Marooners

Fabian Chavez is an emerging prose writer. He is third generation Mexican-Honduran-American, born and raised in San Jose, California’s Eastside, and currently resides in the Boston area. A horologist by trade, he has a B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from UMASS Boston. He has had social commentary pieces published in Latino Rebels. His writing is focused on the everyday slice of life nuances of relationships Latines have with each other and other BIPOC peoples.
Damina Khaira is a devoted reader who finds joy in stories that reveal the quiet beauty of everyday life. As an educator and anthropologist, she researches storytelling, aging, and cultural transmission, while her creative work lingers in themes of home and memory, especially in Malaysia, where she grew up. A dedicated journal-keeper, she loves reading across genres—from poetry and memoir to fiction—and sees creative ethnography as a bridge between scholarship and social engagement. She believes in the power of writing to witness, to connect, and to reimagine. Her favorite flowers, the hibiscus and flowering dogwood, remind her of the bold and the fleeting—much like the stories that hold us in the present, and perhaps linger long after…
Asata Radcliffe is a writer and visual artist who received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University (Los Angeles). Her writing is multi-genre, including speculative fiction, essays, and scriptwriting. As a Kimbilio Fellow, her writing has appeared in anthologies and literary journals, including The Chart Anthology, Dawnland Voices, Luminescent Threads: Connections to Octavia Butler (The Collection), released by Twelfth Planet Press, along with being a co-producer and writer for her radio drama, The Collective. Her writing and art research projects include A Slower Ontology (SPACE Gallery), Kal (UNE Gallery), and A Convenient Soldier (Maine Historical Society). For over ten years, she has worked with authors as an editor and writing coach, including her time as a book reviewer for Kirkus Reviews and her current role as a Developmental Editor for Atmosphere Press. She is currently working on her first science fiction novel.
Fernando Rover Jr. is a San Antonio based author and artist whose work comprises of elements of prose, poetry, photography, film, and performance art. He holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in English and history from Texas Lutheran University and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Prescott College. Through his imprint Frame Reference Media, his work focuses on queer Black male experiences, mental health, social consciousness, and impact-based art. He is the author of three poetry collections: ‘Labyrinth’ (2019) ‘Sanctuary’: A ‘Labyrinth’ Redux (2020), and ‘Maverick’ (2022).His work has appeared in numerous publications and anthologies, including Odyssey Online, Caged Bird, Black Press USA, and the San Antonio Observer. He is the author of three poetry collections: ‘Labyrinth’ (2019) ‘Sanctuary’: A ‘Labyrinth’ Redux (2020), and, ‘Maverick’ (2022). All of Rover Jr’s books are available for purchase on Amazon.
Ernest C. J. Sandefer is a dedicated storyteller, independent author, and educator with a passion for both novel and screenplay writing. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and over a decade of teaching experience, he’s honed his craft in storytelling and literary expression. As a self-published author, he’s embarked on a journey to bring compelling narratives to life, exploring themes that captivate and challenge audiences and society at large. Whether crafting intricate plots for novels or dynamic scripts for the screen, his work reflects a deep love for storytelling and a commitment to creative excellence. Apart from personal goals, his ultimate goal as a writer, instructor or mentor is to inspire self-expression.
Shaoxuan Tian is an emerging writer who wanders between fictional prose and poetry as well as critical essays. In her former lives, she primarily worked as a social worker, teacher, and researcher in the social sciences; and working with people—careful listening, nonjudgmental observing, and speaking in tongues—has always been and will always be a major source of her creative inspirations and motivations. She loves cats, mountains, and early mornings.