joyful!

 

Biographies

 

 

Biographies of  our joyful! Creatives

with works past, current and upcoming

in their own words...

 

 

 

HUGH AARON, born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a graduate of The University of Chicago where his professors encouraged him to pursue a literary career. However, he made his living as CEO of his own manufacturing business while continuing to write. Since he sold his business in 1984, he has devoted full time to his writing resulting so far in two novels, a travel memoir, a short story collection, two collections of business essays, a book of movie reviews, a child’s book and a letter collection. The Wall Street Journal also published eighteen of his articles on business management and one on World War II. Many of his books can be found at Amazon.com and five novellas entitled QUINTET was recently published. Most of his plays deal with contemporary issues, several have had readings at local libraries, churches, and in private homes and some are scheduled for full stagings in 2007. The author resides in mid-coast Maine with his artist wife. Visit his website:  www.StonesPoint.com where readers can find reviews and reader comments on his books and a list of his plays.  

 

ANKUR AGARWAL is from India, currently based in Bangalore. He has been published before, among others, in “Paper Wall”, “Barnwood Poetry Magazine”, “Ink Sweat & Tears”, “Halfway Down the Stairs”, and “A handful of stones”. He works as a freelance editor for STM and humanities books, and he loves traveling and writing. He maintains his own blog at http://dropofether.blogspot.com and reviews cinema at http://indmoviereview.blogspot.com

 

M. ALLMAN  is a wife, mother, college student,and in her free time, a writer. She has recently graduated with her Associate\'s Degree in Liberal Arts and is continuing her education working toward a Bachelor\'s in Profession Writing. Her work can be found in various online magazines including Bewildering Stories, Southern Ocean Review, Burst, and in print in Flint River Fiction.

 

LARRY ANDERSON is a retired Mathematics Professor. He is relatively new to poetry.

 

RON ARNOLD is am a freelance writer of fiction and poetry.  His short stories have been published in the following magazines:Creative With Words Publications, The Funny Paper, Northwoods Journal, Penny-A-Liner - The Legend of Big Red, and many others. He is also a member of the Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Maryland. 

 

DIANE ARRELLE is the pen name of Dina Leacockwho lives in Southern New Jersey with her husband, two sons and her cat.  She writes humor, horror, fantasy and mystery stories and has two books, Just A Drop In The Cup (Darker Intentions Press) a collection of flash fiction and short-short stories and Element Of The Short Story: How to Write A Selling Story (Tricorner Publishing).  She is a founding member and past president of The Garden State Horror Writers and past president of the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference.  She can be reached at  www.dinaleacock.com
 

R. BAKER says "I'm just a person that lives with passion....a passion for life, environment, commonality, understanding, politics, family and love.  I can only write what is truly felt...take no offense.  I was shaped by the turbulent 60's where you had to stand for something, but I'm always looking with excitement toward tomorrow." Baker's work has also been published in The Shine Journal

 

DJ BARBER lives in the Willamette Valley. His writings have been featured in Every Day Fiction, Big Pulp, Moon Drenched Fables, Flases in the Dark, and many others.

 

DANNY BARBARE has been published in Christianity and the Arts and Sister's Today.

 

ROY A BARNES  has had works of poetry and prose published by Skatefic.com, Poesia, Literary Liftoff, Breath & Shadow, Pond Ripples, The First Line, and e-clips.

 

MARGARET BAUM lives in Skaneateles Falls and enjoys many aspects of life.  Especially the long walks with her daughter Kaleah and new poodle Koda.

SARAH PAIGE BERLING is a senior at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.  Although I have lived around the world, I am originally from the desert town of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I have been writing short stories and flash fiction for nine years, though the occasional poem pops out, too.  In my free time, I like to write, read, and chase tornadoes (should the opportunity present itself).

 

CAROL BEVAN-BOGART is a member of the AWA Affiliate Leadership Network and is on the steering committee for Voices from Inside, a group that offers writing workshops for incarcerated women in Massachusetts.  She is also a facilitator for Mourning Reflections, a bereavement writing group and The Heroine’s Journey: Writing the Path, a workshop that integrates archetypal stories with writing.  A professor of management at the undergraduate and graduate level, Carol has over 25 years experience in Human Resources and Organizational Development.   

 

PATRICIA BOHNERT  "Home is Ohio or wherever I am traveling.  I write for me but I will share with you, maybe just this once.  New grandbaby Henry was born July 2009!  Oh, new reason to write!  Published for short story work and poetry.  Love to all."

 

L. MICHAEL BLACK was born in New York City, relocated to Philadelphia, PA, served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Special Forces; completed undergraduate studies - B.A. in English; MBA in Management Communications; personal  passions area's public speaking, writing and photography; is a  26 year member of the SGI-USA, and a serious advocate for youth development and World Peace.

 

YVONNE BLAKE is a retired school teacher hoping to break into the world of writing. "I've written a novel and would also like to write missionary stories for children."  Visit her at http://mybackdoorministry.blogspot.com  email - yvonblake@hotmail.com

 

MEL BOSWORTH lives and breathes in Western Massachusetts.  He enjoys writing, running, petting his cat and drinking chocolate milk.  

 

JUNE BRAUGHTIGAN is a a poet and artist from upstate NY.  "I tried to write this story as a poem and found out it didn't work very well.  This is my attempt to make this experience a short story.  This story is one small journey that I believe is shared by other empty nesters.   This is one journey of my life I'd like to share." 

 

MARGOT BROWN was born and raised in Massachusetts.  She migrated to the Midwest as a young adult and compensates for missing the ocean by putting too much salt on her food.  Margot graduated from Marquette University and, until recently,  focused on her career as a public relations executive for a Fortune 50 firm.  She enjoys writing, antiques, gardening, companion animals and is an amateur bird watcher.  She lives in Northern Illinois with a feline Hurricane Katrina evacuee, Miss Kitty, and her husband, Michael Morrison.  Margotʼs work has appeared in joyful!, the Shine Journal, The Boston Literary Magazine and The Cleave Poetry Webzine.  Her poetry will appear in two print anthologies, Poetry for Suzanne, and The Cleave Anthology, in late 2008 and early 2009, respectively.   

 

MARGARET BRYANT Natives of New York City, my husband and I relocated. to Schenectady, New York in 1969 .Five years ago we retired
from education and business careers.  It has been my pleasure to expand my opportunities for reading and writing.  Critique groups, writing groups, on-line workshops, open -mic and featured poet readings keep me involved in a thriving writing community.  I enjoy membership in The International Womens' Writing Guild and The Hudson Valley Writers' Guild.My poems and essays have occasionally been read on NPR/WAMC.  One of my pieces was published in the Sunday Women's section of the Staten Island Advance. 

 

WILLIAM "CULLY" BRYANT is a physician, author and Associate Editor for OAK BEND REVIEW.  He enjoys raising reptiles and admits to using “doctoring” to support his writing habit. His writing can be found or is forthcoming in dozens of journals including, but not limited to: CLAPBOARD HOUSE, UNDERGROUND VOICES, BEESWAX, AMPERSAND and THE DISTILLERY.  His writing spans many genres and he has just completed his first fantasy novel, “Messages”. 

