Masthead
Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Poetry Lead, Communications
Sascha Chernesky
Hello! My name is Sascha (any pronouns). I supposedly write poetry, but I like reading your submissions a lot more :) As an editor, I love writing that comes from the heart, in whatever form that takes. Outside of writing, you can find me writing music, listening to Mitski, or having an existential crisis.
Founder, Editor-in-Chief
Rida Zulfikar
Hi! My name is Rida Zulfikar (she/her) and I’m a poet and writer based in India. I’ve been published in Inkpantry, Journal of Undiscovered Poet and Visual Verse. I am also the author of First Few Tiles Of The Road and have co-authored Beyond Verses and One Story At A Time, published by Scholastic India. I enjoy writing that experiments with language and expression, while holding its voice and reflecting. Apart from editing at Polyphony Lit, I enjoy reading, writing and listening to music.
Mikul Adaval Wyer
Hi! I’m Mikul Adaval Wyer (he/him) and I am still not sure how exactly I got here. I edit for Polyphony Lit and Abstract Mag TV in addition to MLM, and my work has been recognized by the Cincinnati Overture Awards and the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. When critiquing art, I always look for originality (not just of concept, but of execution) and a core that rings true. Take risks with language; it’s a boundless enterprise. Keep on keepin’ on!
Editor-in-Chief, Art Lead, Magazine Design Lead, Social Media
Alyssa Wong
Hi, my name is Alyssa Wong (she/her) and I’m a writer/artist from California. I’m an alum of the Iowa Young Writers Studio and Smith Creative Writing Precollege, the Editor-in-Chief of my school’s literary magazine, Crystal Visions, and my writing and art has been published and/or recognized in Eucalyptus Lit,The Greyhound Journal, Apprentice Writer, HaluHalo, Scholastic Arts and Writing, Bluefire, and more. In writing, I love immersion, human connection, and moments that hit like a punch. In art, I love the surreal, the unexpected, and the harsh details of reality. Outside of writing and art, I love cooking breakfasts worth waking up for.
Editor (fiction, nonfiction, humor)
Ava Krause
Hi! I’m Ava Krause (any pronouns)! I write and do art on the side, and my work has been recognized by the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. I’m the Editor-in-Chief for my school’s literary and visual arts magazine! In all works, I adore the whimsical, the loving, the tragic, and above all else, the sincere. I love to see the bounds of language, form, and reality played with, and I love to feel. Be silly, be pretentious, be genuine!
Senior Editor, Fiction Lead
Erika Yan
Hello! I'm Erika Yan (any pronouns), and I write a little and read a lot. I love fantasy and magic, but most of all real feeling and experience, no matter what genre it comes in. When I'm reading, it's always awesome to see conventions of style and format—or, of course, something that makes me feel deeply. Whether we're sad, wistful, or laughing until it hurts, if you've made your audience feel something, that's already incredible.
Editor-in-Chief, Screenplay Lead
Editor-in-Chief, Newsletter Lead
Kamaria Williams
Hello! I’m Kamaria Williams (she/her) and I’m a high school senior living in the Bay Area. As of now, I have experience in journalism, screenwriting, writing comic scripts, and fiction (specifically in the fantasy, supernatural, and superhero genres). It’s always been my dream to be a professional writer and as such, I’ve dedicated many years to improving my craft. I would love to read any stories with fantastical elements, superheroes, daring adventures, and any other inventive ideas you can think of (bonus points if the stories include themes from real life). Outside of writing, I enjoy listening to music from my favorite cartoons, video games, and performing on my school’s improv team.
Editor (nonfiction, poetry)
Miranda Davis
Hello! My name is Miranda Davis (she/her) and I’m a high school senior from small-town Nebraska. I’m a staff writer for my school paper and co-captain of my school’s creative writing club! My work has been recognized by small local publications and contests and has been displayed at the Brooklyn Art Library in New York City. My genres include poetry, young adult literature, and all fiction, as well as studio art, and photography. In writing and art, I look for emotional appeal and connection, original ideas, passion, and the ability to take creative risks. My advice to all new writers: don’t think, just write what is in your heart. The best work comes from your soul, not what others expect from you. Outside of reading and writing, I love to listen to music, dance, stargaze, and care for my plants!
Editor (nonfiction, fiction, art)
Krishna Sahoo
Hey! My name is Krishna Sahoo (she/her). I’m a sophomore in Davis, California. I write a bit on the side and I write for my school. I hold a great love for both reading and writing, particularly immersing myself in the worlds of romantic fiction and nonfiction. There's nothing quite like diving headfirst into a book and surrendering oneself to the captivating storyline. The pages come to life before my eyes as I plunge myself into the plot and embark on a thrilling journey through the words. Similarly, crafting my own stories is a magical experience, as I get to breathe life into characters and worlds of my own making. When I’m not reading or writing, I’m usually cooking, painting, or hanging out with my friends!
Senior Editor (fiction, nonfiction)
Olivia Phillips
Hi! My name is Olivia (she/her) and I’m a junior at Harvard-Westlake in Los Angeles. I’ve attended several writing programs, including the Smith precollege program, and am currently on staff at HW Chronicle. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, seeing friends, reading, and crocheting. As an editor, I enjoy creative and organic prose as well as precise and vivid language.
Editor (poetry, nonfiction, fiction, art, screenplay)
Cami
Heyo! My pen name is Cœmi, but my actual name is Cami (she/her). I'm a college freshman based in Miami, Florida, and I typically have a very relaxed schedule in terms of classes. Despite my love for writing, I'm actually a theatre/performing arts major at my university! I mostly write and edit for fun, and I'm on staff at The Malu Zine and Record Underground. I love all genres of literature and nonfiction, and enjoy how each one brings a different perspective. Admittedly, I have a preference for horror and fantasy, especially experimental. I was part of my high school's yearbook staff, and took several creative writing classes throughout my sophomore and junior years. Outside of writing, I absolutely love playing violin, acting out monologues, and reading! Also, I love to play video games and watch anime.
Editor-in-Chief (poetry, nonfiction, art)
Lance
I’m Lance (he/him), a rabid Sikener, fervent Didioner, and dare I say it, a diehard Weezerer. The creative work I love most is abstract but conjunct and precise but generalizable. Besides mainstream publication, I also love local zines. When I’m not writing, I’m studying computer science as a researcher and undergrad, obsessing over the storied history of the Catholic Church (so many Popes!), and begging my friends to play Word Hunt.
Editor (poetry)
Sidra Tul Muntaha
Hi, I’m Sidra (she/they). I am a physicist based in Lahore, Pakistan. In stark contast to my academics, what I love is writing poetry. I’m part of Ampersand’s First Poetry Cohort at The Peepul Press and my work is forthcoming in the Ampersand Anthology (The Peepul Press, 2024). I love reading/writing poems which explore the themes of gender and sexuality within the South Asian culture and informed by the impact of colonization. As an editor, I love poems that move me, that stay with me long after I’ve read them. I also admire vivid, precise and unique use of imagery and language.