About

This blog began as an anonymous diary of my daily life. I called it Vered's The Penny Jar. The idea was that, if a thought is worth a penny, I wanted to start saving them up here for later use. And I went by the name, Vered, chosen because it means "rose" in Hebrew and I wanted anonymity so that I could divulge my thoughts without fear of hurting anyone's feelings. Eventually, I gave up the ghost and decided to let it all hang out, to borrow two oft-used phrases. The blog has been a veritable growth chart, each post a measure of progress and occasionally, of my regressions. I have learned more about myself, my life, and my world through writing for whatever audience I've managed to acquire. The true value of this blog is having the opportunity to and place to share my life and writing with others.

I am the editor in chief of M.L.T.S. Magazine, a quarterly online magazine and daily blog for young women in college. While M.L.T.S. is intended for young women who are interested in their careers and are otherwise goal-oriented, it covers lifestyle issues. My short story "Urgent Care" was recently published by Fresh! Literary Magazine, and my journalism has been published in The Temple News, The Juniata News, Motivos magazine, Philadelphia RowHome Magazine and online at HOSTAGE magazine. I have covered labor unions, fashion, relationships, film and books, among other topics. Currently, I am seeking a home for my first young adult novel.

In addition to all of my writing ventures, I am pursuing a degree in magazine journalism at Temple University. I graduated in June 2009 from the prestigious Philadelphia High School for Girls, where I was 17th in my class, editor of the school paper and yearbook, and a member of the Channel 1 video team.

I live in an apartment in Northeast Philadelphia with my darling boyfriend, Christopher Doctor.

What readers and others have to say about Vered's The Penny Jar:

“Love your blog! I love your writing style…” – Jessi Haish, of the musings of a wannabe star

“Love love loove the bloggage.” – Jazelle and Penelope of The Tweedz 

"I think your power of understanding people and how they work if effing incredible. I find whenever I read your words I am compelled to just nod and say, 'True life . . .' " - Michele Elaine Hannon

"You are an inspired writer." - Martha Rothberg Gabow (my beloved 7th grade reading teacher) 

"You are so Carrie Bradshaw, without the sex. Just the city!" - Sandy Ruan

"so..confession: i always read your blog when you post it on here haha you're a great writer and your blog is really good...coming from someone who does not normally read blogs" - Julia Clifford, in a Facebook comment