Maggie Mertens

Maggie Mertens is a freelance writer, editor, and researcher based in Seattle, Washington. She has built a diverse portfolio with her essays and reporting featured in prominent publications such as The Atlantic, NPR, Sports Illustrated, ESPNw, Deadspin, VICE, The Cut, and Glamour. Her work has also been recognized in anthologies like The Year’s Best Sports Writing 2021 and Women and Sports in the United States .12

Education

Mertens holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Italian Studies from Smith College (2005-2009) and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction Writing from The New School (2011-2013) .1

Career Highlights

• Freelance Writer, Editor, Researcher (Self Employed, Dec 2014 - Present): Mertens has been actively writing and editing for various outlets, focusing on women's issues and sports .12
• Co-Founder, Managing Editor of Bitterroot Magazine (Jan 2019 - May 2020).
• Previous roles include working as a Special Projects Assistant at Glamour, a Web Producer at Bloomberg Government, and various editorial internships at organizations like NPR and Kaiser Health News .13

Current Projects

Mertens is currently working on a book for Algonquin Books about women and running, set to be published in June 2024. Additionally, she co-hosts a Substack newsletter titled Gilmore Women, which critically examines the show Gilmore Girls through a feminist lens .13

Her work often explores themes related to gender, sports, and millennial issues, making her contributions significant in contemporary discussions around these topics .23