Who We Are

We couldn’t exist without our amazing, dedicated, volunteer staff. Here’s where you can learn about them.

Dylan Kowalewski aka The Monster Librarian

Dylan founded Monster Librarian in 2005. He obtained a Master’s in Library Science after catching the library bug working as reference assistant at an academic library, then worked part-time at the reference desk of a small branch library.  He was a reader of horror fiction and lover of horror movies for as long as he could remember. His interest in the field of library science was in using horror fiction as a tool to attract reluctant readers to the joy of reading. Dylan passed away on April 17, 2014 at the age of 40. The continuation of Monster Librarian is his legacy.

Kirsten Kowalewski, Editor/Reviewer

Kirsten Kowalewski has a Master’s degree in library science from Indiana University and is certified to teach school library media. She has worked as a children’s librarian in a large public library and as a school library media specialist at the elementary level and has a strong interest in reading engagement (link). She has been published in Reading in the Dark: Horror in Children’s Literature and Culture, edited by Jessica McCort, and was tickled to find herself quoted in Horror Culture in the New Millenium: Digital Dissonance and Technohorror by Daniel Powell. She’s had kids of all ages ask her “Where are the scary books?”

Michele Lee, Reading Bites Editor/Reviewer

Michele Lee has been a friend and supporter of libraries and librarians since middle school when she discovered the first in a wonderful line of book lovers who would pull her from classes and indulge her love of roaming the stacks. Now she’s a writer and a reviewer trying to share her love of books and stories with anyone who will listen. She keeps a web site (www.michelelee.net) and a personal book review blog (micheleleebooklove.blogspot.com) where she reviews everything from romantic erotica to unflinching horror.

Benjamin Franz, Reviewer

Benjamin Franz is a filmmaker, librarian, scriptwriter, scriptreader, butcher, and occasional baker, but has yet to do any candlestick making. He started reading at an early age, although his first love was definitely science fiction. He has since migrated to reading all genres in the library, especially horror. Benjamin currently serves as a librarian in the greater CUNY (City University of New York) network of colleges. He resides in a camper these days, and aspires to starting  a farm. He has resolved to determine what the platypus was up to the night of December 8th, 1974….

David Simms, Reviewer

David has his Master’s in educational psychology & works as a special education teacher, therapist, psychologist, and professor while playing in the Slushpile charity band (with F. Paul Wilson, Heather Graham, Alex Sokoloff, etc) & co-founded the Killer Thriller Band (the OTHER big writers’ band).

He is the author of the YA dark fantasy Dark Muse and the thriller Fear the Reaper, and he’s hard at work on another book. His work has been published in several anthologies.

Lizzy Walker, Reviewer

Lizzy earned her MLS at the University of North Texas, and her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Creative Writing, as well as a Minor in Early European History from Boise State University. She is the Metadata and Digital Initiatives Librarian at Wichita State University Ablah Library, and works closely with Special Collections & University Archives. She attributes her avid (almost rabid) interest in horror from her grandmother, Phyllis. In addition to her library work, she is primary editor for her husband who is an independent game developer and writes post-apocalyptic literature. Lizzy is our go-to reviewer for graphic novels.

Nova Hadley has an M.A. in English and a deep interest in mythology, history, cosmology, art and politics. She is a veteran NH teacher, a closet poet, and a full-time philosopher who is particularly interested in horror fiction that has an insightful perspective on culture and develops ideas in unique and artful ways. She especially enjoys dark and horror poetry.

Mario Guslandi, Reviewer 

Mario Guslandi was born in MIlan, Italy, where he currently lives. He became addicted to horror and supernatural fiction (too) many years ago, after reading a reprint anthology of stories by M.R. James, J.S. Le Fanu, Arthur Machen, and others. Most likely the only Italian who reads (and reviews) dark fiction in English, he has contributed over the years to genre websites such as HorrorWorld, Hellnotes, The British Fantasy Society, and others.

E.F. Schraeder, Reviewer