More of Me.

Last year, my mom sent me a letter I’d written in kindergarten. It was five-year-old Max, lacking any possible insight or context, announcing he would become a writer when he grew-up. For a decade, I’ve written essays, criticisms, features, reports, short stories, built editorial voice for niche culture brands, grown audiences, and continue work on my second novel. How’s that, baby Max, am I making you proud?

Most recently I served as Editorial Director at the Museum of Crypto Art (MOCA), where I grew from Lead Writer to full-stack content czar. In other words, I was often simultaneously researching long-form essays on AI or art or the metaverse, churning out a weekly newsletter, producing the next episode of our weekly podcast, drafting the latest product announcement, and spearheading the Twitter account I’d helped grow to roughly 80,000 followers. Yes, a cultural organization must talk to its audience in many ways, but always in the same voice.

For me, it’s always first and second and third about the writing. I’m a lunatic about words. Reading them, writing them, editing them, I sanctify the work itself, no matter the work. My essays and criticism took seriously a subject desperate for legitimacy. My reported features were really reported (because the only thing better than writing is having a good reason not to). I’ve written fiction, long and short, every day for 12 years because it’s a biological imperative. Is any of it any good? Some, yeah. Is any of it marketable? I’ll get back to you.

I’m currently looking for a new opportunity, somewhere that values real writing and wants to build a clear voice. I’m drawn to evolutions, rabid cultures, and murky next steps. I’m a writer with great editorial range, peerless commitment to craft, and experience talking to people who nobody else even notices. Open to staff, contract, or freelance.

The fastest way to reach me is email: arcadiocreative@gmail.com. That’s a “100 Years of Solitude” reference. If you just want to talk about books, I’m game for that too.

— Max