OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Writer
Samantha Larrick
JANUARY 2018 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM 63
Writer
Matt Larson
Matt Larson has been writing
for us since 2011. We found
him in his hometown of
Vallejo, though he can also
be found in Los Angeles
pursuing stand-up comedy,
acting, and directing.
We asked, what do you
like about writing for us?
“American vibes are a bit
dismal right now. Politically
especially. When people bring
that up, I tell them about
West County and all of the
wonderful nonprofit service
organizations I’ve written
about,” he said. “Thanks to
you all, I’ve realized that if
you truly want to make a
difference, don’t think of
having a national or global
impact, think of your local
community.”
Writer
Vickie Lewis
Vickie Lewis was born in
Richmond, and raised by her
grandparents who worked in
the Shipyards during WWII,
she still lives here 60 years
later with her husband, Mark,
and daughter Brittany.
Vickie attended local schools,
worked in local jobs, and
supports local businesses
and organizations. With over
40 years in the profession
of banking, she also enjoys
writing for Contra Costa
Marketplace Magazine. She
says it provides her with a
creative outlet for her writing
passion, and allows her to
promote local restaurants and
food venues to our readers.
Writer
Jade Shojaee
Jade Shojaee is the Development
and Communications
Coordinator for Diablo
Regional Arts Association. She
has several years of experience
as a social media manager,
writer and digital SEO content
strategist.
Her published work can be
found in Bay Area publications
such as the Mercury News, the
Oakland Tribune, the Santa
Cruz Sentinel, the Lamorinda
Weekly, Contra Costa
Marketplace Magazine and the
East Bay Times. Jade is honored
to be a contributor for Contra
Costa Marketplace Magazine,
a publication that she believes
brings the community together
in celebration of diversity, love
and a shared interest in spiritual
wealth.
Samantha Larrick graduated
from U.C. Davis with a B.A.
in English and is currently
pursuing her M.A. in
Communications through
John Hopkins University.
Though she’s always had
notebooks filled with stories,
poems, and journal entries,
Samantha discovered her
love of writing her Senior
year in high school when
she signed up for a Creative
Writing elective (her second
choice). It was her favorite
class and a big part of why she
majored in English. Samantha
enjoys writing because of
the many different types of
stories, voices, and characters
someone can create through
one medium.