Meet the Writers

Sandra Aylward is a sociologist and former professor of women’s studies. She developed and implemented an innovative program for substance-involved women and their young children. Since retiring she has been writing creative nonfiction essays based on her personal journey and health care experiences. Her work has been published in a Canadian Magazine and national newspaper. She currently lives in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Carolyn Batzlaff was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and currently lives in Huntley, Illinois. Carolyn has a passion for postcard collecting, handicrafts and writing. Carolyn’s style of writing is typically fiction based but she is always learning and experimenting with new areas of her creativity. When not "creating" her next piece, she enjoys spending time with her family and building fun relationships with others.

Claire Beck received a B.A. in English from Beloit College in 1989 and a Masters in Human Resource Management from Keller Graduate School of Management in 2004. She is currently an instructional designer and manager for a Fortune 100 company. In her management role, Claire edits the work of others and still participates in creative projects, and is looking for more independent creative outlets away from work. Visit her blog, Words on Toast.

Danita Berg has published creative works in journals such as Redivider, Southern Women's Review, and Florida English, among others. She holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Goddard College and a Ph.D. in English from the University of South Florida. Recently she joined the English department as an Assistant Professor of Writing at Oklahoma City University, where she teaches creative writing and composition.

Jennifer Bouchard is a high school English teacher. She received her B.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts and a M.Ed. in English from Framingham State College. She recently earned an M.F.A. in Professional Writing at Western Connecticut State University. She writes fiction as well as articles on travel, gardening and education. Her work has appeared on EBSCOhost.com and in The Christian Science Monitor. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and daughter.

Lois Jean Bousquet writes personal essays, memoirs and nonfiction. Her work has appeared in national and northwest publications, including the Oregon Writers Colony Anthology. She teaches life story writing to seniors, judges writing competitions, and is a member of Oregon Writers Colony and Willamette Writers. Lois Jean and her husband, Dennis, live in Albany, Oregon, with a spoiled Persian, The Divine Ms. Millie.

Elynne Chaplik-Aleskow, Founding General Manager of WYCC-TV/PBS and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Wright College in Chicago, is an author, public speaker, adult storyteller and award-winning educator and broadcaster.  Her nonfiction stories and essays have been published in numerous anthologies and magazines including the international Jerusalem Post Magazine. Elynne is married to her best friend Richard Noel Aleskow. Visit  http://LookAroundMe.blogspot.com

Sharon L. Cohen spent 25 years as a communication consultant, writing, editing and producing marketing and PR materials for corporate and nonprofit organizations. She then made the transition into the virtual world, writing website copy, blogs and e-books for online organizations. She authored books about starting successful online businesses with Amazon.com and Yahoo!; and 199 Internet-Based Businesses You Can Start with Less than One Thousand Dollars about establishing a lucrative niche service or product online. Her website http://online-business-guide.com, Cohen provides a wealth of information on Internet business topics. She lives in Newtown, Connecticut, with the joys of her life: Her husband and two sons.

Catharine Cooper has been writing since she can remember - journals, stories, poems, essays - some published, others waiting for their moment. Her subjects range from environmental, educational and political through travel, and she writes a bi-weekly column for a community newspaper. In the works - a memoir titled, Sandwiched between Two Crooks. For Catharine, every day is a mystery. Every day is a gift. Websites: www.catharinecooper.com, www.cooperdesign.net

Tracey Cramer-Kelly’s first novel, Last Chance Rescue, was a finalist in the 2009 Indie Awards. Her writing draws extensively from her experience as an Army Reserve paramedic and helicopter pilot. When not managing the family business, Leader Motorcycle Accessories, she enjoys taiko drumming, motorcycling and outdoor activities with her husband and two young children. Her writing and blog can be found at www.LastChanceRescueBook.com.

T.L. Davidson is a recovering corporate banker living in Toronto who's thrilled to put pen to paper after years of daydreaming in boardrooms. Her work can be found in a variety of print anthologies. When not writing short fiction, she's busy penning her first novel.

Mary Emerick has been a wildland firefighter, wilderness kayak ranger, tree planter, forest ranger and naturalist. Her writing has appeared in The International Journal of Wilderness, Chicken Soup for the Nature Lovers Soul, Wildland Firefighter, and other anthologies and online publications. For now she lives in the Wallowa Mountains of Eastern Oregon, where she works for the Forest Service. Her blog can be found at www.mountainsskin.blogspot.com.

