Aileen Nagel

I’m a writer, maker, mom, and occupational therapist with a soft spot for old things and new projects.

About

Aileen Nagel is a writer, maker, and pediatric occupational therapist based in St. Louis. She writes fiction and personal essays and loves working with her hands, whether she’s binding a journal, sewing a quilt, or trying something entirely new.She is the creator of Paper & Ritual, a project centered around handmade journals, vintage and found papers, collage, and creative workshops. Her writing appears on her Substack, A Small Light On, where she shares essays, short fiction, and pieces about creativity, work, family, and everyday life.Aileen lives with her husband and two children, who are part of both the inspiration and the happy chaos behind much of what she makes and writes. When she isn’t writing or making something, she can usually be found reading, gardening, wandering an antique store, or starting another project before finishing the last one. Get in touch!

Say hello

Have a question about my work, interested in Paper & Ritual, or just want to say hi? I’d love to hear from you.Email me