OUR STORY
Meghan D. Coates
Director of Editing
Meghan D. Coates is a queer, disabled poet, novelist, actor, and illustrator, born and raised in the Southern Tier. She’s had several poems published in small publications such as Wax Poetry and the Tanka Journal, and is currently working with Anthea Snow Mathews on a poetry collection entitled “Eucharist,” to be released next November. She is the author of the children's book "Barney Caterpillar." She attended school for film acting, and later received a bachelor’s in creative writing. Heavily influenced by her marginalizations, lower-class upbringing, and a deep love for humanity, Meghan’s work tends toward themes of identity, antiauthoritarianism, anti-bigotry, and rebellion in the face of injustice. She takes particular inspiration from e.e. Cummings, Nikita Gill, and Robert Frost. She does not shy away from the darkness of humanity, nor does she eschew the light: Sometimes the best rebellion is one fought with celebration, so Meghan’s arms are now open wide to embrace intersectional queer joy when it’s needed most.
Anthea Snow Mathews
Director of Art & Design
Anthea Snow Mathews (formerly C.S. Mathews) is the author of Phrenology EMP, 2023) and 4 chapbooks including the collaborative Ekphrasis (OAC and Grind Stone Presses, Completed on a 1886 Chandler and Price printing press while in residency at OAC, 2023). She was a founder and editor for the Grind Stone press, is currently on the staff of Black Noise Magazine, and is the cover artist of 34 titles to date.
She has an affinity for the road coming from a deep love of working in collaborative environments. Mathews has traveled across the country to perform at bookstores, bars, festivals, theaters, festivals in bars, but she most consistently finds herself at protests. Having cut her teeth as a journalist and medic at protests throughout 2020, she has aided in organizing in response to the onslaught of anti-queer legislation, preforming poetry in front of state capitals across the Midwest and South.
Her next book (the collaborative 'Eucharist', written with Meghan D Coates) is due to drop from Hercules Press on Nov 1st of 2026.
Tea Parker
Director of Marketing
Tea Parker (pronouns she/they) is a multifaceted writer and artist. most prominently focusing on poetry. They have 3 complete collections of poetry; including their debut poetry collection “The Trees Do Not Grieve” - coming soon. They perform spoken word poetry locally in Upstate New York. Tea has been featured professionally as a poet and/or speaker at numerous events, including: Utica Universalist Service on Resilience (March 2026), The Levitt Amp Music Series (2024-2025), OSADA Fringe Festival (2025) and so on. They served on the NAACP sponsored Poet Laureate Committee in Oneida County (2022-23) - including serving as a judge, outreach coordinator, marketing director, and event planner. Tea is a member of the Utica Poets Society, Black Noise magazine, and The Lavender Hour Review- along with Anthea Snow.
Tea views the world through the lenses of multiple demographics, including but not limited to sharing their experience as a physically disabled, neurodivergent, queer person of color. In their Black Noise column “Chronically Creating Community” their passion for creating meaningful connections and empowering a sense of community is coupled with their focus on intersectionality and mental health advocacy. Outside of writing, she creates visual/practical art including jewelry, custom corner bookmarks, and miscellaneous projects. She dabbles in music as a singer and beginner violin & ukulele player. Despite a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Tea has devoted much of her career towards social work and community building. Moving forward, they are driven towards expanding their experience in multiple directions including a career as a writer/performer, social advocate, motivational speaker, and eventually business owner.
Meghan D. Coates
Welcome to TheLavenderHour, a vibrant literary magazine celebrating the voices of queer writers and artists. Our pages are filled with poetry, prose, and visual art that provoke thought and inspire creativity, inviting you to immerse yourself in a diverse tapestry of narratives.
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