Ashley Balcazar

Ashley Balcazar is the Essays Editor at American Literary Review (ALR), a literary journal published through the Department of English at the University of North Texas.1 She is currently pursuing a PhD in Creative Writing with a primary emphasis in Creative Nonfiction at the University of North Texas.4

As the Essays Editor, Balcazar plays a crucial role in selecting and editing essays for publication in ALR. She was appointed to this position for the 2024-2025 term, taking over as the incoming Essays Editor.35

Balcazar's academic background is in linguistics, with a concentration on the intersections of language, society, and cognition.2 This interdisciplinary approach likely informs her work as an editor and contributes to ALR's mission of expanding the notion of American literature.

In addition to her editorial duties, Balcazar is also a Teaching Fellow at the University of North Texas.4 Her involvement with ALR extends beyond editing, as she has conducted interviews with authors for the journal. For instance, she interviewed Jacqueline Doyle about creative nonfiction and poetic license for the Spring 2024 issue.6

Balcazar's appointment as Essays Editor aligns with ALR's commitment to featuring diverse voices and perspectives in American literature. Her role contributes to the journal's goal of publishing high-quality writing that challenges readers' imaginations and reveals the nuances and complexities of human experience.1