Melissa lives on a small mountain homestead in the Applegate Valley of southwestern Oregon. She grew up in southern California in a place of contrasts—orange groves, chaparral, coyote, suburbs. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz and an MS in Environmental Studies and Writing from the University of Montana. She also holds an MFA in creative nonfiction from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
She is the author of a collaborative chapbook, (un)learning, with Andrea Beltran from Artifact Press (2016). Her essays have been published in numerous places including Mid-American Review, Guernica, River Teeth, and Bellingham Review among other publications. Her essay “A Gathering of Then & Now” is listed as a notable essay in the 2016 Best American Essays anthology. The same essay also won the 2015 AWP Intro Journals award.
She has just finished a memoir of hybrid nonfiction, Tracing the Desire Line which explores marriage, desire, freedom, and identity.
She currently teaches writing and literature at Southern Oregon University as well as Zumba dance classes. She also runs an organic vegetable market farm with her husband and two children.
Follow Melissa on Twitter @melmatthewson, Facebook & Instagram @mazzymaple. Contact at melmatthewson@gmail.com.
Jo
Wow! I just stumbled across one of your pieces and for the first time, I felt like there was someone else out there going through such similar contradictions. I’m 37 and going through the mid life crisis my husband forfeited when he turned 40 this year. There’s so much I could tell you, but I don’t need to. You already gave voice to what I’ve been furiously trying to express, justify and absolve myself from.
Melissa Matthewson
Hi Jo, I’m glad the essay struck a chord with you. It’s amazing how this is a universal challenge for many. I wish you luck in your journey.
chattykathy2016
I am encouraged by your education and all you have accomplished. Thank you for being here on Word Press.