Marybeth Niederkorn, Social Media Editor
We’re thrilled to welcome Marybeth Niederkorn as our Social Media Editor. An award-winning journalist, historian, archivist, and poet, Marybeth is the author of the poetry collection, TIMES KNEW ROAMIN’, from Spartan Press. Her work has appeared in various outlets including Black Coffee Review, Trailer Park Quarterly, and a history column in the Southeast Missourian newspaper. Educated at Southeast Missouri State University, Marybeth holds a master’s degree in professional writing and a bachelor’s in philosophy. She lives between a forest and farmland with her awesome husband, Dave. Learn more about Marybeth here: https://www.facebook.com/niederkornwriter/.
Montéz Jennings, Prose Co-Editor
And please join us in congratulating Montéz Jennings on her post as the museum’s new Prose Co-Editor. Since joining the museum as a prose assistant in 2022, Montéz has been instrumental in broadening the journal’s media, lending her talents to the launch of contributors’ audio, the recent Food Court issue, and Americana Stories, our weekly feature of poetry and prose.
Montéz received a Master’s in English and MFA in Creative Writing from Chapman College and is currently a Ph.D. student at UT Austin studying rhetoric and writing. You’ll find links to her personal essays, book reviews, commentary, academic works, and her podcast, “Where Are All the Black Kids on Elm Street,” at www.montezlouria.com.
Andy Harper, Prose Co-Editor
The museum is very excited to welcome Andy Harper to the team as Prose Co-Editor. As an essayist and scholar at Missouri’s Saint Louis University, Andy’s teaching, research, and creative work are interested in place, community, and social change. As a creative writer, Andy is interested in place-based nonfiction, the personal essay, braided narrative, and humor. Andy’s essay on Joni Mitchell, “A Case of Joni,” appeared in our music-themed Issue 8.
Andy received an MFA in Writing from the University of Nebraska Omaha, and a Ph.D. iEnglish from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He is currently Assistant Professor of English at SLU’s College of Arts and Sciences teaching 19th and 20th Century American Literature. Learn more about Andy and his work at https://www.slu.edu/arts-and-sciences/english/faculty/andy-harper.php.
Lauren Alwan, Contributing Editor
Wrapping up our spring staff news, the museum is very pleased to announce Prose Editor Lauren Alwan is stepping into the role of Contributing Editor. Lauren joined the museum in 2012 on its founding by Justin Hamm, and since that time has edited prose with Co-Editor Lindsey Griffin and most recently with Prose Assistant Montéz Louria. As the museum’s Contributing Editor, Lauren will assist with content development, contribute occasional essays, and promote the museum at large.
Lauren received an MFA in Painting from San Francisco State University and an MFA in Fiction from Warren Wilson College. Find links to her essays and fiction at www.laurenalwan.com.
the museum of americana: A LITERARY REVIEW 