Olivia has been reading and writing since she learned how. At fourteen years old, she wrote her first novel, a fantasy of 60,000 words.

After exploring careers in theatre, politics, and law, she went back to college to pursue her first love.

Her writing is often a reflection of her deep faith in Jesus Christ, the spiritual struggles that come with chasing Him in a broken world, longing for a connection to nature, and neurodiversity and mental health. Oh, and politics, of course.

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Education

Bachelor of Arts in English: Creative Writing
University of North Carolina Asheville, May 2025

• GPA: 3.98 (summa cum laude, distinction in English)
• Chancellor's List: FA'23, SP'24, SP'25
• Dean's List: FA'24

Certificate in Paralegal and additional credits
South College Asheville, March 2023

• GPA: 4.00 (high honors)
• President's List: Every quarter

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​Publications & Works

Flash Fiction:

• "Wading" Fleeting Daze Magazine (Fall 2024)

Poetry:

• "Like Grass" The Penwood Review (Fall 2024) *print only
• "Return" Carolina Muse: Literary and Arts Journal (Summer 2024)
• "An Ode to O" 2024 Division V AR Ammons Poetry Winners (Spring 2024) *print only

Non-Fiction:

• "I Couldn't Help Myself" The Great Smokies Review (Fall 2024)

Playscripts:

• "Feel Better" One Act (Fall 2023)

Book Reviews:

• "A Lady to Remember: 'A Woman of Firsts: Margaret Heckler, Political Trailblazer' by Kimberly Heckler" Newsmax (June 2025)

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​Readings

UNCA Department of English Creative Writing Awards & Senior Showcase
Asheville, NC (April 2025)
Reading of "The Cave"

Writers at Home: The Great Smokies Review
Asheville, NC (December 2024)
​Reading of "I Couldn't Help Myself"

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Honors & Awards

Topp-Grillot Award (UNCA)
Best Student Poet Nominee
Nominated by Mildred Barya
(Spring 2024)

A. R. Ammons Poetry Contest
Honorable Mention
​"An Ode to O"
(2024)

Notable Courses

Poetry Writing Workshop
Dr. Mildred Barya
UNC Asheville

Fiction Writing Workshop
Dr. Wiley Cash
UNC Asheville

Readings in Drama
Dr. William Revere
UNC Asheville

Horror Fiction Workshop
Prof. Taylor Sykes
​UNC Asheville

Memberships

North Carolina Poetry Society ('24 - Pres.)

North Carolina Theatre Conference ('24 - Pres.)

New Play Exchange ('24 - Pres.)

Association of Writers and Writing Programs ('24 - '25)

North Carolina Writers' Network ('24 - '25)
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​This is Working by Wiley Cash ('24 - 25)

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