Influential Woman · Literary Magazine Publishing

Allyson Nichols

Founding Editor, Persephone Literary Magazine

North Canton, OH

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Degree Bachelor's degree in Journalism with specialization in Creative Writing Degree Kent State University Degree 2020

Her Story

About Allyson

I've been writing for a really long time and earned my degree in journalism from Kent State University in 2020, where I also specialized in creative writing. After graduating, I did some freelance work before transitioning into marketing, where I've now been working for about 4 years, currently in the nonprofit sector. Two years ago, I launched Persephone, a literary magazine that has become my passion project. As the founding editor, I combine my background in editing and creative writing to build this platform. While the magazine has grown quite a bit from the beginning, it's still not quite where I want it to be. My biggest focus right now is getting Persephone more exposure, attracting more submissions, and gaining the recognition it needs to continue growing as a literary publication.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Allyson

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to my education and the incredible support system I've had along the way. I've been fortunate to have professors and family members who have really supported me throughout my journey. Their encouragement and guidance have been instrumental in helping me pursue my passions and build both my career in marketing and my literary magazine.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I know it's not super easy to enter into this industry. There's not a lot of jobs and opportunities out there, but I believe that you should still follow your passions and just work hard at it. That's probably the best way to go about it. And try doing your best not to give up on it, even when things get difficult.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I believe that the job industry is probably the most difficult aspect right now. It's really hard to break into the field. You have to build your own portfolio, but it can be difficult if you're not getting those opportunities in the first place. So it all kind of correlates into each other - you need experience to get opportunities, but you need opportunities to gain experience. That circular challenge is one of the biggest barriers in the industry right now.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

The values most important to me are empathy, kindness, and understanding of all people from different backgrounds. These principles guide both my professional work and my personal interactions.

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