Kevin Schumaker was educated to be a philosophy professor, became a lawyer, and made a number of good choices and a lot more bad ones. Born in Wisconsin in a new subdivision in the middle of nowhere and far from the city center, Kevin has tried to use words to craft a world from the existential heart of American hopes, dreams, addictions, loves, danger, and lies.
Elias Khalil is a horror-comedy author from Rancho Cucamonga, California, where he lives with his wife and Velcro dog. He earned his bachelor’s degree in International Business from Cal Poly Pomona and a master’s in Leadership from the University of Arizona. He worked in sales and had management roles throughout his career. A lifelong fan of the strange and supernatural, Elias enjoys blending humor with spooky themes to create stories that make readers laugh and shiver at the same time. His debut novel, The Devil Likes It Here, is a quirky, twisted tale that reflects his love for offbeat humor and spooky fun.
Alicia Donovan was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a small rural town called New Bedford, which lies in the northwest part of the state. She is a wife, public servant, entrepreneur, photographer, artist, blogger, and novelist who currently lives near Austin, Texas.
Jeanne Mahoney, a retired therapist, moved to Bellingham at the end of 2021 and found herself looking out at the Twin Sisters. A surviving twin for fifty years this December, she is writing her first book, a memoir about rediscovering herself and the beauty in grief after losing her twin, Lynne.
Peter Gooch is a painter, former art professor, and writer originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, currently living in New Mexico. He is the author of the novels SEREN and LIPS. His short fiction appears in numerous literary magazines. He holds an MFA in painting from Western Michigan University. He resides with his wife, Dr. Sharon Ransom, in the village of Corrales, near Albuquerque.
Since visiting the New Jersey shore as a youth, Mark has loved compelling sea stories and has dreamed about writing them. He graduated from Drew University with a Bachelor of Arts and from Seton Hall University with a Master of Arts. He majored in psychology and accounting and earned NJ teaching certifications in multiple disciplines. He currently works in his business, Hawthorne Accounting Services LLC, as an Enrolled Agent, a federally licensed tax expert, and is a licensed loan officer. In 2014, Mark published his debut novel, More Precious Than Gold.
I am a twenty-seven-year-old aspiring writer living in Bellingham, Washington. I primarily write novels and novellas in various genres. I live with my lovely partner Whitney and our feisty tuxedo cat aptly named Cleopatra. Hobbies include reading, listening to audiobooks and coloring, adventures with friends, travel and cozying up at home with my partner and watching a gripping TV show.
Katie Estes is a high school business teacher in Western New York and a proud Millennial. By day, she teaches Gen Z students, often referencing the glory days of Tamagotchis, Napster, and AIM profiles. By night, she’s a bedtime-story-reading mom to two Gen Alpha kids, alongside her husband, who appreciates when a children’s book can make the adults laugh too.
Keana Aguila Labra (they/she) is a Cebuana-Tagalog Fil-Am poet, writer, and playwright residing on stolen Ohlone Tamyen land, otherwise known as San José / South Bay / Bay Area, California.
After retirement, friends and family urged me to publish some things I’d written that were just sitting idle in my file cabinets, and that led to two books published with Atmosphere Press. Many of the poems included were new, but some had been written years before. Now two more books are available just for children on Blurb Books—a poetry book called What’s in YOUR MIND? and a short story—“Honey Boy and His Fisher Dog!”—based on my late grandson’s “perfect home” on the lake.
Nick Gibbons is a neurodivergent writer and former biomedical scientist with a PhD in pigmentation biochemistry who is ethnically English & Jamaican. He spent years working in protein modelling, structural bioinformatics and molecular dynamics research before turning to creative writing during the 2020 pandemic. His epic fantasy series, The Aufeisia Chronicles, explores identity, transformation, and mythical equines in a richly imagined world.
Silpa Kona is a South Asian children’s book author dedicated to empowering young readers through funny, adventurous stories that celebrate curiosity, courage and representation. With a PhD in engineering and a research background that sharpened her love of asking big questions, Silpa now channels that same curiosity into writing imaginative picture books where every kid can see themselves—especially in spaces like the outdoors, where diverse stories are still growing. She lives in Oregon, spending her days hiking, writing, and dreaming up new stories inspired by nature and adventures with her two children.
Brandon Jones is a lover of all things fiction, spending his free time reading the likes of H.P. Lovecraft. Ignoring books until the age of 15, Brandon used to hate reading. But after a death in the family, he couldn’t stop reading. Now inspired by his departed mother, Brandon is writing daily. After 11 years of struggling with himself, he’s finally done it. Book 1 finished, with 2 and 3 in the works at the same time!
My name is Clara Foxlow, and I’m a writer from the UK with a deep love of folklore, autumn, and cats. The Hollow Season is my debut novel, a young adult story set in the village of Wrenlow, where mystery and memory weave through the lives of its people and six watchful cats.
Robin writes dark, emotionally-charged fiction with razor-sharp edges and tender undercurrents. Her stories dissect love and trauma, survival and control, with characters who don’t just break—they unravel. She’s the voice behind the Four Husbands and a Bottle of Trouble series, where resilience is messy, love is dangerous, and control is always an illusion.
For years, authors have been told, “The gatekeepers are gone, and publishing access is open to all!” Thanks to self-publishing and digital platforms, it’s easier than ever to get your book online. But true publishing access—getting your book into readers’ hands and building a lasting career—is far more complex.
So: You’ve just polished off your manuscript, and you’re buzzing with excitement. Your first instinct? Probably to celebrate (as you should!) and then jump into pre-publication book marketing—because the most successful authors know that marketing their books 6 to 12 months before publication is key to building buzz and momentum.
In an age filled with writing software and digital tools, there’s something timeless—and surprisingly powerful—about notecard novel planning. Mapping your book by hand using physical notecards lets you see your story’s structure in a tactile, flexible way. This low-tech approach frees you from screen distractions and helps you engage more deeply with your plot, characters, and pacing.
When it comes to crafting a compelling story, many novelists can learn a lot from filmmakers. Screenwriting techniques focus on clear structure, precise pacing, and vivid storytelling—all essential elements that can elevate your novel to the next level. By borrowing tools from the world of film, novel writers can create tighter plots, more dynamic scenes, and characters that leap off the page.
Finishing a book is an incredible achievement, yet many writers find themselves grappling with writer’s self-doubt the moment they type “The End.” Instead of feeling proud and accomplished, it’s common to experience uncertainty, disappointment, or even frustration with your work. These conflicting emotions can be confusing and discouraging, but they are a natural part of the creative journey.