You’ve read their blog posts, now read their bios
Mary Egan – Founder: Mary founded the Jet Fuel Review in her senior year at Lewis University. Since graduating in 2011, she has ventured into the publishing world. Mary currently lives in Brooklyn and works at Macmillan Learning, where she is an Associate Project Editor. When she’s not at work, Mary enjoys reading on the subway, participating in National Novel Writing Month, rewatching TV shows, and enjoying the “time suck” that is the internet.
Current bloggers:
Samuel McFerron – Blog Editor, Prose Editor & Poetry Editor: Samuel is a Junior at Lewis University. They are double majoring in English Literature and Philosophy. They aspire to become a professor of U.S. Literature and spend most of their free time reading and writing. They hope to improve upon their writing and literary analysis skills during their time here at Lewis and are seeking publication within this time frame. Some authors they recommend are David Foster Wallace, Milan Kundera, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Emma Goldman.
Lauren Lotarski – Asst. Managing Editor, Poetry Editor, and Blogger: Lauren is a Junior at Lewis University majoring in Psychology and English with a concentration in Literature and Language. When not in class, she can be found working at the university library or engaging in her various hobbies, such as reading, drawing, or knitting. Some of her favorite authors include Leigh Bardugo, Charles Dickens, and Neil Gaiman. She hopes to improve upon her writing skills and knowledge of literature during her time at Lewis in order to apply it to her future endeavors.
Harper Saglier – Asst. Prose Editor: Harper is a junior at Lewis University majoring in English with a concentration in Writing. They are currently employed at the Howard and Lois Adelmann Regional History Collection. When they aren’t reading academic material, they enjoy watching movies and reading books from their endless growing backlog of recommendations. They hope to use the analysis and writing skills gained from Lewis to further drive their interest in literature beyond graduation. Some of their favorite authors include Neil Gaiman and Oscar Wilde.
previous bloggers:
Selena Tomas- Managing Editor & Poetry Editor: Selena is a Senior at Lewis University majoring in English. She has a concentration in Literature and Language, as well as General Writing. Selena is a writing tutor at the Lewis University Writing Center, and the Presidential Advisor of Sigma Tau Delta. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in hopes of becoming an English professor. Outside Lewis, Selena enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her baby brother. She has two poems published in the forthcoming issue of The Opal.
Christian Mietus – Consultant: Christian is a senior at Lewis University who is an English major and a minor in Film Studies and Russian Language and Culture. In 2019, he received the “Dr. Stephany Schlachter Excellence in Undergraduate Scholarship Award” for his collaborative piece “Assimilation through Sound.” And, in 2020, he received a Wolny Writing Residency fellowship. Additionally, his poem “The Japanese Photography is Covered in Dust” is forthcoming from City Brink Magazine. His main priority is to develop himself as an individual and film connoisseur, which is his current purpose in life. In his free time, he appreciates and dissects cinema as well as consistently rating and reviewing it. Some of his favorite directors are Andrei Tarkovsky, John Cassavettes, Ingmar Bergman, Kenji Mitzoguchi, Bela Tar, Carl Th. Dreyer, Wim Wenders, Andrzej Wajda, and Yasujiro Ozu. He also appreciates different art forms, such as music and literature. Some of his favorite artists are Tom Waits, Can, Aphex Twin, and Quasimoto. Christian hopes to continue expanding his skills as a writer and to encourage others to do so as well. He writes about film for the JFR blog, so check out Christian’s Cinematic Syntax.
Brandon Peck – Asst Blog Editor, Prose Editor, and Layout Editor: Brandon is a Senior at Lewis University. He holds a great interest in painting miniatures and writing stories in his spare time. In addition, he enjoys many different kinds of media, ranging from movies to anime to video games, always keeping up to date with the latest trends of the time. Some of Brandon’s favorite pieces of writing include Devastation of Baal, Baneblade, Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse, and Fallout: New Vegas.
