Writers

Stacey E. Ake, PhD, PhD is an Associate Teaching Professor of Philosophy in Drexel’s English & Philosophy Department. Her interests include existentialism, semiotics, biosemiotics, science and religion as well as 19^th Century Continental Philosophy, particularly Kierkegaard. She spent 5 years at the Kierkegaard Research Center in Copenhagen, Denmark. She also worked for two years as editor of the online journal published by the Metanexus Institute for Religion and Science. She lives in West Philadelphia.

Doreen Alvarez Saar is Professor of English at Drexel University and the American Literature (to 1865) Editor of the Rocky Mountain Review of Language and Literature.

Jordan Anderson is a 3rd-year student at Drexel majoring in Communications with a concentration in Journalism. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants and spending time with her friends. After graduation, she plans to pursue broadcast journalism and become a news reporter.

Pooja Balar is a junior in the BS+MD program at Drexel University and is also pursuing a certificate in Creative Writing and Publishing. She loves spending time with her dog, as well as dancing, playing the guitar, and boxing. She’s a Marvel enthusiast and a Netflix fanatic, and when she’s not studying, she’s uploading blog posts on her personal website.

​Benjamin Barnett is a full-time instructor of English as a Second Language at the English Language Center at Drexel University, as well as an occasional adjunct in the First-Year Writing Program. In addition to his instructional duties, he serves as a program manager for many of the short-term special programs hosted by the ELC, including the Fulbright pre-academic program. He conducts new student orientations for the ELC and enjoys leading tours through Philadelphia for international students.

Kasia Bunofsky is a fifth-year student at Drexel working towards a BA in Art History and a BS in Entertainment and Arts Management with minors in English and Business Administration. In her free time, she loves reading (mostly horror, thrillers, and memoirs), enjoying the outdoors, or spending time with her two cats, Gizmo and Fae. She hopes to go on to earn her Ph.D. in Art History so she can spread her knowledge and passions to future students and art historians.

Patrick Crane is a senior majoring in physics and pursuing a certificate in writing and publishing. He is the president of the Drexel Karate Club, and in his free time enjoys cooking, writing, and playing Japanese mahjong. His favorite genres are horror and urban fantasy, and his favorite book is No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai.

Steph Cugine is a senior at Drexel University studying an open concentration in Communications. In her free time, you can catch her writing, reading, playing the piano or exploring the city of Philadelphia.

Katlyn Dinh is a senior Finance major with a minor in English at Drexel University. She is working towards writing her own story, but in the meantime, she enjoys other people's art with passion and analytic fervor. Her other hobbies include drawing and casual stargazing.

Michael Emmert is a second-year student at Drexel University, looking to obtain a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in writing. Outside of classes he likes to walk around Philly finding coffee shops and sketch things in his journal. In addition to writing, Michael also has a love for plants and drawing. One day he hopes to publish an eclectic book, blending mediums including poetry, art, and memoir.

Chris Faunce studies Civil Engineering at Drexel University. He is from East Norriton, PA and enjoys poetry.

Grace Fisher is a junior double-majoring in English and Dance. She enjoys writing literary analysis, argumentative essays, and poetry. Her favorite authors are Dorothy Dunnett, C.S. Lewis, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and Dostoevsky.

Ted Fristrom, PhD, teaches writing at Drexel University and is involved in the medical humanities program there and at the Drexel College of Medicine. His interests include medical narrative; literature and the environment; and trashy Scandinavian mystery novels. He also cultivates a shallow but far reaching interest in piano music, photography, cat wrangling, and cooking.

Zipporah Fulmore is a third-year student at Drexel University pursuing a BA in English with a concentration in writing. When she's not at work or school, you can find her reading, watching reality TV shows on Netflix, or trying new foods in the city. She has a never-ending sweet tooth and is always down to grab some boba or any sweet treat. She enjoys riding her bike on a cool spring day or going on a walk with friends.

Jahdae Gardener is a junior at Drexel University studying English and Sociology. She enjoys binge-watching horror movies and TV series, playing videogames, and playing the keyboard. She writes fiction, poetry, and journalistic articles.

