Atmosphere Press is a team of writers, editors, designers, publicists, developers, marketers, and avid readers. Between us, with dozens of our own books published and degrees earned, we have centuries of experience in the book world. This knowledge is going to make a huge difference for your book!
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Dr. Nick Courtright
Founder & CEO
With a PhD in Literature, and as the author of the books The Forgotten World, Let There Be Light, and Punchline, Nick has years of experience as a writer, editor, educator, scholar, and publisher. In 2015 he founded Atmosphere Press as an alternative approach to seeing good books into print.
Nick’s prose and poetry has appeared in such places as The Harvard Review, The Southern Review, Kenyon Review, Boston Review, The Huffington Post, The Best American Poetry, and SPIN Magazine, among dozens of others. With a Doctorate from the University of Texas, a Master of Fine Arts degree from Texas State University, and a Bachelor of Specialized Studies in Written Expression from Ohio University, Nick has been a professor of English at the University of Texas and St. Edward’s, Southwestern, and Concordia Universities. Learn more about him at nickcourtright.com.
Dr. Kyle McCord
Acquisitions Director
Dr. Kyle McCord is the author of seven books including National Poetry Series Finalist Magpies in the Valley of Oleanders and the novel Reunion of the Good Weather Suicide Cult. He has work featured or forthcoming in AGNI, Blackbird, Boston Review, The Gettysburg Review, The Harvard Review, The Kenyon Review, Ploughshares, TriQuarterly, and elsewhere. He’s received grants or awards from the Academy of American Poets, the Vermont Studio Center, and the Baltic Writing Residency.
Kyle holds an M.F.A. from University of Massachusetts-Amherst and a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas. He served as associate poetry editor of The Nation and currently serves as Executive Editor of Gold Wake Press and Acquisitions Director for Atmosphere Press. He is married to the visual artist Lydia McCord and lives in Des Moines, Iowa.
Alex Kale
Book Production Director
As Book Production Director for Atmosphere Press, Alex guides every author from early developmental editorial through proofreading and interior layout design, all the way through to the printed finish line. Alex holds an MFA in Creative Writing Fiction from Texas State University, and a BFA in English Literature from Concordia University Texas. Her fiction and non-fiction have been published in Coe Review, Wussy Mag, and Porter House Review, and she is currently at work writing a novel about motherhood.
When she isn’t helping authors as part of our team of book publishers, she can be found spending time with her son and her partner in Denver, Colorado.
Ronaldo Alves
Art Director
Ronaldo is an award-winning multi-disciplinary Graphic Designer born and raised in beautiful Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Despite his auspicious homeland, he’s terrible at soccer!
Working with a team of dedicated cover designers whose diverse skillsets enliven Atmosphere’s books, Ronaldo has been creating visual experiences for nearly twenty years. Passionate about helping a book achieve its potential, not just in text but as an artifact, not surprisingly, Ronaldo does believe a book can be judged by its cover.
Claire Denson
Book Publication Manager
Claire is an experienced book promotion professional who manages book uploads, inter-departmental workflows, and publicity. Her favorite things about working at Atmosphere are the kind, capable people and the wonderful community they create.
Claire holds an MFA in Creative Writing from UNC-Greensboro and a BA from the University of Michigan, and her writing can be found in The Iowa Review, The Missouri Review, and The Cincinnati Review, among others. She lives in New York and you can find her at clairedenson.com.
Lisa Mottolo
Assistant Editor
Lisa is a life-long writer with experience in editing poetry collections and lyrical prose, and now she helps Atmosphere operations run smoothly. After years working in insurance and for a Fortune 500 company, she’s glad to be back in the art world. She’s studied poetry at UC Berkeley and Kenyon College, and is the author of the forthcoming poetry collection How to Monetize Despair.
Lisa is from upstate New York and currently lives in Austin, Texas. She loves birds and has four adopted parrots at home.
Dr. Trista Edwards
Acquisitions Manager
Trista Edwards (she/her) holds a Ph.D. in Creative Writing from the University of North Texas as well as an M.A. and B.A. from the University of West Georgia. She is the author of Spectral Evidence (April Gloaming Press, 2020) and the editor of Till The Tide: An Anthology of Mermaid Poetry (Sundress Publications, 2015). Her poems have appeared in Ligeia Magazine, Flapperhouse, Dream Pop Press, Southeast Review, The Adroit Journal, White Stag, Lover’s Eye Press, and more.