Jason Ludtke – Prose Editor and Blogger: Jason is a Junior at Lewis University majoring in Business Administration. His free time is filled with various hobbies, as he likes to read, listen to
music, go to concerts, play various video games, go on runs, and watch all kinds of tv shows and films. Some of his favorite writers include Christopher Paolini, Edgar Allan Poe, and J.R.R. Tolkien.
Sylvia Szewczyk – Asst Blog Editor: Sylvia graduated in May of 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resource Management and Psychology, as well as with a minor in Polish Language and Culture. While at Lewis, Sylvia was a Community Engaged Learning Facilitator, a founder for Lewis’s Habitat for Humanity Chapter, as well as a LUMINATE Volunteer leader. She currently works full-time as an HR Generalist and joined Jet Fuel Review in hopes of following one of her lifelong passions – writing. Her favorite genres to read are historical fiction, sci-fi, and mystery. In her free time, she likes to paint, do puzzles, play the piano, read, rock climb, and hike. She loves to travel and does it
spontaneously, but wishes she could do it more often. After getting her Master’s, she plans on moving to Poland for a few years to experience work and life there.
Jo Spangler — Film Blogger: Jo Spangler is a junior at Lewis University, majoring in English Literature and Language with a minor in Creative Writing. She is a writing tutor in the Lewis Writing Center and a Youth Enrichment Aide for the YMCA. In her free time, Jo enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, and watching movies. She has been to 10 countries outside the United States, including England, Italy, Turkey, and Austria. One of Jo’s favorite book series is The All Souls Trilogy, by Deborah Harkness, because of how she mixes the supernatural with history and the focus on character development. In the future, she hopes to go into the publishing industry to help find new and exciting books for people to read.
Brittany Crosse — Blog Editor, Video Game and Anime Blogger: Brittany Crosse is a senior at Lewis University who has previously attended Moraine Valley Community College. She is majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, and hopes to one day make a career out of writing short stories, which has been a goal of hers ever since she was little. In addition to writing, she also plans to teach fiction writing at the university level. Her interests outside of writing include TV shows, anime, music, video games, and books, her favorite authors being Neal Shusterman, Stephen King, and Haruki Murakami. Brittany spends most of her time with her dog Cordelia, a.k.a. “Cordy.”
Chris J. Patiño — Film Blogger, Copy Editor: Chris J. Patiño is a Lewis University graduate, having earned a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Journalism. Inspired at an early age by the late great Roger Ebert, he looks to follow in the footsteps of such acclaimed film critics and add his voice to the choir of movie discourse. He enjoys just about every film genre, but favorites include horror, sci-fi, and action. A lover of books, board games and the great outdoors, he spends most of his free time in worlds of fantasy and thought. Favorite filmmakers include Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, Sam Raimi and Guillermo del Toro, with some favorite films being Rocky, The Thing, The Dark Knight, Star Wars: Ep. V- The Empire Strikes Back and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Lydia Kozlowski – Oral History Blogger: Lydia is a senior at Lewis University majoring in English with a concentration in Language and Literature, and minoring in Professional Writing. She enjoys reading short stories, dabbling with design, and writing consistently in her personal journals. Lydia also enjoys reading memoirs and watching documentaries. Along with being an editor for Jet Fuel Review, she is a Publicity Coordinator for Sigma Tau Delta Rho Lambda Chapter and a tutor and ESL/ELL Specialist at Lewis University’s Writing Center. Outside of her educational endeavors and commitments, Lydia stays active by running on nature trails and rollerblading around campus.
Andrea Rodriguez – Librarian Studies Blogger: My name’s Andrea Y. Rodriguez, and this is my senior year at Lewis University. Prior to attending Lewis, I completed my associates at The College of Dupage. I am studying English Literature in order to pursue my career as an academic librarian. As for my interest, I love spending time with my family, being in nature, taking care of my plants, writing, cooking, and traveling when I can. I also enjoy exploring unique writing styles. some of my favorite pieces are: The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson, and “Girl” by Jamaica Kinkaid. In addition to being a fiction/poetry editor for JFR, I am the editor-in-chief of Lewis Voices, and the administrative director for Sigma Tau Delta, of which I am also a member.
