Mystery and thriller author CARMEN AMATO is a retired Central Intelligence Agency intelligence officer. She is a recipient of both the National Intelligence Award and the Career Intelligence Medal. Previously head of a U.S. national intelligence tradecraft school, she also headed an intelligence collection program with responsibility across the Western Hemisphere. Carmen draws on her counterdrug and espionage experiences to craft intrigue-filled crime fiction, notably the award-winning Detective Emilia Cruz police series. She holds a BA (cum laude) in history and political science from LeMoyne College and a Masters in International Relations from the University of Virginia, as well as certificates of completion from Institut Catholique in Paris, France, and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. https://carmenamato.net/
KATE ANSLINGER is the author of the McKenna Mystery novels, a series that follows Detective Grace McKenna on her spree of secretly solving crimes with the help of her gift to see clues in the eyes of criminals. In addition to her life as a novelist, Kate is a ghostwriter, journalist, freelance writer, editor, and a veteran of the United States Air Force. http://www.kateanslinger.com
SUE ARROYO is the Founder and Publisher of award-winning CamCat Books, the first imprint of CamCat Publishing. An entrepreneurial visionary propelled by determination, she built CamCat at the intersection of emerging technology and authorial passion with a commitment to quality. She lives with her “ferocious” guard dog Abbie and is tolerated by her grand-cat Gandalf the Grey. https://camcatpub.com/SubmissionGuidelines
DACO AUFFENORDE What is the question asked most when introduced? Is Daco a family name?
When given the opportunity to name his second child, Daco’s father, a physicist who spent every day of his life pondering the Special and General Theories of Relativity, jumped at the chance of formulating her name. From conception to birth, she is both name and formula. Pronounced with a soft “a” and long “o”, the name sounds a little French, but is scientifically based in a physics formula:
The first derivative (D) of acceleration (A) at the speed of light in cm per second (C) is equal to zero (O), where C is same in E = mC2.
Her father had a sense of humor; there is no change in acceleration at the speed of light, the speed of light is the fastest rate of speed we know of, now at least, so that makes Daco the speed of light! Born at the Naval hospital in Bethesda, Maryland and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Daco holds a B.A. and M.A.S. from The University of Alabama in Huntsville and a J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law. She is a member of the International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Alabama Writers’ Forum, and Authors Guild. https://www.authordaco.com/
KIMBERLY BANKS is an International Award Winning author and native of Seattle, Washington. There has always been a fire in her soul for writing and telling stories. Kimberly has attended the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs where she graduated with a Bachelors in communications and digital filmmaking. She has also received an Associates in Forensics and Criminal Investigations. She has also worked as a Private Investigator for the state of Colorado as well as a metaphysical store manager in Seattle, Washington. In her off time, she studies all things strange and weird. She believes that storytelling connects society on a human level. Kimberly enjoys writing stories that allow people to see the world through a different lens. Kimberly currently resides in Savannah, Georgia with her husband, four children, and beagle. Kimberly Banks (kabanks20.wixsite.com)
MARY ADAMS BELK lives in Auburn, Alabama where she teaches Creative Writing for the Auburn University Outreach program. Her newspaper column appears weekly in the Opelika-Auburn News. Her short stories have earned awards in several contests, including the Alabama Writers’ Conclave competition. She taught anthropology at Auburn University for 16 years. Her books Second Cup and A Cup to Go are collections of essays published by Solomon & George Publishers, a small literary press. She recently completed Tide’s End, a southern mystery.
