JinJin Xu: Groundbreaking Poet, Artist, and Amherst Alum

In an insightful interview with LitFest 2025 guest JinJin Xu ’17, staff writer Luchik Belau-Lorberg ’28 discusses the multimedia work of the artist, poet, and publisher, who happened to live in his same first-year dorm during her time at Amherst.

Staff Spotlight: Martin Garnar

Staff Writer Luchik Belau-Lorberg ’28 sat down with Martin Garnar, the director of the library at Amherst, to find out more about Frost Library — the building where we spend our Sunday nights — and the man behind it all.

Thoughts on Theses: Elias Villanueva Gomez

Elias Villanueva Gomez ’25 is a senior double majoring in Sexuality, Women’s, and Gender Studies and an interdisciplinary major, which focuses on translation and bilingualism studies. His thesis explores philosophies of translation, sociolinguistics, and translanguaging.

Portrait of an Amherst Poet: Eliot Cardinaux and The Bodily Press

Eliot Cardinaux is an Amherst-based poet, jazz pianist, publisher, and composer. Staff writer Luchik Belau-Lorberg ’28 spoke with him to learn more about his life and the art that informs it.

A Perfectly Executed Scream: On Fernanda Melchor’s “Paradais”

Luchik Belau-Lorberg ’28 reviews “Paradais” by Fernanda Melchor, a gripping and intense novel from one of Mexico’s most compelling contemporary writers. He highlights its unflinching examination of the volatile fragility within Mexican society.

Staff Spotlight: Jorge Gonzalez

Jorge Gonzalez is Charles Pratt’s beloved first floor custodian. Luchik Belau-Lorberg ’28 spoke with him about his passions for bounty hunting, country music, and inspiring his residents.