Henrietta O. Eghan- Motivational Blogger: Henrietta O. Eghan is a Ghanaian geek, a book nerd, an otaku, and a Sophomore at Lewis University. She is an English major with a minor in computer science with the goal of becoming a Technical Writer. Eghan writes for the Lewis Flyer Newspaper and works in the English Department. She loves to read literature and watch films from around the world and across genres. Eghan loves to read Japanese, Chinese, African, Mexican and American books. Whether it is as a novel, a movie, Korean-drama, a manga, fanfiction or a literary magazine, her favorite past time is to read and explore different cultures.
Steven Zeko- Science/Film Blogger: Steven Zeko is a senior at Lewis university, working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education. He currently is involved in immunology research and Chem-ED research. Following his education, Steven wants to teach biology, chemistry, and physics at a high school level. In his free time, Steven enjoys playing video games, reading, playing golf, and watching movies. He is typically reading two books at any given time, with one book being a science book and the other being any good book that he can find. Currently, Steven is reading Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Educated by Tara Westover. His fascination with science began when he was a kid by watching the works of Bill Nye and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Both being wonderful STEM educators, he hopes to invoke their ability to energize a crowd just by educating people about science.
Antonio Rodriguez- Film/Television Blogger: Joliet native Antonio Rodriguez is a jack of all trades, having worked in several careers since obtaining his bachelor’s degree ten years ago. An obsession with Mad Men and a love of advertising has led him to focus on studying Marketing at Lewis University, which he balances with walking his two rescue dogs. If either the zombies or machines rise up, he’s the man to find.
Kammeran Hughes — Blog Editor: Kammeran Hughes is a junior at Lewis University, where he dual majors in History and English with a concentration on creative writing. On campus, he also works as a tutor at Lewis University’s writing center. Off campus, he loves to read and write. His favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo, perhaps because it is as long winded as he is. While he is not writing, he is trying to find a quiet place to read and sleep. This year he hopes to encourage a greater understanding of the world through literature. Check out his upcoming work on Hughes’s Historic Grounding.
Zakiya Cowan — Contemporary text blogger: Zakiya is a senior at Lewis University studying Creative & Professional Writing and minoring in Spanish Language and Culture. As an editor, she is devoted to creating a collection of work that encapsulates the voices of those who are silenced and left in the margins. She is most enthralled by writing that is rule-breaking, raw, and gives even the slightest insight on the innumerable experiences we endure as human beings. Some of her favorite writers include Britteney Black Rose Kapri, Safia Elhillo, Gabriel García Márquez, Bell Hooks, Joyce Carol Oates, and Toni Morrison. Aside from Jet Fuel, she works as a tutor in Lewis’ Writing Center and interns at United Way of Will County as their Creative Writing Intern. In her free time, she enjoys making to-do lists and watching Insecure.
Patricia Damocles — Music Blogger: Patricia is a junior at Lewis University majoring in English Language Arts and Secondary Education with a minor in Creative Writing. She is a transfer student from Benedictine University who previously studied Writing & Publishing in the journalism field. Aside from being an editor for Jet Fuel, Patricia is a member of Sigma Tau Delta, a tutor at the university’s Writing Center, and a sales associate at LOFT Outlet. What she strives to achieve as a Jet Fuel editor is to give passionate, aspiring writers a platform to express themselves. As someone who has had the opportunity to be published in a previous issue, she is aware of how empowering it is to have her voice acknowledged in the world of literature. In her free time, she enjoys reading poetry and short stories, and also making memories with her friends, family, and cats. Some of her favorite writers include Maya Angelou, E.E. Cummings, T.S. Eliot, and Langston Hughes.
Kasia Wolny — Literature Blogger: Kasia is a senior at Lewis University, where she enjoys her studies in English literature and creative writing. In addition, she works at the Writing Center where she is a Fellow in the ELL program. Kasia loves to read literature from around the world and across genres; some of her favorites are Ernest Hemingway, Toni Morrison, Khaled Hosseini, Wojciech Kuczok, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Diana Gabaldon. In her writing, she likes to focus on short story and essay composition, and on Polish-English translation of poetry. Kasia is a mom of two teenagers who, being bilingual, regularly poke fun at her for mispronouncing English words. In her free time, she likes to hike, cook, tend to her garden, visit art museums, and drink tea with friends. You can read her essays at The Canon—Close Encounters.