Michaela Graf is a sophomore at Drexel studying Communications with a double minor in Spanish and Writing. She enjoys writing fiction, poetry, and op-ed articles for Drexel's independent newspaper, The Triangle. She is also planning to go to law school after her undergraduate studies and is in the process of publishing her first piece of poetry in an anthology

Cassandra Krivy Hirsch is the author of a historical novel, Under the Linden Tree, and is Associate Teaching Professor of English at Drexel University. For most of the last few decades, she has written freelance pieces for various regional publications, and is currently working on another novel, this one set in contemporary Philadelphia.

Charlotte is sophomore at Drexel University pursuing a B.A. in English with a concentration in writing. A former STEM major, she now works towards landing her dream job as a librarian. When not daydreaming about story ideas, you can find her trying to explain her niche interests or spacing out to a video essay.

Sope Lartey is a junior at Drexel University pursuing a Writing and Publishing certificate. She enjoys writing essays and poetry that revolve around the lives of women. She is an avid reader of West African literature.

Nicole Marie (she/her) is a third-year student at Drexel University pursing the Accelerated BS/MS in Psychology program while minoring in Writing and Neuroscience. On campus, she works in research labs, the Writing Center, and is the Chief News Editor for The Triangle (Drexel’s independent student newspaper). In her free time, she enjoys being creative through painting, journaling, and crocheting. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. to become a Clinical Child Psychologist.

Charles Massey is a senior at Drexel University studying Anthropology and pursuing a Certificate in Writing and Publishing. He enjoys reading, writing, supporting Liverpool Football Club, and walking his dogs down by the Schuylkill.

Rohan Mathew is a senior at Drexel University who is pursuing a B.S in Economics accompanied with a minor in English. He enjoys singing and playing guitar and occasionally performs at open mics around the Philadelphia area. When he wants to take a break from schoolwork, he decompresses by playing soccer with his friends.

Sophia Mattia is a third year English major with a concentration in writing and a minor in communication. Post-graduation, she aspires to publish romance novels and a poetry chapbook. Outside of classes she enjoys singing/songwriting, crystal collecting, and watching romantic comedies.

Caitlyn is a junior at Drexel University studying Entertainment Communications. She is the founder and head of Philadelphia-based music publication Ascribe Magazine, and writes for her photography blog Captured By Caitlyn in her spare time.

Elizabeth Mekler is a senior at Drexel studying bio with a concentration in organismal physiology. She dreams of getting into med school and becoming a trauma surgeon. If she’s not studying for the MCAT, or volunteering at her local hospital, then she can be found either reading some historical fiction or science fiction, tinkering with electronics, watching Doctor Who, or playing/listening to music.

Mirella Morelli-Peyton is a second-year Screenwriting & Playwriting major at Drexel University. She loves all types of storytelling and hopes to one day make it her career. In the meantime, you can find her doing one of her many hobbies—whether that be reading, drawing, baking, or anything else she can get her hands on.

Melanie is a copywriter and author of two novels, The Rules of Me published in 2018 through Waterton Publishing and a forthcoming novel in 2021 through Lanternfish Press. Her short fiction has been published in Ghost Parachute, Meat for Tea, and A Woman is a Cinema. Her nonfiction and criticism pieces have appeared on POPSUGAR, Prometheus Dreaming, and DIYMFA. She enjoys cooking, golfing, and exploring Philly's restaurant scene.

James W Nicholson has been writing professionally for nearly a decade and his work has appeared in DZone and Quickbase. He has a MS from Neumann University in Strategic Leadership and lives in the burbs of Philly.

Kat Odoms is a pre-junior studying English at Drexel University. She enjoys writing poetry and short fiction. She is currently the Managing Editor of Torch the Veil, a literary magazine, and a Contributor and Co-Editor of IntersEQtions, an antiracist literary magazine from LitEQ.

Gwen Ottinger is a scholar and playwright concerned with issues of environment, technology, and structural inequity. She is author of Refining Expertise: How Responsible Engineers Subvert Environmental Justice Challenges (winner of the 2015 Rachel Carson Prize from the Society for Social Studies of Science) and numerous academic journal articles. Her essays and commentary have appeared in publications such as the Washington Post, Issues in Science and Technology, and Undark. Ottinger is Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and the Center for Science, Technology, and Society at Drexel University, where she directs the Fair Tech Collective, an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to advancing environmentally just science and technology.

