Masthead - Rooted Literary Magazine

Editorial Team

Amanda Massa—Fiction Editor

Amanda is a fiction editor for Rooted Literary Magazine. She reads across many different genres and is currently writing a YA dystopian novel! As a recent college graduate, she is excited to start a career in book publishing and is always looking for ways to advance her writing skills. When not busy reading or writing, she can be found gaming and spending time with her cat, Stinky.

Clementine Joly—Flash Fiction Editor

Clementine is a London based Editor with over six years of experience across academic and professional markets. She has professional training qualifications including Introduction to Editorial Skills and Advanced Copyediting from the Publishing Training Centre. Outside of work, she mainly reads literary fiction, with a particular weakness for thoroughly twisted female protagonists (think Eliza Clark, Sayaka Murata, etc.). However, she also has a soft spot for Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive series and is enjoying exploring the fantasy genre (even if romantasy is still a step too far). As for poetry, she mainly reads the work of upcoming poets via instagram for the vulnerability and honesty captured there. She is looking forward to keeping her finger on the literary pulse through her volunteer work here at Rooted.

Heather Miller—Nonfiction Editor

Heather is an editor for Rooted Literary Magazine. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s degree in English with a focus on creative writing. Heather has been an avid reader for most of her life and enjoys a variety of genres, though fantasy is a favorite at the moment. Creative writing has been a part of her life since middle school, and with it came an interest in grammar and clarity in writing. This interest grew into a passion for collaborating with writers to strengthen their work and prepare it for publication.

Maeve Terry—Social Media Manager

Maeve Terry is a Social Media Manager for Rooted Literary Magazine. She’s based out of Portland, ME. Maeve hopes to land a job in publicity for the book publishing industry but in the meantime she’s serving up artisanal fries at Duckfat. In her free time you can find her by a body of water reading a book.

Raezel Valencia—Magazine Design Lead

Raezel Noelani Valencia is a writer, graphic designer, nerd of an artist who has too little time to spend on way too many interests. She is currently pursuing design work in the publishing industry having taken a special loving to making book covers and their interior design. If she can squeeze in the time, or replace sleep, she plays video games, reads books, and loves to write fantasy with a keen interest in world building! Find her sleepless in some corner huddled up with her latest obsession.

Luke Goodwin—Fiction Editor

Luke is a fiction editor at Rooted Literary Magazine. He loves to write and read speculative fiction, especially when it features trans and queer characters. He hopes to one day break into the publishing industry with a focus on developmental editing. In his free time, Luke is usually writing about gay werewolves or hanging out with his cat.

Kit Tobey—Fiction Editor

Kit is a former educator and current storytelling enthusiast working with the Stay Rooted Fiction team. They love a good found family trope and prefer to read science fiction, fantasy, and romance. He also works with LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education providing support services to college and university faculty and staff. When not working or reading, Kit can be found snuggling their cats, Juno and Benzaiten, or watching Gilmore Girls with his wife.

Lindzey Jacoby—Fiction Editor

Lindzey is a creative writing graduate who has become endlessly fascinated with the machinations of language. They've been writing and editing since they were eleven years old, and have since been working across literary magazines such as The Florida Review and West Trade Review. Now, they're continuing their search for unique perspectives that show how much power words can really have. (With the help of their feline advisors, of course.)

Mara Crow—Fiction Editor

Mara is a Fiction Editor for StayRooted. They primarily write science fiction with a focus on romance. They enjoy a wide variety of genres including fantasy, mystery, and romance. They have a passion for bringing stories to life. In their free time they enjoy crafting, watching anime, and looking for their next great read.

Lorien Kauffman—Poetry Editor

Lorien Kauffman is a recent graduate of the Denver Publishing Institute with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kenyon College. In their current position at a local running store, they work in customer service helping to build an active and welcoming community. They are a life-long fan of all things spooky and lyrical and their poetry, which explores both, is published in Persimmons Magazine and HIKA Magazine. They can be found in their hometown of Anchorage, Alaska, frequenting tea lounges and running year-round.

Daniel Golub—Nonfiction Editor

Currently located in Boston, Daniel is a rising college junior studying creative writing and publishing. He loves to read and write anything that excites him, though he has recently found a special place in his heart for creative nonfiction, and is excited to apply that love towards Rooted Magazine. When he's not doing schoolwork, writing, or editing, Daniel enjoys hiking and photography. Even when he can't get out onto official trails, he makes it his mission to find and document the bits of nature hidden within the city.

