Editor-in-Chief

Éamonn Shults is a writer and poet studying creative writing and film production at Utah Valley University. He has been commended by the Adroit Prizes 2023, was featured in Happy Magpie’s Pride Poetry Exhibition, and has been published in Touchstones, Warp + Weave, and Essais. He works as an Office Lead at a furniture store where he spends his shifts wishing he was watching campy horror films, reading gut wrenching poetry, or doing literally anything else.

Madilin Hawkes is a senior at UVU studying English with an emphasis in creative writing and a minor in Philosophy. She’s from the small town of Howell, Utah and a first-generation student. With her love of writing and literature, Madi works as a writing tutor and has volunteered for the editing staff for both Touchstones and Essais. She was also the Technical Editor for Essais in the Fall 2023 semester. Outside of writing and school, Madi enjoys spending her time doing fun makeup, playing video games (RPGs and rhythm games to be specific), and spending a little too much money on stickers and charms.

technical editor

Julia Allen is a Creative Writing major in her final year at UVU. When not studying or working on her sci-fi novel she is engaged in other creative pursuits such as painting, acting, and book binding. And of course, Touchstones.

head prose editor

Cole Driggs is a Writing Studies student at Utah Valley University. He currently works as a freelance copywriter and assists as the Head Prose Editor for Touchstones. In his free time, Cole enjoys playwriting and hanging out with his golden retriever Cozy.

head poetry editor

Drew Wixom is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis on Writing Studies. He is simultaneously earning a certificate in Editing and Document Design. He has been a contributing editor in previous editions of Touchstones. Upon graduation, Drew will continue his education, pursuing a Master’s degree in rhetoric. In his free time, Drew enjoys reading poetry, watching classic films, and drinking red wine. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Head Poetry Editor this semester.