prose Editor | Rowan Neall | Any (She/He/They)
I’m a senior with a English concentration in creative writing and Chemistry ACS Certification double major. My favorite thing to read is fantasy/romance/horror/thriller and I write fantasy/romance with a first draft manuscript in a low fantasy romance novel with hope to being publishing within the next year. I hope to go to graduate school for creative writing MFA and a PhD to ultimately be a professor of Creative writing.
Favorite piece: “Empty Bottle in My Bones” by Bernadette Benda
Lead Poetry Editor | Ari Croft | She/Her
Hey! I love 19th century literature, writing poetry, and gaming. My favorite novel is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. When I’m not reading or playing video games, I’m usually playing D&D or watching video essays on niche topics. I hope to use this fruitful experience to write for video games one day.
Favorite piece: “You Left Your Porchlight On Neighbor” by Chanice Cruz
Lead Poetry Editor | Jared A. Engh | He/Him
Hiya! My name is Jared, and I love reading fantasy, sci-fi, horror, or any blend of the three! I am currently reading The Blinding White by Brent Weeks, the final book in the Lightbringer series. When not hard at work, I am working on my writing, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and spending time with my pups and plants.
Favorite piece: “Mama Says Angels Are Watching Over Us” by Raye Hendrix
Copy Editor | Tory Valentine | She/Her
Hiya~! My name is Tory Valentine. I love fantasy stories and am fascinated by magical realism.
Favorite piece: “I look, I Speak” by Lucia Trujillo
Copy Editor | Zeb Armstrong | He/Him
Ahoy. I’m Zeb, and my favorite things to read are usually some subgenre of fantasy or another; I also enjoy a good tragedy. A fun fact about me is that I know the majority of the rules and class/subclass features from 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons by heart.
Favorite piece: “Dream About a Gigantic, Me-Obsessed Octopus” by Bryanna Licciardi
Art Editor | John Caulfield | He/Him
I try to write my own stories when I get the chance, but I do enjoy looking at other pieces by other authors. I can’t say I’m the best, but I try to do my best with whatever it is I’m doing.
Favorite piece: “Empty Bottle in My Bones” by Bernadette Benda
Art Editor | Aspasia Sheppard | She/Her
HI! I’m Aspasia Sheppard and I am one of the art editors! Some of my favorite things to read are cozy and high fantasy, mysteries and thrillers, memoirs, and romance. A fun fact about me is I will have at least one book on me at all times and have not finished most games or shows that I’ve started… whoops!
Favorite piece: “O, My Charmer, Spare Me” by Katherine Gekker
Audio and Media Editor | Jacob Lertora | He/Him
Hi, I’m Jacob! I’m a senior Creative Writing and Political Science double major. My favorite genre to read is fantasy, and I love to play Dungeons & Dragons.
Favorite piece: “From the Sea” by Al Graham
Social Media Editor | MO Oberle | He/Him
Hello! I’m Mo. I am a senior Theater/English: Creative Writing double major. I really enjoy reading comics and plays. I also enjoy building Lego sets in my free time.
Favorite piece: “State Song” by Giuseppe Getto
Design Editor | Will Butler | He/Him
Hello all, my name is Will Butler. I am an aspiring English teacher who loves to read—especially science fiction. I enjoy games of all sorts, from video games to board games. When reading non-science fiction, I enjoy charming and sweet pieces of fiction; ironically, my latest gaming obsession has been Warhammer 40k – set in the grimdark future of the 41st millennium!
Favorite piece: “Sicko” by Persephone King
Design Editor | Arden Jones | She/He/They/Xe
Hi! I’m Arden Jones and my favorite things to read are sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and dark humor books and graphic novels. A fun fact about me is that I write and draw comics in my spare time and it is my aspiration to be a storyboard artist/writer.
Favorite piece: “The Old Women and Miss Fitt” by Lynn Sloan
Design Editor | Jeff Marchette | He/Him
I like fantastical fiction, especially high fantasy, and a bit of sci-fi here or there. I’m an avid Warhammer 40k player and love creating narratives for my little plastic toy soldiers.
Favorite piece: “The Old Women and Miss Fitt” by Lynn Sloan
Managing Editor | D. White | She/Her
I love to read things of all genres as long as the writing speaks to me. I have a tuxedo cat who loves to read with me (or sit on my laptop and pretend he’s interested).
Favorite piece: “Caligula” by Rachel Becker
Sam Akridge
Alice Baldys
Kerry Blanton
Marina Bonanno
Courtney Cherico
Morgan Deacon
Danielle DeSimone
Katie Diemer
Kyle Finley
Amanda Grace
Lizzie Greene
Christine Grilliot
Colleen Huber
Melanie Jankovits
Katelyn Leboff
Elizabeth Lewan
Angela Mather
Will McCarry
Kate Ricchetti
Josh Roberts
Mike Stange
Kaci Sutton
Regina Weiss