The People

Emil is a screenwriter who explores the dark and mundane aspects of humanity. They are working on a horror film script set in a nursing home, a biopic documentary, and a narrative video game. Emil has written and directed several short films, such as STEPS.

Chiara focuses on screenplays and short stories in multiple genres. Their latest work was writing and directing a short film called The Real Story of Lemon Boy. Chiara is currently working on a new collection of short stories entitled Andrea.

Matt’s work is centered around non-linear storytelling that mixes science fiction with fantasy. He is currently working on three projects in his Fragments series: revising a novel called Mirror of Blue and Gold, writing a collection of short stories and flash fiction pieces titled Fragments of Silver, and drafting Fall of the Human, a serialized story.

Cora focuses on young adult novels but is currently writing a book of essays and poetry, which she also enjoys. Her dream is to publish young adult novels informed by her experience, and in order to help others.

Emely is currently working on her debut novel, which is a queer romance story. In her work, she focuses on the queer experience in today’s world. She also writes Young Adult fiction and poetry.

Jussi Saloheimo is a multimedia writer who loves philosophy, intimate stages, and dry humor. They are currently working on a visual poetry collection that illuminates the struggles of everyday life and rebels against the idea that poetry should be clean or posh. Jussi is a Lahti Academy of Fine Arts graduate and has worked in theatres like Leipäteatteri and Elkstanterin Teatteri. Jussi has written several plays, including HAPPY! - oikotie onneen, Merisaarna, and Sherlock Holmes: Merkityksettömyyden arvoitus.

Katrina is interested in a little bit of Everything ranging from video games about suspiciously human androids, to a good Sherlock Holmes mystery, a musical about Founding Fathers, and a singer who likes to Speak Now. Katrina is currently working on a Romance novel called Never Supposed to Meet, and a coming-of-age series Cur$ed.

Johanna works on her craft by writing short stories, novellas, and novelettes. She is interested in play and screenwriting, and aims to implement social critique and philosophical elements into her work. She also writes narrative poetry.

Jonathan is intrigued by intercharacter conflicts and how they set the tone in a narrative. His focus is on creating villains that can drive the story forward, be it due to their master plan or complete lack thereof. He is currently planning The Old World Chronicles, a project yet to be revealed except by name.

Mina’s writing focuses on queer romance and complex family dynamics as well as women’s historical fiction. She is currently working on a young adult novel called Le Regard Amoureux which recounts the lives of two queer brothers and their different responses to generational trauma.

Emmett's projects focus on a mix of genres and mediums with a heavy basis in traditional fantasy. He is working on four novels: The Wieldling, Heroes, Bottled Fate, and Tales of the Broken. Emmett is also writing an audio drama called Days Bygone, and a screenplay entitled IVITSA.

Johanna is interested in horror, crime, romance and symbolism. She has written a novel entitled Forbidden Love, a script entitled Hedone, flash fiction, and several short stories. Her second novel is a fairytale-retelling of The Sleeping King. Her horror short stories have appeared in The Horror Zine.

Alicia’s writing ranges from quirky fantastical middle-grade to adult fantasy, dark fairy tales, and paranormal crime. Alicia also works as the Administrative Manager at South Gate Creative Writing School.

Pauline’s projects include an adult coloring book/poetry collection and a taboo-breaking self-help book for young women. Her writing focuses on non-fiction and poetry. Her poem Hey, du was published in the German encyclopedia Frankfurter Bibliotheken 2021. Pauline works as a freelance copywriter, journalist, editor, and conceptor. She has worked with Neoh, Lukas Dürnegger, NEUNZIGGRAD, and Stanglwirt, and writes for the magazine OMNIpages.

Trine is interested in crime writing, suspense, and thriller. Her first novel is entitled Safe. Trine graduated from theater high school HF MusT. Her interests also include theater and sketching.

Jesper's writing focus at South Gate Creative Writing School is epic fantasy, poetry slamming and spoken word performance, translation, and worldbuilding. His first fantasy novel is entitled Soulbound, and Jesper has two books of poetry published: Light in Darkness and Introverted.

Maria graduated Summa Cum Laude with a specialty in Popular Fiction from South Gate Creative Writing School. She wrote Saving Hell while studying at South Gate, and she is currently working on a second YA novel. Maria’s writing interests lie in fantasy, comedy, character development, and dialogue.

Emilie graduated with a focus on Popular Fiction from South Gate Creative Writing School. Her first seven Epic-Fantasy novels are signed with Mellemgaard publisher. The first three are entitled The Newborns, The Facets of the Slum, and The Goddess of the Red Moon. Emilie is currently working on her fifth novel in the same series. Her literary interests are fantasy, literary analysis, character development, gender studies, and worldbuilding.