Trista lives in Hiram, Georgia with her husband, son, and two pups. When she’s not talking about books, she can be found working on her various miniature dollhouses or making candles. You can read more of her writing on her website here.
Erin Larson-Burnett
Production Manager
Glad she deigned to ignore the common advice against pursuing a career in the literary arts, Erin is currently thriving as an avid reader, writer, editor, and—above all—a full-time learner. After studying English literature & composition at the University of St. Thomas, she gained a foothold in the publishing industry working on test prep books before finding her dream job collaborating with authors at Atmosphere.
When not working or attending to her high-maintenance furbabies, Erin lives and breathes stories. She reviews and raves about books on her Bookstagram, studies mythologies and lore from all cultures, and writes oddball short stories about toilet demons and sentient taxicabs. Her forthcoming debut novella, The Bear & the Rose, hits shelves in March of 2023.
Cassandra Felten
Production Manager
Cassandra (she/her) graduated from Indiana University in December 2020 with a bachelor’s in English literature and minors in creative writing and psychology. She has experience in many aspects of book publishing, but she found her passion in interior book design with Atmosphere Press. Now, she loves her job of helping every Atmosphere author perfect their book before falling into the hands of readers – and new fans!
She also loves to write fiction, with short stories published in Analecta, Brainchild, and PAN-O-PLY, and she is currently working on her debut horror novel. When not reading or writing, she might be playing video games, putting together a LEGO kit, or playing with her four beloved cats.
Dakota Reed
Editorial, Interior Design, Operations
Dakota Reed is a writer and editor from Georgia. She received her MFA from the College of Charleston, where she was a Woodfin Fellow and editorial assistant at swamp pink, formerly known as Crazyhorse. She holds a BA from the University of Georgia, where she was a part of The Georgia Review’s editorial staff.
Her poems appear in the North American Review, Hayden’s Ferry Review, Ghost City Review, Blood Orange Review, The Shore, and elsewhere. Her work has received awards and honors from the Poetry Society of South Carolina, AWP, and the College of Charleston.
Matthew Fielder
Cover Design, Operations
Matthew is a graphic designer, illustrator, reader, and a cinephile. Given the number of unfinished, but beautifully bound books on his shelf, he understands the captivating power of a strong book cover design. Besides his work for Atmosphere Press, he has also created posters and other marketing materials for the Star Wars documentary, The Prequels Strike Back: A Fan’s Journey, which he also produced.
Kevin Stone
Cover Design
Kevin is a graphic designer by trade, and an avid consumer of books and knowledge in practice. Finding the right image to convey the nuance and complexity of a book is a challenge that Kevin relishes. Kevin has spent the entirety of his career (outside of one year at Tower Records) as a visual artist.
Besides book covers, Kevin has designed logos and campaigns, posters, and even illustrated and published a comic book series. When he’s not designing and illustrating, Kevin travels, reads, and (sometimes) writes.
Evan Courtright
Digital Director
Evan handles the digital presence for Atmosphere books, making sure every Atmosphere book is represented well both on the Atmosphere site, and also on the individual websites he builds for Atmosphere authors.
With a degree from Kent State University, Evan also navigates the increasingly important terrain that is ebooks and audiobooks, ensuring that Atmosphere authors books are enjoyed not just on paper, but elsewhere.
Colleen Alles
Editorial
Colleen is an award-winning writer living in West Michigan. She earned a degree in English
with an Option in Creative Writing from Michigan State University, and her master’s from Wayne State University. The author of two novels, one poetry collection, and a handful of poetry chapbooks, Colleen
loves to talk about writing.
A former teacher and librarian, she also loves craft beer, the Oxford comma, distance running, and her family. She serves as a contributing editor for
short fiction at Barren Magazine. You can find her online at www.ColleenAlles.com.
Hayla Alawi
Book Publicity Manager
Hayla assists authors in the post-publication process by crafting tailored outreach and marketing plans. She received her B.A. from the University of Michigan, where she studied creative writing and Asian studies. Her writing spans both fiction and nonfiction, and her work has appeared in The Susquehanna Review, The RC Review, and Xylem.
Hayla’s hopelessly addicted to fantasy novels, black tea, and video game music soundtracks.
