I’m Dr. Narissa MacLennan-Matthews, a criminologist by profession, a mother by heart, and a storyteller by passion. Writing under the name Isles Matthews, I bring together my professional background in criminology, my experiences as a mother, and my love of imagination to create stories that celebrate kindness, individuality, emotional growth, and the importance of understanding one another.

Ms. Bohart came to the writing field after thirty-five years as a nonprofit executive, where she raised millions of dollars for multiple causes by writing fundraising letters, grants, brochures, annual reports, and more. She retired in 2018 to launch her own freelance writing company, Lil Dog Communications, and has written for nonprofits and individuals all over the world.

I am a founding/member and former senior features editor of the Washington Independent Review of Books (WIRoB), which began when the Washington Post ceased publishing Book World. I interviewed authors and wrote regular articles about writing for WIRoB. I designed a writing program for high school students while teaching in a Saturday program.

Luis Culver is an army veteran, author, and leadership advocate with more than twenty years of military and federal service, including roles with the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.

“I write to ignite sparks in every quadrant of the reader’s brain.” Writer and avid reader of character-driven, coming-of-age contemporary realistic fiction with elements of humor and satire. A Midwesterner through and through. Die-hard fan of Elvis, America’s open road, and Shakespeare’s lunatic, lover, and poet.

Tiffany Nieslanik is a writer in Denver, CO. She spends most of her days herding cats, children, and words on the page (not necessarily in that order.) Her debut novel, Home Planet, follows astronaut Bryn, who discovers she’s pregnant three days before launching on a solo mission to find humanity’s last hope, on a journey that will test everything she thought she knew about identity, motherhood, and what’s worth fighting for.

Susan Souza is a writer, author, singer, musician, and overall creative person who believes in the power of storytelling and artistic expression. Through books, music, and creative projects, Susan shares experiences, reflections, and inspiration with others. Her work is rooted in the belief that building connections through truth and creativity creates opportunities for healing, meaning, and a supportive community. Susan hopes to inspire individuals to embrace their own unique journeys and find beauty in life’s moments.

Katharine English grew up in the Midwest, where she developed a lifelong fascination with the hidden lives of ordinary people. Whether writing about the quiet corners of rural Kansas or the shifting silhouettes of New York City, she is drawn to stories about unconventional beauty and finding symmetry in the unexpected.

A nerd. Every sci-fi or fantasy movie or novel gains my attention. Warhammer, Risk, Stratego, love it all. I am an avid historian with memberships in numerous clubs. But the greatest accomplishments in my life are being a father and a grandfather ... or Oppa, as my grands call me. Being an author is nice; being a father is spectacular!

I was a chimney sweep—a service technician for forty years. I had a business with two locations and a hearth store when I retired. Chimney sweeps are the multi-tools of the trades. We need to have professional experience ranging from masonry and framing to electronics and physics. The trade is different from other trades in that there is a real feeling of camaraderie internationally.