Alina Kramer is an author and cryptid heralding from a marshy corner of New England. When she’s not writing, you can find her working her second job as a professional circus acrobat.
Atmosphere Press is proud to bring readers the Atmosphere Press Presents author interview series. We’re happy to have this archive of excellent interviews and author success stories for you to enjoy. Learn about writers and their books, from book title origin stories to music playlists that relate to their writing to what it was like seeing the cover for the first time.
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Born long ago in Meridian, Mississippi, Gary Ballard has always been too curious about the world. Beginning at the age of eleven, his writing journey has spanned decades, from those initial imitations of role-playing experiences and action movies to self-publishing over fourteen novels and novellas in multiple genres. Since 2007, he’s been writing a cyberpunk science-fiction series called The Bridge Chronicles, which contains six novels, a short story collection, and his latest, a standalone novel in-universe called Hiss Whistle Dead, starring the character of Shel, a GlobalNet Excavator.
Kenneth Bless World, a singer-songwriter and author, is known for his inspirational content on faith, love, and the human spirit. His portfolio includes novels like Bonded and Sixteen Men with One Right, poetry collections such as Kenneth Mind and Poem 101: Love, and music on platforms like Amazon Music and Apple Music. His work explores grace, forgiveness, intimacy, and the convergence of faith and daily life. Born Zashaun Smith on March 27, 2002, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Kenneth Bless World has received over two hundred art and photography awards, with a total value exceeding fifty-thousand dollars. He is married to Selena Desirea Smith and is the father of two stepchildren, as well as the late Maya.
Guy Raspatello, a Philadelphia-based author, specializes in crafting gripping horror stories, alongside sci-fi and thrillers that delve into the dark corners of the human mind. His unique blend of eerie atmosphere and psychological suspense fiction pulls readers deep into the unknown and keeps them engaged long after they've turned the last page.
Sheilah Jane is a Filipina American writer, certified yoga instructor, and engineer by training whose work explores identity, intergenerational memory, and the quiet power of survival. Raised in the Philippines and living in the United States, she writes with a deeply personal lens on diaspora, motherhood, and the search for belonging.
Tyler Bieber is a queer higher education professional based in Portland, OR. He has held roles at Clark College, National University of Natural Medicine, Linfield University School of Nursing, and Oregon School of Massage. He is currently the Assistant Registrar at Willamette University’s Pacific Northwest College of Art. Tyler holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences from The Evergreen State College and an M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Portland.
Shannon Shay writes emotionally-charged fiction that explores what it means to survive, to feel deeply, and to find light in the shadows.
Samantha Guerriero is a former professional wrestler, wife, and mother to a wonderful almost two-year-old son. After her husband, Jeff, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) the realization hit that her son might need something special to always look back on and remember the kind of amazing dad he has. She carefully crafted this children’s story to emphasize all the life lessons a father passes to a son. This book is her love letter to her loving, sweet husband and her feisty little guy.
R.A. Marno is an award-winning film director and writer based in Belfast. His fiction combines literary precision with a dark psychological undercurrent, exploring themes of memory, loss, and the quiet ruptures of ordinary life. What the Fog Conceals is his debut novel. In addition to his work in fiction and film, Marno has contributed to a range of creative and cultural projects across the UK and Ireland.
Melinda Zappone, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor, trauma therapist, educator, and creator of The Toolbox Approach® – a trauma-informed, phase-based healing method designed to meet individuals wherever they are in their journey. With a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and advanced certifications including Level 3 Relational Life Therapy and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level 2 (CCTP-II), Melinda brings a deeply integrative and relational approach to healing.