Originally from New Jersey, Blake Harrsch holds a B.A. in English Honors and Philosophy and M.A. in Literature from Seton Hall University. She then flocked north to pursue an MFA in Poetry at the University of New Hampshire, where she also co-hosts Read Free or Die—the program's monthly reading series.

Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Poetry Lighthouse, Pinky Magazine, Echo Review, and The Word's Faire, among others. She was the winner of the 2026 Wildcats Poetry Prize and the 2026 Dick Shea Memorial Award for Poetry.

You can find a complete list of her publications at blakeharrsch.com; and if you need to find Blake herself, she can be easily summoned by the Hunger Games whistle, but be warned: conversation about the series is mandatory, and escape is not guaranteed.

Monroe Miller is an MFA student at the University of New Hampshire.

She graduated from Ohio University with her B.A. in Writing and Literature.

She loves reading and writing sci-fi and fantasy.

In her free time, she enjoys yapping with friends, searching the woods for Mothman, baking sweet treats, and asking, “Can I pet that cat?”

Emma Keamy is a second-year Fiction MFA student at the University of New Hampshire.

She received her BA in Creative Writing at Wheaton College, MA, where she also completed an undergraduate honors thesis.

In addition to being an editor of Barnstorm, Emma is a literary intern at the Portsmouth Music Hall and a co-host of Read Free or Die.

Though she mostly writes fiction, she has a passion for good prose of any genre. She loves horror movies, friendslop games, symbiosis, crisp Autumnal air, physical media, and the occasional realization that there is still beauty in the world.

Evan Wiechert (they/he) is a trans writer, student, and semi-professional Boston Fleet fan.

When Evan isn’t writing, they can be found at the energy drink fridge at the gas station or tending to the fire at your backyard party.

He is currently pursuing an MFA in Fiction from the University of New Hampshire, where he wears many hats: Fiction Editor for Volume 18 of Barnstorm Journal, Co-Host of Read Free or Die, Connors Writing Center Tutor, TASAL Team Research Assistant, and Teaching Assistant. 

His work has appeared in YAS Press’ Wildcats Poetry Anthology and Broken Spines Anthology.

Keri Stewart is a neurodivergent poet and cat mom studying an MFA in Poetry at UNH.

She writes as the Birding Tourism Columnist for Blinter Magazine exploring different birding hotspots and ornithology research.

Her work has been featured in a handful of magazines, including Lone Peak Literary Magazine, The Northeast Coast, and is forthcoming in INKWELL and Querencia Press.

When she isn't writing, she enjoys birding, pho, 8-BitRyan’s channel, the value of whimsy, and working out to become the most buff barista at work.

Melanie Bradley is a second-year MFA student in Fiction at the University of New Hampshire.

She graduated from the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in 2022 with a B.A. in English before moving back to her hometown in Nevada to work at a local charter high school. She has worked as a snow plow driver, barista, writing tutor, and special education instructional assistant.

She loves reading, filming the occasional video about her favorite note-taking and writing tools, eating ice cream, and looking at flowers, bugs, and cool rocks.