Christine Stoddard conceived the idea for Quail Bell in late 2009 after writing a children's story by the same name. With help from the likes of David Fuchs, Bolashade Hanson, Maggie Craig, Amy Cheong, and others, she launched the website in May 2010. The magazine's run primarily by Virginia Commonwealth Magazine students and alumni in Richmond, VA, though contributors come from across the globe. More at our press kit...

Art, media, and language have enchanted Christine Stoddard  since the days of her early upbringing in Arlington, VA. While still a mere fairy flutter from Washington, Christine dove into creative activities, hoping that her artistic talents would distract her teachers from learning of her severe mathematical inability. Luckily, her plan worked. Her skills have been recognized by the likes of The Washington Post, The Poetry Society of Virginia, and The ICG. Style Weekly Magazine recently even named her one of the "Top 40 Under 40" in Richmond, VA. Currently Christine is over-educating herself at Virginia Commonwealth University--earning two B.A.s, three minors, and one certificate by May '12. She writes under several pen names.

Update: Our dear Josie died on October 29, 2011. Rest in peace.

Josephine Stone grew up in the South at the end of a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. She moved to Richmond at the ripe age of 18 to chase the dream of a Bachelor's Degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. During her time in the River City, Josephine has been a dough-slinging pizza-maker, a foul-mouthed bar wench at a local British pub and a personal assistant for a CEO. After five fast years she graduated with two degrees in Print Journalism and English, with a minor in Writing. Josephine's current goals include writing lots of disturbingly dark fiction, quirky nonfiction, and traveling around the world (and hopefully doing all of them for $). Her interests include horror films and literature, crappy metal, cheap beer, and spending time with her husband and pet cat.

Despite lofty goals early in life, Jade Miller had neither become a fashion designer nor the earth-saving superhero Earthra, but rather came to the conclusion life would be better spent being around children. Working first at a daycare in Mechanicsville, Jade moved on to greener pastures teaching children how to swim and nannying for two families in the Richmond, VA area. Finishing her degree in English with a minor in Religious Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University, the aspiration to become a teacher bloomed. With plans to continue her education and get her teaching license at the University of Richmond, Jade spends all of her time either at work, or playing poker at a local bar.

Virginia ('Ashby') Nickerson is a recent graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where she studied Creative Advertising and Art History. When not perusing vintage children's books, Virginia enjoys making scores of fanciful collages and spending time with her dear dog, Maeby Funke. Recently she adopted a pup named Freddy Joe, and looking forward to welcoming him to her home.

Julie DiNisio was born in Maryland, but has lived in Richmond for over ten years--so considers herself a Richmonder! She attends Virginia Commonwealth University and enjoys freelance writing. She has a passion for literature and good music ('good' being of a very subjective nature). She's hoping to graduate in 2013 and will likely pursue careers in teaching and writing.

Ashley grew up in Martinsville, Va also known as the "country." She became a student at VCU in 2006, studying Mass Communications-Advertising, and then English.  Acting as Social Media Manager and Assistant Art Director, Ashley hopes to further the success of QB by bringing as much awareness to the talent behind the brand as possible. Outside of Quail Bell Magazine, she enjoys writing urban novels, and spending time with family and friends.  She launched a "Positive Monday" movement with her friends that commit to a positive lifestyle by beginning each Monday with an ecouraging perspective that the week will be productive, motivating, and great!  Although a career in advertising is a major goal, her lifelong goal is to move closer to Martinsville and open a pub where people can celebrate life, art, and entertainment "responsibly." Until then, you can expect a smiling Ashley committing herself to Quail Bell and what it represents with a Southern twang!

Ani was born and raised in the windy city of Chicago. An only child to a single Armenian parent, she was whisked off to Southern California at the age of fourteen, the sand replacing the snow. At twenty-one years of age, she is a Journalism major at College of the Desert with plans of transferring to a university soon. Her love for writing started at a young age, conveniently close to the time her passion for reading had been sparked. Ani spends the majority of her time religiously downloading new music, attending shows, documenting with her Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR, as well as writing about whatever comes to mind. Her favorite bits of music are provided by The Kooks, Margot & the Nuclear So And So’s, fun., Landon Pigg, and Beirut. Two movies she would never get tired of watching are Rush Hour and The Proposal, and she also happens to be a die-hard Harry Potter and Star Wars fan. She hopes to never fall off the writing wagon. Her personal blog can be found here: http://sayanithing.tumblr.com

Tykeya O'Neil is a senior in the Fashion Merchandising program at Virginia Commonwealth Univresity. She was born and raised in the heart of NYC. Tykeya's love for fashion has existed since she was a little girl running around the showroom of an uprising designer now known as Carmen Mare Valvo. She aspires to be the next Kimora Lee Simmons. She is heading to Miami for her MBA. Her interestes include the color pink, "Glee," and macaroni and cheese.

David Fuchs is an artist, writer, and designer who graduated with a B.F.A. in Kinetic Imaging from Virginia Commonwealth University in December 2011. Now that he has finished his undergraduate education, David plans to pursue a career in motion graphics. David has most recently worked for Mad Box Post in Richmond, VA. He is also the co-editor of Comicality Magazine and a Wikipedia administrator.

Fall 2011 Interns: 
Cirita Rae Eversley, Margaret Amonette

Summer 2011 Interns: Julie DiNisio, Brandon Jeune, Josephine Stone, Cirita Rae Eversley, Ashley Mullins, Virginia Nickerson, Nicole Duda, Margaret Amonette

Summer 2010 Interns: Samantha Highfill, Daniel Wikey, Sarah Houis, Ani Mikaelian, Maggie Craig