About

Dorkys Ramos is a New York City-based writer and illustrator. She writes for various publications both in print and online all the while managing and designing for her stationery company Porcupine Hugs.

After receiving an undergraduate degree in architecture and later graduating from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in 2006, Dorkys interned at Time Out New York where she shared the must-do’s in New York City. She then went on to become the Research Editor at Latina Magazine and saw opportunities to take on duties that went beyond her fact-checking role. Within two years, she became Latina’s Assistant Editor with monthly columns covering entertainment news, health, parenting, love and sex, career, and important issues pertaining to the Latino community. Upon leaving the magazine in 2009, she maintained a Contributing Editor role with the publication.

A travel junkie whose wanderlust has taken her to 13 countries and a road trip across the United States, Dorkys was thrilled to take on a new position as Travel + Leisure’s Special Projects Assistant in 2010. While there, she contributed to the magazine’s special insert on top family destinations and the Most Romantic Hotels round-up, developed projects for the publication’s newly-launched iPad application, and edited stories for inclusion in the brand’s annual travel books.

Not one to be easily satisfied with just one project on her hands, Dorkys also took on a part-time contributor position with BET.com while working full-time at Travel + Leisure. What began as a night and weekend freelance writing opportunity, later evolved into a full-time role once her time at Travel + Leisure came to a close. While at BET.com, Dorkys wrote about entertainment and music, African-American culture, education, and fashion. Her favorite pieces revolved around charitable works and spotlighting those who continually find ways to give back to their communities. In October 2014, she appeared on camera to talk about her battle with breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

In addition, Dorkys managed the web content for Quarles & Brady LLP, a national law firm of 475 attorneys operating from 10 cities across the U.S., for four years. She’s also served as Associate Editor for Time Out New York Kids, where she reported on kid-friendly events and news for NYC families, and Senior Editor for Parents Latina, a bilingual magazine helping parents help raise happy, healthy, multicultural kids.

Today, Dorkys continues to enjoy her life as a freelancer writer and illustrator working from wherever there’s WiFi to be had. A born-and-bred New Yorker of Dominican descent, she’s fluent in Spanish (and can manage her way through French and Italian). Her work has been featured in Travel + Leisure and TravelandLeisure.com, BET.com, Latina and Latina.com, Parents Latina, Time Out New York, Time Out New York Kids, Inhabitat, Woman’s Day, MamasLatinas.com, Vivala.com, Anthology, The Syracuse Post-Standard, and The Manhattan Times. She has helped edit books Travel + Leisure: The World’s Greatest Hotels, Resorts and Spas (2011 Edition), Travel + Leisure: Europe – The Places We Love, and Travel + Leisure: 100 Greatest Trips (2012 Edition). Dorkys is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and a volunteer through New York Cares. She is also the founder and illustrator of stationery company Porcupine Hugs and has been sharing the ins and outs of her life and career in New York City on her blog Dry As Toast since 2007.