Megan Turner
Editorial
Megan Turner graduated from the MFA Program for Poets and Writers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2009. She has taught online, overseas, and in college and college prep programs. She also served as a foreign rights coordinator at HarperCollins Publishers in New York.
More recently, Megan worked as a digital editor for a nonprofit in San Francisco. Her work has appeared in Witness, Rio Grande Review, Atticus Review, Fiction International, and others. (photo by Leila Jacue)
Elana Sederholm
Book Distribution Manager
Elana Sederholm (She/Her) holds a BA in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. During her studies, she discovered her love of the Literary Industry and how it gives people a voice to share their experiences with the world. Since her graduation, Elana has involved herself with startups and nonprofits. She interned with Public Art Saint Paul as an Administrative Intern and the startup Our National Conversation where she successfully published their first book. Elana is passionate about what she works on and loves telling people about her projects.
Jonathan Smith
Editorial
Jonathan is an experienced editor, reader, and book coach with a demonstrated history (5+ years) of working in the industry. He also teaches writing and research methods at the university level, and has recently contributed to the second edition of Environmental and Nature Writing: A Writer’s Guide and Anthology, forthcoming from Bloomsbury Publishing. Writing under the name Jonathan Calloway, other work has appeared in Contrary, Yale’s The Perch Magazine, and elsewhere.
Jonathan has lived in Finland and China, where he studied folklore and taught English, respectively. He holds a BA in English from UVM, and an MFA in Writing (Fiction) from Vermont College of Fine Arts, where he served as the managing editor of Hunger Mountain literary magazine. When he is not editing or teaching, Jonathan may be found hiking the Green Mountains with his partner or working on his novel-in-progress.
BE Allatt
Editorial, Proofreading
BE Allatt is an award-winning scholar of the fantastic genres and is a published academic and flash fiction author. BE holds a BA with highest honors in English literature and political science, as well as an MA-Lit with a concentration in science fiction studies from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. They have worked as a freelance editor for many years, assisting first-time, self-published, and NYT-bestselling authors alike.
In their freetime, BE enjoys travelling the world and being silly with their nieces and nephews, while also being an avid reader, gamer, and occasional performance artist. Most importantly, at least as far as the cat is concerned, BE is a dedicated slave to a bossy tuxedo cat named Eimear.
Chandler Kidd
Blurb Manager
Chandler spent four years working in journalism before pivoting to publishing—a move that reignited her love for books and allowed her to support authors in bringing their stories to life.
When she’s not immersed in the world of publishing, Chandler can be found practicing yoga, attending music festivals, DJing techno sets, or relaxing with her beloved cat, Pickle.
Albert Liau
Editorial
Albert Liau enjoys working on literary projects across various genres and is particularly keen to bring his scientific training at MIT and UC Berkeley to speculative fiction and nonfiction manuscripts. With literary sensibilities honed through workshops led by Joe Haldeman, Anita Desai, Steve Almond and Laura van den Berg, Albert engages in editorial work with critical perspectives as well as empathetic concern.
Albert is a contributing editor at CRAFT Literary where he provides feedback on submissions and co-authors the column “The Art of the Opening,” an ongoing series that examines how the beginnings of stories achieve their effects.
Asata Radcliffe
Editorial
A California native, Asata received her MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction) from Antioch University in Los Angeles. Starting out as a copy editor, she went on to review for Kirkus Reviews and served as an editorial director for the 2040 Review. Currently, she is a writing coach and teaches creative writing at GrubStreet. Her writing has appeared in anthologies and literary journals, including The Chart Anthology, Dawnland Voices, and Luminescent Threads: Connections to Octavia Butler (The Collection). As a former college professor, she devotes her time to writing and multimedia art.
Nathaniel Lee Hansen
Editorial
After nearly two decades teaching English & creative writing at the university level, Nathaniel resigned his tenured professorship to launch his own freelance editing business. He loves working with writers to help them make their writing projects the best they can be. In addition to being an editor, he is a poet, fiction writer, and essayist. He is the author of the short-story collection Measuring Time & Other Stories (Wiseblood Books), the poetry collection Your Twenty-First Century Prayer Life (Cascade Books), and the poetry chapbook Four Seasons West of the 95th Meridian (Spoon River Poetry Press). His work has also appeared in such publications as The Christian Century, The Willa Cather Review, Barren Magazine, Split Lip Magazine, Driftwood Press, Whitefish Review, Midwestern Gothic, The Evansville Review, and South Dakota Review, among others.
