The short version: Jarod K. Anderson has published three poetry collections, as well as the memoir Something in the Woods Loves You, about his struggle with depression and the healing power of nature. His contemporary fantasy novel Strange Animals was called "a wholly captivating tale of magic and nature" by Publishers Weekly. Jarod's work has been featured in places such as Asimov's, The Sun Magazine, Literary Hub, and Atmos. He lives in Ohio between a forest and a cemetery. 

The slightly longer version: Jarod K. Anderson is a writer and poet from Ohio. He has published three books of nature poetry as well as the memoir Something in the Woods Loves You, about his lifelong struggle with depression and the healing power of the natural world. A starred review from Kirkus praised his memoir as, "a brilliantly poignant exploration of nature, masculinity, and the struggles of depression." His contemporary fantasy novel Strange Animals was called "a wholly captivating tale of magic and nature" by Publishers Weekly. Jarod's work has been featured in diverse places such as Asimov's, The Sun Magazine, Literary Hub, musical adaptations performed at Carnegie Hall, and strangely enough on Patagonia brand clothing. He has been a featured guest, workshop teacher, and speaker for organizations including Georgetown University's Earth Commons program and The Henry David Thoreau Foundation.

The longer sillier version: Jarod K. Anderson is a strange mix of fantasy nerd, nature writer, podcaster, poet, and erstwhile academic. He once accidentally picked up a rattlesnake and has slept in the branches of a maple tree more than most writers. He created and voices The CryptoNaturalist podcast, a show about real love for imaginary nature, and he regularly shares his poems and prose on social media. He has published three books of poetry as well as the memoir Something in the Woods Loves You, about his lifelong struggle with depression and the healing power of the natural world. A starred review from Kirkus praised his memoir as, "a brilliantly poignant exploration of nature, masculinity, and the struggles of depression." His contemporary fantasy novel Strange Animals was called "a wholly captivating tale of magic and nature" by Publishers Weekly. Jarod's work has been featured in diverse places such as Asimov's, The Sun Magazine, Literary Hub, musical adaptations performed at Carnegie Hall, and strangely enough on Patagonia brand clothing. He has been a featured guest, workshop teacher, and speaker for organizations including Georgetown University's Earth Commons program and The Henry David Thoreau Foundation. He has an MA in early modern English literature and insists he’s more fun than that makes him sound. He lives with his wife and son in a little white house tucked between a park and a cemetery.

Jarod has gained a large audience (over 250K followers) across social media platforms with his vivid appreciations of nature and his open, vulnerable discussions of mental health.

Upcoming Speaking Engagements/Readings:

2 Dandelions Bookstore - Brighton, MI - April 9th, 2026

Granville Center for the Arts - Granville, OH - April 19th

Selected Past Speaking Engagements/Readings:

Henry David Thoreau Foundation - Boston Museum of Science - Boston, MA - April 2025

Georgetown University - Earth Commons Institute - Washington, DC - Oct 2024

Cullowhee Native Plant Conference - Nature Writing Workshop - Cullowhee, NC - July 2025

St. Paul Hospital Managers’ Retreat - Nature/Mental Health - Wanuskewin Event Center - Saskatoon, SK - June 2025

Feb 10th, 2026 - Strange Animals Book Launch - 7PM - The Book Loft - Columbus, OH

University of Michigan - Program in the Environment - March 2026