MARGARET BURTON lives with her husband and two children just outside Philadelphia.  A prolific, though unpublished writer, Margaret honed her craft through years of diaper changing, care giving to terminally ill loved ones, corporate jobs, and a partnership in a short-lived, but beloved independent bookstore.

KATHY BUTTERWORTH has taught reading in the public schools, protected birds on a refuge and helped immigrants to make their way among other things. "I have loved poetry since earliest memory."

 

CHERI BYARD has been a special education teacher for  over 20 years and is the mother of an 8-year-old-daughter. " I just began  writing poetry less than two years ago after a beloved aunt died of cancer;  her life and death inspired me.  I am a lover of life!" She's been published in both the US and Canadian Poets Against War. New works and will soon appear in Words-Myth.

 

BARB CAFFREY is a writer, poet, editor, composer and musician who currently makes her home in the Midwest.  She has been previously published in the BEDLAM\'S EDGE anthology (with her late husband, Michael B. Caffrey) and in the Written Word online magazine (two stories, co-written with Michael B. Caffrey, and one poem).  After having stories from the SF and fantasy genres, plus a poem, published by the Written Word, Mrs. Caffrey became the editor from November 2007 until the magazine went on (now-permanent) hiatus in January of 2009.  Many short stories, poems and novels are in progress at any given time; they tend to multiply when Mrs. Caffrey isn't looking.

MICHAEL R. CARR is an Assemblies of God Pastor in Nebraska.  Husband for 20 years and father of three.

 

CHRIS CASTLE  lives and works in London and has had  stories published in various mags., including brittle star.

 

CINDY CHAMPINEY lives in Western Mass. with her husband and daughter. She is a banker by day and following her lifelong dream to be a writer. She has had several poems published as well as a few short stories.

 

STEFAN CHIARANTOIS is an emerging writer."I'm a volunteer writer with a community based newspaper in my neighbourhood.My passions include writing fiction, photography and film."

 

JOYCE CHNG is from Singapore." I am inspired by nature. I am also inspired by spirituality. In short, I am an earth-based spiritual person."

 

JOHN THOMAS CLARK is a retired NYC elementary school teacher,who lives in Scarsdale, NY with his wife Ginny, his daughter Chris, his son John and Lex, his black lab service dog. Over one hundred of his poems are appearing in OCEAN, The Barefoot Muse, Byline, The Centrifugal Eye, Boston Literary Magazine, The Healing Muse, Tiger's Eye and thirty-one other journals.  The Joy of Lex, his light-hearted romp recounting life with Lex will be published in book form later this year with an introduction written by Dean Koontz.

 

NEIL CLEMONS counts himself as a member in good standing of the Almost-70-But-Still-Acting-50 cohort.  He looks back on careers in journalism, public relations, and family counseling with satisfaction and looks ahead enthusiastically to each new day—with opportunities to enjoy gardening, photography, mountain-biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, writing, cutting firewood, and quality-time with his bride.

 

DANIEL COLLINS writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency  and a variety of clients. As such, his article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.

 

HEIDI COOK enjoys the creative challenge of flash fiction pieces and when she's not working on her longer stories or taking the dog for a walk she loves to curl up in front of the fire and write them. She likes to look at things in different ways and now after re-learning to write after an illness robbed her of that ability she has been enjoying showing people how to look at things differently.

 

NORMAN COOPER is a maintence engineer by day and an amateur writer by night. He lives in Houston, TX with his wife of 13 years, four children, and a troublesome puppy.

ROBERT SCOTT CRANDALL  has had over 40 stories accepted for publication, and is currently the editor of  "Einstein's Pocket Watch," a Christian Webzine.  He loves writing and his dog, Lucy!

JUDY CRAYTON says,"We don't know what God is. But He has revealed who He is.I find I'm the opposite. I can tell you what I am; divorced woman; Mother; Grandmother; retired wellfare worker; a child of the living God; a seeker of TRUTH in every area. Who am I? I'm not sure what to say. I'm just Me. But one day when I see Him,He'll tell me who I am." 

LISA CRONKHITE has published work in Bible Advocate, Combat Magazine, Clark Street Review, Salome Magazine, The Penwood Review, Scrap & Stamp Arts Magazine, The Shepherd, Soul Fountain and Fighting Chance Magazine. She is currently taking a writer's course for children based in Connecticut. Lisa currently resides, here in the U.S. with her husband and two children.   She suffers from Bipolar disorder and writes as a coping skill in the hopes for better understanding. 

 

ELAINE CURRIE: Working at home requires a great deal of self-motivation. You can pick up some excellent practical motivational tips at Elaine Currie's free Work At Home Directory at www.huntingvenus.com where you will also find the best ways to make money online.

 

JOZEFINA CUTURA works on gender issues for the World Bank, and has published on the subject widely. Jozefina holds degrees from Stanford and Harvard University. Originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, she currently lives in the United States and is working on a collection of short stories about the lives of Bosnian immigrants. Her stories have appeared in the Apple Valley Review, Insolent Rudder, and Inscribed.

 

 

 

PATTI DEAN, is a rock band singer, former stand up comic, comedy writer for nationally known comics, and  an actress off Broadway. An award winning documentary filmmaker and playwright, she has performed in Seattle, Baltimore, and New York.  Her work has been published in the anthologies: Love and Sacrifice and Women. Period.

 

STEPHANIE DECKER has a B.A. in English with a Writing minor. She recently published in Gloom Cupboard and Sangam magazines, and has work forthcoming in Einstein’s Pocket Watch and Cantaraville. Stephanie lives and writes in the Pacific Northwest.

 SHEILA DEETH grew up in the UK and has a Bachelors and Masters in mathematics from Cambridge University, England. She moved to the States with her husband and three sons twelve years ago and recently became a US citizen. Since losing her job as a software QA engineer she's written two novels, several collections of children's stories, various illustrated Bible books and two drabble calendars, all of which she dreams of getting published some day. 

 

ANNA DEVINE is a vague poet from the Northwest  USA.

 

MATTHEW DEXTER is an American freelance writer living in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. He writes novels, memoirs, poetry, journalism articles, short stories of literary fiction, short stories of narrative nonfiction, and everything else in between. When Matthew is not writing he enjoys life by the ocean; beautiful beaches, breathtaking views, reading, and being inspired. But never candlelit dinners on the beach. He’s afraid of Pirates.

 

DARELL DIETRICH is a graduate student at Northern Arizona University working on a MA in English.

 

JOSEPH DI LELLA's love for writing goes back to his youth when he read Bradbury, Verne, and Orwell.  His short story, “Cheating Destiny” was a finalist selection for Pocket Books’ Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Volume Ten) in 2007.  Today, Joseph is an Assistant Professor of Bilingual Education at Eastern New Mexico University.  Regardless of his day job, he has managed to publish over forty short stories and poems over the past three years in his college’s literary journal, El Portal, and in other fine publications such as Clockwise Cat, Alienskin Magazine, The Battered Suitcase, Lorelei Signal, Every Day Poets, Bewildering Stories, Golden Visions Magazine, Midnight Times.