Zachary Klozik — Board Game Blogger: Zachary is a junior at Lewis University, majoring in English Creative and Professional Writing. On campus, he also works as a tutor for the Writing Center. Zachary especially enjoys reading and writing poetry. His favorite author is Jhonen Vasquez and that is why one of his favorite television shows is Invader Zim. He also loves Vasquez’s graphic novel Johnny the Homicidal Maniac. Zachary likes to spend a lot of his free time listening to music and watching movies. His favorite genre is science fiction which is why some of his favorite movies are Donnie Darko and A Scanner Darkly.
Levi Schmillen – Horror Film Blogger: Levi is a senior at Lewis University majoring in Exercise and Movement Science with a minor in Natural Science. He is an employee for Athletico Physical Therapy as a Rehabilitation Aide. In relation to his job position, he is currently conducting a study in researching the effects of flexibility on strength output in sedentary individuals. After graduation, he plans on attending a physical therapy program in his pursuit of becoming a physical therapist. Levi’s favorite hobbies include competitive games of chess along with playing the piano. On the piano, his favorite song to play is “River Flows in You” written by Yiruma. Levi has joined the JFR blog in hopes to relay his perspectives and observations on the horror film genre. Check him out on his blog “Levi’s Lessons in Evil”.
Miguel Soto — Literature Blogger: Miguel is a senior at Lewis University, majoring in English Literature and Language. As an editor, one of his main concerns is giving a space to marginalized voices, centralizing on narratives often ignored. He loves reading radical, unapologetic writers, who explore the emotional and intellectual stresses within political identities and systemic realities. A few of his favorite writers include Gloria Anzaldúa, James Baldwin, Julia de Burgos, Audre Lorde, and Octavio Paz. His own writings appear or are forthcoming in OUT / CAST: A Journal of Queer Midwestern Writing and Art, The Rising Phoenix Review, Rogue Agent, and EFNIKS. He writes for the Jet Fuel Review blog in Not Your Binary: A QTPOC Reading Column, and he also loosely blogs under the guise Xicanx Libre.
Kayla Chambers — Film/TV/Literature Blogger: Kayla is a senior and student at Lewis University and began as a Communications major. Since then she’s decided to double major with English. While she joined the staff of Jet Fuel in early 2017, this will be her second year working as a layout editor for The Flyer, the university’s newspaper. Her own writing was published in the 2015 issue of Windows Fine Arts Magazine. She spends her free time with her family and reading news articles and videos on current events. She also loves watching and reading anything along the lines of mystery, fantasy, and science fiction. Thus a love for Pretty Little Liars, Invader Zim, X-Files, Agatha Christie, and anything Sherlock Holmes related has sprouted over the years. Find her blog under the category Kayla’s Moody Mystery Chamber.
Jakob Kagay – Film Blogger: Jakob is a senior at Lewis University who is majoring in History with a concentration in Public History and minoring in Professional Writing and Business Administration. On campus, he works at the front desk of the Library and interns at the Adelmann Collection on the second floor. During his free time he enjoys playing video games and being the Game Master for a Dungeons and Dragons game he plays with a group of online friends. He also enjoys learning history whenever possible, reading history books and watching documentaries or historical films whenever possible. Read his film blogs at Jakob’s From Fact to Film.
Michael Lane — Blog Editor: Michael is a senior at Lewis University who is taking up studies in public relations/advertising, but also dabbling in a marketing minor. Since he was a young boy, Michael always loved movies and the business surrounding them. One of Michael’s biggest heroes was the late, great Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert, who inspired Michael to start writing about movies himself. Movies may be Michael’s number one hobby, but while away from school and work, he also loves reading comic books, playing video games, and spending time with his friends. Michael is the horror film blogger on JFR, so please accompany him and take a trip Down A Dark Lane.
