Joy Oden wasn’t always a writer. English wasn’t her major; instead, the lucrative field of sociology beckoned, so naturally, she ended up in advertising. A few international moves, a couple of children and life became hectic; the thought of writing scratched at her consciousness once or twice, the solitude to attempt it probably more appealing that the art itself. Mostly, with those little kids racketing around, she considered myself a ‘wiper’ – spills, faces and bottoms.

But when it came time to earn a paycheck, she bought some time by going back to school where she earned a Masters in English. Why? Because of her passion for the written word? Because of her mania to record the original nuggets that clamored for release from the inside of her brain? No. It was because colleges need English professors.

She’s been teaching at Houston City College ever since. As a teacher, she learned to be a writer. Now words and she are friends. (Although it may be a bit one-sided.)

Her short fiction has appeared in Free Fall Literary Journal, Ariel Chart International Literary Journal, Literally Stories, and others. She’s a Canadian sweltering in Houston with her husband and dog, Bella.