  

LENARD W. ECCLES, author of “Pego, the Sea Unicorn” is an internationally published poet, storyteller and artist. He has illustrated many children’s books, to include “The Adventures of Sydney Snail” series. www.sidneysnail.com   

 

TERRY W. ERVIN II is an English teacher who enjoys writing Science Fiction and Fantasy. His fiction has appeared in a number of places including The Sword Review, Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine and MindFlights. When Terry isnʼt writing or enjoying time with his family, he can be found in his basement raising turtles. To contact Terry visit his website here.

 

ERIK ESTABROOK is a poet that loves life and the possibilities poetry gives him. His website is here:  www.erikestabrook.com and his book "A Heart Cast in Verse" can be found here:http://www.lulu.com/content/3252344.

 

WILLIAM FALO has had short stories published in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States. They have appeared or are forthcoming in Long Story Short, Shalla Magazine, Skive Magazine, Delinquent, Delivered, Bartleby-Snopes, Mississippi Crow, Bottom of the World, Cantaraville, 34th Parallel, and many others.

 

WAYNE FAUST is a Colorado based writer of short fiction, mostly sci-fi and alternate history. "I've been published in quite a few places, most recently in Tales of the Talisman for their April '08 and June'09 issues. This story got an Honorable Mention in Writer's Digest for their fiction contest in the inspirational category. In a related note, I've made a full time living as a music and comedy performer for over 30 years."

 

MARION FENIMORE  has earned B.A. Liberal Arts, M.A. Public Administration; teacher and HR Manager.Also published via textbroker, associated content and constant content under pseudonym.

 

ADRIAN FIRTH lives in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife, cat, and a writing addiction. He has worked as a teacher, horticulturalist, bartender, web developer, and computer systems trainer. But not all at the same time.

 

NEIL FONTAINE is thirty-one years old and has a son that is about to turn twelve. He enjoys writing literary, romance, sci-fi, suspense, and horror. Due to being a hermit and writing at home, he has a lot of free time to write. He is presently working on a romance novel called Age For Love.

 

CANDICE GEARY lives in Ohio.  Her poems have appeared in The Mused - BellaOnline Literary Review and as the feature poet in Cold Coffee Magazine.  Her article, Images of Africa, was recently published in The Medical Dealer Magazine.  In addition to writing, Candice enjoys travel, digital photography and pursuing humanitarian causes.

 

ROBERT GERZON is a holistic psychotherapist, life coach and author of "Finding Serenity in the Age of Anxiety." Please visit   http://www.gerzon.com   for more information and inspiring personal growth articles. Robert helps people free themselves from past conditioning and live the life they were born to live. He has appeared on Oprah and other TV and radio programs.

 

ASHUTOSH GHILDIYAL writes poetry, short fiction and essays. He was born in 1984 in Lucknow, India. He completed his graduate studies in New Delhi and Post Graduate education in Mumbai. He is a salaried professional and is currently based in Mumbai. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in various print and online zines including Houston Literary Review, Oak Bend Review, Taj Mahal Review, River Poets Journal, The Storyteller, Cantaraville, Fear and Trembling,Bewildering stories, Calliope, Calliope Nerve, Mad Swirl, Poetry Friends,TeenAge and others.

 

BORIS GLIKMAN, from Australia, is a full time writer and spiritual philosopher. He says, "Writing gives me the conduit to a world that is unreachable by any other means, a world that is populated by Eternal Truths, Ineffable Questions and Infinite Beauty. It is my hope that these stories of mine will allow the reader to also catch a glimpse of this universe."  You may reach him here: bozlich@yahoo.com.au   His website: http://bozlich.gather.com/

 

KEISHA GRANT lives in the  south of Trinidad. Her work has appeared in Ascent Aspirations,The Shine Journal, The Foliate Oak and The Taj Mahal Review.

JOHN MARK GREEN: I'm 104 years old, but people say I don't look a day over 99!

 

SANDY GREEN is a children's author and poet and has been writing fiction since 2004. Her work has been published, or is forthcoming, in Chicken Soup for the Child's Soul (HCI 2007), Poesia, Anderbo, flashquake, Highlights for Children, SHALLA, and the Fairfax Connection. Prior to writing fiction, "I lived in Germany for a short time. I trained as a classical ballet dancer, have a BFA in dance from Florida State University; I taught and choreographed for several years. Currently, I live in northern Virginia

 

KJ HANNAH "CHANNIE" GREENBERG's most recent work has appeared in dozens of venues from The Jerusalem Post  to Bewildering Stories. When not engaged in wordplay, Channie paints, builds ceramics, and supplies small spatulas to imaginary hedgehogs. She also dreams about the day when her children will correctly sort the laundry. 

 

Andrew Grissett I enjoy reading Stephenie Meyer's Twilight.  I enjoy the poems of Shel Silverstein.  I'm into scrapbooking and working out, mostly cardio.

 

 

 

PATRICIA HAGGARD is an English Major at Eastern Connecticut State University and a mother of four. She recently won Honorable Mention for the Leo Connellan Poetry Prize. Writing is her relief from everyday"have-to's."

 

JAMES HALL is the author of three books. “Rites of Passage,” an e-book of poetry, “A Gallery of Projections,” a chapbook of poetry and “A Balcony in Brooklyn,” a paperback collection of short fiction. He has published non-fiction, fiction, and poetry in several venues, and was, for a time, a police reporter for a daily newspaper.

 

KAT HECKENBACH is a Florida native and graduate of the University of Tampa. When she’s not homeschooling her two kids or bumping around theme parks with her family, she enjoys sharing through personal essays the ways God has touched her life. Several of her essays are scheduled for publication in various Sunday school periodicals and devotionals throughout 2009 and 2010. Her passion for writing began with a desire to author a young adult fantasy novel, which she has completed. As all fantasy novels tend to do, hers has turned into a trilogy, and she is now working on the second book. Enter her world at www.findingangel.com or www.kat-findingangel.blogspot.com.

 

ELMORE HAMMES's short stories have appeared in The First Line and Espresso Fiction, with another slated for a forthcoming issue of St. Anthony Messenger. He recently released his fourth novel, The Cloud, which was his first foray into science fiction. It has not yet appeared on the best seller lists but at least three people unrelated to him have purchased it.

 

SHERI HARPER is a speculative fiction writer whose poems, articles, and short stories appear in a number of small markets  including Springhill Review, www.nycBigCityLit.com, www.specusphere.com  and Yellow Mama.   She finds inspiration in art, nature,   the endless possibilities of the future, and in the intellectual capacities of humans in finding new and clever ways of viewing their world.  Visit her at www.sfharper.com. 

 

JOHN HAYES retired from writing procedure manuals several years ago. Now he acts in and directs Community Theater and writes a weekly column for two local newspapers. He was a corpse on Homicide.  Places where he has been published are Flesh and Blood, Baltimore Review,  BareBone, Modern Haiku, Writers Journal and other magazines. Five of his one-act plays have been produced.

KAT HECKENBACH is a Florida native and graduate of the University of Tampa. When she’s not homeschooling her two kids or bumping around theme parks with her family, she enjoys sharing through personal essays the ways God has touched her life. Several of her essays are scheduled for publication in various Sunday school periodicals and devotionals throughout 2009 and 2010. Her passion for writing began with a desire to author a young adult fantasy novel, which she has completed. As all fantasy novels tend to do, hers has turned into a trilogy, and she is now working on the second book. Enter her world at www.findingangel.com or www.kat-findingangel.blogspot.com. 