Kali Stevens
Marketing Manager
Kali Stevens is a born and raised Wisconsinite. She traces her deep-seated connection with the written word back to when she was just eight years old, discovering the power of articulating her thoughts and emotions to connect with others on a deeper level. With a B.A. in English and minors in Communication and Creative Writing, she has dedicated over a decade to merging her creative pursuits with her professional marketing career. Kali remains an avid poet and storyteller, finding inspiration in the everyday moments that shape our lives.
Holly Fortune Ratcliff
Executive Assistant
Holly Fortune is an Austin-based poet and operations strategist who brings a unique blend of creativity and precision to every project. Her work has appeared in journals including Coffin Bell, Lucky Jefferson, and The Spotlong Review. When she’s not chipping away at a new poem or optimizing workflows, she enjoys gardening alongside her partner and their Australian Shepherd pup.
Mike Robinson
Editorial
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mike Robinson is the award-winning author of multiple novels and dozens of short stories, most of them speculative fiction. His work has appeared in Clarkesworld, American Gothic Fantasy, Storyteller, ClonePod, December Tales II, Underland Arcana, Thirteen Podcast, Creepy Podcast and many more, and has received honors from Writers of the Future, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Maxy Awards, The BookFest, Kindle Book Awards and others. His novel Walking the Dusk was a semifinalist in Publishers Weekly’s BookLife Prize.
As an editor, he has worked with hundreds of authors, including National Book Award finalists, and is the red pen behind J.P. Barnett’s bestselling “Lorestalker” series and Dr. Zo’s award-winning “TimeOuts” middle-grade series. A book coach and senior editor with Wordsmith Writing Coaches, he also co-created the New Author Plunge, a workshop for beginning writers, and is on the advisory board of GLAWS, the Greater LA Writers Society, He is an illustrator, too, and the screenwriter of two films (Chrysaline and Blood Corral) currently making festival rounds.
Tammy Letherer
Editorial
Tammy is a Chicago author, writing coach, and developmental editor with a long and varied professional writing career. After earning a degree in journalism from Indiana University, she began as a copywriter, marketing things like Big Macs, dog food, and Jim Beam whiskey, before trading taglines for full-length manuscripts.
Tammy’s latest book, The Buddha at My Table, is an award-winning memoir that was named the 2019 Book of the Year by the Chicago Writers Association. Her work can also be found on Huffington Post, Grok Nation, She Does the City, Eden Magazine, Brazen Women, and more. She is currently writing her second novel. Please visit her at TammyLetherer.com.
Jack Kaulfus
Editorial
Jack is a writer and editor in Austin, Texas. They hold an MFA from Texas State University in San Marcos, and have spent the past couple of decades teaching, writing, and editing – all experiences that guide their creative collaborations with other writers and colleagues. Jack is the author of the story collection Tomorrow or Forever (Transgress Press). Their work has been published in American Short Fiction, A cappella Zoo, Heavy Feather Review, and Barrelhouse, among other journals.
Jack is a 2022 Lambda Literary Fellow, and one-fifth of the queer Americana band Brand New Key. In the past few years, they have served as Fiction Editor for Gertrude Press and Board Secretary for Austin Bat Cave. Jack is an avid hiker of easy to moderate trails, lover of books, and friend to animals.
Bryce Wilson
Editorial
Bryce has worked as a professional writer for fifteen years. He was a film columnist and feature writer for The San Luis Obispo New Times, and his work has also been featured in magazines and websites such as Paracinema, ScreenRant, Cinema Blend, Arts Decades Magazine, and inReads.
Bryce’s fiction has been published in anthologies such as Texas Horror Vol. 2 & 3, This Book Is Cursed, The Edge: Darkness, Switchblade Magazine, and Smoke & Flame.
Mario Major
Editorial
Mario Major, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s in American and New England Studies and has a keen interest in language and literature. In addition to developmental editing, he is also an academic writing coach. He has lived in Russia and Turkey and is also a literary translator (literary fiction), working with Turkish authors to prepare their manuscripts for a global audience. When he’s not working on short stories, he enjoys traveling and creating pastries.