Andrea Holm — Mindfulness Blogger: Andrea Holm is a senior at Lewis University. She is majoring in psychology and double minoring in sociology and professional writing. Her goal is to earn a PhD in clinical psychology and become a mental health doctor. She is a member of the Lewis University women’s cross country and track and field team, participating in middle distance events. This is her first year working for the Jet Fuel Review, and she has chosen to help out as Fiction Editor and Copy Editor. Outside the world of Lewis, she spends time riding her four horses, as it is a very therapeutic hobby and something she is passionate about.
Jake Johnson — Music Blogger: Jake is currently a senior at Lewis University, majoring in public relations. One day, he hopes to serve as PR for one of his favorite musicians, but for the meantime, he’s content with serving tables at his waiting job. Lover of all things music related, you will never be able to catch Jake without headphones in. If you do happen to, he’s likely hanging out with his friends, avoiding his homework, or re-watching Parks and Recreation for the umpteenth time. Find his blog under the category Colors of Noise.
Noah Slowik — Music Blogger: Noah is a junior studying English language arts and secondary education at Lewis University with a minor in theology. On campus, he works as a tutor at the Writing Center and as a reporter for The Flyer. He is entering his third year coaching high school boys’ volleyball at Breaker Volleyball Club, and also works seasonally at Dunkin’ Donuts. He enjoys reading the science fiction novels and short stories of H.G. Wells, Kurt Vonnegut, Octavia Butler, and Ted Chiang, among others. Inspired by the imaginative tales of these authors, he has also started writing science fiction stories of his own. In his free time, Noah explores bands emerging from the indie music scene in Chicago such as Twin Peaks, The Walters, and Whitney. You can read his reviews in the section Between Rock and an Indie Place.
Quinn Stratton — Comic Blogger: Quinn is a senior who recently transferred to Lewis University majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science. He has been an avid reader of all literature, comics or otherwise, since he can remember and also enjoys watching movies, listening to and playing music, The Simpsons, proofs from “The Book,” cats, dogs, coffee, and board games. Discover some comics in the Words an’ Pictures sub-blog.
Daniel Fiorio — Music Blogger: Jack of all trades, master of some. Daniel is a writer, blogger, and music critic from the south suburbs of Chicago. His column Basement Dwelling is a breath of fresh air in music reviewing because it’s a music fan reviewing new albums that he owns himself, be it on CD or vinyl. His diverse and eclectic taste in music covers everything from indie rock, pop, electronic, rap and everything in between. Other passions of Daniel’s include comic books, film, going to shows, visiting as many record stores as possible and talking at great length about Rick and Morty or some band you’ve never heard of.
Bree Scott — Assistant Blog Editor: Bree is a three-time transfer student and is currently in her junior year at Lewis University. She has her Associate of Arts degree from College of DuPage and is pursuing a Bachelors of Arts in English/professional writing and a Minor in social media. She has been published in two issues of COD’s Prairie Light Review with five original poems, and was also an assistant editor on one issue. Bree enjoys long-boarding with her friends, seeing movies, going to concerts, poetic music, jumping out of vehicles to rescue animals, and going on camping trips. You can check out her writing in her series Bree’s Melancholic Tales.
Haley Renison — Poetry/Music Blogger: Assistant Poetry Editor Haley Renison is a senior at Lewis University with a major in theology, a minor in peace studies, and a soon-to-be minor in creative writing. She hopes to travel the world and work with Catholic Relief Services or nonprofits and make her mark on humanity by providing services for those in need. Eventually, she plans to settle down and go back to school to obtain a PhD and become a professor. She has a secret passion for creative writing though, thanks to a wonderful high school teacher, and is excited to be working for the Jet Fuel Review. Haley runs cross country and track for Lewis and the little free time she does have is spent with friends, watching The Office on Netflix, discovering new music, or complaining about how hard practice was that day. Haley also loves attending concerts and hopes to publish some of her own poetry someday. Find her writings under the Poetic Playlist page.