Lavinia Bird—Poetry Editor

Lavinia is a final year English Literature and Linguistics student, keen to get as involved in the editorial and publishing industry as possible. She currently holds the position of Poetry Editor for Rooted Literary Magazine. She also holds various posts at student publications at her university, including Copyeditor and Columnist, and writes as much as she can in her spare time. An avid reader and critic of poetry and SFF fiction, she is looking to enter a career in publishing after her degree.

Amrita Mukerji—Poetry Editor

Amrita M is a professional editor based in India. She has worked for many years in trade publishing, on fiction and non-fiction. In her spare time, she likes to read (mostly mystery and thriller fiction), watch movies and web series, or daydream.

Readers & Reviewers

Georgina Isaacson—Reader

Georgina is a British-American History graduate and lover of all things pertaining to the written word. She's currently a freelance copyeditor for an independent history and current affairs publishing house. Prior to that, she worked as an Editorial Assistant for a London publishing agency championing underrepresented voices. When she's not scribbling poems and streams of consciousness for her Substack, you'll find her turning pages of poetry, fiction or non-fiction (currently immersed in Zadie Smith's Dead or Alive), or flicking through the latest TLS to a background of The Velvet Underground.

Annexis Smith—Reader

Annexis Smith is a reader/reviewer for Rooted Literary Magazine. She is getting her associates of arts degree at the moment at Dallas College Eastfield. but her main goal is to pursue forensics with either psychology or being a field investigator. In her spare her time she enjoys building Legos, reading lots of romance/comic books, watching tons of anime and collecting Funko pops( she has over 100). She loves to spend time with her animals watching movies; her three favorite movies are Dazed and Confused, Scream, and Step Up.

Sydney Peploe—Reader

Sydney Peploe is a writer and reader of poetry, philosophy and sociology in all of it's forms. Originally from Brighton in the South of England, she grew up heavily influenced and led by punk, rock n roll, feminism and animal rights - never afraid to stand up for what she believes in. She enjoys journalling, mixed-media art, cross-stitch and DIY haircuts and hopes to publish her own book one day.

Marisa Martinez—Art Reviewer

Marisa is a volunteer art reviewer for Rooted Magazine. She is a recent graduate from San Diego State University where she earned a degree in English Literature with an emphasis in creative writing, editing, and publishing. Before attending and graduating SDSU she also earned her Associates degree in Art History, another field she is passionate about. Her favorite stories to engage with are rooted in science fiction, fantasy, the mythological, and anything that puts a twist on classic folk and fairy tales. If you can’t find her hunched over her laptop frantically typing up her own manuscripts, curled in bed with in a new book, painting pottery, or at a concert, you can probably find her chasing her cats around the house who have likely stolen another pen.

Matthew Pineda—Music/Video Reviewer

Matthew Pineda, also known as Matt Cinematic, is a creative writer and media artist from San Antonio, Texas. He works in speculative, horror, and sci-fi genres and is currently pursuing the online Creative Writing MFA program at University of Texas at El Paso.

Caitlin Kelly—Reader

Caitlin is a volunteer fiction reader for Rooted Magazine. She is a recent postgraduate from the University of Liverpool, specialising in Media, History, and Politics. With experience in editorial writing, research, and digital publishing through her work with a student newspaper, she explored her passion for storytelling across a varied landscape of content types. In the long term, she hopes to have a career in the publishing industry. In her spare time, she can be found baking sweet treats or reading romance novels.

Jennie Firth—Reader

Jennie is a volunteer reader for Rooted literary magazine. She has a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and is currently working as an Executive Assistant, aspiring to become a publishing professional. She runs an Instagram account to review books in her spare time, as well as reading copious numbers of books, volunteering at bookshop events, baking, crocheting, dancing salsa and learning to garden.

Jamie Yonker

Ishan Chauhan—Reader

Ishan is an editor with professional and academic expertise in fiction and poetry. He works as a volunteer reader at Rooted Literary Magazine, keeping his connection with the world of literature. Hoping to put his creative degree to use, he is also writing a science fiction manuscript while simultaneously engaged in the publishing industry. In his free time, you will find him reading murder mysteries, playing MMORPGs, or taking long walks in the streets of Delhi.