LISA M. HENDEY, wife and mother of two sons, is an avid reader and the webmaster of numerous web sites including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.ProductivityAtHome.com. Visit her at http://www.lisahendey.com for additional information.   

 

DEANNA HERSHISER processes life and religious leftovers in  Eugene, Oregon. Her writing has appeared in Relief: A Quarterly Christian Expression, flashquake, and Camroc Press Review.

 

SANDY HISS has been published in over 70 print and online journals.  Her first book of poetry, Ever Violet, was released by D-N Publishing in April 2007.  She is also the editor of Flutter Poetry Journal and a 2006 nominee for Best of the Net.  

 

NIRVAN HOPE is the author of the forthcoming book "Three Seasons of  Bees and Other Natural and Unnatural Things". She writes and takes photographs in the Pacific Northwest and is currently working on a memoir set in  England and Northern Nigeria. Her work has appeared in regional, national and international publications.  

 

KATHERINE K. HORRIGAN: english professor,farm girl, mountain climber, writer, stepmother

 

BIRDIE HOUSTON enjoys reading and writing poetry because that's one of her passions. A native Texan, Birdie now resides in NV. She  also pencil sketches and paints.  When she can find spare time, she writes original lyrics to beats. 

 

ADAM HUGHES is a writer and pastor from Lancaster, Ohio.  He is a graduate of Ohio Christian University and his poety has appeared in several online and print journals, including The Houston Literary Review, Flutter Poetry Journal, The Boston Literary Magazine, and Gloom Cupboard.  He also sits on the editorial board for Triggerfish Critical Review.  He enjoys being outside, reading, and spending time with his wife and infant daughter.

 

L.R. HUMPHRIES 26, writes part time. I have various publishing credits with both short stories and poetry with Twisted Tongue magazine, Four Volts and Tales From the Moonlit Path.    

 

LORRAINE INABINETT is married with four children. She is also a poet,composer and writer. 

 

PAUL INGRASSIA is a native New Yorker living in Westchester County. Paul was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2006 for his poem 'Adelaide Crapsey'. His poetry, articles, and/or short fiction have appeared in AMAZE: The Cinquain Journal, Sketchbook, Circle Magazine, Isis-Seshat Magazine, Mirror of Isis, The Pagan's Muse Poetry Anthology, Reflections, Necrotic Tissue, Getting Something Read, and several local newspapers. To learn more about Paul and his writing visit his blog at: http://themysticfool.blogspot.com/

 

MARTIN JACKSON was born in raised in Pontiac, MI.

 

EILEEN KATHRYN JACOBSON is a special education teacher for severely handicapped high school students. " I have been teaching for 26 years.  I two grown children, a son and a daughter.  I have a seven year old grandaughter. I reside in the on the beautiful north coast of California in  the midst of the redwoods."

 

LELAND JAMES is the pen name of Leland James Whipple. He  is the author of two novels and a book of essays. He has published in both academic and popular periodicals, ranging from Galaxy Science Fiction and Twilight Zone to the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine and Production Engineering. Recently he has focused his writing on poetry, winning the 2008 Portland Pen Poetry Contest and the 2008 Writers™ Forum Short Poem contest, and placing runner up for the 2008 Fish International Poetry Prize. He has also had several other  honorable mentions and publications including Inspirit, New Millennium Writings, Ruminate, By Line, Harûah Breath of Heaven, Voices of Israel, and Cyclamens and Swords.

 

OONAH V. JOSLIN is managing editor of Every Day Poets and was one of the judges in The Shine Journal's first poetry competition.  She has won a Micro Horror trophy too.  She's eclectic. Link to her work at OONAHVERSE.  

 

DIETRICH KALTEIS is a writer living in West Vancouver, Canada. His short stories have appeared at The Short Humour Site UK, the Clockwise Cat, Cantaraville, the Cynic, Defenestration, Dew on the Kudzu, and One Cool Word. The screenplay \'Between Jobs\', that he co-authored with his wife, Andrea, is a past finalist in the Screenplay Contest, and he is currently completing his first novel.

 

J.KAVAL writes both in English and his mother tongue Malayalam short stories and novels. He edits and publishes KATHA KSHETRE an international literary quarterly dedicated to fiction all over the world. He can be reached at < kathalok@vsnl.net > or < joseph.kaval@gmail.com > Visit: My blog -  http://jk-kathalok.blogspot.com/ www.writergazette.com/KATHALOKshtml]

KAREN KELSAY is a native Californian who grew up near the Pacific and spent most of her weekends on a boat, as a child. She has three children, two cats and extended family in England, where she loves to visit.Her poems have been widely published over the past few years in journals, including The Boston Literary Review, The New Formalist, The Christian Science Monitor and Willow\'s Wept Review. Her first book, Collected Poems, was finished in 2008 and a chapbook,  A Fist of Roots, was published by Puddinghouse Press in 2009.  

 

JONINA KIRTON only recently discovered poetry is indeed her passion. She has just completed the Simon Fraser Writer Studio 2007 where she had her first experience of being published in the Simon Fraser Writing and Publishing "emerge" anthology. Blessed with a watery nature, an interest in emotional and spiritual healing, her Metis/Icelandic heritage has been an asset in her search to understand the nature of duality and the resilience of our spirits. Although she believes the answers we seek lie within, she also knows that our time here is not a solitary journey; that a good book or poem can crack us open and take us further inside than we ever could have gone alone.  Visit her here: http://www.joninakirton.com/

 

SONJA KOSLER is a retired broadcast and print journalist.  She lives on the shore of a small west central Minnesota lake.  Sonja is an emerging artist.  Her poetry has been published in Lakes Alive, Talking Stick Literary Journal, and the Minneapolis Star – Tribune.  She received the Springtime in Minnesota award for “Gramma Tells the Young Ones”.  She is also ashamanic practitioner and oral tradition storyteller.

ASH KRAFTON is an emerging writer whose work has earned several distinctions over the past year. Two of her novels are finalists in various national writing competitions, most notably "Bleeding Hearts", which won Grand Prize by the Maryland Writers' Association 2008. She's also earned mention by CNW/FFWA 2008 for both poetry and essay work. Ms. Krafton's work appears in the Spring issue of "Poe Little Thing" and is also forthcoming in"Numinous: Spiritual Poetry," "Everyday Poets," and "42 Magazine."

 TREVOR KUGLER - Co-founder of JRWfishing.com Trevor has more than 20 years of fishing experience, and now specializes in ultralight trout fishing. http://www.jrwfishing.com - products and information to save you time and help you catch more fish. www.jrwfishing.com  & New Ebook!!! 

 

KARLA LAMMERS works as a corporate lawyer and has written several academic articles.  Since turning her pen toward literary fiction, some of her short stories have appeared in online publications.  She is a contributing blogger at www.worldswellwritten.com and lives in the Midwest with her husband, daughter, labrador and beta fish.

