MyrtleHaus Books & Publishing

Racheal Bruce

Racheal Bruce (she/her) is an illustrator from St. Louis, Missouri, holding a BFA in Illustration from Webster University and an MFA in Illustration and Visual Culture from Washington University. She specializes in illustrating fantasy and horror books for independent authors and literary magazines, with whimsical editorial pieces set in rich environments. Her personal work delves into Giallo horror and optical animation toys, often using ink and pencil to explore themes of queerness, horror, and the monstrous feminine. Racheal has received several accolades, including the Walt Reed Award for Excellence in Illustration and Writing, the 101st ADC Award, and two Best in Show honors.

Caitlin Sheek

Caitlin Sheek (she/her) is an American author, poet, and multi-disciplinary writer based in California. She began her career in the vibrant film industry of Los Angeles, where she has consistently channeled her emotions, opinions, and experiences into her writing.

From an early age, Caitlin has utilized poetry and the written word to explore and express her neurodiverse perspective, queer identity, and her view of the world.

Elena Nunez

Born in Evansville, Indiana, raised in Kentucky, and now firmly established in Missouri, Elena Nunez (she/her) embodies the spirit of the Midwest. By day, she is a dedicated scientist at Washington University, but in her free time, she channels her creativity into art. Her prints can be admired at La Finca Coffee, her murals grace the walls of La Calle, and her work is a fixture at the Saturday Tower Grove Farmers Market. Elena has truly woven herself into the fabric of the St. Louis art scene.

Jabin Esther Lim

Jabin Esther Lim (she/her), a second-year student at Marianopolis, is still on a quest to find meaning in both life and her studies. When she’s not caught up in the endless scroll of her phone or buried in a stack of textbooks, or grappling with a mental breakdown, she immerses herself in creating meticulously detailed doodles and crafting less chaotic literary pieces. Majoring in Health Science, she grapples with anxieties about her future career and the looming threat of global warming—fueled by her persistent doom-scrolling. Known for her sharp sarcasm, Jabin uses humor to navigate her past traumas, but when humor falls short, she channels her emotions into her art. Beneath the surface, she harbors a secret hope to carve out a meaningful future with her creative endeavors, striving to escape the daunting path toward becoming a doctor.

Salem Paige

Salem Paige (they/them) is a transgender poet and designer residing in the Algonquin Anishinaabe territory, known as Ottawa, Ontario. They hold an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Communications Culture and Media from the University of Ottawa. Salem's creative work delves into themes of identity and discomfort, weaving narratives where nature and technology intersect. Their poetry collections include “The Third Self” (2023, Sunday Mornings at the River Press) and “To Grow Roots” (2023, Bottlecap Press). Their work has also appeared in numerous literary magazines, including Corporeal, Beyond Words, STREETCAKE, Ariel Chart, and BiPan. Salem is a Best of Net nominee and has been shortlisted for the Bridport Poetry Prize and longlisted for the ROOM Poetry Prize. For more information, visit salempaige.com or follow @corpseofapoet on Instagram.

Caiti Quatmann

Caiti Quatmann (she/her) is a disabled poet. She is the author of the poetry chapbook Yoke (MyrtleHaus 2024) and Editor-in-Chief for HNDL Mag. Her poetry and personal essays have been published by Thread LitMag, The Closed Eye Open, and others. Caiti lives and works in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, and teaches at a local Microschool. Find her on Instagram and Threads @CaitiTalks.

Téo Gibbs

Téo Gibbs (they/them) is a multifaceted individual with a passion for exploring the world's mysteries. As a writer, deep thinker, drink-maker, and artist, Téo has crafted an array of unique projects, including game shows, community dialogues, and pop-up events. Their collaborative spirit has led to partnerships with diverse artists, groups, and businesses, resulting in vibrant and unconventional experiences. Embracing the unpredictable journey of life, Téo looks forward to the surprises that lie ahead with excitement and curiosity. What’s next? That’s the thrill of it—no one knows!

