Melissa Gopp-Warner is a creative nonfiction writer exploring human relationships and their intersection with sexual orientation and gender. After graduating from the University of North Florida, she served nine years as senior writer and editor for a DC-based maternal health nonprofit. Her memoir-in-progress follows the evolution of her own identity and was among the top 15% of entries in the 2021 First Pages Prize judged by Lan Samantha Chang, director of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Melissa’s writing has appeared in Yoga Journal, The Writer, Jacksonville Mom, Uncomfortable Revolution, and (a) river rising: Anthology of Women’s Voices.

We are thrilled to welcome Melissa’s new voice to the JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival on Saturday, October 16 at the Jessie Ball DuPont Center.