 

KATHERINE LERNER is a student at a small, hippie interdisciplinary college tucked away in the enchanted forest of Northwest Washington State. There she is working on a self-designed major entitled, \"\'Follow the Child\': Rights of the Child Through Politics, Education, and Creativity\". Her writing seeks to be boundary-crossing through age and audience, and is often ruled by children, as she usually finds them more relatable than adults. \"The Boy Who Knew The Mountain\" is Kathy\'s first published effort.

DEIDRE ERIN LOCKHART is a realtively new Christian author.

KATIE LOVETT is a wife and mother living near Cincinnati, Ohio. She writes historical fantasy and the occasional literary fiction piece. In addition to writing, Katie enjoys painting and acting in her local theater group. You can visit her online at www.katie-lovett.com. 

MICHAEL LEVY is a professional optimist, his philosophy of life is one of joyful optimism. He is an international radio host and the author of many inspirational books. Michael's poetry and essays grace many web sites, newspapers, journals and magazines throughout the world. He is a prominent speaker on health and wellness maintenance, stress eradication, wealth creation and development, authentic happiness and inspirational poetry. His inspirational poetry and essays now grace many assorted web sites, journals and magazines throughout the world. He is expert columnist for Positive Health magazine, the leading complimentary health publication in the UK.  http://www.positivehealth.com/ Levy has also been published by the The Royal College of Psychiatry many times over the past three years http://www.google.com/u/rcpsych?q=Michael+Levy&B1=Search. Michael's new book "The Joys of Live Alchemy" is now available at all bookstores. http://www.pointoflife.com/

 

TIFFANY LIGHTLE  is a college student in  western USA.

 

KATIE LOVETT is a wife and mother living near Cincinnati, Ohio. She writes historical fantasy and the occasional literary fiction piece. In addition to writing, Katie enjoys painting and acting in her local theater group. You can visit her online at www.katie-lovett.com.

 

BRIAN LOWRY is a teacher, farmer, and naturalist, writes from Meadow Glen Farm near Leota, IN.  His creative work has appeared in New Southerner, The Tipton Poetry Journal, Farming Magazine, Ruminate Magazine, Avocet, The Herald Sparrow, HGTV’s book Flower Gardening and on WFPL radio’s “HomeGrown”.  He is the 2007 winner of Ruminate Magazine’s Annual Poetry Contest. Brian serves as a Middle School counselor.  His wife, daughter, and he devote much time to their sustainable farm where they grow vegetables, fruits, herbs, perennial flowers, native plants and care for a variety of livestock.

 

JOE LYONS took up writing again when he had to  retire  due to ill   health. He enjoys starting with clean paper then letting the words suddenly  appear.  “It doesn't matter what the subject out comes stories and poems.  It's just like setting the mind free.”

 

GARY MACLEMAN lived in Ireland and worked as a songwriter/musician for 18 years. He's now back in Australia studying Professional writing and editing.

 

RUSS MAIDA writes from Connecticut.

 

CLAUDIA MANNON is 69 years old  and has written poems and some short stories all of her life.  She earned an Associates degree from Ball State College.  Claudia has three children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.  "I have taken several classes on writing, and am just now starting to submit some work for publishing."
 

CARLA MARTIN-WOOD’s new chapbook, Garden of Regret, has just been released from Pudding House Publications, and another chapbook, Redheaded Stepchild, is currently in production with Pudding House. 

A 2008 Pushcart Prize nominee, her poems have appeared in the US and Ireland in Joyful!, Soundzine, Rosebud, The Clapboard House, The Linnet’s Wings, Oak Bend Review, Flutter, The Lyric, ken*again, Mississippi Crow, IBPC: New Poetry Voices, Up the Staircase, Cherry Blossom Review, State Street Review, Aura, Astarte, Elk River Review, and many other journals.

With a 13-year background in theatre, Carla is a strong advocate of spoken word. She has performed her work from The University of the South at Sewanee to Greenwich Village, and at many galleries, colleges, civic organizations and coffeehouses in between. She maintains a virtual open mic at Smoky Joe’s Café on her website at The Well-ReadHead: http://thewellreadhead.googlepages.com

 

M. J. MCCORMACK is an emerging young writer with interests in spiritual writing and social critique.

 

DAVID MCCLEAN  is Welsh but has lived in Sweden since 1987. He lives there in a cottage on a hill with a woman, five selfish cats, and a stupid puppy. He has two full length books out. One, pushing lemmings, at http://www.erbacce-press.com/davidmclean/4527659941 and another, Cadaver's dance, available at Alibris or Amazon.com. There is even a self-published book of poems at Lulu called eating your night - http://www.lulu.com/content/2756039. Details of other chapbooks and round 680 poems in or forthcoming at round 290 places online or print over the last eighteen months are at htpp://mourningabortion.blogspot.com. A new chapbook, La morte vivante, is available from Shadow Archer Press. Another chapbook is free online at http://www.whyvandalism.com/ebook_poems-against-enlightenment08.html. He also features in a special issue of Instant Pussy available as a free download at http://www.lulu.com/content/4389526. Two more chapbooks so far are coming in 2009 from Rain over Bouville and Poptritus Press, he has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

EDWARD MCDERMOTT was born in Toronto and Edward has pursued a professional career  during the day, while taking writing courses, joining writer's groups, and writing at night. When not writing, he spends his time sailing and fencing, and working as a movie extra. Currently, Edward is sailing his sailboat off the Florida Coast. Perhaps in the Bahamas...

MARGARET MCMULLAN has written six novels including In My Mother’s House (Thomas Dunne/St. Martin’s 2003), When I Crossed No-Bob (Houghton Mifflin 2007), Cashay (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2009), and the upcoming Sources of Light (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2010). Other work has appeared in Glamour, the Chicago Tribune, Southern Accents, the Indianapolis Star, TriQuarterly, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Greensboro Review, The Southern California Anthology, Other Voices, Boulevard, Ploughshares, The Pinch, and The Sun among others.

DORA L. MCNEW-CLARKE has published fiction in AlienSkin, Beyond Centauri, and Fictitious Force and a poem, AA Sonnet to Night,@ in The Dark Krypt. She has a Master of Arts in English from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois and a Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota.

JON MCRAE is a writer whose biography we await...

LYN MICHAUD holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry and publishing credits in the Encyclopedia of Global Health,Encyclopedia of Global20Warming and Encyclopdia of Stem Cell Research.She enjoys rollerblading, mountain biking and hiking.

 

DAMIEN MILLER aka David Samuel M. Soltura is a young Christian and Filipino poet of fifteen years of age. He was raised in an English-speaking Christian Filipino family with two of his elder sisters being graduates of courses with English as the major. When they aren't around, his older brother who is gifted in English (surpassing even his sisters who took English-related courses) usually influences him with respect to his verbal and grammatical prowess. David's mother taught him how to read and write, while his father is his greatest religious influence, affecting his style the most.

 

SOMNATH MITRA is a school teacher with a penchant for writing. who lives and works in India.

 

D J MORRIS lives, works, dreams, and writes in Western Massachusetts.

