Laura Gabel-Hartman (she/her)

In childhood, I looked for pen pals anywhere I could find them. In high school, my English teacher said I could write humor, adding that humor wasn’t easy to write well. In college, Creative Writing was my only “A.” I’m still writing now, possibly thanks to those early affirmations. In turn, I enjoy encouraging beginners, reading for my established writer friends, and having conversations about writing with anyone at any part of the journey. I am indebted to the literary magazines who chose my work for their pages, and I believe that the work we don’t show anyone is equally important. In more recent years, I’ve been able to decouple the writing from the outside affirmation, although publishing plays an important role in identity and community. I believe in communication through written word, the power of storytelling, and community. In grad school, I found a friend with whom I’m still exchanging work. Sometimes I ask myself why I write. I keep choosing to write in my free time. I’m not me without writing. Putting life down in words helps me make sense of the world, and tapping into the wild, mysterious, creative force is unlike any other part of my life. I’m still changing, learning, and growing. The past few years I’ve been learning to write poetry. Five-senses detail gives me a charge. And I still love writing a long letter by hand. Thank you for being here. Welcome.