Writer Statements
Jude Rall
Michael Anderson
Aviana Tovanche
Caryl Pagel
Aviana Tovanche is a senior at Cleveland State majoring in Political Science and minoring in Philosophy. Writing has always been a significant part of her life in several capacities, both academically and personally. While growing up, she participated in her school’s Power of the Pen program and could always be found working on a short story. Upon entering college, her writing focus has shifted towards prose-poetry and short essays. In addition to creative writing, Aviana has also written and edited for an informative legal magazine.
Caryl Pagel is the author of four books, most recently Free Clean Fill Dirt (poetry, University of Akron Press) and Out of Nowhere Into Nothing (essays, FC2). She lives in Cleveland
Amal Elhachdani
Al Mendoza
Amal Elhachdani is a fourth year Urban Studies (Public Administration Track) major at Cleveland State University graduating in May 2026 from Lakewood, Ohio. Amal loves to read gothic fiction, and is currently reading The Picture of Dorian Grey. She enjoys writing non-fiction, informative pieces on a variety of topics that interest her, a majority of which are about Internet controversy or crime. She plans to try her hand at more creative writing in the future.
Micah Saunders
Al Mendoza is a poet and essayist based in Cleveland, Ohio. Her work has previously appeared in Sunday Mornings at the River Press, and she is the recipient of the 2024 Neal Chandler Award. As a writer, she is primarily interested in gender, violence, and aliens. When she is not writing, Al can usually be found on a trail, annoying her two cats, or biting her nails.
Jackson Perisutti
Micah A. Saunders is a theater student at Cleveland State University, where they study acting. In addition to acting, Micah has a passion for writing, particularly writing plays. Through CSU, Micah hopes to get "the Flying Gang" produced, as well as other works that they have been writing for the past few years, including another piece called "Sawdust", about disparate passengers on a crashed train. In addition to writing plays, Micah has been working on other projects, namely a book that may or may not ever be finished.
Entrepreneur and jazz guitarist Jackson Perisutti studies urban planning and economics at Cleveland State University.
Michael Anderson is a writer (and hermit, ancient kind) dawning from the Cleveland, Ohio. Novice lockpicker, adept tome-reader, and expert spellcaster. Michael has been writing for over thirteen years, stemming from his most formative years in the confines of elementary school.
Jude is an American writer famous for his ability to dig tunnels with his fingernails. God help you if he digs through your carpet.