 

MICHAEL NEAL MORRIS  teaches English at Eastfield College, and lives with his wife and children just outside the Dallas area.  Some of his print publications include poems in Borderlands: Texas Poetry Review, Lynx Eye, The Concho River Review, Illya’s Honey, and stories in Dogwood Tales Magazine, The GW Review and Mouth Full of Bullets. My most recent online poetry publications include pieces in Liberty Hill Poetry Review, The Mid-South Review, Chronogram, Contemporary Rhyme, T-Zone, Haruah and Farrago’s Wainscot. Stories have been published online at Glassfire Magazine, Flash-Flooding, Espresso Fiction, Fiction at Work and Sniplits. "I have been nominated once for the Pushcart Prize.I have worked as a secretary, technical writer, janitor, and tutor."

 

CHRISTIAN MOTLEY is one who seeks to understand life by the way that it feels, and the words he uses in his poems help him to make since of it all. He began writing at a young age, and over time has seen his skills grow in a way that has helped him to mark his growth, more than anything else, spiritually as well as intellectually. He aspires to one day collect his work into public work of his own. Christian is a student at the historic Berea College in eastern Kentucky where he studies African and African American Studies and Political Science.

T. MARIE NANTAIS Among several publications that have accepted her poems, stories and articles are: The Antigonish Review, Carleton Arts Review, Abandoned Towers, Captains of Consciousness Journal, Jones Av.,  and PLUMb Magazine. 

KAREN O'LEARY is a wife, mother, nurse, and freelance writer from North Dakota.  Her short stories, articles, and poetry have appeared in various venues including SP Quill, Storyteller, Fine Lines, Sketchbook, Beyond Katrina, The Journal of Christian Nursing, and Art With Words.  She feels blessed to share the gift of words.

CARL PALMER, 2008 nominee for the Pushcart Prize, is the author of Telling Stories, Memory Moments and Family Matters, books of flash fiction and poetry he has performed at open mikes in the Puget Sound region of the Pacific Northwest.  

ALISON PEARCE is an Australian writer and poet. Her stories and poems have been published in a variety of publications and ezines.

 

DON E.PERKINS has worked as a mental hospital attendant, a social welfare worker, and a vocational rehabilitation counselor. He also has designed, built, and marketed miniature furniture. He and his wife of 59 years live in Des Moines, Iowa. They have three adult children and two adult grandchildren. His stories have appeared in the Lutheran Journal, Good Old Days magazine, Long Story Short, Burst, University of Iowa Palette journal, Foliate Oak, Sylvan Echo, and Boston Literary magazine. One of his stories received Honorable Mention in the 2007 Erma Bombeck short story contest.

 

CONNIE VIGIL PLATT  has gone kicking and screaming from writing on cave walls to the electronic age. She has been published in Fate, Range, Dime Novels, Cup of Comfort and Demon Minds to name a few. Her novel “Pair a Dice” can be found at all major book stores.

 

LAURA POPP lives in Nabari City, Japan where she teaches English to some of the best students in the world.  When she is not teaching, she enjoys balancing her real-life Japanese adventures with her equally thrilling writing adventures.  Her work has appeared in Beyond Centauri, Story Station, Stylus, and numerous newspapers.  Her short stories, plays, and novels have won many awards including first place for young adult novel in the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation Inc. contest and three honorable mentions in the world-wide Writers of the Future contest.  Her novel Treasure Traitor has currently advanced to the second stage of the review process in Zumaya Publishing.

 

KAREN ANNIE POWELL was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She takes great pride in her role as a wife (to an author and a builder) and as a Mother of two wonderful and talented teenage children. She boasts an almost 12 year career in Occupational Therapy (in the field of Rehabilitation) and holds degrees both in O.T. and in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She currently resides in Sarasota, Florida. Here, through many (almost) ritualistic exploratory treks into her wild and watery surroundings, Karen has developed a very keen and appreciative eye for beauty, which is simply expressed in her poetry. 

 

REV. KEITH C. POWELL was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia and grew up in Englewood Florida. He is an ordained pastor and founder of Crown of Life  Ministries, an online ministry since 2000.  He won the prestigious  “Joshua Award” for a lifetime of Christian service.  He has also received  the National Businessman of the Year Award “2004” and was chosen as a  councilman for the “President’s Business Advisory Council.”  He is an avid reader. Keith is best known for his inspirational work; including sermon material, prolific commentaries, poetry and songwriting. He is a well loved pastor and husband, and a devoted father of three. 

 

JANNA QUALMAN is a freelance and fiction writer. She lives in the Midwest with her family, where she finds inspiration in the simplicity of everyday life.

 

CALVIN RAITHE is a graduate of the creative writing program at Oswego State University. Still residing in upstate New York, he is hard at work on more poetry, essays and stories, and is finishing work on his first novel. Recently published in SNReview, and with a forthcoming publication at Languageandculture.net.  He welcomes all comments--good or bad

 

SALLY ARANGO RENATA has been published in Best of the Writer's Circle, and The Petigrew Review.In 2007 she received the Horry County ACE grant for non-fiction, and in 2008 she was named Poetry Fellow by the South Carolina Arts Commission. She lives, with two very indulged cats,along the coast of South Carolina.

 

DEBORAH E. RICHARD“I was born and raised in West Virginia, daughter of a loving mother who was a devoted homemaker and wonderful cook (of whom I can fondly say I have learned much of my cooking and baking skills); and of a hard-working father who held down two jobs in the oil fields of WV. I moved to the south as an adult, following my love of the ocean. However, the hills of West Virginia often call me, and I am reminded of special times like cutting down the Christmas tree in the woods with my dad – or the lonesome call of the whippoorwill on a late summer’s eve. My mother and I live in South Carolina. I enjoy writing about various subjects including everyday relationships and the love of nature. Satisfaction is found in many late nights with pen in hand.”
 

"D.T. RICHARDS" is the writing name of a Christian writer currently living in Singapore. Under "D.T. Richards" he writes about the experience (as opposed to the doctrine) of God, for Christians. His own religious experience ranges from Pentecostal to Social Gospel, expressed in a wide variety of cultural contexts. 

 

 "M.J. ROBINSON" is the pen name of  an emerging young writer with interests in spiritual writing and social critique.  

 

 

ALICE SABO has had two flash published by Every Day Fiction and a few essays published by Western North Carolina Woman.

 

ADRIANE ST. CLARE has a PhD in Transpersonal Psychology and is a  psychotherapist specializing in the healing of trauma.  Her short fiction and memoirs have been published in the Lost Coast Anthology, the Alzheimer's Newsletter and the Times-Standard newspaper.  "I have just completed my first novel."

 

ADAM A SANFORD is a student at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. He is a budding amateur writer who has just begun to publish his work.

 

MARILYN SCHNEPP is a published writer, poet and essayist in various magazines and OP/ED Sections of local newspapers and is the ex-Editor of TradeWinds (Senior Citizen Newsletter). "I write to hopefully touch, inspire, or entertain readers with my simple wordsmithing. If I can move the reader to chuckles or tears...I've reached my goal." Contact  by email: schneppm@earthlink.net   

 

JONATHAN SCOTT is the author of two wildly unsuccessful novels. Although his short stories have appeared in several online and print literary journals, he hasn't quit his day job.
 

