About

Writer. Podcaster. Professional Science Appreciator.

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Fueled by creativity, curiosity, and sugar-free energy drinks.

Gillian King-Cargile is passionate about creating books, digital media, events, and experiences that help people learn more about the world around them. She has a B.A. in Film Production and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Southern Illinois University.

Gillian is the author of several stories for adults and children. Her short fiction has appeared in McSweeney’s, Carve Magazine, Pseudopod, River Styx, Every Day Fiction, HelloHorror, and other publications. Her books for young readers have been published by NIU Press, Albert Whitman & Company, and Poke Prize Press. Gillian is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Horror Writers Association and the National Association of Science Writers.

As a communications coordinator at Argonne National Laboratory, Gillian specializes in sharing information about super computing, environmental science and bio science. She works to create articles, videos, events, and audio stories that communicate amazing discoveries and pivotal science that will transform our lives.

In partnership with Northern Illinois University’s Founders Memorial Library, Gillian created and hosted the Future Telling: Science + Fiction webinar series. The series brought scientists and science fiction authors together to introduce writers to bleeding-edge concepts, to invigorate STEM experts with mind-bending views of the future, and to celebrate the connections between STEM and storytelling.

As the founder and long-time director of Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read, Gillian used popular fiction books as a gateway to exploring science, technology, engineering, and math. Her program created virtual games, educator resources, author and expert videos, summer camps, and day-long, live-action events that helped ravenous and reluctant readers experience learning in a whole new way. Her innovative programs with authors like Andy Weir, M.T. Anderson, Andrea Beaty, Daniel H. Wilson, Kiersten White, Kate Hannigan, Lex Thomas, and others entertained and inspired thousands of learners each year.

In everything that she does, Gillian seeks to use humor and creativity to kindle a love of reading and learning.

What I do…