About Emily

Emily K. Zänker is a writer and mixed-media artist currently writing her debut adult fantasy novel. Her creative work blends poetry, storytelling, photography, and illustration.

She grew up in Philadelphia, PA, where she spent her childhood consuming stories across multiple mediums and spent half her time inside books. She studied Cognitive Science at the University of Pennsylvania before taking a creative turn in 2020. Her short story Train 021 was published in Goodreads Best Short Stories of 2021, and she occasionally hosts poetry events in her area.

In 2026, she launched (em)bers, a creative blind box subscription that expands upon the work she publishes on Instagram, specifically focusing on creative side quests and the behind-the-scenes of her creative process.  

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What I write

I write atmospheric fantasy about impossible choices, inherited wounds, and the thin line between love and heartache. I draw inspiration from the natural world to create and enhance emotional settings. 

On occasion, I write short stories or shorter form pieces to experiment with different genres and writing styles, such as horror and science fiction. 

I am currently seeking representation for my adult fantasy novel. Click here to learn about my book.

My Side Quests

  • When I’m not at my desk, I enjoy tending to my backyard garden, where I grow my own small-batch produce each year.
  • I enjoy nature photography, some of which can be found here. 
  • I love RPGs and story-driven games such as: The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, Elden Ring, The Last of Us, and Skyrim.

My Current Favorites

Books

  • East of Eden, by John Steinbeck
  • The Power of Myth, by Joseph Campbell
  • The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck
  • The Beautiful Mrs. Seidenman, by Andrzej Szczypiorski
  • With the Old Breed, by E. B. Sledge
  • All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque
  • War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning, by Chris Hedges
  •  The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, by Lisa See
  • Beasts of a Little Land, by Juhea Kim 
  • Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee

Songs

  • Playground, by Bea Miller
  • What Could Have Been, by Ray Chen and Sting
  • Wonderful Nothing, by Glass Animals
  • Like Real People Do, by Hozier
  • In Love, by Kid Cudi
  • Berghain, by Rosalia, Björk, and Yves Turner
  • Odoritakunaru, by Yuki Chiba
  • Mon amour, by Stromae