A full-time student striving towards a BA in English, Reese Pfunder focuses most of her time and attention on books. With her persistent passion in creative writing and storytelling, she hopes to one day help other writers make their aspirations a reality through a career in publishing, while also tinkering away at her own creative projects.

Write Now Philly is all about local writing.

Emma Zoe Polyak is a sophomore at Drexel University, majoring in Psychology and English with a concentration in Writing. She is also studying on a pre-med track, with interests in pediatrics and neuroscience. Emma is the co-founder of Artist’s POCket, an organization that provides resources for artists of color and she is the Associate Fiction Editor at BreakBread Literacy Project. She enjoys writing everything from poems to creative nonfiction. In her free time, she likes reading, watching films, listening to music, and spending time with her friends and family.

Sanjana is a second-year undergraduate student at Drexel University pursuing a degree in English with a concentration in Writing. She enjoys playing video games, cracking open a new book, and daydreaming. She writes poetry, short fiction, articles, and essays.

Anna Ramesh is a first-year student in the BS+MD Program at Drexel University, where she is pursuing a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in Writing. In her free time, Anna loves spending time with her family and friends, hiking, and playing/listening to music.

Ashley Rapay (she/her) is a second-year student at Drexel University pursuing Product Design while minoring in Fine Arts and Graphic Design. She loves creative writing and hopes to write a book one day. She also enjoys being creative through dancing, photography, drawing, and journaling.

Aamna Rehman is a senior at Drexel University majoring in Communications with a concentration in Journalism. Her love for creating meaningful pieces of art varies from writing, painting, and music. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and pet bunny. She hopes she can continue to create valuable work that inspires others to do the same.

Miriam is a fourth-year student at Drexel University pursuing a B.A. in English with a concentration in writing. They worked previously as a co-op staff writer for the Science History Institute’s Distillations Magazine, and dream of spending the rest of their life writing nerdy articles that give them another excuse to hang out at the library. When not writing articles, book ideas, or music, they can be found playing D&D and getting emotional over entirely imaginary creatures.

Ciara Richards is a sophomore at Drexel University studying Political Science with a minor in English. She plays on the Drexel Squash Team and is from Wales in the United Kingdom. Ciara likes to spend time with her friends, keep active, and do some reading. She also writes for the sports section of Drexel’s student newspaper, The Triangle, and was published in The 33rd.

Joan Roberta Ryan is the author of the poetry collection Dark Ladies & Other Avatars (3: A Taos Press, 2017).  Her poems have appeared in numerous reviews, including the Atlanta Review, Nimrod, The Sow’s Ear Review, Spillway, Naugatuck River Review, Ekphrasis, Euphony, Roanoke Review, Calyx, Cold Mountain Review, Off the Coast, Cape Rock, Crab Orchard Review and The Taos International Journal of Poetry.  And she is currently working on a collection of poems on the secret Jews of northern New Mexico.

Aileen Ryan is a fourth-year student at Drexel University majoring in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics with minors in English and Environmental Studies. Aileen is pursuing a career in the social sciences in hopes to create a better world. In her free time, Aileen enjoys exploring the city with friends, reading, and watching movies with her cat, Bruce Wayne.

Beck Schneider (he/him) is a second-year Drexel student pursuing a BA in English with a concentration in writing. He recently began his first co-op with Drexel’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and became a Peer Reader at the Drexel Writing Center. In his free time, he enjoys making Spotify playlists and writing poems, some of which have appeared in Drexel’s undergraduate literary magazine Maya. He soon hopes to launch his blog Brocamorphosis with writings about his relationship with language and his experiences as an autistic person.

Imana Schoch is a fourth-year student at Drexel University with a major in Screenwriting & Playwriting and a minor in English. After graduation, she hopes to work in publishing and produce her own films.

