We put out a call for new writers last summer and over 650 people applied and WOW that was so many people! Fifteen new writers were brought on board — some have already written and published loads of articles, while some are working on longer, larger projects that you’ll see a little later in 2020 — and we are THRILLED to be working with every one of them! Let’s get to know these brilliant brains a little better.
Meet Autostraddle’s Newest Writers!
danijanae Writer
Dani Janae is a poet and writer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. When she’s not writing love poems for unavailable women, she’s watching horror movies, hanging with her tarantula, and eating figs.
Fun Facts:
1. I own a pet tarantula who’s named Della Champagne after Della Reese and Evelyn “Champagne” King. When I got him the breeder said he was female but he yeeted that gender and became a boy. I have a tattoo of him on my left hand because he demanded it.
2. I never learned how to skip and I don’t plan on it.
3. I want to be the lesbian Teddy Pendergrass when I grow up
Christina Tucker Writer
Christina Tucker is a writer and podcaster living in Philadelphia.
Fun Facts:
1. I am fully obsessed with the ocean; I have three ocean themed tattoos and am actively planning more— Jellyfish! A manta ray! The seas are teeming with possibilities!
2. I have a nearly encyclopedic recall for quotes from TV/Movies, get me started on The West Wing or 30 Rock or Grey’s Anatomy or Lord of The Rings and you will absolutely regret it!
3. I can read very, very fast, it is my superpower slash absolutely because of my ADHD!
Ro White Sex & Dating Editor
Malic White is a Chicago-based writer, comedian and actor.
Fun Facts:
1. My first crush was Morticia Addams.
2. My second crush was Elvira Mistress of the Dark.
3. My third favorite movie is Air Bud.
Renea Baek Goddard Writer
Renea is a college student, nonprofit worker, and public radio intern studying multimedia journalism and anthropology. She used to be a military brat, growing up in South Korea where she learned to appreciate public transportation, karaoke, anti-imperialist resistance, and red chili paste. She likes writing about media & culture, leftist resistance, the Asian diaspora, and being gay in a mostly rural state. Renea currently lives in Arkansas with her girlfriend, who has a cute cat and an even cuter southern drawl.
Fun Facts:
1. I’m really, really, really good at Step-it Up, which is basically the cooler version of Dance Dance Revolution. I mean, like, really good at it. Like if you can’t get a perfect score on hard mode then don’t even try me.
2. I love boiled peanuts. It’s like my favorite snack. This is a big deal in the southern U.S, where people look at me and see a young East Asian urbanite, and assume I would never come within 10 feet of boiled peanuts because it’s known as an old southern white man snack.
3. I can’t ride a bike. Again, since I grew up in urban Korea where there are more bikes than cars, this surprises people who know me. I tried to teach myself how to ride a bike when I was 16 and was semi-successful, which is to say I would ride a bike on a deserted road but never anywhere with traffic.
Shelli Nicole Culture Editor
Born and raised in Detroit before she landed in cute ass Chicago a few years ago. She’s just out here being fine as hell, black as fuck, and gay as ever. Her mama tells her friends at church that she write for magazines, and Shelli doesn’t know if she is confused or just lying but she’s excited to be writing with the crew here at Autostraddle!
Fun Facts:
1. In middle school I started a band where the only song I allowed us to practice was “Celebrity Skin” by Hole. They kicked me out a week later.
2. I eat Lawry’s Seasoned Salt on ice cubes as an anxiety snack.
3. I am deathly afraid of mermaids and have bar hopped with strangers several times arguing their existence over cheaply priced cocktails.
Himani Gupta Contributor
Himani is a data person who loves stories, hates statistics and dabbles in way too many things. She lives in New Jersey with two sweet cats who will eat everything but their cat food.
Fun Facts:
1. I have been obsessed with the Imperial Radch trilogy by Ann Leckie for over a year now.
2. I grew up watching The Simpsons, which is probably a major source of my deep cynicism and love for absurdist humor.
3. I could talk about music for days.
Jehan Roberson Writer
Jehan is a writer, artist, and editor basking in all things Black and queer. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Apogee, VICE, Public Books, Teachers & Writers Magazine, and Women & Performance: a journal of feminist theory where she is an editor. She currently lives in Harlem but remains in a committed LDR with Brooklyn.
Fun Facts:
1. I’m obsessed with advice columns and have dreamt of having my own where my pseudonym is Shadé.
2. A favorite pastime is getting wine drunk and performing Whitney Houston through the ages, complete with corresponding wigs and “furs.”
3. I require a minimum of 2 condiment options for every meal.
Bailey Writer
Bailey is a non-binary 30 something UK-based dabbler in media and activism. Love languages include quality time, physical touch, rollercoasters, karaoke and pineapple on pizza. They are often found doing too many things at once and avoiding the indecisive traits listed in their birth chart.
Fun Facts:
1. My pet squirrel (everyone had one right?) was called Daisy/Louie.
2. Young adult fiction and sick-lit are my typical literary jam.
3. I am a Brit who doesn’t get British humour. Unless it’s Skins.
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Comments
Yes, hi hello! I take huge breaks from the site because like, engagement fatigue or joke dry spell or whatever, but I’m excited to see you all and cannot wait for the right time for the right supportive joke. Godspeed!
So excited to read more of everyone’s work!! Love what we’ve gotten to read so far.
very stoked to read more from all these exciting new people!
As if boiled peanuts aren’t full in part of the asian snack repertoire :)
yay! so exciting!
A pleasure to meet everyone, & looking forward to reading their work.
Awesome! Welcome everyone!
Della Champagne the gender-yeeting tarantula sounds like a queer icon, tbh
hi everyone! stoked you’re here!
Welcome everyone!!!
So many black and brown faces!!! I feel so represented!!
this is so great and exciting!! welcome, everyone!!
Yes for Lawry’s Seasoned Salt and pineapple on pizza!
Welcome everyone! Looking forward to seeing your articles
Gonna absolutely try the Lawry’s on ice anxiety snack and since I was also in a middle school band that played celebrity skin i have to assume Shelli has really excellent taste in all arenas!
Amazing! Can’t wait for the articles. Also totally crushing on Renea ☺️
Pineapple on pizza is the best. Well, one of the bests. If someone’s read the Imperial Radch trilogy and isn’t obsessed with them, they’re a better person than I am.
Welcome everyone!!! Its been cool to read the new writers and i look forward to the awesome work coming 👏👏👏
loving all your writing, so lucky to be able to read it!!! thank you for sharing!!
Welcome!!
Hi everyone! Looking forward to reading your work.
Welcome everyone!!!!!! <3
wow guess what i love this
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Dani Janae I like your style! I have a thing for insect and animal jewelery, especially brooches. And that is a very cool spider brooch you are wearing and is that a beetle earring?
Also very excited to see what all of you are going to write!