As a poet, writer, educator and owner of a small content writing business, every aspect of Mel’s work—both creative and professional—is steeped in a reverence for communication. They hold an MFA in poetry from Texas State University and was the 2019-2020 Poet in Resident at the Clark House in Smithville, Texas. They were the recipient of a Damsite Residency in New Mexico and has been published by Rust + Moth, Radar, Roanoke Review, Barren Magazine, Burning House Press, The Boiler, Black Bough Poetry, University of Hell Press, Passengers Journal (forthcoming), Hot Pink (forthcoming) and Luna Luna Magazine (forthcoming). They were also a commissioned, featured artist for Luminaria: San Antonio Arts Festival in 2017.