Stephen Silver is a journalist, essayist and film critic, who is a contributor to The National Interest, Philly Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Living Life Fearless, Backstage magazine, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The cofounder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons.

Itzel Sosa is a sophomore at Drexel University pursuing a B.A. in English with a writing concentration. In her spare time away from school and being a part-time coffee barista, she loves reading, enjoying the beach, or spending time with her friends. After graduation she aspires to earn her J.D. in hopes of becoming a lawyer.

Cassandra Stathis was born and raised in New Jersey but spent a lot of their weekends in the city of Philadelphia, where they decided to go for college to major in English and minor in psychology. Cas had ten articles published in Rider University's school newspaper and an essay will be published in Drexel's <i>The 33rd</i>. In their free time, Cas likes to collect comic books and create cosplays for Dungeons & Dragons characters.

Jeanna Stedman is a second-year Architecture major at Drexel University. In addition to her love of architecture, Jeanna’s passions include writing, graphic design, fashion, and working with children. She hopes to one day create an architecture and design based educational program that is accessible to young creatives across the city of Philadelphia.

Scott Stein is the author of four novels: The Great American Betrayal, The Great American Deception, Mean Martin Manning, and Lost. His writing has appeared in The Oxford University Press Humor Reader, McSweeney’s, Points in Case, Philadelphia Inquirer, National Review, Reason, Art Times, Liberty, The G.W. Review, and New York magazine. Scott is Teaching Professor of English at Drexel University, Director of the Drexel Publishing Group, and Founding Editor of Write Now Philly. He tweets @sstein.

Seth S. Tannenbaum is Visiting Scholar and Adjunct Professor in the Department of History at Drexel University. He is a lifelong Philadelphian who earned his Ph.D. in history at Temple University. His manuscript in progress is titled Ballparks as America: The Fan Experience at Major League Baseball Parks in the Twentieth Century. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Sport in American History, and a number of edited volumes and academic journals. Seth can be found on twitter @SethSTannenbaum.

Taylor Thomason is a third-year student at Drexel University pursuing a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in Communication. When she isn't studying, you can likely find her baking, doing yoga, writing short stories, or spending time with friends. Her favorite book of all time is The Giver by Lois Lowry, and her favorite author is Sarah Dessen.

Eva Thury teaches in the Department of English and Philosophy at Drexel University in Philadelphia. She once described herself on PBS rather grandiosely as having "a black belt in mythology" as a result of co-writing Introduction to Mythology Contemporary Approaches to Classical and World Myths, 4^th ed. (Oxford 2016) with Margaret K. Devinney. She is also the translator from the Hungarian of Sándor Bacskai's One Step toward Jerusalem: Oral Histories of Orthodox Jews in Stalinist Hungary. Though trained as a classicist, Thury sees herself as a student of popular culture, pursuing interests in everything from vampires to Sandy Skoglund's radioactive cats.

John Timpane, the former Books Editor and Theater Critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer, is a retired English teacher and journalist living and working in New Jersey. His work has appeared in Sequoia, North of Oxford, Apiary, Painted Bride Quarterly, Schuylkill Valley Journal, Per Contra, Vocabula Review, Truthdig, and elsewhere. His latest book, a chapbook, is Buck in the Piano Room (Philadelphia: Moonstone Press). 

Béa Urbanowski-Womer (she/he/they) is a 3^rd year student at Drexel University pursuing a BS in everything and anything that interests them (General Studies). He is currently invested in learning about work being done in museums of natural history to blend his backgrounds in the arts and STEM into one realm. Béa enjoys writing sci-fi and fantasy stories, exploring music unknown to her, and playing videogames in her free time. They hope to one day live in a self-sustaining off grid homestead.

Diamond Warney is a second-year Drexel student studying English and Law. She enjoys reading poetry and watching low-budget horror movies. After graduation, she hopes to earn her J.D. and work in immigration law.

Remedythe Williams is a senior at Drexel University majoring in Psychology. In her spare time, she works on her manuscript in hopes of getting it published.

Randee Wismer is a 2023 graduate of Drexel University’s English program. She spent her college career involved with non-profits and is especially interested in just outcomes for justice-involved people. She currently works with the Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity.