About Me
Swetha S. is a writer, narrative designer, and communications strategist currently pursuing an MA in Emerging Media Design and Development at Ball State University. Her work sits at the intersection of interactive fiction, transmedia storytelling, and institutional communication.
She holds an MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction) from the University of Miami, where she taught undergraduate creative writing and edited Sinking City, the university's graduate literary magazine. She has worked in grant writing, research communications, and instructional design across academic and cultural institutions.
She was born and raised in Coimbatore, India, and draws on a literary sensibility shaped by South Asian speculative fiction, queer narrative traditions, and the long history of storytelling as a tool for building community. When not writing or designing, she can be found playing Stardew Valley, hoarding packets of tea, and perfecting her cold brew.
Portfolio
Depending on what brings you here, one of these views is the right place to start.
Communications & Outreach
Newsletters, social media, feature writing, and design for institutional audiences.
View → Interactive & Narrative DesignVisual novels, branching narrative, and ludonarrative design — including a playable prototype.
View → WritingFiction, poetry, a published novel, and a novel-in-progress — the literary side of the work.
View →Résumé
Experience · Education · SkillsExperience
Marketing & Communications Graduate Assistant
Aug 2025 – Present
Ball State University · Sponsored Projects Administration
- Design graphics, social media assets, and web content for Ball State's Sponsored Projects Administration, maintaining visual consistency across digital and print platforms.
- Design social media content for Ball State Spectrum, producing event graphics and campaign assets using Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Conduct usability studies for informational materials and interactive media projects, applying UX principles to improve accessibility and engagement.
Grant Writing Intern
May – Aug 2024
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
- Identified donor leads and helped secure $304,000 to build a visual and performing arts center serving Indianapolis's Mid-north neighborhood.
- Worked with stakeholders to align exhibit design with Indiana learning standards, local neighborhood needs, and donor mission.
- Organized and managed a database of donors and advisors.
Tutor
Aug 2023 – May 2025
Athletic Tutoring · University of Miami
- Assisted students working on essays and papers for courses in different fields.
- Tutored students in creative writing, general writing, and English literature.
Graduate Fellowship — Instructor & Editor in Chief
Aug 2022 – May 2025
University of Miami
- Taught beginning and intermediate fiction, building community in the classroom through research-based writing pedagogy and multimodal approaches for diverse learners.
- Led editorial direction and content development for Sinking City, the university's graduate literary magazine, overseeing a team of 20 interns and 3 editors to shape writers' stories for a public readership.
Website Liaison
Jun – Jul 2023
University of Miami HR Communications
- Communicated with key stakeholders on website updates, changes, and improvements.
- Designed graphics for events and website using Adobe CC and Canva.
Freelance Editor
Jun 2020 – Jul 2022
Tessera Editorial
- Worked as a copyeditor, developmental editor, sensitivity reader, and proofreader for small press and independent authors.