Samuel graduated with a focus on Popular Fiction from South Gate Creative Writing School. While at South Gate, he wrote a historical fiction novel entitled Love Your Enemy. Samuel’s interests are popular and literary fiction, philosophy, graphic design, and filmmaking. After graduating South Gate, Samuel was accepted into the Noroff School of Technology and Digital Media.

LeAnne is the director of South Gate Creative Writing School. She attended Pennsylvania State University where she earned her BA: Communications and MFA (Magna Cum Laude): Creative Writing. She has published short stories and poetry, and is currently working on multiple book projects. LeAnne has worked in Los Angeles in the film and music industries, in production, a motion picture literary department, and advertising and marketing. She teaches Romance, Mystery & Crime, Fairy Tales, Business, Academic Writing, Bullies, Bitches & Bastards, Writing Monsters, Screenwriting, and more.

Sascha attended Aalborg University, earning a degree in Psychology (2011). She won the 2010 Orla Award for Best Young Adult fantasy for her debut novel The Humble Amulet (Den Ydmyge Amulet). She has since published The Unnatural (2010), The Witch's Heir (2011), The Frozen Temple (2012), The Witch's Helper (2014), and The Witch’s Mark (2017). Sascha is currently signed with Lindhardt and Ringhof. She teaches The Perfect Sentence, Story Structure Architecture, Creating Unforgettable Characters, and Polishing Your Work.

Leslie attended The University of Akron, The Ohio State University, and Ashland University, earning degrees in English Language and Literature (BA, MA), Gender Studies (Cert.), and Writing (MFA). Leslie writes poetry and long fiction, and works as an illustrator and translator. Leslie teaches Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Nature Writing, Text Art, and other workshops at South Gate Creative Writing School.

Amalie attended Aalborg University and Bemidji State University, and has an MA in English and Cultural Studies. She writes fantasy for adults and young adults a la Brothers Grimm meets Studio Ghibli. She teaches Business, Practicum, Workshops, and more.

Daniel uses his higher education work experience in his role as Operations Manager for South Gate Creative Writing School. He attended Aalborg University and earned his MA in English and Media Studies (2016), where he did his thesis on narrative discontinuity in comic books. Daniel teaches Literary Analysis, Study Skills, Business, and collaborative storytelling using Dungeons & Dragons. Daniel’s interest in world-building takes inspiration from writers such as Tolkien and Sapkowski.

Ralph holds a BFA in Film from NYU and has taught writing since 1997 at schools including Vancouver Animation School, NYU, Columbia College Hollywood, and UCLA. He's an experienced story editor, animation show creator, live-action screenwriter, and feature film director, working with Disney, Warner Bros, Sony, and Universal for over 20 years.

Steen earned his Ph.D. in English at Aalborg University, where he is currently a full professor of Popular Visual Culture. Steen has published books and articles about film, science fiction, and critical theory. Steen teaches Science Fiction, Fantasy, Transmedia, Narrative Complexity, and Literary Theory.

Victoria is the author of more than twenty books, a top writer on Medium, instructor, and consultant. With a Ph.D in electronic engineering, Victoria has background in semiconductor physics, information technology, and business development. Victoria came up with the term Self-Gamification, a playful self-help approach that brings anthropology, kaizen, and gamification together to improve quality of life.

Silke is an online content creator and book reviewer who founded the Instagram page Silkreads in 2015. She writes reviews in collaboration with a range of international publishing houses, and has produced social media campaigns for companies such as Lego and Daniel Wellington. Silke teaches Social Media, and is currently completing her BA and MA degrees in English and Cultural Studies at Aalborg University.

Dennis earned his Ph.D. in literary studies from Justus Liebig University in Germany in 2022. His work focuses on the construction of fictional worlds, and he has published on authors J. R. R. Tolkien, Ursula K. Le Guin, China Miéville, and Mervyn Peake. Dennis has lectured on Haruki Murakami, H. P. Lovecraft, J. R. R. Tolkien, and the history of fantasy literature. He has taught academic writing, literary theory, and worldbuilding and is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Aalborg University.

Pia attended Aalborg University where she earned her BA: History and MA: English Language and Literature degrees. Pia has edited a range of academic books and articles, and has professional experience in publishing. She is currently working on a book about UK theater and society, and a collection of erotic short fiction.

Louise is a psychologist and Danish non-fiction author who began her writing career in 2010, when she published a book about her year in Vietnam running an eco-friendly B&B with her family. Louise has explored feminist topics in Women’s Desire (2014) and Shame (2017), and has illuminated the creative process in Living a Creative Life (2018) and Write It (2019).

Phillip Stuben, a multi-nominated and 2016 Emmy Award Winner in television is an external examiner at South Gate Creative Writing School who evaluates the semester project in Transmedia. His credits include: The Bachelor, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Hell’s Kitchen, and Temptation Island.