I’m a writer, editor, translator, artist, educator, community builder and consultant based in Washington, DC with a passion for family stories and social change.

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In my literary life, I write poetry, essays and other creative nonfiction and translate fiction and nonfiction from Russian. I’ve been published in Harper’s Magazine, VICE, PANK, Beltway Poetry Quarterly, The Literary Review and elsewhere. My creative work has garnered awards, grants and fellowships from The Tusculum Review, Art Omi, Poets & Writers, Vermont Studio Center and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. I am the recipient of the 2021 Hazel Rowley Prize from Biographers International Organization.

In my journalistic life, I’ve reported on atrocity, mental health and social justice movements. My articles have appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Washington City Paper and Pacific Standard, among other outlets. A list of all my writing is here.

In my consulting life, I support organizations as they tell stories, shape public opinion and influence policymakers. To learn more about this work, check out my consulting page.

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Photo by Fid Thompson

In my past life as an educator, I taught composition and journalism at American University, University of Maryland, Corcoran College of Art + Design and Trinity Washington University. I received my M.F.A. in creative writing from Columbia University, where I completed concentrations in nonfiction writing and literary translation.

Some affiliations (past and present) as an activist and volunteer include: Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School, DC-Area Literary Translators Network, National Youth Advocacy Coalition and a number of queer student groups and independent media outlets.

As a queer, gender non-conforming Jew and the child of Soviet refugees, my politics skew radical. I approach all my work through the lenses of anti-racism, feminism and white allyship and hope to always be a humble learner.

To get in touch, email tpaperny [at] gmail [dot] com.