Welcome to the Feral Stack!
Hi, I’m Summer. Thank you for being here!
Here at the Feral Stack, we examine culture deeply, going beyond the vapid to connect behaviors and values that no longer serve us while offering up new ones that do. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes poetic, Sometimes funny, sometimes poetic, but always compelling, honest, and real.
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 am an award-winning writer, cultural anthropologist, activist, performing artist, 20-year Alaskan teacher, and mom to two neurodivergent tricksters. My work has been featured in the New York Times, Slate, Electric Lit, The Sun, Insider, HuffPost, the Independent, McSweeney’s, and many more.
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. I bring that experience, plus a B.A. in Latin American and Caribbean Studies and a Master of Education, and 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
Bonus content, including poetry, satire, stories, and behind-the-scenes looks at performances, activism, etc.
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!
