Megan Sever grew up in rural Wisconsin. Her childhood “sandbox” was actually a crumbling sandstone outcrop that she scraped out with a spoon. She credits that early experience for drawing her to geology. But she didn’t want to practice science; she wanted to learn as many different things as she could and to share that knowledge with anyone who’d listen. She found her niche as a science writer and editor with a focus on geology. 

 She’s spent most of her career writing and editing stories about the geosciences for the public. She ran EARTH magazine for a while but now runs her own business, Gneiss Editing. Through that, she edits and fact checks books, news stories, government reports, children’s podcasts and more. She also writes for Science News, Science News Explores, Highlights, CSA News and other news magazines. She mentors new writers and editors. 

Living in Oregon, Megan tends to write a lot about natural hazards, such as wildfires, droughts, landslides and earthquakes. She also covers climate change, groundwater, the economics of natural hazards and soil nutrient issues. When she can, she writes about paleoanthropology and paleontology discoveries.    

Megan lives with her husband, two kids and two cats. In her spare time, she coaches Little League, plays softball, does community organizing for political issues, teaches earth science experiments and watches baseball.