Denise Falcone is the author of a memoir, Void of Moon, The Emotional Journey Through Marital Separation. Her work has appeared in Blood Orange Review, Fresh!, Foundling Review, South Jersey Underground, J Journal, Why Vandalism? and others.

Victoria Fedden graduated with an M.F.A. in Poetry from Florida Atlantic University in August 2009. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and teaches at Palm Beach State College. Her writing has appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul and Revelry as well as several other publications. She is currently working on a memoir about her eclectic upbringing.

Naomi Fujimoto is senior editor at BeadStyle magazine and the author of Cool Jewels: Beading Projects for Teens. She loves writing about Aha! moments in relationships, and her essays have appeared in Alimentum, East West, and Tennis View. Naomi also enjoys blogging about the antics of her border collie, Papaya. Visit her at www.cooljewelsnaomi.blogspot.com.

Kirstin Genthner has an M.F.A. in Professional Writing from Western Connecticut State University. Her work has been published in Miranda Literary Magazine and Michigan in Touch. She lives in Michigan where she writes, teaches, and — most importantly — loves her children. Kirstin dedicates this essay to her mother, Laura Greiner, without whom she would be a graceless, selfish brat — or, more truthfully, not alive at all.

Lori Hicks is a realtor by trade, as well as a freelance writer, Arizona activist and businesswoman. She has written a collection of short stories and essays, recently completed her first novel and screenplay, and is currently working on her second novel. Lori is a proud member of the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers and The Arizona Authors Association. Undaunted by any subject, Lori has a sense of social responsibility and devotion to community that is expressed in her writing. Born in New Mexico, she moved to Phoenix almost 30 years ago, where she lives with her partner of 27 years. Lori can be found on the Internet at www.LoriHicks.com

Toke Hoppenbrouwers, Ph.D. is a Pediatric faculty at the University of Southern California. In the 1960s she began her studies of Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. She has written numerous scientific articles and a book entitled SIDS. Her novel, Autumn Sea, received a Small Press Award. During the past years, she has traveled to Indonesia to study SIDS and infant birth and death rituals. Visit her website http://toke.hoppenbrouwers.net.

Rosann Levy, mother of four, grandmother of nine, lives in Norwalk Connecticut, with her husband of 50 years. She’s had appearances on Fox 5’s, Good Day New York, The Morning Show With Mike & Juliet, CNN, CNBC, WOR Radio and numerous citations in major New York City and National publications.  She is an award winning author and was honored by the Connecticut Press Club for her memoir, It’s Never Too Late To Dance.  Her son is a seven and a half year cancer survivor.

Kristen Lodge grew up in Rye, New Hampshire, and received a B.A. in English at the University of New Hampshire. Kristen writes poetry and creative nonfiction about life in Colorado. She won runner up in the annual Grand County Library contest: “Write about a book that made a difference in your life.” She wrote about Wallace Stegner’s book, Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs. Kristen now lives in Granby, Colorado.

Michelle Mach is a freelance writer and jewelry designer in Colorado. Her love of variety has led her to publish a bit of everything, including essays, short stories, poetry, and how-to articles. A former academic librarian, newsletter editor, and website designer, Michelle anticipates many more “press pause” moments in her life. To view samples of her work and read her blog, visit www.michellemach.com.

Mary Myers is proud to be a fully self-supporting artist. She penned a column in a local newspaper for several years. She writes poetry, collects old postcards, and tends to her small corner of the Sonoran Desert in both physical and metaphysical ways. Her website is www.marymyers.info.

Diana M. Raab, MFA, RN is a memoirist, essayist and poet and award-winning author of seven books. She teaches in UCLA Extension Writers’ Program and lectures around the country. She has two memoirs, Healing With Words: A Writer’s Cancer Journey and Regina’s Closet: Finding My Grandmother’s Secret Journal and three poetry collections. She’s the recipient of the Benjamin Franklin Book award for best health and wellness book, Getting Pregnant and Staying Pregnant: Overcoming Infertility and High Risk Pregnancy (1989). In 2009, in collaboration with Errol Norwitz, MD, the book was updated and released under the title, Your High Risk Pregnancy: A Practical and Supportive Guide. She’s editor of the anthology, Writers and Their Notebooks (2010).For more information, visit her website: http://www.dianaraab.com.

