I first discovered my love of writing in fourth grade when all of the other kids were complaining about the FCAT Writing test and I was eating up writing prompt after writing prompt. Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, I couldn't get enough of writing, editing, and exploring literature. I was exposed to my first "classic" novels - "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "Pride and Prejudice" - during my AP Literature class in my senior year of high school, and this sealed the deal for me. 

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My passion for writing led me to join my high school newspaper team and rise the ranks to become Editor in Chief. When I began attending Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), the first organization I joined was Eagle News, the student-led newspaper, quickly followed by the Creative Writing Club and Sigma Tau Delta National English Honors Society. During my college career, I had opportunities to read literature spanning centuries and geography, attend creative writing conferences (Sanibel Island Writers Conference, Nov. 2017 and Nov. 2018), and participate in writing publications and competitions. In May 2019, I graduated from FGCU with a BA degree in English and a minor in Creative Writing. During my time as an undergrad student, I had several opportunities to grow my publishing, writing, and editing skills, and I'm grateful for the experience and lessons it taught me.

 

Two years later, I graduated from FGCU with an MA in English. While pursuing my graduate degree, I worked in my university's Center for Academic Achievement as a Writing Consultant (Aug. 2019-Jan. 2021) and later as a Lead Writing Consultant (Jan. 2021-April 2021). In this role, I assisted students in one-on-one tutoring sessions that focused on different stages of the writing process and encouraged the acquisition of different writing skills in varying disciplines. I further conducted monthly virtual meetings with my team and participated in weekly training sessions with my supervisor for professional development and collaborated with my fellow Consultants to implement new programs, including daily drop-in sessions and online paper submissions, to enhance student services and workplace flow.

 

Over the last several years, I have been the Content Coordinator for four SWFL-based community magazines that are distributed to over 15,000 homes each month. I first started with East Estero Living (July 2019-Present), which I have been involved with since the first issue. I joined the onboarding publishing team for Marco Island Living in July 2021. In January 2022, I joined the publishing teams for Palm Living and North Naples Neighbors. In this role, I am responsible for managing all influx of content for monthly print issues, including researching and writing resident cover feature articles; calendars of 10-12 local events, and general family-friendly content articles, including recipes, health and safety tips, trivia, sports, and more. I further conduct line-editing and page-proofs for publications to meet strict deadlines and constantly engage in timely and effective communication with community members, publishers, designers, and photographers. One of my favorite parts about this role is that I can connect with and serve the community with my content. I have been able to establish mutually beneficial connections with the publishing teams that are based on commitment, hard work, communication, and open-mindedness. Because of these relationships, I have been able to constantly grow and learn as a writer, an editor, and a team member.

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In Dec. 2016, I was published in the America Library of Poetry's annual student collection, Accomplished. I also have a poetry collection and short story published in my college's literary magazine, The Mangrove Review. I placed as runner-up in both the Short Story and Poetry categories in 2018 and winner in Short Story in 2019 during FGCU's Annual Writing Awards. Additionally, I have served as a reader for submissions for my friend's literary magazine, the tiny journal.

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In the rare occasions that I'm not writing, you can usually find me curled up in a nook with a good book and a hot chocolate. I also love photography, as well as anything Disney, Harry Potter, or Once Upon a Time related. On rare occurrences, you may also find me baking, and most likely burning stuff, but we don't talk about that.

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Some of my literary influences are Julie McElwain, Tamora Pierce, Kate Morton, Richard Osman, Nathan Hill, the Grimm Brothers, and William Shakespeare. I admire each of their individual writing styles and creativity. If I HAD to pick a favorite book, I would first say, "that's impossible," but then I would follow-up with, "One of my favorite novels of all-time is 'The Phantom Tollbooth' by Norton Juster."

 

On the side, I manage my new project: Bundles of Books. With this project, both new and used books are carefully arranged into either genre-specific or assorted "grab bag" bundles that range anywhere from 3-5 books per bundle. With a mission of promoting exposure to new literature and encouraging readers to expand in their literary niches and try new genres, these bundles are perfect for all kinds of readers! You can learn more about the project at the following links:

Etsy: @BundlesofBooksShop

Facebook: @BookBundles1

Instagram: @bundlesofbookshop 

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Happy writing!