Megan Sells
Acquisitions
With an M.F.A. in Acting and Directing and extensive experience in curating audience experience across many mediums, Megan Sells (they/them) is a consummate storyteller, writer, and producer. After receiving their master’s from the University of Missouri Kansas City, Megan founded The Omnivores in 2019, a not-for-profit artist collective that created theatrical performances to raise money for community needs
Megan is a speculative fiction fanatic, obsessed pet parent, house plant addict, and thrift store frequenter.
Meg Schader
Proofreading
Meg has a BS in agriculture from Cornell University and an MPS in environmental studies from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Along with freelancing as a writer and copy editor, she also teaches Kripalu yoga and runs a small farm and bakery with her family in Central New York.
Meg enjoys walking with her dogs, growing and eating good food, and discovering something new through every piece of writing she works on.
Gracie Meadows
Acquisitions Editor
Gracie’s internal drive has always been to help others. She’s found a home here at Atmosphere, where she’s able to help writers fulfill their dreams and aspirations through publishing. She will be your biggest advocate as you start your publishing journey, talking you through manuscripts, publishing options, and even contracts.
Gracie lives in Middle Tennessee with her husband and three kids. They love the outdoors and spend the majority of their time at Tennessee state parks and amusement parks.
Chris Knight
Proofreading, Interior Design
Upon adulthood, Chris packed up her mom’s red editors pen and left home to study English Literature first at the University of the Pacific and then at UCSB. After three decades of alternatively writing, editing, marketing, and even racing in the automotive industry, she’s returned to that red pen (now purple – her favorite color) with a Certificate in Copyediting from UCSD Extension to proofread for our authors. Her dedication to detail is also evident in her interior formatting work, turning your manuscript into a professional-looking masterpiece.
Josep Lledó Xungarro
Cover Design
An expert in the skillful redeployment of archival images, Josep has studied Fine Arts and worked in television as a video editor. Over the years he hasn’t lost his penchant for media as a means of telling stories, and this is revealed in his book cover designs.
A collaborator in independent film, Josep also freelances as an illustrator and poster-designer, as well as writing and editing speculative fiction with authors from around the globe.
Guy Biermann
Acquisitions Editor
With a keen passion for literature and a degree in communications from Bowling Green State University, Guy loves guiding authors from a publishing dream to an actual publication contract. He provides invaluable guidance on the various paths available and illustrates how Atmosphere Press can support them in realizing their creative visions. Guy’s expertise and enthusiasm make him a valuable ally for authors looking to transform their manuscripts into published masterpieces that will leave a lasting legacy.
Guy resides in Houston, TX, with his son, Sage, and their dog, Freedom. In his free time, he enjoys drawing, writing, and exploring Texas.
Karli fitzgerald
Social Media Manager
Karli is an avid reader with a love for literature who manages social media for Atmosphere Press. She helps authors grow their audience and connect with readers by creating engaging content and building online communities. Karli’s work supports Atmosphere Press’ mission to provide authors with a collaborative and personal publishing experience. With years of experience in digital marketing and social media for creative industries, Karli has led campaigns that boost engagement and expand reach. Her passion for storytelling and books shapes her approach, helping authors share their voices authentically. Karli’s skills in content creation and strategy help Atmosphere Press and authors thrive and build meaningful relationships with their readers.
McKenzie Nabi
Book Publicity Assistant
With a background in journalism and media, McKenzie has always been drawn to the power of storytelling—whether through the written word or meaningful conversations that bring stories to life. She earned her bachelor’s from the University of Texas, where she studied journalism. As a Book Publicity Assistant at Atmosphere Press, she helps authors navigate the world of book promotion, ensuring that each work finds its audience and makes a lasting impact.
Before joining Atmosphere Press, she gained hands-on experience in the literary world as a bookseller. There, she developed a deep appreciation for the connections between writers, readers, and the publishing industry. Her time in retail gave her insight into how books resonate with different audiences, a skill she brings to her publicity work. Passionate about making literature accessible and amplifying diverse voices, she enjoys helping books reach the readers who will love them most.
McKenzie has a soft spot for fantasy series, essay collections, and dystopian fiction, but she’s always eager to dive into something new. When she’s not working, you can find her with her nose in a book, trying out a new coffee shop, or baking a sweet treat for her roomies.
