Interview with Author Rachel Turney

Cheers, Rachel Turney. Paper on paper, 2025. Monkeys from Osaru IPA label, Minoh Beer, a woman-owned brewery, Osaka.

Rachel Turney's micro "Quieting the Visitor" invokes a certain kind of humor: one that fortunately resonated with the editorial team. We found her nonchalant, minimal approach to the short story a great example of authorship and knowing exactly how much prose is required to instigate reader engagement and emotion. Read on for our interview with Rachel below!

"To the reader: The instructions for this interview said to answer at least five questions and that it was okay if the answers were weird. But I am just a normal girl. As I tell all my acquaintances and particularly my husband all the time: I am just a regular girl, like all the other girls." 

Why write?

Due to my imperative message. 

Advice on creating you had to learn the hard way?

1. If you have a rude rejection or negative interaction with someone just delete it and move on. 

2. Don’t get rid of drafts or erase things. 

3. Everything is art. 

4. If you aren’t having success at something, try something else. Maybe you’re a painter and you don’t even know it. 

What’s your favorite underappreciated novel or short story (a work you rarely hear

anyone else talking about)?

It’s a well-known book, but if the movie adaptation of Watership Down didn’t ruin your childhood you really missed out. The book also needs to be read. 

Do you have a favorite book that broke your brain a little (or a lot)?

The Wrong Heaven by Amy Bonnaffons. I heard the story she wrote about becoming a horse, I think on NPR, and I was like whoa what … but also oh yes I get it at the same time. I think about this short story all the time. In fact, when my dad said he wanted to read something I liked as he heard that was a thing humans do, I sent him this book. I think it concerned him deeply, which wasn’t necessarily my goal, but was a fine outcome. 

If you were a cryptid, where would you live?

I would be very small and live in the mosses. I would like to understand moss better. I wonder if they have shrink-down moss residencies for artists and authors. Maybe they will in the future.

What other lit journals are you into right now (and what do you like about them)?

I like the international scope of The Poetry Lighthouse. I enjoy the curation of The Orange Rose Literary Magazine by EIC Amber Budd. She is just really good at what she does with that magazine and the lineup she creates. Umm … my lit magazine PiB (the Magazine) lol—you should read it—TurneyTalks.com.

Do you have imposter syndrome when you write?

No. I do not have time for that (I’m kidding—I think we all do). Confidence and motivation are things you get by doing, not by opining about your deficiencies. You must DO. I live by this motto: I can and, more importantly, I will. 

One sentence soapbox:

Thank you notes are not dead; send them. It’s f*cking rude not to acknowledge when someone gives you something, even if you didn’t want it. RUDEEEEEE. 

Do you enjoy editing? Why or why not?

You can learn a lot of things from editing. It also shows you respect the time of your reader, which is important. That said, my work has typos. Currently one of my books has a typo, but I have emailed the editor about it lol. Omg, I hope he fixes it soon—it nibbles at my soul in the night—that s where there should be a d. 

Have you written about food in a story before? If so, what food was it and why did it

appear there?

Mostly beverages, as drinking cocktails in teetering glasses is an aesthetic. I do write poetry a lot that revolves around food and am especially into food erotica. You should write about your vegetables sex lives. It’s invigorating. 

When did you realize you were weird?

As I said, I am a normal girl. Just a regular, normal girl. 

What are you proud of but never get a chance to mention?

I have really excellent teeth. That’s important to mention in this format as you can’t see my excellent teeth. 

Tell us a secret.

I don’t really like the way my mother sees the world. Does that mean I don’t like her? Is it normal to feel that way? 

People often say you should write what you know. Do you do this, and if so, what is it

that you know?

Yes. Everything I write is true and based on my lived experiences, but I pass most of it off as fiction. 

What font do you detest?

Ariel. 

What is your favorite museum or gallery?

Well, I must say NKollectiv, a gallery in Englewood, Colorado, because I am greatly honored to be the Writer in Residence there! Nicole, the owner, does a wonderful job bringing the community into the space and curating with women artists in the spotlight. 

I also think there should be some sort of grant for all horror writers to visit the Prado and take a look at that Goya collection. You gotta get to Madrid if you write horror. 

Favorite character name (yours or another’s)?

I’ve always romanticized the names Elizabeth and Fiona. The people I have met with those names have only reinforced this romanticization. 

What is weird?

Oh god … just be anything but boring. 

What do you aim to accomplish by writing?

I have a message about equity for women that is very important to me. A lot of my work, even this piece, is about the imperative voice of women. 

Two truths and a lie, please.

I went on a date with David Schwimmer and he took me to a coffee shop in NYC adjacent to Central Park which I thought was exceptionally lazy and heavy headed. Like I get it guy, I know who you are—jeez. 

I can’t swim. 

The best place to drink a Manhattan in the world is at Bemelmans Bar in The Carlyle. You’re welcome. 

Thoughts about penguins?

They smell. Also, the 1986 movie Scamper the Penguin is an underrated treasure with a fascinating production history. 

What’s the point of all this, really?

Supporting other artists. 

Unpopular opinion, go:

Star Wars … is boring. Also, it’s weird to promote incest, don’t ya think? 

Rachel Turney, Ed.D. (she/her) is the Writer in Residence (2026) at NKollectiv in Englewood, Colorado. Her poems, research articles, reviews, and drawings can be found in a variety of publications. Rachel is passionate about immigrant rights, teacher support, and empowering other artists. She is a Writers’ Hour prize winner and has been nominated for Best of the Net and Best Microfiction. Her photography appears on a few magazine covers. Rachel is the founder of the popular online reading series Poetry (in Brief) and EIC of PIB (the Magazine). She is on staff at Bare Back Magazine with her monthly column Friday Night in the Suburbs. She reads for The Los Angeles Review. Her debut poetry collection, Record Player Life (the b-side) is available with The Poetry Lighthouse. Her second poetry book, Retired Wannabe Club Kid, is out now with Parlyaree Press. Website: turneytalks.com Instagram: @turneytalks Bluesky: rachelturney.