Alayna Thimell

Alayna Thimell has a long history of work experience in the media and publishing industry. Alayna began their career in 2009 as an Instructor at the University of Pittsburgh, where they taught courses in English composition, creative writing, and poetry, as well as tutoring in the writing center. In 2012, they became a Lecturer at Millikin University, teaching courses in English composition and contemporary US literature. In 2014, they worked as an Editorial Assistant at ARCADE | Dialogue on Design, where they proofread and edited issue features while strictly adhering to Chicago style and effectively managing the more jargon-heavy and technical aspects common in writing on design and the built environment. That same year, they also worked as a Copywriter at zulily, writing copy for product and vendor descriptions as well as special promotions and voucher events. In 2015, they were a Senior Editor at Vela Magazine, a nonprofit literary journal publishing nonfiction written by women, where they were responsible for grant-writing, research, and strategic partnership cultivation. Additionally, they were an Editor and Editorial Assistant, Intern at Wave Books. Finally, in 2016, they became a Quality Program Manager, Senior Editor, and Editor at Sublime Media.

Alayna Thimell received their Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Language and Literature, General from the University of Oklahoma between 2006 and 2007. Alayna then attended the University of Pittsburgh, where they earned their Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing-Poetry between 2009 and 2012.