I have over 15 years of experience working as a freelance writer. I’ve written everything from blurbs to books. Although I’m known for stories that spotlight unusual subcultures and social movements, my interests include culture, sociology, art, entertainment, food and drink, music, literature, comedy, small businesses, hobbies, activism, and personality profiles. For my writing, I’ve talked to everyone from comedians to mayors to graffiti artists to fishermen to burlesque dancers to people who dress in superhero costumes and patrol the streets.

In general, I am interested in people and their stories. I write regularly for Milwaukee Magazine and also contribute to the Shepherd Express and Milwaukee Record. I have freelanced for a variety of other publications like Atlas Obscura, Fortean Times, and Scandinavian Traveler and have authored six non-fiction books.

I won a gold Milwaukee Press Club Award for Excellence in Journalism in 2021, a gold and silver in 2023, and another gold in 2024 for pieces I wrote for Milwaukee Magazine. A documentary I produced (I’m Your Host), based on another MilMag article I authored, won a 2022 Milwaukee Film Brico Forward Fund Award.

Recent Published Work

“Gen Z is into typewriters,” Chicago Reader, September 2024
“I’m on a goth boat: All aboard Milwaukee’s Goth Barge,” Milwaukee Record, June 2024
“Sister Debra Marie Sciano Is a Lawyer and a Leader,” Milwaukee Magazine, December 2023
“From Elvira to Svengoolie, Local Horror Hosts’ Frightfully Fun History,” Atlas Obscura, October 2023
“Venice Williams Grows Food, Faith and Friendships,” Milwaukee Magazine, September 2023
“The Unlikely Story Behind Pull-Tabs in Wisconsin,” Milwaukee Magazine, March 2023
“To Banish Winter in This Tiny Wisconsin Town, Burn a Swiss Snowman,” Atlas Obscura, May 2023
“Meet the Last Fisherman of Washington Island,” Milwaukee Magazine, June 2022
“Dancers Share the Healing Power of Hula,” Milwaukee Magazine, January 2022
“Visibly Indigenous: How Milwaukee’s Native Community is Working to be Un-erased,” Milwaukee Magazine, March 2022

Books

My first three books (Heroes in the Night, Monster Hunters, and Apocalypse Any Day Now) were about unusual subcultures (Real Life Superheroes, paranormal investigators, and end time preppers and prognosticators, respectfully) and were published by Chicago Review Press 2013-2019.

American Madness, published 2020 by Feral House, is about conspiracy theory culture and how it has ruined people’s lives. Wisconsin Legends & Lore (2020, History Press) is a collection of Wisconsin folklore, and Brady Street Pharmacy: Stories & Sketches, (2021, VA Press) is a short memoir of a greasy spoon diner/ pharmacy counter I worked at in my youth.

Awards
-2025 National City & Regional Magazine Award for “High Dive,” Milwaukee Magazine (October 2024, I was co-author along with three other writers)
-2023 Gold Milwaukee Press Club Excellence in Journalism Award for “Surfing the Fresh Coast,” Milwaukee Magazine (June 2023)
-2022 Milwaukee Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards for my Milwaukee Magazine articles “The Last Frame” (Gold) and “Wanna Buy a Famous Tugboat?” (Silver)
–I’m Your Host, a documentary I am a producer on, is based on my Milwaukee Magazine article (titled “Terror on the Tube” in the print version) and was the recipient of a 2022 Milwaukee Film Brico Forward Fund Award.
-2020 Gold Milwaukee Press Club Excellence in Journalism Award for “Reporting Live from the Street,” Milwaukee Magazine (December 2020).
-2020 National Indie Excellence Award for my book American Madness.
-2015 Finalist for Midwest Book Award for my book Monster Hunters.

Contact: teakrulos@gmail.com