ABOUT THE OPAL
The Opal is committed to publishing captivating fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction across genres, particularly from vibrant young writers who are new to the craft.
The word “opal” originates from the Latin term opalus, which means “precious jewel” combined with the Greek opallios, meaning “to see a change in color”. We believe the written word is a precious jewel that changes how we see the world, empowering us to walk with the faith and confidence that opal stones symbolize.
Launched in 2022, The Opal is a literary magazine in association with Spalding University. Staffed entirely from Spalding’s lauded Creative Writing BFA Program, The Opal aims to effectively showcase a broad range of genres and themes, particularly from fellow undergraduates. We believe here at The Opal that all genres hold value in the writing sphere, as the written word is a precious jewel that changes how we see the world. We have set out to instill faith and confidence in emerging writers looking to make their mark in the publishing sphere.
The Opal Staff
Maddie Kopecki
Maddie Kopecki (They/She) is a California native, novelist, and poet with strong opinions about the Oxford comma. Their Hogwarts house is Ravenclaw, they work as a writing consultant at Spalding University (c. 2023), and they’re a passionate bibliophile who reads any and all things. They write fiction and poetry about a range of topics, but especially about their favorite person, Leo. They write online as Josephine Faye and their literary copilot is a cat named Jane Austen. You can find them on the interwebs as @jofayewrites or on writing platforms (such as Wattpad, Blogger, &Ao3) @sonderlyjo.
Cooper Robinson
Cooper Robinson is a Freshman Creative Writing Major at Spalding University. A California native, Robinson enjoys writing fiction stories and novels, usually within the genres of Sci-Fi, Historical Fiction, and Realistic Fiction. Robinson also plays for Spalding’s Men’s Lacrosse team. If he isn’t playing on a turf field, he is at his desk either typing away on a story or staring at a blank page pulling his hair out. Robinson’s love of Sci-Fi comes from authors such as Michael Grant and Lois Lowry, and his love of Historical Fiction comes from an obsessive fixation on history as a subject.
Callie Rowland
Callie is a senior Creative Writing major and Co-Founder of The Opal, as well as an SF/F editor at the award-winning press Hydra Publications. Most recently, her work was featured in 21c’s Voice & Vision series, and she is currently querying her debut novel. For more information, visit her website callierowland.blogspot.com. She is a proud Slytherin and amateur baker, and she runs on Sunergos coffee. For vintage fashion, reading updates, and occasional screeching into the void, follow her on Twitter & Instagram @_callierowland.
Valorie Thompson
Valorie (Yes, spelled that way she is very particular about it) is a senior creative writing major who can not, and will not ever decide on a favorite genre. She seeks any and all avenues when it comes to expression, always looking to experiment as long as her ADHD riddled brain allows her to. When she’s not spending entire weeks typing away at her desk, you’ll find her either studying for her Master’s in Teaching, or vividly daydreaming to whatever song she’s currently hyper fixating on.