When I was five years old, I proudly declared to my mom that when I grew up, I wanted to get a PhD and write books.
My actual career trajectory has differed from that vision, but my ambition and passion for learning and literature remains the same. Writing, research, and education are the three pillars of my identity. I've built my life in the intersection of immersive storytelling and innovative learning by embracing and exploring my own creative voice, and helping aspiring creatives find theirs.
My mom and me. My thumbs up was surely about all the books I planned to write.
About Ashley — The Fun Stuff
I live in Reno, Nevada with my husband, Andrew, our daughter, Julietta, and our sweet kitty, Sofie. My life is filled with books, travel, ham radio, knitting, gardening/homesteading, home automation, and Dungeons & Dragons. I’m Italian-American and Russian-Jewish and love celebrating the folklore and customs of my heritage.
Andrew and I in Barcelona, 2017
My daughter Julietta and me
Get to Know Me
Some of my favorite things:
Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
The Beef and Dairy Network podcast
Masterpiece Classic
Ham radio (73, KG7TEC)
Weird instruments
(like the hurdy-gurdy, theremin, balalaika…)WWII history
Rose-gold accessories
Mechanical keyboards
The Mandalorian
Red wine
What I Do, At a Glance
Writing & storytelling
From content strategy for startups to narrative design for the world’s most popular games, I’m well-versed in writing immersive, atmospheric stories for a global audience.
Marketing & communications
I’ve worn many hats and titles on marketing teams, but it comes down to this: I know how to use the right tools and the right strategies to grow companies and communities.
research
I’m a mixed-methods researcher with a knack for finding the right information for the job. I’ve conducted research for scholars, authors, and journalists from around the world.
Creative Direction & Design
Every creative project requires a strong creative vision. Armed with expertise in UX and literacy, I blend great writing with beautiful, clean, and effective design.
education
Great learning can happen anywhere. I’ve worked with students in a multitude of learning settings, using new literacies to develop accessible and approachable curriculum.
Productivity & Project management
I’m a “get-shit-done” kind of girl thanks to my tried-and-true work habits that carry me through life. As a project manager for global teams, I hone processes to see ideas to fruition.
“If you’re ever looking for a researcher, I highly recommend Ashley Warren. She made life easy for me on a few critical points of 1910-era research and can do the same for you.”
— AMELIA GRAY, AUTHOR OF ISADORA, AM/PM, MUSEUM OF THE WEIRD, THREATS, AND GUTSHOT
Education
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO
Master of Arts, Literacy Studies, 2013
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO
Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, 2010
Activities & Affiliations
Northern Nevada Writing Project, Graduate Fellow
Graduate Writing Consultant, University Writing Center
Editor-in-Chief, Brushfire Literary Arts Journal
American Library Association Midwinter Conference | Grant Recipient
Nevada English Department | Award and Scholarship Recipient
Study Abroad:
English coursework in London, England
Sociology coursework in Istanbul, Turkey
Ashley in Istanbul, Turkey
Professional Experience
I have a creative, entrepreneurial spirit that has led to a varied career in publishing, education, and entrepreneurship. I’m at my best in a learning setting sharing resources and information about creativity!
Work History
FOUNDER/CEO, SCRIBEMIND & STORYTELLING COLLECTIVE
Summer 2016 - present
CONTRIBUTING WRITER, VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS
Winter 2017 - present
CONTENT ALCHEMIST, 12BR
Spring 2020 - Spring 2023
MARKETING DIRECTOR, ASTRAL TABLETOP
Spring 2019 - Spring 2020
MARKETING COORDINATOR, 12BR
Fall 2017 - Spring 2019
DIRECTOR OF USER EDUCATION, SHORTSTACK
Summer 2014 - Fall 2017
ENGLISH INSTRUCTOR, TRUCKEE MEADOWS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Fall 2014 - Winter 2015
DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM, RENO COLLECTIVE
Fall 2013 - Winter 2015
SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR, RENO NEWS & REVIEW
Summer 2011 - Spring 2013
Professional Conferences
GENCON
Indianapolis, Indiana | Summer 2019
CONVERSION XL
San Antonio, Texas | Spring 2017
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING WORLD
San Diego, California | Spring 2016
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH
Las Vegas, Nevada | Spring 2016
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION MIDWINTER CONFERENCE
San Diego, California | Winter 2011
Panels, Classes, and Workshops
PRESENTING YOU!, WORKSHOP & PANEL
Big Bad Con, Fall 2023
WRITE AN ADVENTURE ENCOUNTER, WORKSHOP & PANEL
Gamehole Con, Fall 2019
REINVENTING RAVENLOFT, PANEL
PAX West, Summer 2019
THE MAKING OF THE UNCAGED ANTHOLOGY, PANEL
GenCon, Summer 2019
RPG DESIGN, WORKSHOP
Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl, Fall 2019
SPARK LAB, MAKER CAMP FOR TEENS
In partnership with the Reno Collective and University of Nevada, Reno, Summer 2014
Independently Founded Projects
UNCAGED ANTHOLOGY, PRODUCER
Summer 2018 - present
RPG WRITER WORKSHOP, DIRECTOR
Summer 2018 - present
NORTHERN NEVADA TOOL LIBRARY, PRESIDENT
Summer 2012 - Spring 2015
THE NEW ARTEMIS (THENEWARTEMIS.COM), EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Winter 2013 - Winter 2016 (acquired)
WILDFLOWER MAGAZINE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Winter 2010 - Winter 2013
Hackathons
NASA SPACE APPS CHALLENGE
Project lead and participant, 2013-2017
STARTUP WEEKEND RENO
Second place winner for Tribe, community research app concept, Spring 2013
Photo by Topher Oriel
"Ashley Warren is a talented, evocative writer with a strong sense of atmosphere and mood. More than that, and why you absolutely must work with her if you have the chance, Ashley is a top tier producer, thorough researcher, and friendly, reliable collaborator. Simply put, Ashley Warren is one of the most impressive people I know."
— Lysa Penrose, Community Manager and Author for Wizards of the Coast and Dungeon Masters Guild