Hi. I’m Steph, author of the novel The Annie Year, published in October 2016 by Unnamed Press.

I am also the editorial director of a small, selective liberal arts college in Minnesota. It’s the culmination of my 25 years as a writer, editor, producer, photographer, and general storyteller. I lead, manage, create, and edit branded content, messaging, and narrative in all forms and mediums, from Insta posts to the alumni magazine to case statements to music videos.

I’m an unabashed pragmatic, a fan of witty one-liners, and a believer in human potential. I have been told I have a big personality.

For a long time, I was an editor at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. I was also one of the literary/musical comedians behind the Lit 6 Project (loud, drunken, funny, connected stories told in bars across the Midwest), the Electric Arc Radio Show (live, episodic, narrative musical comedy heard on Minnesota Public Radio), and Don’t Crush Our Heart! (the world’s only full-length twee-pop musical/courtroom drama).

I have sometimes appeared in public as the character Goth Mom, leader of the all-woman a capella goth rock ensemble, Goth Mother.

I am married to novelist/professor Geoff Herbach. We mostly live in Saint Peter, Minnesota. Together we have four children, all over age 18, but that doesn’t make it any easier. We also have a #borador named Joanie, after the character on Happy Days. Follow her on Insta: #heytherejoaniegirl.

EMAIL ashstephanie at gmail dot com