The Mad Swirl editorial staff are passionate about their craft and choosing the perfect pieces to showcase every day, week, month and year! From art to prose to poetry, no one piece is the same and each holds their own in their own way, reflecting back to us the world we live in, love in, and sometimes (sadly) suffer in. Our fine staff of editors ensure that every poem, every story, and every canvas we showcase at Mad Swirl speaks to the hearts and minds of you, our loyal fans.
Mad Swirl Staff
Johnny Olson
Founder/Chief Editor/Creative Director/Open Mic & Podcast Host (January 1999-present)
A bit about Johnny: In 1999, Johnny, with a couple of other mad cohorts, started Mad Swirl. This project has now evolved into a being all its' own. After wearing too many hats for too many years, he now only wears a few at Mad Swirl: chief editor, creative director, and host at Mad Swirl's monthly Open Mic night and podcast Inside the Eye. Contact Johnny at johnny@madswirl.com
MH Clay
Poetry Editor/Open Mic & Podcast Co-Host (May 2009 - present)
A bit about MH: MH Clay is a poem writin', harp blowin', corporate beast dodgin', lover & husband & father & son, etc. Who can't help but write "out loud" the things he knows that many of us are thinking. It's a compulsion, a condition, a possession.
Contact MH at mh@madswirl.com
Tyler Malone
Short Story Editor (January 2012 - present)
A bit about Tyler: Tyler wouldn’t have lived past fetushood if it wasn’t for the caffeine his dear momma ingested. Bless her & the little palpitating heart she gave him. He loves to sneeze more than most people love to eat, & he has always idolized those who are famous but talentless as well as Tom Jones’ hairstylists. Contact Tyler at tyler@madswirl.com
Madelyn Olson
Visual Arts Editor (January 2012 - present)
A bit about Madelyn: Maddi daydreams about dreaming in technicolor.
Contact Madelyn at madelyn@madswirl.com
Founded in 1999, Mad Swirl was created as an arts and literature creative outlet. Mad Swirl is a platform, a showcase, and a stage for artistic expression in this mad, mad world of ours; a diverse collection of as many poets, artists, and writers we can gather from around the world; from Nepal to Ireland, from England to China, from California to New York City and all the places in between. Our Poetry Forum features works from over 170 Contributing Poets, our Short Story Library has over 40 Contributing Writers and our Mad Gallery has over 50 Resident Artists.
In addition, Mad Swirl Press produces & publishes our annual anthology, “The Best of Mad Swirl” and other works from our contributors. The team also produces a quarterly podcast, “Inside the Eye.” And lastly, since 2004 Mad Swirl has been hosting our monthly open mic every 1st Wednesday in Dallas.