Editorial Statement
My work as a teacher of English, writer, and editor has left me with the overarching question: "Who gets to tell the story?" As we know, large groups of folks historically have been left out of the realm of publishing, often leaving us with "a single story." And even as the writing community has begun to address underrepresentation in our art and letters, we still in small ways bar entry into publishing: submission fees, narrow definitions of what makes "good" literature, limited access. There are wonderful journals out there doing the critical work of providing accessible venues for multiple voices, and I want to do my part by joining that effort.
—Christine Taylor, EIC
—Christine Taylor, EIC
Masthead
Christine Taylor, Head Editrix

Christine Taylor, a Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominated poet, resides in her hometown Plainfield, New Jersey, aka “The Queen City,” with Kissing Dynamite's mascot Nahla, the clumsiest black cat ever. She has degrees in English literature from Drew University and National University and that makes her important. Check her out at www.christinetayloronline.com.
Shon Mapp, Managing Editor

Shon Mapp a poet whose writing explores queer intimacy and immigrant identities. Born in Barbados and raised in the U.S., she now resides in Europe with her wife and their havapoo. She has no regrets about writing and creating abstract art, rather than using her engineering degree. To view her website, visit www.shonmapp.com.
Belinda Munyeza, General Editor

Belinda Munyeza is a Zimbabwean poet currently based in Navarra, Spain. Her poem "Independence Song" was featured on VS the podcast in May of 2020. Her poems have also appeared/are forthcoming in Pidgeonholes, Twin Pies Literary, Understory Quarterly and others. You can find her tweeting @MdnightIsAplace.
Morgan Ridgway, General Editor

Morgan L. Ridgway is a queer Black/Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape writer and historian from Philadelphia, PA. They are currently completing a PhD in history thinking about gathering, care, and joy. Their work has appeared or is forthcoming in Querencia, CP Quarterly, Horse Egg Literary, among others. They tweet @morgan_ridgway.
Dia Roth, Assistant Editor

Dia Roth is a non-binary femme poet living in Seattle. Their work has appeared in HAD, Ghost City Review, DEAR Poetry Journal, and elsewhere. When they’re not writing or reading, you can find them daydreaming about two-stepping with a stranger. They tweet @diaroth____.
Adrienne Crezo, Assistant Editor

Adrienne Crezo (she/her/hers) is an editor, Pushcart-nominated writer, Tin House scholar (2022) and native Oklahoman of Comanche descent. She is an editor at Daily Kos, a progressive political news and activism organization, an associate poetry editor at Pidgeonholes, and a poetry reader for Okay Donkey. Adrienne lives in Ohio and on Twitter @adriennecrezo.
Zoe Elisabeth, Assistant Editor

Zoe Elisabeth is a poet from Washington, DC and a student at Sarah Lawrence College. She has previously been published in literary journals such as Kissing Dynamite, Caesura, Rust + Moth and Counterclock under the name Zoe Cunniffe, and her work has been nominated for Best of the Net. She is the Associate Editor of Thrush Poetry Journal and also edits for The Lumiere Review and Indigo Literary Journal. Zoe can be found on Instagram at @makeshiftparadises.
Matt Hsu, Assistant Editor

Matt Hsu is a student from San Francisco, California. His work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and he’s published or forthcoming in Roanoke Review, (mac)ro(mic), Longleaf Review, and The Lumiere Review. Currently, he's querying his first novel: a twisty, thriller-mystery about a crafty assassin. You can find him on Twitter at @MattHsu19 or at his personal website matthsu156538437.wordpress.com.
Clive Uche, Assistant Editor

Clive Uche holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology & Anthropology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. A freelance copy editor, Clive often describes himself as “A poet who is finally out of the closet.” In 2004, his review of the political autobiography ‘Zambia Shall Be Free’ won second place at the British Council/NIBF Young readers and writers award. When not working or writing poetry, Clive enjoys watching Football, Mixed Martial Arts, and often volunteers at a local chess club as a chess instructor. You can find him on Twitter @CliveKonstantin
Andrew Walker, Assistant Editor

