Hi, I'm Emily!
About Me
I've been a journalist and content creator for 18 years, specializing in pop culture, entertainment, fashion, craft beer, and lifestyle/travel. As you can see from the photo above, I love road trips, and I'm a lifelong Mets and Jets fan, which means I understand existential pain and adversity!
I am currently a Quality Team Editor at PEOPLE. Previously, I spent 6 years as a senior editor at Entertainment Tonight, where I wrote and edited breaking news articles and longform features, interviewed celebrities, and overhauled the site's photo editorial system. Before that, I was staffed at the Style Network, myspace, and J-14 Magazine.
I am also a freelance writer open to work. You can find my culture pieces in places like Parade, Cardinal & Pine, Hop Culture, VinePair, HoppedLA, and Bust.
A two-time young adult cancer survivor (Two different kinds under 40! You know what they say, if you're going to do something, do it well!) I have written about the experience for HuffPost and XOJane and on my former blog, and I used to produce a survivorship interview podcast, How to Be a Sick Kid.
Non-writing fun facts: I am a Jersey girl living in North Carolina with my partner, Dan, and our chaos agents (otherwise known as very cute, chatty cats), and we previously lived in Delaware and California. I been to 49 states (I'm coming for you, Hawaii!) and brewery visitor (600 & counting!) and overly nostalgic for all things '90s. I can quote all of Empire Records and Gilmore Girls. I'm not ashamed to admit that I am an elder emo because I need something to defend besides New Jersey and the aforementioned Mets and Jets.
Education & Teaching
I earned my B.A. in Creative Writing (Nonfiction) from Ithaca College and my MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction) from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
At UNCW, I was the nonfiction editor of the award-winning literary magazine Ecotone and a graduate teaching assistant. After graduating, I became a part-time instructor, teaching Introduction to Creative Writing and Fiction Writing II.
Storytelling & Fiction
I am also a storyteller, performing in shows in Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and New York City, and produced two live shows while I lived in L.A.
I write fiction too and am working on my debut novel about YA survivorship. My published short stories can be found in the Museum of Americana, BigCityLit, HeartWood, and The Daily Drunk.