Carlie is a central Texas native who came to Terlingua for what was meant to be a month-long “reset.” That month quickly transformed into twelve, and she now calls Big Bend home, trading the rolling hills, cypress trees, and ice-cold rivers of the Hill Country for the expansive seduction of the desert. Carlie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Whitman College, a small liberal arts college in Washington state, and will be receiving her Master’s in Social Work from Texas State University in December 2022. She is most passionate about sexual and domestic violence prevention and has served as a Client Relations Manager for C.A. Goldberg, PLLC, a civil rights firm in Brooklyn, and for The SAFE Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Austin. While Carlie has lived in a swath of beautiful places – Washington, Denmark, Costa Rica, New York, and Central Texas – no place has matched the sweeping and unequivocal peace of the Texas West. Carlie is the Assistant Editor of Big Bend Literary Magazine and hopes the magazine will connect others to the same magic holding her here.

Eden Meadows has been visiting the Big Bend region since she was a young child. Originally from Orange, Texas, Eden’s involvement in music began with singing in the church congregation and choir. She later studied piano, voice, and French horn, ultimately attending Louisiana State University on a music scholarship for classical voice. She then spent 8 years traveling the world with the United States Air Force, 2 years of that with the AF Band of the West as a vocalist specializing in classical and modern techniques. After separating, she used her GI bill to finally complete her bachelors degree in Applied Arts and Sciences focused on Texas Archaeology, which is what led her finally back to the Big Bend.

Amanda Calkins, also known as The Texas Tumbleweed, is a documentary photographer focusing on telling stories of the lives and legacies of fellow Texans. At a crossroads in her life, she felt called to take a solo trip out West, seeking solitude and clarity. The area had fewer travelers back then and phone reception was almost non-existent. The untamed and vast landscape, left her feeling vulnerable yet at peace, bringing about a profound and unexpected spiritual awakening. Grounded in wilderness, inspired by the textures of the terrain, enchanted by the colorful sunsets over the Chisos, and drawn to the lifestyles and stories of the locals - the area instantly pulled her in. The Big Bend region remains the place where she feels deeply rooted. You can follow her visual storytelling via Instagram @BigBendForever or website www.thetexastumbleweed.photography Amanda is Big Bend Literary Magazine's Photography Editor.

Klara is originally from Pittsburgh and is now an English teacher at Big Bend High School. She has lived and taught previously in South Africa and Mississippi, and she currently lives in Terlingua with her dog. Sometimes she does other things besides teach and read, but usually she doesn't. Klara is the Electronic Edition Assistant Editor of Big Bend Literary Magazine.