About The Arvida Review

The Arvida Review is a community-oriented short fiction publication that provides a platform for new and diverse voices. Sam Robertson, the Editor-in-Chief of The Arvida Review, aims to strengthen the literary community in Orange County by organizing author readings, signings, workshops, and festivals at Arvida Book Co. and other cultural venues throughout Southern California.

Though based in Southern California, we consider submissions from across the United States and gladly invite you to join our literary family, wherever you may be from.

Sam founded Arvida Book Co. in 2020 in Old Town Tustin, CA. The bookstore has contributed to the local community in many ways, and The Arvida Review is Sam’s latest project to bolster Orange County. The goal of the Arvida Review is connecting writers with audiences, which is essential to bringing Orange County to the world and local writers to a national audience.

Whether you’ve been a lifelong fan of short fiction or are new to the genre, we hope you’ll join us in discovering Orange County's literary scene. Visit Arvida Book Co. in Old Town Tustin, California, or explore our website for more information.

Meet the Team

  • Sam Robertson

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Sam is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Arvida Review, proprietor of Arvida Book Company, and president of The Tustin Literary Foundation. She finds joy in the company of her daughters Abby and Ellie, her husband Mike, as well as indulging in the pleasures of reading, gardening, and dedicating time to serving her community.

  • Nizar Ajanovic

    MANAGING EDITOR

    Nizar is the Managing Editor of The Arvida Review. He has an MFA in Screenwriting from Chapman University and completed Richard Bausch’s Creative Writing Workshop. He is passionate about expanding publishing opportunities for Orange County’s literary talent. Nizar is pro-opera, and he votes.

  • Shy Hassett

    Shy graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University with a B.A. in English. Their career has centered around advancing social equity, building community, and encouraging creativity. They are a former Ms. Long Beach Pride and a proud two-spirit member of the Navajo Nation. Shy will only put down a page-turner in exchange for a coffee walk with their wife, Kate, and their dog, Kezzi.

  • Jennifer Moodey

    EDITOR

    As an Editor of the Arvida Review, a dedicated member of the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts, and the Vice President of the Tustin Literary Foundation, Jenn is an advocate for the literary arts and active community collaboration. She's convinced that a well-placed comma can save the world, and is on a mission to make her community the go-to spot for arts and letters. Her passions include cheese, road trips, and long walks on the beach, in that order.

  • Lisbeth Welch-Stamos

    EDITOR

    A ground floor Arvidian and two time nominee for Orange County Teacher of the Year, Beth marks 35 years as a full time high school teacher in Saddleback Valley Unified and an adjunct professor at Laguna College of Art and Design. She is committed to celebrating local and underrepresented voices through writing and reading. She loves loading her dog, Honey, into her ‘68 VW Bus and seeing where the road leads.