FALL 2026
Betsy Boyd | Editor-in-Chief
Nguyên Khôi Nguyễn | Executive Editor
Nguyên Khôi Nguyễn is an interdisciplinary artist and educator. He is the author of the Ignatz-nominated comic series, The Gulf and his cartoons have been featured in The New Yorker and McSweeney’s. Nguyên performs as the vocalist/pianist of the jazz trio, Superior Cling and is the creator of the multimedia cooking website, Mom’s Viet Kitchen. He is the 2026 Stevenson University Artist-in-Residence, and has been awarded the Baker Prize and Rubys Artist Grant. Nguyên is the Lecturer in Visual Communication and Design at the University of Baltimore. He lives in Baltimore with his wife and sons.
Catharine Robertson | Deputy Executive Editor
Catharine Robertson is a Baltimore writer and storyteller. For 20 years she has been telling stories to live audiences at the Stoop Storytelling Series and on the Stoop podcast. She is the 2026 writer in residence for Baltimore Heritage and was the 2025 managing editor of Welter. Her work has appeared in Yellow Arrow Vignette. Catharine is an MFA candidate in creative writing at the University of Baltimore. See more at catharinerobertson.com.
MANAGING EDITORS
Crystal Banton
Crystal C. Banton is a memoirist and nonfiction writer from Queens, New York. A retired Army combat veteran and former police officer, she is more comfortable running toward chaos than sitting still long enough to celebrate surviving it. Her work explores identity, contradiction, reinvention, and the absurdity that inevitably finds its way into serious moments. These days, she writes, performs her stories onstage, and is discovering what happens when the next chapter belongs entirely to her.
Matthew Walsh
Matthew Walsh is a screenwriter and Army veteran, originally from upstate New York. He received his B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Baltimore in 2024 and is a current M.F.A. candidate with a focus on screenwriting. When not working, in class, writing, researching, networking, or getting five hours of sleep, he’s very probably cleaning, doing chores, running errands, paying bills, cooking, or chasing his toddler around the house.
GENRE EDITORS
Amber Campbell-Wheeler | Creative Nonfiction Editor
Amber Campbell-Wheeler (b. 1998) is a writer, host, and artist hailing from Baltimore, MD. She received her B.A. in Art Management & Production from the University of Baltimore in 2023 and is a current CWPA MFA candidate focusing on Poetry. When she is not in class, she is hosting the Love Groove Festival, a locally organized and founded art event, or getting strangers to scream and reflect at her Something, Something, Poetry writing workshop.
Thomas Dettling | Fiction Editor
Thomas Dettling is a writer and MFA Candidate at the University of Baltimore.
Sierra Revels | Poetry Editor
Sierra Revels (they/them) is a poet and MFA candidate at the University of Baltimore. In 2022, they received their B.A. in Cognitive Neuroscience from Washington University in St. Louis. Now based in the Baltimore area, their work explores the intersection of personal experience, memory, and the natural world. They have also written and co-hosted episodes of the Science Fare Podcast. When they are not reading or writing, you can find them browsing antiques or second-hand clothing.
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Renee Cornish
Renee Cornish is a candidate in the Creative Writing and Publishing Arts Master of Fine Arts Degree program with an emphasis on screenwriting at the University at Baltimore. She enjoys playing tennis, reading, and creating art.
Benjamin Crouch
Ben Crouch is an M.A. Integrated Design student. He used to work at Fox 45 as a morning news editor for three and a half years. Over time, he realized that working in news was not for him, and he needed to figure out something else to do in life. He knew he wanted something more creative than just editing the same footage every day. Finally, one night in November 2024, he found his answer.
Eboni Zook
Eboni Akpan Zook is an interdisciplinary educator with over a decade of experience in K-12 education. She currently works as an assistant principal in Baltimore City. She aspires to be a novelist and children’s author, while completing an MFA in Creative Writing. She was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2025. She is originally from Washington, D.C., but currently lives in Baltimore. She lives with her husband, three daughters, and two cats.
ART & DIGITAL
Jermaine Gordon | Art Director
Jermaine Gordon has been teaching art in Baltimore County schools for 15 years. This year Jermaine will be in a new position as a middle school career coach. Jermaine resides in Parkville, Maryland with his wife Alysha and two children: Kendall and Riley. Jermaine is in his fourth year in the Integrated Design MFA at UB. Cycling, photography, disc golf, and ceramics are his hobbies. Jermaine is excited to have most of the required classes completed, and is looking forward to building portfolio pieces through elective courses.
Nadia Fox | Webmaster
Nadia Fox was born into a world of music and art and has been creating ever since. A Gen Z creative who admittedly prefers watching over reading, she loves design, fashion, music, and bringing ideas to life. A jack of all trades, Nadia is always picking up a new skill or hobby, from piano and sports to baking, sewing, modeling, and bartending. Most importantly, as she works towards her M.A. in Integrated Design, she hopes to leave people inspired, connected, and with a little more love and joy than before.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Melanie Gonzalez | PR Manager
Melanie Gonzalez, a possible Incan princess, was raised in Maryland. She’s traveled to Machu Picchu (her spirit animal is a llama). She enjoys hiking, gaming (currently FFXIV), sports (HAIL!), and being creative. After graduating in 2006, she never planned to return to school—until an opportunity sparked a desire to grow her skills and career. She hopes to teach her kids that growth is always possible, no matter where they are in life.
Stacy Harris | PR Manager
Stacy Harris, born and raised in Baltimore, holds an A.A. and B.A. in Professional Writing. In her spare time, she collects books, reads Mythology, and listens to movie soundtracks, while building worlds through fictional writing. She is currently in the M.A. Integrated Design program and uses the skills she learned to help other authors bring their books to life through compelling structural presentations. One day, she will help others achieve their dreams of being published.