Sheryl Abraham—Reader

Sheryl is a Reader/Reviewer for Rooted Literary Magazine. She is pursuing managing and production editorial opportunities in publishing, specifically in children’s and young adult literature. You can normally find her at a concert or sporting event, working on her pastry skills, or spending time with her family and friends. Sheryl strives to make the world just a little bit better every day by spreading kindness and compassion.

Brenna Faricy—Reader

With a B.A. in International Affairs, Brenna Faricy is a professional in leadership studies at UCCS, intent on transitioning into a publishing career focused on rights, permissions, and contracting. In her free time, she enjoys reading anything, watching b-level horror movies, and learning new things.

Georgia May—Reader

Georgia May is a UK-based filmmaker and journalist from the South East. Several of her poems and short stories have been published, and she’s been both judge and selectee of film festivals around the globe--mostly for her feature scripts, experimental short films and documentaries.

Belton Pham—Reader

Belton is an undergraduate student at Northern Arizona University, studying English Literature and Psychology. He has published two short stories for the NAU Lumberjack Writing Showcase and the Neon Star Literary Magazine, and he also currently writes book reviews on Substack. In his free time, he loves to read (mainly literary fiction) and shop for new skincare products and perfume.

Victoria Wroblewski—Reader

Victoria Wroblewski is a freelance editor and proofreader with an MA in English from Rutgers University. She spent most of her MA doing deep-dives on her favorite books and shows and passing it off as homework. Her favorite author is Terry Pratchett, her favorite show is NBC’s Hannibal, and her most controversial literary take is that fanfiction counts as “real” writing.

Adam Weinstein—Art Reviewer

Adam is a queer artist and writer originally from the Bronx, New York. When he paints, he works in acrylic paint and India ink, and when he writes, he works in Google Docs. He has created art from a young age, and uses it as a tool to aid in his ongoing self-discovery.

Christopher Watkins—Reader

Christopher Watkins’ second poetry collection, Famished, was published by Pine Row Press in spring 2024. His debut, Short Houses with Wide Porches, was published by Shady Lane Press. His work has appeared in Redivider, The Massachusetts Review, Harpur Palate, Hayden’s Ferry Review, and more. Watkins holds an MFA in Creative Writing (Poetry) from the Stonecoast program at the University of Southern Maine. He is also a songwriter and musician with thirteen albums released under the name Preacher Boy. He lives in Santa Cruz, California, and has previously resided in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, and the west of Ireland.

Claire Piazza—Reader

Claire Piazza is a reader for Rooted Literary Magazine. She loves to read gothic, speculative, and children’s literature, especially works that combine all three genres. She is also passionate about writing essays and cultural criticism, and hopes to become a published author someday. When not reading and writing, Claire spends her time playing the piano, hanging out in cemeteries, walking in the woods, or looking for a new place to get coffee.

Jaleah James—Reader

Jaleah is a current reader for Rooted Literary Magazine! She has a bachelor's degree in Digital Media with a focus in Journalism and is working on her Master's Degree in Publishing at Pace University. Her main goal is to become an editor at one of the Big 3 publishing houses. In her free time, you can find her reading, gardening, or learning new languages.

Emily Niebuhr—Reader

Emily Niebuhr is studying English and Environmental Studies at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. She self published her first poetry collection in 2023 and is currently working on her second. In her free time, she loves running, reading (with an affinity for John Green), and camping. She aspires to become an environmental journalist after college.

Jen Loomis—Reader

Jen Loomis is a Southern California–based writer and photographer whose passion for storytelling is rooted in reading YA, psychological thrillers, and true-crime narratives. A graduate of the University of Iowa, she enjoys exploring the world of publishing and is currently writing her own YA novel. Known for her sarcastic wit and direct style, she brings the same sharp eye to her writing as she does to conversation. When she’s not at the page, she can be found at the beach with her camera, capturing the extraordinary in the ordinary or in a bookstore, where she especially enjoys attending author events. She has a keen talent for recognizing and uplifting voices that deserve to be heard, and she channels that gift into every interaction.

Cheyenne Dakota Williams—Reader

Cheyenne Dakota Williams is a poetry reader for Rooted literary magazine and is currently an undergrad student at Fort Lewis College majoring in Writing. She is a Diné poet and writer, and her work has been published in Poetry Magazine, Chapter House Journal, and most recently anthologized in Beyond the Glittering World: An Anthology of Indigenous Feminisms and Futurisms. Cheyenne is the 2025 winner of the Frederick Bock Prize awarded by Poetry Magazine. She loves shopping, dachshunds, and Robert Redford movies.