Rachel Reed currently lives as a volunteer in Honduras, Central America. She grew up in Zimbabwe, Africa, and enjoys writing about situations, people and life that she encounters in her cross-cultural experiences. She is a graduate of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a Bachelors degree in International Development Studies.

Ali Shapiro is a certified Health Counselor and honors graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition/Columbia University’s Teachers College and currently a Masters candidate at the University of Pennsylvania. Ali completed her undergraduate degree at Penn State University, where she was a Schreyer Honors College scholar. Ali works to reboot the lives of individuals and groups through the power of healthy living. She has been featured on the NBC 10 Show, the Wall Street Journal, Philadelphia Women's Journal and Daily Candy. For more info, visit www.alishapiro.com.

Irene Sherlock is associate director of publications and design at Western Connecticut State University and managing editor of the Alumni News. She also teaches undergraduate and graduate writing classes at the university. She holds an M.A. in English from WCSU, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Goddard College and an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University. Her poems, essays and short stories have been published in numerous other publications and anthologies and her essays have aired on WSHU National Public Radio. For the last four years, she has been poetry adjudicator for the City of Danbury’s Cultural Commission, which awards prizes to the area’s best high school student poets. In 2008 and 2009, she was writer-in-residence at the Adirondack Mountain Writers' Retreat. Sherlock also is a freelance book editor and writing coach.

Cherie Tiffany is nearing completion of her first memoir detailing her life and journey in raising her son with Asperger's Syndrome and Psychosis. This is her first published essay, an excerpt from the memoir, Aliber House/Austin T's Journey with Asperger's Syndrome. Cherie and Austin reside in Des Moines, Iowa, where they play never-ending games of Pokemon, hugs are freely given, and they both watch the Wii Fit in the corner collecting dust. Contact Cherie at cherie.tiffany@yahoo.com.

Samantha Villenave is a freelance writer, oil painter, travel addict, foodie http://delicedujour.wordpress.com/, and grumpy wife. She was born in Anchorage, Alaska, and has spent her 30-something years in wanderlust, cultures and diverse volunteer work in several countries across Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. She now lives as an expatriate with her French husband and French dog in rural northern Provence, specifically l'Ardèche.

Stefanie Wass lives in Hudson, Ohio, with her husband and two girls. As a freelancer, her essays have been published in The Los Angeles Times, Seattle Times, Christian Science Monitor, The Writer Magazine, Akron Beacon Journal, Akron Life and Leisure, Cleveland Magazine, Cup of Comfort, and numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies. Visit her website: www.stefaniewass.com.

April M. Williams is a nationally recognized speaker, author and coach passionate about helping others be successful to achieve their goals in life. She has been featured in major publications including the Wall Street Journal. April’s book Social Networking Throughout Your Career is available at Amazon.com. Visit http://www.cyberlifetutors.com for more information about career and networking expertise to find your more authentic life.

Carrie Wittenstein is an award-winning copywriter and creative director. Since 2007, she has been fueling her creativity with passion and purpose through Wouldn’t It B Nice? LLC (WIBN)  — the company she founded. WIBN markets a unique line of casual apparel and accessories, as well as workshops, centered on a philosophy of kindness and the power in “b-ing” a possibility for positivity. Carrie lives in Weston, Conn. with her sons, Ben and Jack. Visit her website www.WouldntitBNice.com .

Mary Zelinka lives in the Willamette Valley and is the Advocacy Services Manager at the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence in Corvallis, Oregon. Her writing has appeared in CALYX, Open Spaces, and The Sun. maryz@proaxis.com.

Thelma Zirkelbach is a multi-published author of romance novels. The loss of her husband several years ago propelled her from the romance genre to creative nonfiction. She has written personal essays and is currently completing a memoir, Stumbling Through the Dark. Mondays through Fridays she works as a speech-language pathologist. She lives in Houston, Texas. She is the mother of three, grandmother of two and slave of two demanding cats.

Ann Zuccardy has been a writer ever since she can remember. In the past 26 years, she’s worked as a technical writer, teacher, food writer, copywriter, business owner and corporate communicator. By day she writes employee newsletters for an insurance company. By night, she works on her memoir and other works of creative non-fiction. Ann lives in Vermont with her husband, teenage daughter and assorted critters.