Gianna Capperino — Assistant Blog Editor: Gianna was a nursing student at Lewis University. During school sessions, she works as a CNA where she lends her ear out to veterans so often that she thinks it still is the Korean War. She hopes to work as a healthcare blogger or harass politicians to change healthcare policy. In her free time, she likes to explore the world and do other risky sports that disqualify her from getting life insurance. Gianna wrote a blog called Capperino’s Romantic Inquiries.
China McDonald — Assistant Blog Editor: China is a student at Lewis University majoring in Journalism with a minor in Spanish and political science. When China was younger she couldn’t stand the thought of reading books, but then one year it became her life. Now she reads every single day and has published a story that’s still in progress on Fictionpress. She hopes one day to become a popular author and journalist. When she’s not reading she’s watching Scandal on Netflix or some type of anime show. She’s obsessed with dogs and has two Alaskan Malamutes named Summer and Winter. She loves spending time with animals and doing research about them. And one day have a nice house filled with crazy children and cute puppies.
Reno Stramaglia — Film Blogger: Reno Stramaglia was a biology major at Lewis University. For his education, he plans to apply to medical school in spring 2017, where he wants to focus on medical genetics. Additionally, he likes to be active and visit the gym every day. He spends a lot of time studying for the MCAT and working a part-time job. The films that he enjoys watching include documentaries, comedies, action movies, and adventure films. He likes a wide variety of genres of music, too; however, his favorite types of music include Motown and The Beatles. He does not watch a lot of television but does enjoy watching the Discovery Channel and cartoon comedies like Family Guy. When he reads, it is most likely a scientific text of some sort. And, if he had to name something unique about himself, it would probably be that he taught himself how to play the keyboard, and that he is also of both Italian and Greek descent. He wrote a blog along with Donatas Ružys under the “Casual Critics” moniker you can find here.
Donatas Ružys — Film Blogger: Donatas Ružys was a student at Lewis University working towards a Bachelors of Science in Biology. He was born in Lithuania and moved to the U.S. when he was nine. He has aspirations of attending medical school in the near future. Growing up, he played basketball all year round up throughout high school. Currently, he works as a medical assistant at a dermatology clinic. He also volunteers at two hospitals, and really enjoys working inside a health care setting. He enjoys most genres of movies, more specifically comedies, action movies, thrillers, and occasionally horror films. The TV shows that he is currently watching are Shameless, The Last Kingdom, and Narcos. Find his writing under the Casual Critics page.
Michael Cotter — TV Blogger: Michael was a student at Lewis University working towards his Bachelor of Arts in English studies with a film studies minor. Between classes, he works at American Eagle Outfitters folding jeans and counting the days until he can return to Walt Disney World where he hopes to work in January of 2016. In Fantasyland, he’d like to be working at Walt Disney World in Public Relations or Guest Services at Magic Kingdom, but he’ll settle for a job with which he can comfortably support himself and be happy. In rare moments of free time, Michael can be found watching TV. In cases of no free time, Michael will stay up all night to catch up on the 165 shows he is currently watching. During commercial breaks of re-runs of Will & Grace and Veronica Mars, Michael likes to write poetry and song lyrics, watch movies, stalk Britney Spears on social media, and go on quests for the perfect slice of pizza with his friends. He is thrilled to have been a part of the Jet Fuel team on issue #9 and can’t wait to work on further issues. Find his TV blogs under the What Are You Watching? page.
Kelly Lyons – Blogger: Kelly Lyons was at Lewis University pursuing a major in English with a concentration in creative and professional writing as well as a minor in history. Because sitting in bed all day watching Netflix isn’t a paid profession, Kelly plans to find a job editing or publishing books once she graduates. Besides working on the Jet Fuel Review, Kelly is also an online editor of The Lewis Flyer and a tutor in the Lewis University Writing Center. When Kelly isn’t at school, she enjoys spending her time reading fantasy novels, shopping for clothes she doesn’t need, playing with makeup, and petting as many dogs as she can. Her posts are found in the Book Bucket List page.
