Marina Lostetter: Class of 2005

Mrs. Schweiger at Talent Middle School was particularly influential – she had me write a public statement that was read on the local news (arguably my first published piece of writing!) and encouraged me to enter a writing showcase for middle school students in which my piece, Jazzy, was featured. Marina Lostetter

Beyond PTS

Since graduating from Phoenix High School in 2005, Marina Lostetter has established herself as a prominent author in the science fiction and fantasy genres. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Southern Oregon University before launching her writing career. Her short story Sojourn for Ephah won a readers' choice award at Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show, and her debut novel, Noumenon, was named one of the best books of 2017 by Publishers Weekly, Barnes & Noble, and Kirkus Reviews. With seven novels published as of 2025, her science fiction works are available from HarperVoyager (an imprint of HarperCollins), while her fantasy novels are published by Tor (an imprint of Macmillan). Her novel The Helm of Midnight was an Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Fantasy of 2022. Her works have been translated into German and Russian, expanding her global readership.

Love for PTS

"I had several amazing teachers who encouraged not only my writing, but also helped imbue me with a love of art and history, which are essential aspects of my work. Among those teachers are Mrs. Robison, Mr. Cornet, Mr. Horton, Mr. Wraight, and Mrs. Schweiger."