JULIE ANN SHAPIRO is a freelance writer, novelist, short story author and Pushcart Nominee. Her novel, Jen-Zen and the One Shoe Diaries is published by Synergebooks.com. Published stories and essay have appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune, North County Times, Los Angeles Journal, Pindeldyboz, Sacred Waters/Fire: (Adams Media 2005), Story South, Word Riot, Opium Magazine, Insolent Rudder, Cezzane’s Carrots, Edifice Wrecked, Espresso Fiction, Flash Fiction – Coffee Cup Series Issue I & II, Red, Neon Quarterly and many other magazines and internet sites. 

 

TOM SHEEHAN's Epic Cures, short stories from Press 53, won a 2006 IPPY Award. A Collection of Friends, Pocol Press, was nominated for Albrend Memoir Award. He has nine Pushcart and two Million Writer nominations, and one Dzanc Best of the Web. He has a Silver Rose Award from American Renaissance for the Twenty-first Century (ART) and the Georges Simenon Award for Excellence in Fiction. Coming from Press 53 this year is Brief Cases, Short Spans, a short story collection, and at Pocol Press is From the Quickening, more short stories. 

 

He served in 31st Infantry Regiment, Korea, 1951. He attended Saugus High School, Marianapolis Prep School and graduated from Boston College in 1956. He was a quarterback on three undefeated teams.Periodically he meets his pals for a lunch/gab sessionand he can hardly wait to see them . They're called the ROMEOs, Retired Old Men Eating Out, 92/80/79/78. They've co-edited two books on their hometown of Saugus, MA, sold 3500 to date of 4500 printed . His pals will each have one martini, he'll three beers, and the waitress will shine on them.   

 

MATTHEW SHOLLER is a part-time actor and poet, a one-time Peace Corps volunteer (Bolivia) and a full-time lover of all things Latin American. He recently concluded a torrid six-year affair with New York City, where he lived in three of its five boroughs. He earned a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of Michigan and a graduate degree from MIT. He currently resides in his hometown of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

 

LAURA SHOVAN is an Artist-in-Education for the Maryland State Arts Council, conducting poetry workshops for children. Recently, she was one of six poets invited to lead school workshops for the Maryland Humanities Council’s “Totally Ekphrastic: Picturing America through Poetry” program. Laura also teaches adults. She is an instructor for Baltimore CityLit’s “Write Here, Write Now” program. She is working on children’s novel in verse. Laura’s author website is www.laurashovan.com.

 

BOBBI SINHA-MOREY  am a reviewer for the online magazine Specusphere and a poet. My poetry can be seen in places such as Autumn Leaves, Orbis, Poetry Cemetery, The Houston Literary Review, Pirene's Fountain, and Poet's Espresso, among others. Plus my latest books of poetry, The Quiet Scent Of Jasmine and Stillness In The Garden Of Light, are both available at ebooksonthe.net.

 

JOSEPH S. SPENCE, SR.  is the co-author of two poetry books, A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose and Thoughts for the Mind, Body and Soul, and Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul.  He invented the Epulaeryu poetry form, which focuses on succulent cuisines and drinks.  He is published in various forums, including the World Haiku Association; Sound of Poetry Review; Autumn Leaves Journal;  Milwaukee Area Technical College, Phoenix Magazine; and Taj Mahal Review.  Joseph is a Goodwill Ambassador for the state of Arkansas , USA , and is an adjunct faculty at Milwaukee Area Technical College . He has completed over twenty years of service with the U.S. Army.  He is a recipient of the 2006 Poetry Ambassador Medal from The International Library of Poetry.  

 

MATTEO SPINETTI was born in Italy, Tuscany, Viareggio where, in July of 1999 he wrote his first poem "Thought",  and won several prozes. He collaborates with different publishing houses in Rome, Turin, Milan, and Florence  publishing poetic anthologies  of various authors and personal anthologies, inclusive also one "Mini antologia poetica" introduced to the Palazzo Congressi of Rome; in November 2004 he begins with the first book "Echi di pazzia” receiving the 10° place to the XXVIII edition of the Trofeo Medusa Aurea from the International academy of Modern art in Rome; in December 2005 he published the second double book of poetry and prose "I petali del cuore & Voci del silenzio" finding a strong appreciation from the public; in August 2008 he publishes the third book of poetry and prose "Nudità Mentale", containing "Gli occhi della poesia" that it receives the 2nd place to the III edition of the prize "Mascot" section "Giovani Versilia" The poet has a personal blog here: http://matteospinetti.splinder.com/ 

 

RAY SUCCRE lives on the southern Oregon coast with his wife and baby son. He has been published in Aesthetica, The Shine Journal,Blaze VOX, and Pank and numerous others nationally and internationally. He has been nominated for a Pushcart Priz and his novel Taterdemalion (Cauliay) was recently released in print . Ray tries hard.

 

JACK SWENSON is a teacher and scribbler who lives in sunny California.  He hasn’t written his million words yet, but he is close.  He writes flash and micro fiction.  He has long admired the beauty and power of miniature fiction.

 

 

 

GERRY TANCREDA resides in NJ with her life long companion and her two wonderful dogs. Her love for writing began at an early age.  Her friends would always tell her that with the imagination she has, she would be a great writer.  Gerry chose to write poetry because she could write that from her heart, not her imagination.  All of her poems are prompted by special events in her life. When she is not writing, she is caring for her two dogs, reading or playing computer games. But that is a secret. Her favorite saying is you can either live in fear or live in faith. Choose faith.

 

MARILYN TERWILLEGER lives in the Rocky Mountains.  "I love reading and writing poetry, gardening and playing the piano. I also have a web page...cheyenne-twig.angelfire.com. "

 

LEAH THIESSEN is looking forward to furthering a career as a writer at the University of Iowa this fall and expanding the limited experiences she's had growing up in suburbia.

 

MATT THOMAS received his MA in English from Syracuse University in 2005.  Since then he has published articles and stories in The Village Voice, The Dublin Quarterly, The Literary House Review, The Journal of American Culture and many others.  He lives in New York City, where he is currently working on his first novel.  You can read his works and thoughts on www.thevillagetotheleft.com.
 

PAMELA TYREE GRIFFIN, a widely published writer ,edits and publishes  joyful! and The Shine Journal. She is married with some kids and pets. She gets supreme satisfaction from nurturing and publishing creatives from around the world.

 

JOANNE UPPENDAHL lives with her husband next to a forest,protected wetland and a lake. She draws most of her inspiration from nature. Some of her poems reflect her grief from loss of her son many years ago, and the hope of seeing him again. Her daughter is a math teacher, and her grandchild is an aspiring writer/artist.

 

 

 

BERT VAN ESSEN is a pastor but no longer serves a church; he served full time for 30 years. He has three children, and lives in a small town in central South Dakota. He works part time for the city. Bert is a Civil War Reenactor.

 

PHILIP VAN WULVEN was born in Africa, and has lived in several countries in Southern and Central Africa. "I came to Canada a while back. The most important parts of my life are my three children and two grandchildren. My cat disagrees, but does so politely."

 

JOANNE UPPENDAHL lives in Washington State, with her husband. She's a proud mother and grandmother, enjoys traveling and nature.

