Welcome to the Feral Stack!
Hi, I’m Summer. I'm a mom, word weaver, Spanish teacher, cultural anthropologist, and performing “artivist” in Lingít Aaní, Juneau, Alaska.
While living in Latin American and Caribbean cultures for several years and receiving my undergraduate degree in cultural anthropology, I learned a lot about other cultures—but most of all, I learned about my own. I created this newsletter, the Feral Stack, to examine Anglo-American culture deeply, beyond the vapid, connecting behaviors and values that no longer serve us and offering new ones that do. Sometimes, it’s funny, sometimes poetic, but always honest.
Also, I write about gender. Some of my more popular pieces include “When God Was a Woman,” “Patriarchy is Bad for Men, Too,” and “I don’t understand why more women don’t want to be mothers in this country that doesn’t support mothers.” I also write about capitalism.
The people who sign up for my newsletter are thoughtful, open-hearted individuals eager for change. When you sign up for the Feral Stack, you become part of an inspiring, kind, and engaged community of cultural misfits.
About me
I’m an award-winning writer, cultural anthropologist, activist, performing artist, and 20-year Alaskan teacher with a master’s in education. My work has been featured in the New York Times, Slate, Electric Lit, The Sun, Insider, HuffPost, the Independent, McSweeney’s, and many more.
I have three “kids”: a fey artist, a trickster tween, and a mini Bernedoodle, and I’m married to an old-school Alaskan fisherman and water worker. I was raised by Californian feminists and disturbed Gen-X puppets in 80s “Out-the-Road” Alaska.
Growing up in Alaska, sensitive and strange, I was always the round peg trying to squeeze through a square hole. During my teens and twenties, I spent several years in Latin America and the Caribbean, seeking new ways of being. Stepping outside white American for many years gave me a new perspective. I bring that experience, plus a B.A. in Latin American and Caribbean Studies and a Master of Education, as well as mentorships with Native Alaskan culture bearers, to this newsletter.
Free subscribers have access to
Deep dives that explore connections between behaviors and cultural values
Personal stories and observations outside dominant Euro-American, neurotypical cultural norms for ways to be better humans
Writing (witch)craft, marketing tips, and hacks for balancing creation while doing capitalism
Occasional threads and comments
Paid subscribers receive all free content plus
Every post in its entirety
Discussion threads in a vibrant, engaged, and thoughtful community
The option to comment on all posts
The good feeling of supporting independent writing
Either way, welcome. Thank you for joining me on this journey!
What people are saying about my newsletter
“Simply put, one of the best sites I’ve come across. Intelligent, funny, and more important, the woman can write.” —Peter Johnson, author of While the Undertaker Sleeps and Old Man (Still) Howling at the Moon, and contributing editor to American Poetry Review, Web del Sol, and Slope
“I supported Summer’s work because she is not afraid to look into the abyss... and make me laugh while doing it.” —Mark Kennedy, author of Hawk and Dance of the Dolphin
“Thought and soul-provoking observations from a sharp and perceptive scribe for these times.” —Katie Bausler, host of Active Voice podcast
“Powerful pieces that will challenge you, make you think, and have you tearing up.” Elle Mitchell, author of The Pieces We Try to Forget
“Summer’s stacks are thought-provoking, often make me smile from her sly humor, while also leaving me going, ‘wait, what’ and pondering long after I read.” —Anne Richardson, founder of NurtureYourJourney.net
“Summer’s writing reflects her profound connection to the web of life across cultures and landscapes, and her hard-won wisdom pours out with a fierce, loving, and unambivalent voice.” —Sean Talbeaux
“I am happy to have found Summer’s writings. Every paid subscription I get goes to someone whose writing touches me deeply, and hers does.” —Velvet Phillips-Sullivan
“Summer finds a way to weave things together, magically.” —Van Miranda, writer, musician & poet
“Finally! Something interesting to read. Summer is awesome.” —Wendy Beebe
“Her writing always makes me reflect, to think there is hope.” —Marian Clough
If you are interested in reading more of my work, here are some of my personal favorites:
Satire - McSweeney’s, Slackjaw, Widget, The Belladonna, Points In Case, and Robot Butt.
Op-eds on Alaskan culture and politics - The Independent
Parenting pieces - New York Times, HuffPost, & Insider
Published poetry
Again, thank you for reading!