R.G. BELSKY is an award-winning author of crime fiction and a journalist in New York City. His newest mystery, Beyond the Headlines, was published in May by Oceanview. It is the fourth in a series featuring Clare Carlson, the news director for a New York City TV station. The first book, Yesterday’s News, was named Best Mystery of 2018 at Deadly Ink. The second, Below the Fold, won the Foreward INDIES award for Best Mystery of 2019. The third Clare Carlson mystery, The Last Scoop, came out in May 2020. Belsky has published 14 novels—all set in the New York city media world where he has had a long career as a top editor at the New York Post, New York Daily News, Star magazine and NBC News. He also writes thrillers under the name Dana Perry. And he is a contributing editor for The Big Thrill magazine. https://www.rgbelsky.com/
In 1977 CHRIS BERG became the third generation of his family to sign on as a lawman. Serving as a patrol officer, evidence technician (long before CSI was a thing), and vice/intelligence detective it was his posting as an undercover narcotics agent that fit him best. He relished the life of hand to hand undercover drug “buys”, clandestine lab investigations and the requisite counterfeit persona. After retiring due to injury, Chris had a successful second career in corporate America and… it bored him to death. In 2017 he teamed with his real-life Night Police partner Paul James Smith, lighting the fuse for the next big challenge he craved. THE NIGHT POLICE, the first book in THE NIGHT POLICE Series was published in 2020. The next two in the series, THE BLEEDING and TWILIGHT AT WOLFIE’S are currently in development. Chris and his wife Janet now call southwest Florida and Indiana home. Chris keeps up with his passions: baseball, fishing, and all things cooking & BBQ, not necessarily in that order. Find THE NIGHT POLICE Series at https://www.nightpolice.com/
CONNIE BERRY writes the Kate Hamilton Mystery series, set in the UK and featuring an American antiques dealer with a gift for solving crimes. Connie was raised by antiques dealers who instilled in her a passion for history, fine art, and travel. During college, she attended St. Clare’s College, Oxford, where she fell under the spell of the British Isles. Besides reading mysteries and writing them, Connie loves foreign travel, cute animals, and all things British. She lives in Ohio with her husband and adorable dog, Emmie. You can find her at www.connieberry.com
BARON R. BIRTCHER is the bestselling author of the hardboiled Mike Travis series, the award-winning Ty Dawson series, as well as the critically-lauded stand-alone, RAIN DOGS. Baron is a proud recipient of the SILVER FALCHION AWARD, including the 2019 BEST BOOK OF YEAR for FISTFUL OF RAIN. He has also been a finalist for the NERO AWARD, the LEFTY AWARD, the FOREWORD INDIE AWARD, the 2016 BEST BOOK AWARD, the SPOTTED OWL AWARD and the CLAYMORE AWARD. https://www.facebook.com/BaronRBirtcher/
KIM TAYLOR BLAKEMORE writes historical novels that feature fierce and dangerous women. She is the author of the upcoming historical thriller THE DECEPTION (Sep 2022), AFTER ALICE FELL, and THE COMPANION. She is also the author of YA novels BOWERY GIRL and CISSY FUNK, a WILLA Award winner. She is founder of Novelitics, which provides workshops, developmental editing, and community to writers in the US and Canada. She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. www.kimtaylorblakemore.com
ROBERT LEE BREWER is Senior Content Editor of Writer’s Digest magazine, for which he writes the Publishing Insights and Poetic Asides columns. He’s also worked as an editor on the Writer’s Market book series since 2000 and is the author of several print and digital guides for writers. https://www.writersdigest.com/author/robert-lee-brewer
THOMAS A. BURNS JR. is the author of the Natalie McMasters Mysteries. He was born and grew up in New Jersey, attended Xavier High School in Manhattan, earned B.S degrees in Zoology and Microbiology at Michigan State University and a M.S. in Microbiology at North Carolina State University. He currently resides in Wendell, North Carolina. As a kid, Tom started reading mysteries with the Hardy Boys, Ken Holt and Rick Brant, and graduated to the classic stories by authors such as A. Conan Doyle, Dorothy Sayers, John Dickson Carr, Erle Stanley Gardner and Rex Stout, to name a few. Tom has written fiction as a hobby all of his life, starting with Man from U.N.C.L.E. stories in marble-backed copybooks in grade school. He built a career as technical, science and medical writer and editor for nearly thirty years in industry and government. Now that he’s truly on his own as a novelist, he’s excited to publish his own mystery series, as well as to contribute stories about his second most favorite detective to the MX anthology of New Sherlock Holmes Stories. https://www.3mdetectiveagency.com/
