2022
Works
2022
Masthead
DR. SUSAN FINCH
FACULTY ADVISOR
Dr. Susan Finch is an associate professor of English at Belmont University. Her editorial experiences include work with Indiana Review, Southeast Review, Raleigh Review, and Dutton Children’s Books. This is her first year as the Faculty Advisor for the Belmont Literary Journal.
CAROLINE WALTERS
NONFICTION & SOCIAL MEDIA
My name is Caroline Walters and I'm a junior English major from North Georgia. My favorite things include: .5x selfies, concerts, and anything Taylor Jenkins Reid writes. Working on the BLJ this semester has given me a new appreciation for how intense making a literary journal gets, but I've loved every minute of it.
LANDON BEST
NONFICTION & SOCIAL MEDIA
Landon Best is a senior motion pictures major with a creative writing minor. Though born in Nashville, he’s lived in Greenville, South Carolina, most of his life until coming to Belmont in 2018. An avid Star Wars fan, Landon hopes to one day share creative stories of his own in both film and on the page. As a BLJ editor, he’s beyond happy to help organize BLJ’s events and to share a creative energy online.
CAT LILLION
NONFICTION
Hi! I'm a senior from Omaha majoring in English and French with a pre-law emphasis. When I am not copy editing the creative nonfiction, my interests include drinking Diet Coke, hanging out with my bunny, and thinking about cows. I also cook a mean vegan lasagna. Fun fact: when I was six years old, I wrote a series of books about my stuffed chickie. Have a day that makes your heart sing.
MARINA CRISP
POETRY
Hi, I’m Marina! I am a third-year study-abroad student studying American literature and creative writing. I’ve loved reviewing all the brilliant submissions from Belmont students and am really proud of the BLJ team for putting together the journal! Being in Nashville has been fab, and I absolutely cherish the time I’ve spent here.
PAIGE HOKUNSON
POETRY
My name is Paige Hokunson and I am a junior communications major and creative writing minor here at Belmont University. I am from California and I have a passion for reading new writing. I aspire to write more of my own work in the future and am eager to see what Belmont thinks of the BLJ 2022 edition. It has been a blessing to work with this team of editors!
LARRY HAYES
FICTION & POETRY
Larry Hayes is a Nashville native and English Major with a creative writing concentration. He has been writing for most of his life but found a true passion for it recently in his last two years at Belmont. He specializes in poetry, fiction, and comedy writing.
EMILY HAPPEL
FICTION & POETRY
Emily Happel is a poetry and fiction editor for BLJ. They are a communications major with a focus in publishing and creative writing. They are from Nashville, Tennessee, and are hoping to pursue a career in fiction or poetry editing.
ANALISE SPIESS
FICTION
Analise Spiess is a junior English literature major with a German minor who aspires to become a librarian. Her favorite books include “Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier and “Eragon” by Christopher Paolini.
BILLY BROTHERS
FICTION & NONFICTION
My name is Billy Brothers and I'm a Californian/Floridian living in Nashville. I'm a double major in English and publishing with aspirations of working in the publishing industry, and hopefully one day I'll write a novel or two. In my spare time, I enjoy reading everything (except politics), writing fiction, lifting weights, traveling the states, and sending it with the boys.
EDEN AYERS
FICTION
Hi there, my name is Eden Ayers! I'm a junior here at Belmont, and I am working as a fiction editor for the spring 2022 BLJ. As an English major with a publishing minor, I’ve enjoyed getting to read and edit lots of diverse, unique, and creative work this semester.
ADDISON CLAPP
DESIGN
Addison Clapp is a nineteen-year-old songwriting major at Belmont University. Currently unemployed, Clapp is looking at a variety of internships in the music industry. With a background in web design during high school, he aspires to become a commercial vocalist and top-liner.
ADELIA MORRIS
DESIGN
Hey hey! My name is Adelia Morris and I am a sophomore double major in theatre production design and English. I love writing and being a part of the writing community here at Belmont. I am so excited to share the work that we have done over the past semester. Creating this website has been an incredible challenge that I believe will have a lasting impact.
ANWAAR MUHSIN
DESIGN
Hello! My name is Anwaar! I’m a junior English major and am curious to see where life takes me after graduation. My hobbies include writing, reading, graphic design, photography, art, and, honestly, simply anything crafty. I am always down to learn a new skill and learn more about myself at the same time. I've tremendously enjoyed my time on the design team and am left inspired by future possibilities.
CAITLIN BURDETTE
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Caitlin Burdette is a twenty-one-year-old junior at Belmont University. She is studying to receive her B.A. in both English and publishing. Coming from her small town outside of Nashville, Caitlin aspires to be just a small part of creating the next generation of books. She currently interns for Forefront Books and cannot wait to see what comes next. Reach out to her at caitlin.burdette@pop.bemont.edu!
KAYLEIGH RUCINSKI
Editor In Chief
Kayleigh Rucinski is a senior publishing major and writing and rhetoric minor at Belmont. She is from Wisconsin, and yes, she loves cheese. She is currently a Production Editor Intern at United Methodist Publishing House and graduates in May. Kayleigh is excited to start a career in editing in the near future, wherever that may be. In her free time, she enjoys writing creative nonfiction and aspires to publish her own book one day. Learn more about Kayleigh by visiting kayleighrucinski.wixsite.com/portfolio