Meet our team of freelance writers and photographers who contribute regularly to The Roanoker Magazine. We are incredibly grateful to our team as they share their views and enthusiasm across the community in storytelling, photography, video and more. As small business owners, they're also your friends and neighbors!
Want to learn more about joining our freelance team? Reach out to our editor HERE.
Mason Adams (@MasonAtoms on Twitter) has covered Blue Ridge and Appalachian communities since 2001. He writes from Floyd County, Virginia. Read previous works HERE.
Jenny K. Boone is a Roanoke-based freelance writer and former business journalist. She is a Roanoke College and Northwestern University graduate who is passionate about exercise and chai latte. Read previous works HERE.
Aila Boyd is an educator and journalist who resides in Roanoke. She holds an MFA in Writing from Lindenwood University. Read previous works HERE.
Ashley Cuoco is practicing her love of hospitality through food photography. A Long Island native, she finds creative expression in daily kitchen experiments. Follow along at @ashcuoco and ashcuoco.com where Ashley finds joy in sharing food with others. See previous works HERE.
Becky Ellis is a freelance writer specializing in southern food, champagne and cocktails. She loves to share tips for entertaining with bubbly. Find her creative food and cocktail recipes along with champagne tasting notes on her blog biscuitsandbubbly.com and Instagram at @biscuits.n.bubbly. Read previous works HERE.
Stephanie H. Fallon is a writer and artist originally from Houston, Texas. She has her BA in English and Studio Art and her MFA in Creative Writing from Hollins University. You can check out her portfolio at stephaniehfallon.com or find her on Instagram: @shlohbo. Read previous works HERE.
Ashley Wilson Fellers is a writer, self-taught painter and contemplative photographer in Roanoke, Virginia. When she isn’t teaching writing at Virginia Western, she snaps photos of sidewalk cracks, rescues wet leaves from windshield wipers and leaves poems hidden under park benches. She has a Master of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Tech. Read previous works HERE.
Anthony Giorgetti is a writer, marketer, and owner of Power-Up Online Promotions. He got his start writing independent comedy but one day realized it would be good to have money. He lives in Roanoke with his wife Felicia, dogs Om and Shanti, and cats Lucy and Oliver the Hellion Bean. Read previous works HERE.
Nelson Harris is a former mayor of Roanoke and author of a dozen books on the region's history. He is the minister at Heights Community Church in Roanoke and a past president of the Historical Society of Western Virginia. Read previous works HERE.
Lindsey Hull grew up in the Roanoke area and currently resides in Boones Mill with her family. She primarily reports on events, arts and culture and outdoor adventures in and around the Roanoke Region. Read previous works HERE.
Bruce Ingram teaches English and Creative Writing at Lord Botetourt H.S. He is the author of over 2,500 magazine stories and 10 books, including four Young Adult Fiction novels designed for middle and high school students. Contact him at bruceingramoutdoors@gmail.com. Read previous works HERE.
Stephanie Klein-Davis worked for the Roanoke Times as a staff photographer for 33 years and Virginia Western Community College as an adjunct instructor for 17 years. Now, she’s teaching photography full-time at William Fleming High School and freelancing both locally and nationally.
Layla Khoury-Hanold's food obsession started early; growing up in cities like Paris, Aberdeen and Jakarta, Layla counts escargots, Haggis and beef rendang among her first memorable meals. She’s always looking for the next exciting bite—and relishes uncovering the story behind it. Her work has appeared on Saveur, Food Network and Refinery29 and in The Chicago Tribune, Drinks International and Our State. Follow her on Instagram @words_with_layla or on X @words_withlayla. Read previous works HERE.
Stacey Manganelli is a tenderhearted writer living in Hollins with her husband and son. She writes an interactive lifestyle blog at teaandtenderness.com. She would love to hear your responses to the questions she poses there. Read previous works HERE.
Gene Marrano is an award-winning radio, print and TV journalist who has been covering local events in the Roanoke Valley for more than two decades. You may also spot him running on the greenway or in local races, or on stage as an actor in local community theater productions. Read previous works HERE.
Kianna Price Marshall, a native of Roanoke, is an award-winning multimedia journalist proudly sharing the stories of her hometown for 15 years with radio listeners, TV viewers and lifestyle magazine readers. She is a graduate of University of Richmond with a double major in Leadership Studies and Communications. Follow her on Instagram @kiannainthecity. Read previous works HERE.
Emily Meade is a passionate writer with a background in English and professional and technical writing. She loves spending my time working on creative projects that include digital media, content creation, editing, and more! She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in English at Virginia Tech!
Shawn Nowlin is an acclaimed writer, interviewer, photographer and content creator. After nearly a decade of working in the newspaper industry, Shawn, 34, transitioned into a full-time freelancing career. Read previous works HERE.
John Park is a Financial Planning Veteran and Co-founder of the JPG Agency. After an illustrious 19+ year career in the financial planning industry, John has stepped into a new chapter of his life. Capture his culinary adventures and join him on his quest by following his Instagram handle @Hungryasianrke. See previous photography HERE.
David Rehor has been professionally photographing since 1995. He recently completed his MFA at Radford University and is an adjunct professor in digital photography. He lives in Roanoke with his wife and fellow artist, Amy McCuen-Rehor, and their daughter, Leah.
Rory Rhodes has called the Roanoke Valley home for 18 years, and her work has appeared in state and regional shelter and lifestyle magazines. She’s interested in communities, trends, destinations and culture. She’s always on the lookout for good dogs, oxford commas and fresh-shucked oysters. Read previous works HERE.
Sarah Riddell is a blogger and freelance writer from Christiansburg, VA with a love for all things food, books and fur babies. She graduated from Roanoke College with a double major in Literary Studies and Business Administration. Read previous works HERE.
Michael Shelton is a Registered Financial Consultant, tax specialist and owner of 360 Wealth Consultants. His firm specializes in providing retirement planning and wealth preservation strategies for business owners and astute individuals. Read previous works HERE.
Dan Smith is an award-winning Roanoke-based writer/author/photographer and a member of the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame (Class of 2010). He has authored eight books, including the upcoming novel out in Summer 2022, NEWS! He is founding editor of a Roanoke-based business magazine and a former Virginia Small Business Journalist of the Year (2005). His new novel is NEWS! from Propertius Press. Read previous works HERE.
Aaron Spicer is a veteran editorial photographer originally based in Northern Virginia, with credits in numerous regional and national publications. He specializes in creating clean and contemporary environmental portraiture that tells a compelling story. He’s excited to be living and working among his fellow Roanokers.
Anne Tate, originally from Annapolis, MD, is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. She works full-time at 6AM City as a Multi-Market Content and Account Manager, and has contributed to publications including Garden & Gun and Washingtonian. When Anne’s not writing, she’s hiking on the Appalachian Trail, filming content with Hello Roanoke or practicing hot yoga at Hustle Haven. Read previous works HERE.
Georgianne Vecellio lives in Salem, but enjoys adventuring all over the Roanoke area. She enjoys exploring and does her own stunts. Read previous works HERE.
Laura Wade, founder of Thrive by Heart, offers workshops and individual guidance to empower women to live from soul to goal and love their lives. She is passionate about her family, holistic health, personal transformation, and sharing ideas to inspire others to live their best lives. You can reach her at soultogoal@gmail.com. Read previous works HERE.
Sunny Wasiela-Gutowski is a photographer who helps people and businesses shine. After further studies on women’s portraiture and headshot photography, Sunny’s passion is to help people have a joyful portrait experience. Visit her website at stellanovaphoto.com.