Andrew Walker (he/they) is a poet born in Colorado currently living in Michigan where they attend graduate school at Northern Michigan University. They are a Best of the Net nominee and their creative work has appeared in Kissing Dynamite, Pidgeonholes, HAD, Crack the Spine, paperplates, Eckleburg and other incredible magazines. They are an associate poetry editor at Passages North and a first reader for No Contact. Find him on his website, druwalker.com, or Twitter, @druwalker94.
Matthew Weddig, Book Reviews Editor |

Matthew Weddig (he/him) is a Brooklyn-based medical editor. He has previously written about arts and culture for NPR, Kill Screen, and Bad Books Good Times, and his poetry has appeared in Kissing Dynamite, Heavy Feather Review, and Full Stop Quarterly. He is a copy editor for The NYC Thorn, does words and playlists for Trash Garbage, and plays guitar in a band which is pretty neat. He likes to make his cat watch horror movies with him. He can be found as @mattjuliusyeah on most socials, and assorted works can be found at linktr.ee/matthewjulius
aq hanna, Community Content Manager

aq hanna is an emerging writer and university student in the meantime. Her works appear in Eunoia Review, Mudroom Magazine, Emerge Literary Journal, and more. Although born in June, her Chinese name can be translated to "quiet winter."
Adeola Victoria Olatunji, Community Content Manager

Adeola Victoria Olatunji is a student from Nigeria. She writes articles, short stories and sometimes, poems. Her works has been published in Teen Exploits UK and High School Magazine, Ghana, where she also doubles as a copy editor. Currently, she runs a lifestyle blog where she writes articles and short stories. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram at @CocoDeola or at her blog www.thedeolaolatunji.wordpress.com
Anthony Salandy, Social Media Consultant

Anthony (he/him) is a mixed-race poet & writer who has spent most of his life in Kuwait jostling between the UK & America. Anthony's work has been published 180 times internationally. Anthony has 2 published chapbooks titled 'The Great Northern Journey' 2020 (Lazy Adventurer Publishing) & 'Vultures' 2021 (Roaring Junior Press). Anthony's chapbook 'Half Bred' is the Winner of the 2021 'The Poetry Question' Chapbook contest. Anthony is the Co-EIC of Fahmidan Journal. Find him on Twitter/Instagram: @anthony64120 https://arsalandywriter.com/
David Stolarz, Music

Dave Stolarz, a classical and jazz pianist, can be found on Instagram @david_stolarz
Previous KDP Team Members
Jason Bates, Assistant Editor
Justene, Social Media Manager
Emma Holdaway, Book Review Editor
Hailey Saga, Social Media Manager
Khalisa Rae, Consulting Editor
Sofia Fey, Assistant Editor
Tim Lear, Consulting Editor
Jeni De La O, Managing Editor
Zora Satchell, Supervising Editor
Erica Abbott, Community Content Manager
Lytey Kay, Assistant Editor
Justene, Social Media Manager
Emma Holdaway, Book Review Editor
Hailey Saga, Social Media Manager
Khalisa Rae, Consulting Editor
Sofia Fey, Assistant Editor
Tim Lear, Consulting Editor
Jeni De La O, Managing Editor
Zora Satchell, Supervising Editor
Erica Abbott, Community Content Manager
Lytey Kay, Assistant Editor
Meet Our Contributors
Robin, Cyndie, Deon, Jeffrey, Joaquin, and Lynne are six of our fantastic poets. Click HERE for an alphabetized list of all our poets and artists, complete with links to their work!
In the News
Please check out the following interview in The Review Review with Denise Nichole Andrews, EIC of The Hellebore:
"Champion the Narratives of Those Who Are Not Always Celebrated in Media."
"Champion the Narratives of Those Who Are Not Always Celebrated in Media."
See our interview in Issue 16 of The Blue Mountain Review!