Staff
Staff
Robert Johnson,
Johnson is a professor of justice, law, and society at American University and a widely published author of fiction and nonfiction dealing with crime and punishment. His short story, “The Practice of Killing,” won the Wild Violet Fiction Contest in 2003. His best known work of social science, Death Work: A Study of the Modern Execution Process, won the Outstanding Book Award of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
Sonia Tabriz,
Tabriz is merit scholar and J.D. candidate at The George Washington University Law School. She graduated with honors and summa cum laude from American University with majors in both Law & Society and Psychology. Tabriz received the Outstanding Scholarship at the Undergraduate Level award from American University for her award-winning works of fiction, legal commentaries, artwork, presentations, university-wide accolades, and academic achievement. Having designed the text for Origami Heart and A Zoo Near You, Tabriz also serves as Text Designer for BleakHouse Publishing.
Liz Calka,
Calka is an award-winning photographer and designer recently graduated from American University with a major in Visual Media and minor in Graphic Design. She created and maintains the BleakHouse website. Calka also designed the covers for Origami Heart and A Zoo Near You, BleakHouse Publishing books.
Rachel C. Cupelo,
Cupelo, originally from Upstate New York, is an alumnus of American University,
where she majored in Justice and Public Policy studies. Currently, Rachel is working in the
legal field. She has been practicing her other passion, writing, for much of her life. She is the
proud recipient of the 2008 Tacenda Magazine Literary Award for Best Poem, and the GLBTA
Resource Center 2009 Academic Award. Her work can also be seen in Lethal Rejection: Stories
on Crime and Punishment, and BleakHouse Review 2010 and 2011. In the future, Rachel plans
to attend law school.
Shirin Karimi,
Karimi is an award-winning honors student recently graduated from American University with a degree in Literature while also pursuing the Pre-Medical Program. The Editor in Chief of the 2011 issue of Tacenda Literary Magazine, she is a first year medical student at the University of Connecticut. Her book, Enclosures (BleakHouse, 2011), has been widely and favorably reviewed.
Susan Nagelsen,
Nagelsen is a Professor of Writing at New England College. A prolific writer and editor, Nagelsen's most recent book is Exiled Voices: Portals of Discovery (New England College Press).
Charles Huckelbury,
Huckelbury is a life sentence inmate and a widely published poet. His first collection of poetry, Tales From The Purple Penguin, was published by BleakHouse Publishing. Huckelbury also writes an op-ed column for the Concord Monitor.
Felicia Afuan,
Afuan is a sophomore honors student studying Law & Society and Philosophy at American University. She is originally from Northern California and has interests that span many disciplines, including writing, photography, and understanding the justice system. Felicia is an Associate Editor for Tacenda Literary Magazine.
Erin George,
George, a life sentence inmate, has received a PEN Award and a Tacenda Literary Magazine Award, both for poetry. Her first collection of poetry, Origami Heart, was published by BleakHouse Publishing.
Negeen Karimi,
Karimi is a sophomore at the George Washington University, where she is studying with the hopes of becoming a doctor while also pursuing her interests in computer science and French. When she is not tweeting, she is working the register at Georgetown Cupcake and volunteering in the Women's Center at the George Washington University Hospital.
Emma Lydon,
Lydon is an honors political science major at American University. She grew up in Berkeley, CA, where she first discovered her passion for politics and social justice. She hopes to one day influence prison policy and help craft a more equitable and effective justice system.
Carla Mavaddat,
Mavaddat is an undergraduate majoring in economics at McGill University with a passion for photography and design. She is originally from Montreal, Canada, but grew up in Washington, DC. Carla is interested in human rights, in social justice, and is a strong advocate against poverty. She served as Guest Editor and Designer for the 2011 issue of BleakHouse Review.
Chris Miller,
Miller is a award-winning writer specializing in poetry and nonfiction prose. A collection of his poetry won the Gold Key award at the Scholastic Writing Competition in 2007. He also selected and introduced BleakHouse Publishing book, A Zoo Near You. Miller maintains a strong interest in prison reform and often uses writing as a means to advocate for those whose voices remain unheard. He hopes to become a criminal defense attorney, and is presently a J.D. Candidate at the Georgetown University Law Center.
Meryl Nolan,
Nolan is an honors freshman at American University studying law and society. She grew up in Houston, Texas where she first became interested in legal studies through participating in debates and mock trials. She hopes to be a criminal defense attorney in the future.
Zoé Orfanos,
Orfanos is an undergraduate student at American University in the School of Pubic Affairs. She graduated High School with both an International Baccalaureate and Honors diploma and is currently working toward a Bachelors degree in Law and Society and a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Orfanos has been selected as the 2012 Editor-in-Chief of Tacenda Literary Magazine.
Courtney Scantling,
Originally from southern New Jersey, Courtney Scantling is an honors student at American University majoring in Justice and Law with a minor in Psychology. She is involved in the pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta, and is one of the founding members of the Justice and Law & Society Department's Undergraduate Advisory Council. Scantling hopes to attend law school in the fall, and ultimately aspires to become a criminal defense attorney and work with juveniles.
Saba Tabriz,
Tabriz is an honors Pre-Medical student at American University majoring in Psychology and Business Administration. Her interests span a number of disciplines, but Tabriz is particularly interested in the human anatomy as understood by science, as well as abstract notions of life, death, and everything in between.
