Michael Fischer

MICHAEL FISCHER was released from state prison in 2015 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. He now helps edit a bimonthly magazine distributed to federal prisons and is a faculty member of the Odyssey Project, a free college credit program for income-eligible adults. Michael is an Illinois Humanities Envisioning Justice fellow, Luminarts Cultural Foundation fellow, Illinois Arts Council grantee, and a finalist for the PEN America Writing for Justice Fellowship. His nonfiction appears in the New York Times, Salon, The Sun, Lit Hub, and elsewhere.

Home Cooking

by Michael Fischer

Michael Fischer risks his life for a bag of pretzels.

Carol Seppilu

CAROL SEPPILU, born and raised in rural Alaska, is a Siberian Yupik Alaskan Native living in Nome. She works at the local nursing home. In her spare time, she enjoys running or climbing mountains.

Outrunning the Dark

by Carol Seppilu

Carol Seppilu finds a unique way to brave her depression. 

13 Years Late

by Diane Kastiel

Diane Kastiel gets unexpected and unwanted news. 

Tito Chavez-Nyugen

TITO CHAVEZ-NGUYEN is an Asian Latino who is a global tumbleweed. He is drawn to anyone’s story, with the ability to hear even the most soft-spoken. Eager to grow and adapt through experience, he has a lot to draw from. Being long-winded is just a quirky side effect.

How to Fight

by Tito Chavez-Nyugen

Bruce Lee teaches Tito Chavez-Nguyen how to find his way in a new school.

Patricia Aro

Stardust and Old Dogs

by Patricia Aro

Patricia Aro is scared that her children will ask her about death. 

A New Normal

by Chelsea Shorte

Chelsea Shorte is pulled over for the first time while masculine presenting.

Rufus May

When the Truth is Tricky

by Rufus May

Rufus May fears his own experience with mental health issues will keep him from being a clinical psychologist. 

Lucy Danser

Lift Lessons

by Lucy Danser

Living on the 44th floor, Lucy Danser has to face her fear of elevators. 

Albert Fox Cahn

ALBERT FOX CAHN (@FoxCahn) harnesses storytelling to promote civil rights as a founder and executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, a non-profit police accountability organization (www.stopspying.org). Albert is also a fellow at Yale Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School. When he’s not suing the government, Albert frequently comments on legal matters, including appearances on the CBS Evening News, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, ABC News, and NPR’s All Things Considered. Albert’s escapes from lawyering include running marathons, board games, and the occasional glassblowing.

With a Little Help from My Nemesis

by Albert Fox Cahn

Albert Fox Cahn finds unexpected motivation to turn his health crisis around. 

The Sky is the Limit

by Quratulain Fatima

Quratulain Fatima grows up refusing to take no for an answer.

Joey Garfield

Tod Kelly

TOD KELLY is a Portland-based writer, long-form journalist, and contributor for Marie Claire. He is also Artistic Director for 7 Deadly Sins Show, a Portland collective that produces five regular live storytelling, spoken-word, and live-music events: 7 Deadly Sins: MainStage at the Armory, 7DS: Pants On Fire! at McMenamins White Eagle, Kahlie Towle’s ROUGH DRAFT at Mississippi Pizza, 7 Deadly Sins: Spoken @ Pickathon, and the new series 7 Deadly Sins: Voices, which includes Andrew Dickson’s upcoming one-person show, Kids These Days, at the Mission Theater. He is currently writing a book about the recent resurgence of exorcisms in the United States.

Romy Negrin