Cameron Miguel—Reader

Cameron Miguel is a Los Angeles-based writer and critic. Their poetry has appeared in "Thel" and "Animus," their short fiction has appeared in "Valhalla Awaits: A Norse Mythology Anthology," and their book reviews appear on "Strange Horizons." They are a fan of the speculative, particularly with a queer bent. When they're not working as an instructional aide or seeking opportunities in more creative roles, you'll find them reading.

Aria DeLara—Art Reviewer

Aria DeLara is a writer, editor, and recent graduate of the Denver Publishing Institute. She loves reading translated works, making elaborate meals, and promoting diverse voices and perspectives.

Emily Spaulding—Reader

Emily is a communications graduate and aspiring publishing professional who loves all things storytelling, from digital content to books you can’t put down. She’s passionate about creativity, connection, and finding the right words to bring ideas to life. Emily is eager to dive deeper into the publishing world and explore new opportunities to grow as a writer and editor. When she’s not working on content, you’ll probably find her hanging out with her dogs or happily losing track of time in a bookstore.

Kyla McClintock—Reader

Kyla McClintock is an avid reader, writer, Formula 1 fan, coffee lover, and beach goer. She has been writing since the 8th grade and has pursued her passion for it, graduating with a BA in English and Creative Writing with a minor in Journalism. She graduated from Texas State a year early and has been editing for EnforceTheSport, covering Formula 1 and all its latest news. Kyla is also a writing intern at Bookstr, where she has the pleasure of writing book recommendations and recent pop culture trends. Kyla is also actively pursuing a career in editing and publishing.

Jamie Yonker—Reader

Jamie Yonker is a farmer and writer based in Brooklyn, New York.

Tomás Miriti Pacheco—Reader

Tomás Miriti Pacheco is a writer from Columbus, Ohio. He has been an avid poetry lover ever since watching the film "Louder Than a Bomb" about the titular Chicago youth poetry slam. His poetry has been featured in Flip The Page and Columbus Alive.

Jake Hamstra—Reader

Jake is an arts enthusiast and a fledgling in the world of fiction editing from the Jersey Shore. As a Master's student studying English and Creative Writing, he is dedicated to words and the worlds they can create, as well as keeping the artistic process as human as possible. Jake has also worked professionally as a Theatre Educator, bringing a wide background of experience into his bookish career.

Layla Wragg—Music Reviewer

Layla is a passionate actress and singer/songwriter who has graced stages all across East Texas, sharing her love for the fine arts through music and performance. With a deep appreciation for all genres of music and movies, she brings creativity and heart into everything she does. When she’s not performing or helping clients find their dream homes, you can usually find her thrifting for hidden treasures, singing just for fun, hanging out with friends, or spending time with her beloved pug, Todd.

Andrea Ramos—Reader

Andrea is an aspiring developmental editor who has always been moved by stories. She loves reading horror, but in the end, any good storyteller will find a way to her heart. Currently, she is undertaking editorial courses by Penguin Random House's Escuela Cursiva. When she is not reading and annotating books, you can find her spoiling her cat Gante or listening to The Killers & Taylor Swift. She studied Global Business with a minor in Strategic Communication at Tec de Monterrey. Currently, Andrea is in Mexico but preparing to move abroad to Europe.

Evan Hannon—Reader

Evan Hannon was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, and now lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife and twin children. His work has appeared in Conjunctions and X-R-A-Y.

Editor-in-Chief | Founder

Taylor writes everything from speculative fiction to video game cinematics. Her work leans speculative, often dark, and always character-focused; she is fascinated by moments when the ordinary turns uncanny.

Taylor is the Editor-in-Chief of the Rooted Literary Magazine and Marketing Director of StayRooted Studios. Her fiction work has appeared in Neon Origami Literary Magazine, Wingless Dreamer, Nat 1 Publishing, and more. Her background blends creative writing, digital content creation, and editorial work.

Taylor is also pursuing opportunities in narrative design and editorial storytelling within the video game industry, particularly on projects that strike a balance between creativity and structure, such as lore development, dialogue writing, and world-building. You’ll probably find her singing karaoke, gaming, lurking in bookstores, or listening to D&D podcasts when she’s not writing. Taylor currently lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with her dog Goliath.

Editorial Team

Readers & Reviewers

Editor-in-Chief | Founder

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