Our Team
Abby E. Murray
Poetry Editor
Editor in Chief
Abby E. Murray is the author of Hail and Farewell, which won the Perugia Press Poetry Prize and was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award. Her spouse is active duty army, so she moves often, but she recently relocated from DC to the Pacific Northwest.
Editor Q&A:
Do you read cover letters?
Yes, but usually not until I've finished reading the submission and made a decision.
What are you looking for in a poem?
I want to read what surprises me—a poem that interprets Collateral's mission in a way I haven't seen before.
Pet peeves about the editing process?
I absolutely loathe sending out rejections.
Jacqlyn Cope
Nonfiction Editor
Jacqlyn Cope is a writer of poetry and nonfiction. She is an 8-year Air Force veteran who worked as an aeromedical evacuation mission controller. In 2016, she decided to leave the military to pursue her writing career.
Editor Q&A:
Do you read cover letters?
I prefer not to read cover letters because I don’t want that to impact or drive my choice. I think writing speaks for itself and stands alone.
Advice for writers?
You will not get anywhere if you don’t submit regularly. Don’t let a rejection get you down.
What do you look for in an essay?
I choose creative nonfiction stories that offer fresh perspectives that tie into Collateral’s mission. I am drawn to more than war narratives—the aftermath of war or trauma, and what that leaves behind in a person, family, life, or country.
Fiction Editor
Mariette Kalinowski served in the United States Marine Corps from 2002-2010 and deployed twice to Al Anbar Province in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 5.2 and 8.2. She has published in The New York Times, The Daily Beast, and Splinter News, among others.
Editor Q&A:
Do you read cover letters?
Only as a primer, not as a determining factor for selection.
What do you look for in a story?
I lean toward voices that are unique, that explore the stories less talked about, those narratives that examine how even the most ubiquitous experience of life is unique to that individual or group. I especially like stories and voices from groups that have been ignored by the status quo, those experiences that history has glossed over because those in power don’t recognize them as legitimate. Women, marginalized people, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ voices especially interest me.
Best part of editing for Collateral?
The fact that our staff is committed to the mission of non-traditional stories of war, and the support and uplifting of authors who are normally passed over by larger publications. All successful writers start somewhere (usually VERY humble beginnings) and I love being a part of a platform to achieve this.
Mariette Kalinowski
Managing Editor
Jennifer L. Miller is an Army Veteran, 1997-2000, and former Army Spouse, 1999-2017. She’s a professional travel photographer and Light Worker who sometimes allows herself to write poetry and nonfiction. She graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma with a BA in Creative Writing in 2017.
Editor Q&A:
What do you do at Collateral?
I create, edit, and manage the website.
Best part of editing for Collateral?
Giving a platform for stories we don’t hear nearly as often as we do the war story. War stories definitely need told, but there’s a lot more going on before, during and after the battles that are also just as important. I love that we give a space for those stories. Also, I love working with Abby! She’s one of my favorite humans.