DAVID BUSHMAN is an author, publisher, and media professor who was a longtime (27 years!) television curator at The Paley Center for Media. He also spent two years as program director at TV Land. He is co-president/publisher/managing editor at Fayetteville Mafia Press (www.fayettevillemafiapress.com), specializing in true crime and pop culture. His greatest professional achievement was interviewing Alan Moore about the TV show “The Prisoner.” He lives in NYC with his wife, two daughters, and strangely recalcitrant dog, who is named after Agent Dale Cooper from Twin Peaks. His next dog will almost certainly be named Rorschach. He loves the Pogues and thinks “Fairytale of New York” is not only the greatest Christmas song ever written, but very possibly the greatest song ever written. https://authory.com/davidbushman
KRIS CALVIN has been honored for her leadership in advocacy for children by the California Legislature and Governor’s office. Educated at Stanford, UC Berkeley and Palo Alto University in economics and forensics psychology, she served for over 20 years as the CEO of the American Academy of Pediatrics, California, a nonprofit dedicated to the health and well being of children. These days, in addition to writing thrillers and mysteries nearly full-time, Kris teaches and occasionally consults in organizational dynamics, strategic planning and nonpartisan advocacy training. Kris loves mid-century vintage furniture and clothing, and can often be found browsing at thrift shops and yard sales. She’s also an avid sports fan, and (loudly) supports the San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers and the Golden State Warriors. But Kris’s favorite activity is reading. When she was little, she pledged to read all the books in the children’s section at the public library, starting with authors whose last names began with the letter “Z” since those were on the bottom shelf and easiest for her to reach. Though Kris didn’t succeed in that quest, her life-long love of reading took root, and she still typically finishes several fiction books each week. A single mom, Kris and her kids live with black cat Nigel, Bernese Mountain Dog puppy Fox, and two orange tabby kittens (brothers!), Eddy and Ellis, rescued from the streets of San Francisco. AWARDS: Kris Calvin has received Silver Falchion National Literary Awards for Best First Novel, Best Political Thriller and Best Female PI/Sleuth, joining past Silver Falchion awardees that include Sue Grafton, Dean Koontz, John Sanford, Catriona McPherson and Ann Perry. Now in its 14th year, the Silver Falchion award was established by writer, filmmaker and founder of the Killer Nashville writing conference, Clay Stafford, to honor outstanding books from across the world in a variety of genres. https://www.kriscalvin.com/
LEE CLARK is a North Carolina native, originally from Raleigh. Clark attended Campbell University, obtained a degree in Journalism from East Carolina University, and then a Master’s in Technical Communication from North Carolina State University. After working in the software technology industry for over 20 years, creating and building highly technical user information for software developers, Clark decided it was time to pursue a true passion: fictional writing. The Matthew Paine character in Dead Spots is a fictional character, though inspired by two very important men in the author’s life, brother Sean and son Will. Both will see characteristics of themselves in the character and identify with some of Matthew’s struggles. Lee Clark, a self-professed chocoholic and coffeeholic, still resides in North Carolina with spouse, two mostly grown children who are in and out, and a small petting zoo of dogs and cats. https://cypressrivermedia.com/
Zimbabwean born T.M. CLARK combines her passion for storytelling, different cultures and wildlife with her love for the wild in her multicultural books. She lives in Australia, and writes for adults and children. Tina Marie has been nominated for a Queensland Literary award, and is a Children’s Book Council Notable. She coordinators the CYA Conference, providing professional development for writers and illustrators. She loves to mentor emerging writers, eat chocolate biscuits, and collect books to create libraries in Papua New Guinea. http://tmclark.com.au
BRUCE ROBERT COFFIN is the award-winning author of the Detective Byron mystery series. A former detective sergeant with more than twenty-seven years in law enforcement, he supervised all homicide and violent crime investigations for Maine’s largest city. Following the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, Bruce spent four years investigating counter-terrorism cases for the FBI, earning the Director’s Award, the highest award a non-agent can receive. Winner of Killer Nashville’s Silver Falchion Awards for Best Procedural and Best Investigator, and the Maine Literary Award for Best Crime Fiction Novel, Bruce was also a finalist for the Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel. His short fiction appears in several anthologies, including Best American Mystery Stories 2016. Read more about him at http://www.brucerobertcoffin.com.
