Kelli Donley
Kelli Donley was born and raised in Arizona. She has been an avid reader and writer since childhood, which led to studying journalism in college. After volunteering in west Africa with the Peace Corps, she returned to school to study public health.
She is the author of two novels, Under the Same Moon and Basket Baby. Inspiration for both stories was found working in the developing world in international health.
Kelli currently lives with her husband Jason, two children, three dogs, and a bunny in Mesa, Arizona. She continues to work in public health for the State of Arizona, and blogs at www.africankelli.com
(photo credit Amanda Nemec Photography)
Shawn Mihalik
Shawn Mihalik was born in San Diego, California, in 1990, where he lived until he was seven.
In high school, he won several awards both as a writer for and editor-in-chief of his student newspaper, prompting him to study journalism before deciding that his passion for writing was better directed at fiction.
Shawn is the author of three books—novels entitled Brand-Changing Day and Particles, and The Flute Player, a novella—and is a contributor to several others.
Shawn currently lives in Helena, MT, with his wife and cat.
Josh Wagner
Josh Wagner was living in the middle of the desert with his dog Lucyfurr in 2008 when Ape Entertainment released his first graphic novel, Fiction Clemens. Since then he’s traveled all over the planet, spinning stories out of what he finds. Outside of his comics work Josh is the author of four novels: Smashing Laptops, Deadwind Sea, The Adventures of the Imagination of Periphery Stowe, and his newest work, Shapes the Sunlight Takes. He’s also written half a dozen plays (including Salep & Silk, Ringing Out, Bleach Bone).
In his spare moments he reads too much, gets lost in the woods, and dances until they kick him out of the bar. In 2014 Josh is releasing two books: a new novel through Asymmetrical, and his novella, Mystery Mark, a collaboration with illustrator Theo Ellsworth and Viscosity Theatre. Josh blogs and promotes the arts at NothingInMind.com.
Robert Isaac Brown
Robert Isaac Brown is the author of the short story collection Lake Horatio and the poetry collection Identities. He currently lives in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Lorraine Gordon
Describe yourself and your talents in exactly 17 words.
Writer, Super speller, Honest, Word nerd, Extroverted, Artist, Goal setter, Funny, Organized, Reader, Detail oriented, Rebellious, Dependable
What made you want to work with Asymmetrical Press?
It just feels right. I like the philosophy behind The Minimalists, who have also introduced me to Colin Wright and Leo Baubata, of Zen Habits. You all have contributed much to my life over the past year or so, and now I have the opportunity to contribute to you.
Would you rather ride on a train, dance in the rain, or feel no pain? Why?
“Toot-toot!” was merry music to my ears at odd hours of the day and night when I was a child. My dad worked for the railroad, and I’ve always slept like a baby whenever riding in a gently rocking coach.
My father died just three years after he retired from the railroad. After his funeral, during the casket-lowering ceremony, some of his mates slowly drove a train along the tracks that run alongside the cemetery. They leaned on the whistle for a long, slow blast.
The mournful whistle of a far-off train speaks to me now of sadness and loss. But I still feel connected to trains, and I conjure one up whenever I need to sink into sleep.
Carly Fuglei
Describe yourself and your talents in exactly 17 words.
I travel and write — but rarely travel write — usually about diverse, wild people who find self-awareness.
What made you want to work with Asymmetrical Press?
Asymmetrical originally interested me because it popped up in my hometown, but I heard about it from my school friends in Boston, where I was already working on a lit journal. I was immediately drawn to the Asymmetrical philosophy. Despite the onslaught of language we deal with every day coming at us from all departments of life, I think literature is still an important vehicle of self discovery, cultural reflection, and spiritual education. I like Asymmetrical because it promotes the concept that anyone can be a part of the production of this critical material and because of the community that has formed around this concept.
Would you rather ride on a train, dance in the rain, or feel no pain? Why?
I would ride on a train because I’m happiest in motion.
Tahlia Meredith
Describe yourself and your talents in exactly 17 words.
Late twenties Melbourne girl. Light hearted, curious, and a bit silly. Writer, reader, blogger, eagle-eyed word nerd.
What made you want to work with Asymmetrical Press?
I’ve long been interested in editing and publishing. I’ve also learned a great deal from the Asymmetrical Community, so working with you guys is my way of giving back some for the enormous value you provide.
Would you rather ride on a train, dance in the rain, or feel no pain? Why?
Ride on a train. I hate getting rained on, and I don’t think dancing will counteract that, and feeling pain helps us grow and learn and be stronger. Riding on a train I can read, listen to music, stare out the window, go to new places or meet interesting people!
Emily Tripp
Describe yourself and your talents in exactly 17 words.
Adventurous. Authentic. Creative. Curious. Determined. Direct. Intuitive. Industrious.
Loving. Lucky. Observant. Organic. Overwhelmed by extraneous fluff. Thankful.
What made you want to work with Asymmetrical Press?
I want to work for good people with a great tagline and no facades, creating something
new to get something different.
Would you rather ride on a train, dance in the rain, or feel no pain? Why?
