Raised in Santa Clara, Calif., Bekah Lazar (they/them) was the Senior Editor on the fiction desk for Issue 157. This year Bekah is looking for a piece that can transcend typical clichés and common storylines. While many stories tend to follow predictable themes, Bekah is searching for something that warps into something they didn't expect with a unique style and a distinct voice to match.

Michael is an MFA student of Creative Writing at SJSU who previously worked on the fiction desk for Reed Magazine's latest issue. He is looking for stories we can dive deep into with two key elements: style and substance. What truth lies in your story that wouldn't be found in another and how is it presented in an interesting way? When not reading or writing, Michael's usually playing video games or screaming at the TV while watching football.

Noelle is an MFA Creative Writing student at SJSU. Noëlle is looking for creative nonfiction submissions that make her sit up, lean in, hold her breath, laugh unexpectedly, or move her body in the subtlest of ways. A strong voice with an unexpected structure, surprising form, an well-crafted story that opens the imagination to a new way of seeing the world.

Courtney is looking to be transfixed by language and image. She is looking for something that she can't walk away from without first understanding. Born and raised in Ventura, Calif., Courtney Caldwell is a poet based in the Bay Area.  She's worked on the poetry desk for Reed Issue 157. In her “free time” she enjoys flying her dual-line kite and tending to the garden she shares with her partner. 

Allegra Balbuena served Reed Magazine for two previous issues, having worked as a Nonfiction Editor for Issue 156 and the Nonfiction Lead Editor for Issue 157. Allegra is looking for submissions that ultimately makes one feel something, really any emotion, simple or complex, that effectively hits the viewers’ eyes and hearts.    

Brook McClurg is assistant professor of nonfiction in the English and Comparative Literature Department at San José State University. A Fulbright research fellow, his nonfiction, fiction, poetry and translation work have appeared in several literary journals, and his first book was published in Summer of ’24. His editorial interests are informed by his own experience in the slush pile of a few literary journals while still a student. He has written for daily and monthly publications, domestic and foreign, in both print and web environments.