LESLIE CONNER is a writer of thrillers and mysteries. Her first two novels, Devil’s Charm and The Darkness Within, were published through Wordcrafts Press. Her latest novel, Fairytale Killer, will be released in 2023. She lives in East Tennessee with her possessed cat, Loki. Visit Leslie at her website: https://leslieconner.com/
MICHAEL CORDELL is a novelist, playwright and produced screenwriter. He has sold three screenplays to Hollywood, including Beeper, an action-thriller starring Harvey Keitel and Joey Lauren Adams. Michael transitioned to writing novels in 2020. His first novel, “Contempt”, has received over 4,500 Amazon reviews with an average rating of 4.5 stars. Its sequel is being released in November 2022. Michael has taught screenwriting at the University of Virginia and for other organizations around Virginia. He also provides screenplay critiques. He resides in Charlottesville, Virginia. http://michaeljcordell.com
MATT COST writes the Mainely Mystery and the Clay Wolfe/Port Essex Mystery Series. He’s also written several books of historical fiction. Cost was a history major at Trinity College. He owned a mystery bookstore, a video store, and a gym, before serving a ten-year sentence as a junior high school teacher. In 2014 he was released and began writing. And that’s what he does. He writes histories and mysteries. Cost now lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Harper. There are four grown children: Brittany, Pearson, Miranda, and Ryan. A chocolate Lab and a basset hound round out the mix. He now spends his days at the computer, writing.
https://www.mattcost.net/
RONALD CRITTENDEN American Sci-Fi writer, indentured servant to a rose garden, tea addict, screaming hypochondriac, and fanatic for 20th century military history. Also sometime woodworker, art historian, and frequent traveler with my extraordinary wife. Lousy French speaker who inexplicably resides in France. Want to talk about writing? Argue MacArthur vs Nimitz? Share a treatment for rose black spot? Explain to me why I should take Jeff Koons seriously? Hit me up anytime at the conference. Maybe not in French, though. http://ronaldcrittenden.com
GEORGINA CROSS is the author of ONE NIGHT and NANNY NEEDED (Bantam, Penguin Random House) and the Amazon Bestselling author of THE STEPDAUGHTER, as well as THE MISSING WOMAN and THE GIRL IN YOUR HOUSE (Bookouture, Hachette Publishing). Two more books are set for publication in 2023. Georgina is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and the Founder & President of Susie’s Wish. Married to David, they enjoy weekends with their combined family of four sons. http://www.georgina-cross-author.com/
MARISSA D’ANGELO is an author of fictional novellas of the mystical and spiritual worlds. Her series, Tales of Charles Island, are based on the history of curses at Charles Island. She grew up in Connecticut and was walking distance from the pathway that led directly onto its shores. She lives in Maryland and teaches second grade. She works each day to help her student’s love for writing grow so that it too can provide them with adventure and enjoyment. In high school, she served as the newspaper editor and studied English Literature throughout college. Aside from writing, she helps support the SPCA through volunteer work and raising funds for animals in need. https://www.mystywrites.com/
M.K. DEAN lives on a small farm in North Carolina with her family, as well as the assorted dogs, cats, and various livestock. She likes putting her characters in hot water to see how strong they are. Like tea bags, only sexier. http://mckennadeanromance.com/m-k-dean-cozy-mysteries
JOHN DEDAKIS, novelist, writing coach, and manuscript editor, is a former editor on CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.” DeDakis is the author of five mystery-suspense novels. His fourth novel, Bullet in the Chamber, is the winner of Reviewers Choice, Foreword INDIES, and Feathered Quill book awards. In his most recent novel, Fake, protagonist Lark Chadwick is a White House correspondent dealing with “fake news” in the era of #MeToo. Fake earned Honorable Mention for the Reviewers Choice Award and was a Finalist for Killer Nashville’s Silver Falchion, and for CIBA’s CLUE Award. DeDakis is also the host of the video podcast “One-to-One with John DeDakis” on YouTube. www.johndedakis.com
J.L. DELOZIER’S debut, Type & Cross, was nominated for a “Best First Novel” award by the International Thriller Writers organization; her fourth novel, Con Me Once, won a Silver Falchion Award. Her short fiction has won an Omega Award and appeared in Artemis Journal, The Pittsburgher, Thriller Magazine, Retreats from Oblivion, and the anthologies, Noirville: Tales from the Dark Side and Writers Crushing COVID-19. Her Gothic murder-mystery, The Photo Thief, is coming Fall, 2022 by CamCat Books. Dr. Delozier is a retired Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Penn State with expertise in mass casualty/disaster scenarios and has worked in federal medical shelters during Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, and Gustav. http://jldelozier.com
AMY DENTON I have been a teacher for seventeen years in both history and English. I always find a way to work current literature into my lessons. I have used Agatha Christie’s Death On The Nile with great success as well as the Longmire series by Craig Johnson. I have also used episodes Murder, She Wrote and The Doctor Blake Mysteries as examples of storytelling. I have a master’s degree in History from University of Houston – Clear Lake and a master’s degree in English with a concentration in fiction from Southern New Hampshire University. I am currently the president of the Houston chapter of Sisters in Crime. I have had work published in the online magazine, Kings River Life Online magazine, The Find of the Century. I am currently working on a full length paranormal mystery titled Ink and Ashes. I live in Houston, Texas and have since my family moved here in the early 1980’s because my sister got a scholarship to Rice University. I enjoy reading, watching good mysteries on TV and, of course, writing. I live with two cats, Fuzzy Moto and Sweetness.