Kelsey Cook

Kelsey Cook (she/her) is a St. Louis-based photographer and encaustic painter. She started exploring photography nearly 20 years ago as a teenager, capturing her life in rural Missouri. Over the years, Kelsey has exhibited her work both locally and beyond, including a notable 2-year tenure as Resident Artist and Co-Director at Soulard Art Gallery from 2013 to 2015. Primarily self-taught, Kelsey has also benefited from the guidance of friends and mentors throughout her artistic journey. Since 2020, she has been balancing her artistic pursuits with motherhood and life as a Corporate WhoreTM.

Kaitlin Wilfing

At just 14, Kaitlin Wilfing (she/they) was accepted into the Missouri Fine Arts Academy Residency, igniting her passion for the arts. She later studied Psychology at Webster University, where she participated in an Artist Studio Residency in Vienna in 2016 and 2018. While at Webster, she helped curate "Sisu: An All Women’s Exhibition" and presented her BFA show, "Confluence," at the Arcade Gallery, graduating in May 2018.

Kaitlin now serves as the Exhibitions Manager at the Foundry Art Centre. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, she has exhibited her work at various venues, including Art Saint Louis and the Ronald Barry Gallery. She has also collaborated with local institutions like Craft Alliance and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation.

Erin Luna

Erin Luna (she/her), a queer farmer and artist from the Midwest, bridges the worlds of agriculture and traditional craft through her project, Black Rat Farms. Located an acre of land thirty miles outside St. Louis, this initiative merges her passions by cultivating niche crops and providing educational experiences designed to link urban communities with nature's healing power. Erin is especially renowned for her expertise in natural dyes and her unique ability to turn soil into vibrant colors.

Lila Gralnick

Lila Gralnick (she/her) is a multimedia artist who focuses on painting and portraiture. Her work delves into themes of transformation, emotional expression, and the human experience, often incorporating dreamlike and abstract elements. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Missouri.

Brigitte Soleil

Brigitte Soleil (she/her) is a creative force whose work spans poetry, music, and mysticism living on her timeline. A passionate poet, DJ, tarot reader, and astrologist, Brigitte's art delves into themes of love, sensuality, and transformation, deeply influenced by her life experiences and journey through disability. She seeks to find the depth in life, meaning in the mundane, and magic in the ordinary and offers a unique perspective on how beautiful and expressive life can be. Whether through her evocative poetry or her immersive DJ sets, Brigitte offers a profound connection to the deeper rhythms of life, inspiring others to embrace their own creative and joyful potential.

Audrey Pinson

Audrey Pinson (she/her) is a journalism student at Mizzou from St. Louis, Missouri. With a deep passion for storytelling, photography, and art, she is committed to creating impactful work during her undergraduate studies as she embarks on a career in journalism and art direction. She is also the current intern for MyrtleHaus Publishing and has worked as an editor and graphic designer on Issues III and IV.

Gina Tron

Gina Tron (she/her) is a talented author whose work spans several genres. Her upcoming book, “Suspect”, is set to be published by Whiskey Tit this fall. Gina's 2020 debut poetry collection, “Star 67”, features a poem that earned a nomination for the prestigious Pushcart Prize. She contributed to Oxygen as a true crime writer for six years and penned reported pieces for esteemed outlets such as The Washington Post, VICE, Politico, and The Daily Beast. To explore more of her work, visit her website at ginatron.net.

Norah Okilee

Norah Okilee (she/her) is a budding film and digital photographer from St. Charles, MO, whose love and appreciation for St Louis has only grown as she has. Drawing inspiration from movies, music, and the people in her life, she captures compelling narratives within her scenic visuals. Believing that our shared humanity unites us, she sees value in every individual—both in life and in her photography. In Norah’s photography, she, to quote William Eggleston, aims to capture “life today”. Beyond her lens, Norah is a passionate writer at heart. She enjoys DIY projects, analyzing pop culture, traveling, and cherishing moments with her two beloved cats, Lewis and Reno.