Meet a Staff Member: Arrieonna Derricoatte

‍Yellow Arrow Publishing would like to introduce Arrieonna Derricoatte (she/her), a reader. Arrieonna is currently a candidate for a master’s in public administration at Ohio State University. She holds a bachelor’s in English with a concentration in writing, rhetoric, and literacy and minors in human rights and professional writing. She is passionate about reading and community-building around arts, education, and policy. Arrieonna has been on the editorial team for Yellow Arrow Journal, Vol. X, No. 1, UNFURL (spring 2025), and Urban Arts Space’s first issue of the arts publication Artist Commune Journal. After school, she hopes to further her career in nonprofit administration and policymaking while seeking a career in publishing. She can be found on Instagram @arrieonnaderricoatte.

Arrieonna says, “I look forward to reading incredible pieces by women writers and being a part of a space that uplifts us. The women at YAP really care about working in the community as authors, writers, and listeners.”

Tell us a little something about yourself:

I am the oldest of seven siblings and that is a core part of my identity and experience.

What do you love most about where you live?

The thing I love most about Columbus, Ohio, is its very strong art community. There are many organizations there that are dedicated to Black and Brown artists.

How did you get involved with Yellow Arrow and what do you do for us?

I was a program management intern at Yellow Arrow in the spring of 2025. I was part of the editorial team for a publication at the time and am excited to continue to be a part of the team as a reader.

What are you working on currently?

I am currently working on research related to taxes and budgets in the state of Ohio and exploring progressive taxes that are more equitable for learnable communities.

What genre do you write or read the most and why?

Outside of research papers for grad school, I write poetry in my spare time. I am working on an archival project using docupoetics to preserve community memory. I read historical fiction most often because I appreciate the way prose and literary language can be used to emphasize themes and movements in a particular time.

Can you recall an early memory that might have sparked your love of writing/reading?

I always enjoyed group reading in primary school, but I was drawn back into reading through various fan fiction and self-publishing platforms. I would be up reading ‘til four in the morning some nights.

What book is on the top of your to-be-read pile?

A book that would be at the top of my to-be-read list would be This Lovely City (2020) by Louise Hare, a historical fiction novel set in 1950s London, following Jamaican immigrant and jazz musician Lawrie Matthews as he navigates post-war life, love, and prejudice after arriving in London on the HMT Empire Windrush.

Who has inspired and/or supported you most in your writing journey or in everyday life?

My close friends who know I write, my teachers, and other women writers in my community.

If you could have a workspace anywhere, where would it be and why?

If I could have a workspace anywhere, it would be in London, in a public library in Brixton. I spent a lot of time there when I studied abroad. I could stretch my legs in Brockwell Park whenever I needed to.

What advice do you have for new writers or anyone starting a new adventure?

Giving yourself grace, starting something can be challenging.

What’s your vision for Yellow Arrow in 2026?

My vision for Yellow Arrow this year is to hold a space for women writers who still burn in the dark and light others on their path.

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Yellow Arrow Publishing is a nonprofit supporting women-identifying writers through publication and access to the literary arts. You can support us as we LUMINATE a path for women-identifying creatives this year by purchasing one of our publications or a workshop from the Yellow Arrow bookstore, for yourself or as a gift, joining our newsletter, following us on Facebook and Instagram, or subscribing to our  YouTube channel. Donations are appreciated via PayPal (staff@yellowarrowpublishing.com), Venmo (@yellowarrowpublishing), or US mail (PO Box 65185, Baltimore, Maryland 21209). More than anything, messages of support through any one of our channels are greatly appreciated.