Issue 1 Contributors

Writer

Zavier Alexander is a quiet guy that loves to write stories and stretch the limits of his imagination. He lives debt-free in Missouri with his wife, Cody, two cats, and awesome dog, Rowdy. When he isn't busy writing or helping other authors, he spends his time enjoying the outdoors and putting his hands to use making journals and sketchbooks. The couple combine their creative powers to come up with original designs that add character to each book they make. Their work can be found at littlehousejournals.com. As always, thank you for your time to read my stories.

Littlehousejournals.com

Illustrator

Born and raised in northwest Montana, Seth Wolfshorndl currently resides in Joplin, Missouri with his wife and daughter.  He supports his comic book habit by teaching art to unsuspecting high schoolers and by freelance illustrating for such clients as Glacier National Park.  He writes and draws comics that include Random Ink, Duel, and Rook City. He is also the sponsor of the Joplin High School Cartoonist Club.

@sethwolfshorndl
threetreesstudios.com

Photographer

At thirty Sarah thought she'd have it together, unfortunately she can't even spell definitely without autocorrect. Aside from that, she uses art to express herself as she has a hard time doing so with confidence. A bit witchy, a bit curvy, and most likely to be spotted with a messy bun while wearing leggings at the market. But what do you expect? She's a mess.

Sarah Elizabeth Photography 

@sarelizphoto

http://www.sarelizphoto.com/

Photographer

Sarah Clements is an award-winning and published photographer in Joplin, Missouri who specializes in merging romantic fashion photography with a dark, often devious dream world. As an artist who appreciates and values the support she has gotten from her photography community, she believes in sharing her secrets with other artists with a desire to discover their own photography journey on a deeper level. Sarah has shown her work in numerous galleries and teaches workshops nationwide. Sarah's life is art. While her style is unmistakably hers, each new image brings an unexpected surprise to her admirers.

https://www.sarahmphotography.com

Illustrator

Nate Billings is an educator and artist living in Southwest Missouri. He calls these rural landscapes his home and hopes to tie communities together through shared artistic messages. He enjoys several hobbies, most which take him outdoors.

IG: @thegr8nr

photographer, winter art section

Creating/showcasing art is creating community, and though new to Joplin, I feel blessed to be a part of this community. In my life I don’t take anything too seriously with art being the exception. For as long as I can remember I loved seeing and creating art. I feel closer to God when I am inspired, and when I create. I feel passionate about fighting for the arts and try to encourage people to create. However, it oftentimes comes down to each individual to push past that internal critic in order to create. I am thankful for my family, community, and friends for giving me a safe space in order to quiet and push past my internal critic.

IG: @_leannalouise

Photographer

Jeren didn’t write a bio, so we’re making one up for him.

Originally from Russia, Jeren is 32 years old, an expert in taekwondo, and a man who suffers from extreme erythrophobia. While his obsession with unicorns is sometimes unhealthy, he makes up for it with his ability to throat punch anyone who calls it out, and also with the soothing qualities of his incredible homemade sirnikis. Jeren sleeps with his hasselblad under his pillow and photographs models, bands, and other people in places like Texas, California, KC, and Joplin Missouri. In the future, we’ll pretty sure Jeren will write his own bio.

IG: @itsjeren

Photographer

I am stay at home mom/photographer in Joplin area and I have been doing photography for 10 years. I love photographing couples, families, maternity, weddings, senior portraits and concept work. Every person I get to work with is amazing to be around and I cannot thank my family and friends enough for always being supportive!

https://www.facebook.com/veraimagophotography/

illustrator, Rudolf winter image

I'm an artist that dabbles in a little bit of everything art-related. 

I work as a graphic artist at Images in Tile by day, and I am a 

freelancer by night. If I'm not doing something creative, I am spending time with the family/dog or I am tinkering with my hotrod truck. 

@shipp_wreck

Photographer

Braden has been a creative person nearly his whole life, from making picture "books" as a kid (bursting with bad doodles), to a digital artist and photographer now (making slightly better bad doodles). He is an avid listener of music, an devoted fan of Winnie the Pooh, and a longtime lover of chocolate milk. On the Enneagram, he says he is a type 9, although there is a very good chance he could also be a type 6. Or a type 2. And quite possibly a type 1 or 8. Maybe even a type 5 (but definitely not a type 7). He also doesn't know when the normal time is to stop talking.

@sleepingbarefoot

Author/photographer for cat lawyer interview

Matt Winkfield is a ridiculous person. He loves music and photography and hates writing Bios. his name is not Kevin.

CFToad & general editor

Theresa Schorr loves to spend her time reading, writing, and laughing at her own jokes. She lacks all vegan powers but has learned the power of self-respect. It is unconfirmed but suspicion is high that she resides in the attic above Joplin Avenue Coffee Company.

Infra writer

Cole Mead is a photographer with the adventurous spirit of the West coast and the work hard attitude of the midwest.

Toadcast Editor, Designer, Editor

Jeremiah Jones is a Christian creative, worship leader, podcaster, family man, music fanatic, lover of words, and gaming hobbyist residing in Joplin, Missouri. He does a wicked Elmo impression and sometimes makes money giving private music lessons. You can consistently find him at one of Joplin’s many coffee establishments or throwing frisbees at those chained baskets in parks around town.

poet & researcher

Lesli is a cartoonist, historical researcher, master gardener, and craftswoman, among other things. She thinks Mark is her best child, probably because he wrote this biography.

(painter of our toadally awesome cover)

I'm a Joplin, MO-area craftsperson and mixed-media artist specializing in surrealism, nature themes, and unusual combinations of these two. Come see my gallery and blog at http://vleighartworks.com

Cover designer, Sitemaster, and editor

F.C. Shultz writes stories that place one fantasy element into an otherwise realistic world. His books are about dragons and sea people and honor and family. He loves Ray Bradbury and peanut butter, and lives in SW Missouri with his wife, Sammi, his son, Milo, and his cat, Batman.

You'll find him at fcshultz.com, patreon.com/fcshultz, and @FCShultz on Instagram.

Author of all the Haikus

Matt is a man who
writes haikus against his will;
please, no beatings, Mark

IG: @sw_mo_golf

Photographer for Toads Over 70

John is a world class barista, a creative with a penchant for film photography and developing, and owner of one of the most luxurious heads of hair in Joplin. Ask him for a pourover and a windblown head-toss... you won't be disappointed.

Toadcast introducer

Jarrell Jackson was raised in New Orleans, LOUISIANA. Former Missouri Southern State University Student Athlete. Worship Leader at Hope City Church in Joplin.

photographer/head toad

Mark Neuenschwander loves Joplin and artists, and enjoys spending time with his creative little family. He used to only take photos, and then he decided to try his hand at helping start online magazines. You make up your own mind on whether or not he should just go back to the photos, which you can see by visiting marknphoto.com.

Writer

Lancelot Schaubert wrote five bios for this and Mark Neuenschwander censored them all. So instead he wrote this change.org petition to call FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ALL REDACTED AUTHOR BIOS.