Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Levy.

Hannah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

I’m Hannah Levy—a writer, editor, and poet with a deep love for storytelling and creative collaboration.

My journey began in journalism school, followed by a stint as a travel writer living in South America. In my early twenties, I served as editor-in-chief of an independent music blog before transitioning into the tech world in 2011. Over the next decade, I led brand and content marketing teams at various startups, shaping narratives and building engaged audiences.

More recently, I’ve shifted my focus to creative work, including running a literary journal at the intersection of art and spirituality. This role has been transformative, allowing me to collaborate with artists and writers who are not just creating, but reimagining the world through their values and vision. As an editor, I see myself as a curator and steward, working to elevate voices and bring meaningful work to life.

Being part of a creative community has given me the courage to share my own writing, too. I founded //understories//, an online publication exploring intimacy, awe, and the ache of living. In 2023, my poetry found a home in various publications, including Variant Literature, Sunday Mornings at the River, Rhizo Magazine, and The Spell Jar by Indie Earth Publishing.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

It was far from a smooth journey. My first job out of college was as an editorial assistant for a company that delivered news to first responders—paramedics, firefighters, police officers. I was underpaid, overworked, and after two years, I quit to travel. When I returned, still burnt out on corporate culture, I opted to work as a restaurant server rather than return to an office. (This was 2009—long before remote work was the norm!) Around that time, I also started working on an indie music blog, which was creatively fulfilling but barely paid the bills. For about a year, I juggled odd jobs to make ends meet before ultimately re-entering the corporate world for stability.

Startups, however, made me feel like a fish out of water. Their fast-moving, high-risk nature meant constant uncertainty—funding could dry up, priorities shifted overnight, and my roles evolved or vanished as companies pivoted. Over my 15-year career in content marketing, I experienced it all: strategy overhauls, layoffs, leadership shakeups, and even company shutdowns.

Starting a literary magazine came with its own set of challenges! Building a readership and distributing a print magazine has been difficult work, especially as a self-published anthology that does all its own marketing. We’ve successfully partnered with various independent bookstores, such as Dog Eared Books in San Francisco and Moon Palace Books in Minneapolis, to make our print editions available around the country. After a few years of working out the kinks, all of our hard work is paying off.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I am a writer, poet, and creative thinker, best known as the founder and editor-in-chief of The Rebis, an annual tarot-themed anthology that features art and creative writing. One thing you should know about me is that I’m deeply committed to building community through art. At The Rebis, we adhere to anticapitalist principles for art-making during times of crisis, ensuring fair compensation for creatives and donating profits to social justice organizations. To date, we’ve donated over $8,500 to various orgs committed to reparations and reproductive justice.

What do you like and dislike about the city?

I live in the East Bay, Northern California – I love the balance between urban energy and natural beauty. There’s a strong sense of community, incredible food, and easy access to nature—I enjoy hiking in the redwoods, exploring the regional parks with my daughter, horseback riding, and spending time on the coast. Plus, the progressive cultural and activist history of the Bay Area also makes it feel like a place where people genuinely care about equity and change.

The downside? The cost of living is still super high compared to most places in the country; public transportation, while decent, isn’t always the most reliable, especially compared to major cities with more extensive transit systems. And like much of the Bay Area, issues like housing insecurity and wealth disparity are stark and ever-present.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://hannaheve.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hnnhlvy/
• Other: https://www.therebis.com/

Image Credits

Image credit: Hannah Levy