Abe Gastaud
The winner of the 2007 Memphis magazine fiction contest, Abe Gastaud moved to Memphis at the age of 4 and began writing not too long after that. He is a graduate of the University of Memphis, receiving a master of fine arts in creative writing in 2001, and is currently working on his Ph.D.
Influenced by Flannery O'Connor, Donald Barthelme, Jorge Luis Borges, and other writers, Abe enjoys experimental literature as well as more realistic and traditional forms. He is also inspired by science, technology, photography, and the blues.
Prior to winning the grand prize this year for his story "The Torso," Abe received an honorable-mention award in our 2005 contest. His work has appeared in a variety of nationally distributed literary magazines, including Other Voices and New Orleans Review . He has also won awards for his fiction from the University of Tennessee, Orchid: A Literary Review, and Glimmer Train Magazine . He is currently looking for a publisher for his book of short stories, Stars on the Wall , as well as working to complete a novel set in Brasilia and Memphis, tentatively titled Building Cities in the Dark .
Most importantly, he is husband to Johnna and father to two daughters, Gressa and Bren.
Susan Ellis
Now managing editor of the Memphis Flyer , Susan began there as an intern in 1992 and was mentored by Dennis Freeland, the late Flyer editor. She's gotten to ride in a fighter jet and go on an Elvis-themed cruise totally for free. She's a reluctant vegetarian and her hobbies include taking up hobbies. She lives in the Vollintine-Evergreen district, and is originally from Monroe, Louisiana.
David Hollenbach
Born in Salisbury, Maryland — home of poultry magnate Frank Perdue — after high school David Hollenbach moved to Brooklyn, New York, and studied illustration at the Pratt Institute, where he received his BFA in 1998. His work has appeared in Communication Arts Illustration Annual and American Illustration , and he received a silver medal from the Society of Illustrators. He's been a fairly lucky blackjack table novice in Atlantic City. He currently resides in Queens.
Tom Martin
Award-winning designer and illustrator Tom Martin is enjoying his second successful year running tommartindesign.com and tommartinillustration.com. Staying busy with new jobs for The Oxford American , Elvis Presley Enterprises, and other great clients, Tom barely finds time to play in his not-so-serious band and potentially too-serious men's soccer team.
