Matti is a queer nonfiction writer & poet from Baltimore, Maryland, though he's currently based in Northern Virginia. His work has appeared (or is forthcoming) in McSweeney's, Rumpus, CRAFT, X-R-A-Y, HAD, Ekphrastic Review, Jake, Libre, Anti-Heroin Chic, Grub Street, Corporeal Lit Mag, & elsewhere. His unpublished chapbook--letters to jimi hendrix on the Star-Spangled Banner--was selected as a Finishing Line Press semifinalist in their 2025 contest (& it still wants a home). His work has been supported by a summer residency with Inner Loop in D.C. He is the assistant nonfiction editor for the intersectional feminist lit mag, So To Speak & an MFA candidate in nonfiction from George Mason University. During his free time, he enjoys reading, kayaking, & hanging with his partner's cats (& with his partner).

Matti takes ownership of cat photos, but no ownership of physical cats:

Questions? Comments? Want to send me photos of the last time you explored a dilapidated building (please do)? Drop me a LINE HERE or email me: mattibenlev@gmail.com

• abandoned buildings and spaces

• politics & living in contemporary America (yay)

• capitalism, anarchism, nationalism

• music (esp. Jimi Hendrix & jazz)

• Emma Goldman

• my family & culture (Greek, Jewish, etc.)

• developmental editing & beta reading

• freelance writing (articles, blog posts, etc.)

• ghostwriting

• conducting author interviews

Outside of writing, I'm the assistant nonfiction editor of the intersectional feminist lit mag So To Speak. [PLEASE take a peek & watch for future calls: https://www.sotospeakjournal.org]

I work at George Mason's Writing Center and teach English Composition; specifically, I teach English 101. I also serve on the Mid-Atlantic Writing Centers Association (MAWCA) board.

• Modern Poetry - Diane Seuss (poetry)

• The Dry Season - Melissa Febos

• Book of Mutter - Kate Zambreno