Over the course of six years I have worn three very important hats. First, I have been a writing instructor for adults in memoir-style courses at my local community college. In these courses, I have t... aught adults aged 18 through 85 how to write and organize information from their lives into readable paragraphs and essays. I've been an editor at Vine Leaves Press where my duties range from reading new manuscripts across genres for accessibility and solid narrative--both fiction and nonfiction. After reading the new manuscripts, I evaluate the project in 1,000 words, so that a decision can be made from the EIC whether or not to purse publication. I also work in micro fiction, reading and formatting 50-word stories in a digital arena. I see this project from its digital daily distribution, all the way to its printed edition after a full year. Lastly, I write my own nonfiction, essay-centric books. I understand how to developmental edit bushels of words and ideas from first draft to publication. I have a young adult novel, a short story collection, and a memoir collection published by two small presses. I am a NJ-certified general education teacher and a certified teacher of students with disabilities. My speciality is writing and reading: ELA. My philosophy as an instructor is that every student has a unique voice, and one that is important and valuable. read more

I am a passionate educator who loves books, music, and art! I love to read books with exciting main characters! I love tutoring for essays because we can turn words into magic. Every student has a... special voice and I will help you find it. Elaina Battista Parsons has published a memoir collection called Italian Bones in the Snow with Vine Leaves Press, along with a short story collection called Heart and Salt. She also published a YA novel called Black Licorice with Inked in Gray Press. She’s had multiple poems, essays, and flash fiction published in journals, print anthologies, and literary magazines. She loves ice cream, antiques, Bjork, and The Golden Girls.read more