CREATIVE | JOURNO | AUTHOR | EDITOR
Photos by Lexi Priest
I'm a writer, editor, and creative from Tampa, Florida. I started my book review blog in the spring of 2011 when I was in the 7th grade, and began reviewing the 100+ books per year I consistently devoured. Through it, I taught myself a lot of hard skills like graphic design, SEO optimization, photo and video editing, and more. It’s currently down right now for a new design and re-launch, but I’ll link to it as soon as it’s up again! My blog turns 13 in April, and has been the core of my creative life.
While in school at W&L, I was a European History major and Studio Art minor. As a jack of all trades creative, I have a knack for picking up new artistic techniques. I love drawing, printmaking, hand-lettering, and illustration. Even now, you can find me calligraphing the occasional suite of wedding invitations.
JOURNALISM: In March 2020, my plans to enter the travel industry were dashed by COVID-19. Instead, I spent a year on O’ahu in Hawai’i working a variety of contracts for brands, agencies, destinations, and influencers as a “creative Swiss Army knife.” In May 2022, I began focusing mainly on writing for magazines and publications, which allows me to combine all of my interests and write every day. Since then, I’ve contributed to The Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, PEOPLE, Town & Country, TripSavvy, Real Simple, Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Well+Good, Matador Network, Elite Daily, Plein Air Social, The Quality Edit, and more. Career-wise, I still plan on landing firmly in travel editorial, so am on the hunt for travel opportunities.
That being said, I’m deeply interested in covering multiple lifestyle verticals, and love anything that taps into my love of aesthetics. I devour research in the psychology of art, creativity, and aesthetics, so that field influences a lot of my thought. I’m always analyzing the neuroscience behind effective storytelling — a consciousness that strengthens my craft.
FICTION: While querying and preparing my YA Southern Gothic novel — which I hope to be my debut — I kept the entire process secret before signing with my first agency. I’ve recently parted ways with them and will be seeking new representation, but the cat’s out of the bag on that one! So you can follow my author journey along with 10K+ other followers on my Instagram, or by signing up for my publishing updates newsletter. I’ve relished finally being on the author side (the culmination of a lifelong dream.)
When not writing, making art, or reading, I’m probably at a dance studio or chipping away at an instrument. I’m a hobbyist at heart, and passionate about anything expressive.
