poet, artist, and editor
Ren Koppel Torres
About
Ren Koppel Torres is a Jewish Chicano poet, artist, and editor based in Central Texas. His work grapples with cultural identity, want, absence, and connection, often rooted in the natural world. His poetry has appeared in or is forthcoming in a variety of publications including Diode, ANMLY, Apogee, TIMBER Journal, and La Raíz.He attends the University of Texas at San Antonio, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Mexican American Studies. His poetry manuscripts Tandem Crypt and Etymology of Hunger placed first and second, respectively, in the Undergraduate division of the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts Creative Writing Contest (2025, 2026).He is the founder and lead writer of the Writer's Digest Young Poets Interview Series, which aims to spotlight young writers in the community and give them a space to discuss their work and perspectives. He founded Alebrijes Review, a literary magazine by and for Latine creatives. Additionally, he writes as a contributor for Pipeline Artists, a publication dedicated to education, empowerment, and elevating authentic voices in film, publishing, and beyond.Formerly, he served as the Managing Editor for the poetry/music collective INKSOUNDS, and a poetry reader for the literary magazine the winnow. He is an alumnus of the inaugural Austin Youth Poet Laureate Cohort.
Selected Publications
Poetry
ANMLY: ode to los pachucos
petrichor: Tilus Triptych
After Happy Hour Review Food Contest Issue: Mexican Heaven and Tamalero
"ATLAS: skin/bone/blood," with Apogee Journal and Letras Latinas: corto
diode editions (print): 3 poems
Susurrus: Apology Blooms
La Raíz Magazine (print): Las Reglas de Chalupa
Ran Off with the Star Bassoon: I was not meant for this world so i become his
TIMBER Journal: Gaussian
fifth wheel press: Telegraph to a Constellation
COUNTERCLOCK: Antebellum // PostbellumProse
Writer's Digest:
Home Is Always a People: A Conversation With Poet arushi (aera) rege
A Sense of Purpose: A Conversation With NC Youth Poet Laureate Rishi Janakiraman
Under the Same Sky: A Conversation With Poet Jaiden Geolingo
Making Creative Writing Accessible for Young Poets: A Conversation With Ivi Hua on Co-Founding the Young Poets Workshops
Motive Magic for the Middle Grade/Young Adult WriterPipeline Artists:
Hazy Verses and the Surrealism of Growing Up
Four Women-Written Albums That Revolutionized Music
Layers of Self: How my Novel Grew Up With MePress
The Westwood Horizon: Poems, Progress, and Passion Projects: Ren Koppel Torres Explores Identity and Advocacy Through Writing