Happy Friday, and welcome to the first “Meet the Editors” feature of the semester, wherein we introduce the new members of our team. First on the list is Ashley Zizich, an Assistant Editor of Poetry, Fiction, and Non-Fiction for the Jet Fuel Review.
Ashley is a senior studying English, with a Concentration in Literature and a Minor in Professional Writing. Her love for books and poetry fuel her desire to become an editor or copyeditor after graduation. Some of her favorite writers include Sylvia Plath and F. Scott Fitzgerald. When she isn’t reading, she enjoys going on adventures with her two children and gardening.
Below is our Q&A with Ashley:
Who are you and what is your role in the Jet Fuel Review?
My name is Ashley and I am a senior. My major is English with Literature and Language, with a minor in Professional Writing. My role at the Jet Fuel Review is an Assistant Editor for Poetry, Fiction, and Non-Fiction.
What book might we find on your nightstand right now?
Besides the required textbooks for this semester, I am also trying to get some pleasure reading in. I just started Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig.
If you had the chance to co-write with one author, who would you choose? Why?
If I had the chance to co-write with an author, I don’t think I could choose just one. It would be a mix between Sylvia Plath and Margaret Atwood. I would choose Plath because she is just so brilliant. I would choose Atwood because I love that her works mostly involve feminism, and I would love to pick her brain about her process.
Describe your perfect reading atmosphere.
Well, I have two children, so my perfect reading atmosphere is after they are in bed. I can go snuggle up in my quiet room without any distractions!
What might your personal library look like?
I have a pretty good mix in my library, from classics to YA to textbooks. I also have a good variety of books I had as a child and teenager that I am saving for my children.
If you could “re-make” a poorly written movie that was based on a book, what movie would it be?
The only movies I can think of that I saw based on books were the Twilight and Divergent series. I rolled my eyes numerous times watching those movies. The books were definitely better!
What piece of literature can you reread over and over again?
Give me any of Sylvia Plath’s poetry and I find something new every time! I love doing multiple reads of my absolute favorites — Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, or On the Road by Jack Kerouac.
Give us a quote from your favorite (or any) book/movie.
“The best teacher is experience and not through someone’s distorted point of view.” — Jack Kerouac, On the Road
“I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead; I lift my eyes and all is born again.” — Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar
If you were invited to have coffee with any fictional character, who would you most like to meet? Why?
I’d like to say probably Harry Potter. I don’t think any explanation would be needed to want to meet Harry Potter!
Share your top five favorite pieces of writing (anything included, be it movies, books, etc.).
- Sylvia Plath’s Unabridged Journals
- Margaret Atwood’s poem A Sad Child
- George Harrison’s While My Guitar Gently Weeps
- The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (both the books and the movies)
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
**********************
Be sure to check back next Friday to meet another new editor, and as always, have a fantastic weekend!