My imagination has run amok with this hypothetical proposition.
Where is the train going? What kind of train is it? Who is on the train?
What are the weather conditions that accompany the rain?
Is the pain emotional or physical? Is it chronic or temporary?
I cannot commit with out one or two controlled variables, but with that said I do have my
passport on hand and I would not turn down a Eurorail pass.
Emily Suhr
Describe yourself and your talents in exactly 17 words.
I am a quirky (and mildly manic) dreamer who is addicted to coffee, clothes, and Doctor Who.
What made you want to work with Asymmetrical Press?
I was drawn to the community of creators. Working in retail, I see a lot of consumption, and it is mentally and emotionally (not to mention financially) draining for everyone involved. Even me, and I’m simply an observer. The chance to collectively create something was a refreshing idea and long overdue. Plus, it makes me feel a bit better about my B.A. in English.
Would you rather ride on a train, dance in the rain, or feel no pain? Why?
Dance in the rain. Because I’ll take any opportunity to show off my moves like Jagger.
Gracie Ryan
Describe yourself and your talents in exactly 17 words.
Proud owner of two lava lamps and a yeti. Studying photojournalism at the University of Montana, yo.
What made you want to work with Asymmetrical Press?
Why work for The Man when you can work for Asymmetrical?
Would you rather ride on a train, dance in the rain, or feel no pain? Why?
I’d rather dance in the rain, but only if I have some friends to dance with me.
Trisha Suhr
Describe yourself and your talents in exactly 17 words.
I’m a writer, editor, researcher, teacher, adventurer, & dreamer. (More than) slightly mischievous. Definitely geek, reluctantly chic.
What made you want to work with Asymmetrical Press?
Two reasons: First, I was intrigued by Asymmetrical’s approach to publishing and the community it’s building. I love the idea that authors should be engaged in and learn from the entire publishing process, not just the writing. And I want some experience in that publishing process. I want to learn all of it – design, formats, marketing, social media – because I think these are, and will continue to be, important.
Would you rather ride on a train, dance in the rain, or feel no pain? Why?
I haven’t danced in the rain in a while, honestly. I need to remedy that.
Kyle Oddis
Describe yourself and your talents in exactly 17 words.
I’m convinced I was designed to write and edit—to help people feel and heal through words.
What made you want to work with Asymmetrical Press?
Asymmetrical’s take on publishing is both refreshing and visionary. It’s unlike anything I’ve come across before, and it feels so authentic and accessible that I couldn’t help but want to bring my talents to the table. Also, the people here seemed really cool, and I wanted to be cool, too. But seriously. I like that Asymmetrical champions great talent while promoting inclusivity, and I wanted to be a part of it all because hey, I believe in that.
Would you rather ride on a train, dance in the rain, or feel no pain? Why?
Dance in the rain, no doubt about it. There’s something so liberating and wonderful about just letting go in moments like that. No umbrellas for me, thanks.
Samuel Engelen
Describe yourself and your talents in exactly 17 words.
Chaotic minimalist, absolute pervert, occasional charmer, cynical optimist, meticulous reader, zealous traveler, unconventional father, purveyor of words.
What made you want to work with Asymmetrical Press?
I thought this community was the best thing since universal sink plugs, so I wanted to contribute in any way I could. The founders are talented, passionate people and they attract an interesting crowd; the Asymmetrical community is a great place to meet (and work with) talented people from a variety of backgrounds.
Would you rather ride on a train, dance in the rain, or feel no pain? Why?
Dance on a train. Might as well enjoy the ride. And I don’t want to die without a few scars.
Jesse Stevenson
Describe yourself and your talents in exactly 17 words.
I have a passion for world travel, love learning and speaking foreign languages, and meeting new people.
What made you want to work with Asymmetrical Press?
I love the location-independent lifestyle that the guys at Asymmetrical promote, and how each of them decided what they really wanted to do, and then pursued it with a passion. They’ve really inspired me, so when the chance to work with them came up, I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn, but also to help with their new venture.
Would you rather ride on a train, dance in the rain, or feel no pain? Why?
I’d rather dance on a train, because that would combine two things that I love to do. I love to dance and I love to ride trains, especially to explore Europe.
Robyn Devine
In 2009, with little forethought and no fanfare whatsoever, Robyn Devine decided to knit one hundred hats from one hundred different patterns. In less than a year, she’d met her goal and found her life transformed.
Now with a goal to make 10,000 hats for 10,000 people in her lifetime, Robyn spends her days with knitting needles and yarn in hand. She knits a stitch here and a row there in between coloring pictures and playing trains with her pre-school-aged son Owen, trying to keep her toddler daughter Lou from eating Playdoh, and watching movies and eating pizza with her husband Zach.
Robyn is the author of the popular blog She Makes Hats, and published a book by the same name in early 2014. Her charity hat projects have been featured on popular lifestyle blogs and knitting blogs alike, and she claims to know the entire chorus to Snow’s “Informer,” which we all know is just gibberish, but let her have her beliefs.