Case Study 010 → Silica Magazine
Introducing: A field guide to the digital anthropocene.
In 2016, I left a full-time role in magazine publishing to strike it out on my own as a freelance journalist as well as co-found and serve as Editor-in-Chief of Silica Magazine—an independent, multimedia platform blending longform environmental journalism with cutting-edge digital art. What began as a small collective of writers and artists soon evolved into a fully-backed media experiment with support from Engadget and Oath Media, producing four immersive annual issues and redefining what it means to tell stories about the Earth in an era of climate crisis and digital transformation.
– Co-founded, named, and led Silica as Editor-in-Chief from concept to completion
– Raised initial funds via Kickstarter, then negotiated a multi-issue publishing partnership with Engadget/Oath Media
– Developed all issue themes, editorial calendars, and contributor guidelines across four annual editions
– Managed a global network of over 50 freelance writers, scientists, creators, and artists
– Wrote and edited features covering topics from the complex politics of U.S. wildlife conservation to AI-driven rainforest research
– Produced issue launch campaigns, annual mixtapes, and a variety of IRL/URL events including workshops, live readings, and launch parties
– Oversaw digital strategy, content strategy, and day-to-day management of the organization alongside Shannon Lee (producer), Brenden Schaaf (producer), and Evander Baston (designer/developer)
Insights: Silica was built on a belief that climate storytelling needed to evolve—not only to be more beautiful, accessible, and interdisciplinary, but more emotionally and intellectually adventurous. We wanted to make media that could stand up to both the complexity and surrealism of our current planetary moment. As Editor-in-Chief, I learned how to shape an editorial vision that bridged science and art, analysis and feeling—and to build a team capable of executing that mission.
Impact: Successfully funded initial launch via Kickstarter. Secured multi-issue publishing deal with Engadget/Oath Media. Produced four themed issues — Lakes, Homeland, Critters, and Dirt. Directed two annual homepage takeovers on Engadget featuring 5 interactive features each.Paid market-rate cash grants to all contributors (50+ writers, researchers, and artists). Final issue got over 1 million views across Engadget, Huffington Post and silicamag.com.