Dominique Dusek – Blogger: Dominique was an English Major at Lewis University. In addition to serving roles as the submissions manager and marketing and development assistant for JFR, Dominique actively participates in Sigma Tau Delta, the national English honor Society, and shares her love of writing with the Lewis community as a tutor at the campus writing center. A consummate English nerd, she spends most of her free time if not reading and writing, binge-watching episodes of Sherlock on Netflix, jamming out to Frankie Valli and riding her horse. Dominique discusses all things Shakespeare in her blog, Dom’s Shakespeare Blog.
Jessica Jordan – Literature Blogger: Jessica Jordan was a former student at Lewis University. Her major is English language arts and literature with a minor in Spanish. She knew ever since she was a child that she loved to read, she would spend days at a time during the summer in her room reading. She enjoys reading all types of stories and novels, there is not anything that she would not mind trying to read. Besides reading constantly, she enjoys being active and loves yoga and scary movies. Jessica is also a member of Sigma Tau Delta and currently is interested in getting into the publishing industry after graduation. Jessica discusses modern literary heroines in her blog, Jess’ Literary Heroine Spotlight.
Sabrina Parr – YA Fiction Blogger: Sabrina was a former student at Lewis University who majored in English on the professional and creative writing track. In her free time, Sabrina loves to read, watch movies and TV. Sabrina is a Pretty Little Liars, Teen Wolf, and Vampire Dairies enthusiast, but she also loves Reign and Once Upon a Time. Sabrina loves almost anything supernatural and one day hopes to write a book about the supernatural. She almost always has a book in her hand and is always on the search for a new book to read. Sabrina hopes one day to work in publishing and to have her work published. Head over to Sabrina’s blog, Sabrina’s Book Corner, for bite-sized reviews of the latest novels.
Grant Mazan – Blogger: Originally from a town in Kansas just outside of Kansas City, Grant Mazan attended Lewis University studying psychology with a minor in creative writing, which he hopes to use as a further means of expression. Grant’s other artistic experience includes photography (both digital and film), video production, jewelry and metalworking, and music and recording/editing songs for himself and his acquaintances. In his free time, he listens to music and reads since he does not own a television or have internet. Grant studies authors’ relationships with their drinks of choice in his blog, Literary Libations.
Mike Egan – Film Blogger: Mike was a communications major with a focus in electronic media production. He loves film, which is great, since that’s what he writes about! For four years, Mike has been a video blogger on YouTube. In that time, he’s filmed, edited, and uploaded over 650 videos for an audience of over 1,000 subscribers. Nothing huge, but he enjoys it. His channel is called VlogginEgan, if you’re interested. When he’s not watching films or making videos, he can be found at the local comic book shop. His current favorites are Black Science, Manhattan Projects, and East of West. Though, he thinks the current runs of Avengers and Batman are pretty fantastic as well. Mike discusses film in his weekly blog, Depth of Field.
Miguel Gonzalez – Film Blogger: Miguel Gonzalez was an education major at Lewis University with a minor in Film. When he is not at school or selling tuxedos to gentlemen at work, he is working to become a YouTube/Vine personality. Miguel loves to watch a movie’s special features more than the actual movie. His other hobbies include drawing, hacky sacking, collecting screen-used movie props, and going on adventures with his significant other. He hopes to spread his passion for all things film with Jet Fuel Review. Miguel discusses film in his blog, The Wilhelm Scream.
Lucas Boelter – Blogger: Lucas Boelter is a former Lewis Student who is intensely curious about life and the world. Among his numerous hobbies are reading literature, history and philosophy; drawing; writing poetry; communing with nature on long, 10,000 step walks; being provocative; and admiring visual art, especially painting and sculpture. He lives a Paleolithic lifestyle and sees diet & nutrient therapy as the future of medicine. He is repulsed by capitalism and begs the universe for its immediate collapse daily.
Lauren Pirc – Blogger: Lauren was a print journalism major with minors in multimedia journalism and professional writing. When she’s not reading and writing, she loves bowling, watching movies, playing video games and hanging out with friends. She loves writing various types of articles and was also the Editor-in-Chief of The Flyer student-run newspaper at Lewis. Lauren also loves reading many different types of novels and stories. Her blog Books on Screen takes a look at adaptations of famous stories while her Fictional Friday allows her to show the reader some authors and books that they may be missing out on.
