Author Interviews

Deborah Harkin holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California. Dr. Harkin has worked and studied with William Peters, a leader in the field of end-of-life studies, founder of the Shared Crossing Project, and author of AT HEAVEN’S DOOR: What Shared Journeys to the Afterlife Teach about Dying Well and Living Better.

I was born and raised on a cattle ranch in southern Colorado. Although I have made my home in the Pacific Northwest for many years, the unique history of the American Southwest fascinates me and have written several novels on the subject.

Robert was born in Hollywood, California, and moved with his parents and sister to Utah when he was six. He grew up in the Orem-Provo area. He attended BYU, where he studied science, mathematics, and education. He also studied medical transcription and office management.

Rey De La Garza is a writer and spiritual advisor. Her debut novel The Oracle: Foundation was a love letter to her inner child. After being a daughter, friend, employee, wife, and mother she has embarked on a journey to release fulfilling roles and performances in other’s lives and learning how to live for herself. She is building a life she wants and enjoys. Sometimes it is unclear what that looks like or where it will take her, but she knows writing inspiring stories is a staple on this journey.

I have been writing romance for over 18 years and published over 100 titles. In 2019, I moved all pen names (Cara, September, and Echo North) to one website. I write in a variety of subgenres, I am a USMC veteran, and work in higher education as my day job. I host affordable writing workshops once or twice a year, attend conventions and signings as available, and enjoy collaborative projects.

Cynthia Dawn Griffin is passionate about learning. Her favorite way of doing that is through reading and writing. She’s done a lot of different kinds of writing over the years, but her favorite has been working on her EthiaVerse stories.

Kristin Helms is the author of Grace + Oak: Inspiration in Poetry and Photographs from Dover Publications (2020), and From Boardroom to Baby from Career Press/RedWheel Weiser (2018).

Audrey Wilson is an award-winning writer of both screenplays and fiction, as well as an Emmy-nominated producer. Audrey’s first novel, Wrong Girl Gone, was published by Dreaming Big Publications in 2021, and her next novel, Only Human, will be released on February 1, 2024, from Flashpoint Publications. A Chicago native, Audrey has also spoken professionally at numerous writing events in and around the area, including the Independent Writers of Chicago, the Southwest Michigan Writers Conference, and in 2024 she is honored to be speaking at the Let’s Just Write! Chicago Writers Conference. As a professional screenwriter, Audrey is represented by Aligned Talent Group.

Jan Peppler is a public speaker, workshop leader, and writer who earned her PhD in Mythological Studies and Depth Psychology. She has lived in twenty-four homes in twelve different towns and cities, not including the old train stop house she is renovating in Castelvetrano, Sicily. Jan currently resides in the Wood River Valley of Idaho, where her husband was born and raised, along with their two dogs.

Carol Potenza taught biochemistry at New Mexico State University before transitioning to a full-time mystery writer. She loves the combination of strong women sleuths, paranormal and murder, mixed with science or, as she likes to call it—BiocheMystery. She sets all her books in the beautiful state of New Mexico, where she lives with her husband, Leos, and her extremely grumpy chihuahua, Hermès.

Prior to writing Recovering Maurice, which is my first work of fiction, I completed a PhD in Economics at the University of Chicago, and spent many years as a professor of economics at schools including Northwestern University, Duke University, and Australian National University, where I received teaching awards and published numerous articles and book chapters in places including Michigan Law Review, Journal of Health Economics, and Harvard Review of Law and Public Policy on unusual topics including love, suicide, sex, and divorce, among others.

Bailey is a multifaceted creative. She is a mixed media fiber artist, poet, and vocalist. In all her creative endeavors, her goal is to bring peace, harmony, and joy to her audience. She is committed to making the world a better place through her art. She frequently performs her poetry in East Tennessee where her fellow poets have given her the moniker of “Haiku Queen.”

Micheal James Bradley is an award-winning ex-journalist and feature writer (BBC, Birmingham Mail, Mirror Group), and is currently a full-time therapist and occasional audiobook narrator.

E.M. Chapel is a speculative fiction author and teacher. E.M. Chapel is the author of The Weight of Silver. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she can be found practicing martial arts, reading, or spending time on the water—all with a cup of coffee in hand.

Kelsey Bigelow is a spoken word and page poet based in Des Moines. In her work, she molds incredibly specific emotions into something human, digestible, and cathartic. She is the author of Sprig of Lilac (2018), Depression Holders and Secret Keepers (2021), and Far From Broken (coming in 2024). Her work is published in or forthcoming with Central Avenue Publishing, Pile Press, Lyrical Iowa, Backchannels Journal, Spirit Lake Review, and elsewhere.

Keira N. James is a thriller author hailing from Danville, GA. While the U.S. Navy once claimed her dedication, her heart has always belonged to the world of words.

James Aaron Snow is a poet birthed from the womb of the Deep South. He brings an honest historical vantage point of view and writing framed by a educational background in Social Work to create poems unwilling to dismiss the sins of America.

I hope I encourage my readers to follow their dreams—write the book, start the project, travel, learn a new language, do what is on their hearts—you never know where that will take you!

My first short story was published in a national magazine Popular Dogs at age 14. Over the years, I have written and traditionally published in different genres and ventured into stage and screenplay writing with some awards and productions that include That’s The Spirit: A Haunting Comedy (produced stage play), The Great Mudbug War (produced stage and screenplay), Riders of the North Wind (award-winning unproduced screenplay), and The Swamp Dragon (award-winning unproduced screenplay).

Stacy Alderman’s short story, Steel Valley, won the Children of Steel Fiction Award and will be published by Anaphora Literary in 2024. Her other writing has been featured by local newspaper, The Valley Mirror, as well as Rune Magazine, Defuncted Journal, Macro Magazine, Capsule Stories, and several more. She lives near Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and two defiant rescue dogs. If she’s not writing or reading, she’s probably watching hockey or (dreaming about) traveling.