 

RACHEL UNKOVIC recently completed her masters thesis in Conflict Transformation, and have lived in northern Uganda. "Completed my Bachelor of Arts in English -- May 2004 from Trinity College: Hartford, CT and was a research associate for World Learning: Washington, DC; and Kitgum Town Council, Uganda.  I have a passion for new music."

 

SUSAN VERROCHI lives in Bethel, CT with her husband, two children and two dogs. "Born a Lutheran, which I think I'll always consider myself on some level, I now attend an Episcopal church. I've recently begun writing again after years away from the craft."

 

ROBERT VILLANUEVA is an award-winning Kentucky author. His poems, short stories and essays have appeared in numerous publications. They include The Binnacle, Cantaraville, ShatterColors Literary Review, Trillium Literary Journal, Contemporary Rhyme, Flutter Poetry Journal and The Summerset Review.

 

AJAY VISHWANATHAN Having published in over forty literary journals, including elimae, Haggard and Halloo, and Boston Literary Magazine, Ajay Vishwanathan finds release in writing. He works with bugs that he cannot see, on experiments that might find a cure one day. He lives in Georgia with his lovely wife and lovable twins. So, he is a grateful man doing things he loves doing, surrounded by people he adores.

 

 

 

STEVEN WALL  grew up on a farm, an hour outside of rainy Vancouver, British Columbia.  Married to his lovely wife Kylie for three years, he lives in an old house on the family farm.  They have four cats and a gregarious dog, Marley. "I have always enjoyed drawing, and started drawing comics at a very young age.  I did not have any of my material published though, until I was in college.  My work has appeared in a couple of small publications and an art show." Publishing credits also include his local newspaper.

KEITH WALLIS is an English poet who uses his discipline as an engineering designer to give his work definition.  He's been around the poetry scene since the 1980s and has had work in many small press magazines.

 

CHRISTIAN WARD is a London based poet in his twenties. He's currently moonlighting as a freelance journalist. His chapbook, Bone Transmissions, is scheduled to be released March 2009 courtesy of Maverick Duck Press.

 

HELEN WARNER lives in South Carolina and writes about the colourful people, places and life in the south. She has written the lyrics to a soon to be released cd, \"Rift\", by British composer and expiramental musician, Peter Ashby.

 

JAMES ERIC WATKINS was first accepted for publication in late 2002 and has been publishing (on e-zines and in print) and performing his poetry and poetic speeches (at Southern Indiana libraries, colleges, and universities) since 2003. James is also the editor and publisher of Flowers & Vortexes, Creative Magazine and the site Promise of Light where there are many opportunities to publish one’s work: www.promiseoflight.com  

 

REBEKAH WEBB: I am a freelance writer and childcare worker who lives in California.

 

NANCY WELSH, ssj is a Sister of St. Joseph.  " I have been an elementary school teacher and later on, pastoral assistant engaged in parish work.  As one of  four sisters who founded "Hope House" offering programs for women and children in need, this was part of my ministry also.  Currently, I am working on developing my skills as an aspiring writer." 

 

JOANNA M. WESTON has had poetry, reviews, and short stories published in anthologies and journals for twenty years. Has two middle-readers published, "The Willow-Tree Girl" ˜Those Blue Shoes', and poetry, ˜A Summer Father", published by Frontenac House of Calgary.

 

CYNTHIA WHITEFORD is a litigation paralegal in an Intellectual Property law firm. "On any given day, you can find me writing, reviewing and editing pleadings with ruthless abandon, or performing extensive research on manufacturers, patents, and trademarks.I willingly talk of my battle with late-stage uterine cancer and have put my writing and research skills to work on a book to raise awareness of this little-known deadly disease." Cynthia lives in Maryland with her husband and two cats.  

 

CHERYL WILLIAMS is happily married with 3 children. She's been writing since the age of 15. Published in various magazines and journals, she has completed her first novel. 

 

TIMOTHY W. WILLIAMS has written poetry since 12th grade and has published two cinquains in Shadow Poetry magazine. He graduated with a BA in English Literature.  He spent four years in the Peace Corps and has a Master in Public Health from The Johns Hopkins University. 

 

JENNA LEIGH WINSHIP:  I love doing photography because it is a way for me to capture a glimpse of God's amazing beauty and creativity!

 

SHELLY WISEBERG is a published author of four books in poetry, written from her own personal viewpoints on a variety of subjects. Shelly’s poetry "explores the heart and soul on the path of healing oneself spiritually and looking inward for the answers through listening to one's inner voice and using intuition as your guide."She lives in Montreal Quebec, Canada with her husband Tom and their two cats. Her email address is spiritpath22@hotmail.com  

 

JOHN WOLLITZ is a writer and bird watching expert. Visit him here: Bird Feeders Store, a member of the Backyard Birdfeeders network.  

 

CHRISTOPHER WOODS  is a writer/photogapher who lives in Houston and in Chappell Hill, Texas.
 

THOMAS H. WOODWORTH (“Call me Tom.”) grew up in Southern California, but has lived in the Midwest since high school, and now lives in his mom’s hometown, Chicago. He has been writing, on and off, his whole life, and a current creative outlet is Parable, the drama ministry at First Evangelical Free Church, in which he has participated for 11 years. Tom’s mom, Alice Woodworth, the subject of “What Mom Did For Me,” went to be with God  after a long illness. Tom is between jobs as a Demand Analyst (inventory management) and would appreciate a prayer, if you’ve time. tomw-mail@sbcglobal.net 

 

VERA  J. WU is a single mother of two beautiful, wonderful girls.  "Poetry has been a long-time love of mine since high school.  It lay dormant for many years before a life-changing experience two years ago resurrected a passion within me to write again.  Writing has become my lifeline again, connecting the past to the present.  By faith, I offer God the buried coin that lay deep beneath the earth for so many years."

 

PHILIP VAN WULVEN was born in Africa,and has lived in several countries in Southern and Central Africa. He came to Canada a while back. "The most important parts of my life are my three children and two grandchildren. My cat disagrees, but does so politely."

 

MALERIE YOLEN-COLEN is a freelance travel and profile writer for Newsday,Northeast Boating, Westchester Magazine and dozens of other publications.

 

CHANGMING YUAN grew up in a remote village and authored three books before moving to Canada. Currently Yuan teaches writing in Vancouver and has had poetry appearing in Literary Review of Canada, London Magazine, Poetry Salzburg Review, Sentence, Taj Mahal Review and nearly 100 other literary journals.

CATHERINE ZICKGRAF is indebted to myspace for helping her find her long-lost son whom she placed for adoption two decades ago—thus you can find her blog there: myspace.com/czickgraf

FREDRICK ZYDEK is from the midwest and taught creative writing and theology for many years at UNO and College of St. Mary.  He has over 800 publishing credits and has published eight collections of poetry. The third, Ending The Fast , included a quartet of poems which won the Sarah Foley O'Loughlen Award.  His work has appeared in The Antioch Review, Poetry Northwest, Prairie Schooner, Yankee and others. His chapbook Hooked on Fish will be released from the The Holmes House chapbook series soon and  Winthrop Press is scheduled to publish his T'KOPECHUK: The Buckley Poems. In addition to writing,he fishes and raises soybeans and corn on his small farm.