Liz Baudler – Blogger: Liz Baudler recently graduated from Columbia College with a Fiction Writing degree. She founded and used to edit The Toucan Literary Magazine. She writes about Chicago Memoir for Examiner.com and reviews books for Chicago Literati. When she’s not glued to a computer researching literary controversies or reading books and chuckling, she likes to ride her bike, and cook. If you want to know what Liz thinks about when she’s not thinking about literature, go to www.theblonelyblog.wordpress.com and you will be occasionally disappointed. She still writes about literature. Here at the JFR blog, Liz penned the weekly News of the Books column.
Lucas Sifuentes – Blogger: Lucas Sifuentes was born in South Dakota but raised in wide variety of Chicago’s suburbs. In December 2011, he graduated from Lewis University with a Bachelor’s degree in writing and film studies. Before writing for the Jet Fuel Review, Lucas was involved with JJC’s Wordeater magazine and worked with Northwestern’s WNUR, creating flyers for their annual Sonic Celluloid event. Lucas writes the ‘Lucas’ Film Corner‘ post about something that’s interesting him in the world of cinema, as well as Bibliophilia about the world of literature. You can follow Lucas on Twitter @Lucas_Sifuentes.
Mark Jacobs – Blogger: Mark joined the Jet Fuel Review staff after the release of the first issue. A student of aviation and a writer, he was first published on aviation mega-site Airliners.net more than a decade ago. At Lewis, his work has appeared in Windows Fine Arts Magazine and, of course, in the Jet Fuel Review! A sophomore at Lewis, Mark spends most of his time either going to class or explaining to his professors why he was late. Mark currently writes the weekly Awesome Word posts and, in the past, he wrote Nerdy Notes.
Linda Strahl – Blogger: Linda was a former Lewis student, and was one of the Jet Fuel Review‘s most prolific bloggers. When she wasn’t working on the Review or its blog, she could usually be found researching the characters for a play or keeping the cast and crew from getting into heated arguments at Lewis’ Philip Lynch Theater. Linda wrote the Ekphrastic writing blog. She also wrote the weekly Writing Challenges and the Writing Excuses round-up.
Mike Malan – Blogger: Mike Malan recently graduated from Lewis University with a degree in English with a sub-specialty in creative writing. Mike especially enjoys writing Gothic, Poe, and all things that chill your bones. He is a dark writer but you can find him dabbling in politics. He is also interested in the editing process and hopes that you will enjoy his work. Each week, Mike wrote his Horror Blog on a new terrifying piece of literature.
Tim Fitzpatrick – Blogger: Tim is an avid reader, writer, and Bulls fan. He spends the majority of his free time discovering new stories; whether they be in books, film or in his own head. Tim was an English major at Lewis University with a focus on creative writing and most of his writing includes something about pop culture. He has such a large knowledge about some of the most trivial things he has to find some way to make it useful, so he adds it to his writing. Tim has carried his love of a good story over to the Jet Fuel Review’s blog. His blog, The Storydome, compares a book to it’s respective movie to see which one tells a better story.
Deirdre McCormick – Blogger: Deirdre McCormick joined the Jet Fuel Review staff in the fall of 2011. She was a biology major with a minor in creative writing. She enjoys reading and writing science fiction and speculative fiction, as well as experimenting with language, on occasion, and writing poetry. She is currently constructing experiments for investigating holistic antimicrobial agents and their effects on bacteria. She is also learning to find balance between being a writer and having interests in scientific development. Ethics regarding biology and its artistic and political representations in the media—the Biopunk and the transhumanist movements, respectively—are areas of great interest to her. More importantly though, if Deirdre were a villain, Ketamine and the force of horrifically detailed narration would be her primary weapons. In the past, Deirdre wrote the Science in Creative Writing blog and also covered Obscure Punctuation.
JFR Blog 