Laurel Hostak Jones is a writer and audio storyteller originally from Austin, Texas.
Laurel joined the professional staff of Drexel University's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design as Communications & Administrative Coordinator in 2018. After transitioning to a full communications role as Digital Content Specialist, Laurel became Associate Director of Communications, in which she supports internal and external communications and marketing for the College.
Before coming to work at Drexel Westphal, Laurel spent six years in theatre production and marketing, working closely with 1812 Productions, Arden Theatre Company, the Wilma Theater, and Team Sunshine Performance Corporation in Philadelphia. She holds a B.S. in Screenwriting & Playwriting from Drexel University and completed the Arden Professional Apprentice program in 2014. With the Drexel Players and Theatre program, Laurel developed and produced MONUMENT in the 2012 Philadelphia FringeArts Festival, and directed Parts: A Speed-Through in the 2013 FringeArts Festival. She wrote and performed her solo show, Kingfisher, as part of the 2015 SoLow Fest. She maintains an independent study of mythology, folklore, and medieval literature, a previously studied puppetry in Prague, CZ. Laurel is mom to Arthur and Alice, and cat-mom to Claudius and Charlemagne.
Laurel is the creator, producer, and host of Sleep & Sorcery, a podcast and YouTube channel featuring original bedtime stories inspired by fantasy and folklore. Sleep & Sorcery has more than 3 million downloads worldwide.
With Derek Jones, Laurel produces and hosts The Midnight Myth Podcast, a weekly breakdown of pop culture, history, and mythology.
Her book,
Sleep & Sorcery: A Collection of Enchanting Bedtime Stories, Rituals & Spells for Meaningful Rest, was released in August 2024 from
Crossed Crow Books, with international distribution via Red Wheel/Weiser Books.