SONJA DEWING is an award-winning creative writer and best selling author. Her first adventure novel, Toy of the Gods, was published through a small publisher but she since took the book back and successfully self-published it, as well as her series of books. Read more about her at https://sonjadewing.com.
EVELYN DONAHOE is the director and co-founder of the South Texas Music Walk of Fame, a self-published author of a book about Austin music. I was a staff writer and columnist for regional publications and international music magazines. I’m a part-time business consultant and a 2022 Claymore finalist. As a debut novelist, I am no expert on any of these topics. However, having studied (and been beaten up by editors over) many of these topics, I will humbly share those lessons.
BRENDA DONELAN is a life-long resident of South Dakota. She grew up on a cattle ranch in Stanley County, attended college in Brookings, and worked in Aberdeen as a probation officer and later a college professor. She currently makes her home in Pierre. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, bike riding, traveling, and playing with her two cats, Yeti and Wolfie. https://www.brendadonelan.com/
CHARLIE DONLEA is the critically acclaimed, USA Today, Indiebound and #1 internationally bestselling author of Summit Lake, The Girl Who Was Taken, Don’t Believe It, Some Choose Darkness, The Suicide House, and Twenty Years Later. Published in nearly 30 countries and translated into more than a dozen languages, Donlea has been praised for his “soaring pace, teasing plot twists” (BookPage) and talent for writing an ending that “makes your jaw drop” (The New York Times Book Review). He was born and raised in Chicago, where he continues to live with his wife and two children. Visit him online at CharlieDonlea.com.
Award-winning author KATHLEEN DONNELLY has been a handler for Sherlock Hounds Detection Canines—a Colorado based narcotics K-9 company—since 2005. Enjoying the work and partnership with the dogs, in 2010 Kathleen became part-owner in the company. She loves crafting realism into her fictional stories from her dog handling experience. Along with working dogs, Kathleen loves horses and owns two horses and a bossy, yet adorable pony. Kathleen’s love of the mountains came from growing up in Colorado where her father worked for the U.S. Forest Service. She has a B.A. in Journalism from Colorado State University and formerly wrote for The Berthoud Weekly Surveyor where she won a Colorado Press Award. Kathleen lives in Colorado with her husband and all their four-legged friends. https://kathleendonnelly.com/
PRIYA DORASWAMY’S love for books, people, and background in law makes her career as a literary agent the perfect fit for her passions and talents. Priya enjoys working with publishers and writers from around the world. Although physically in New Jersey, her work hours are zone-free. She does admit to occasionally losing track of time zones and waking a writer with an early morning phone call. Priya is drawn to all genre of fiction and nonfiction. Prior to her agency career, she was a practicing lawyer in New Jersey. Originally from Bangalore, India, Priya immigrated to the New York area many moons ago. For a period of time she relocated with her family to Singapore, and there, began her career as a literary agent. She founded Lotus Lane Literary in May 2013 and continues her journey with writers and publishers. https://lotuslit.com
LINDA PETRILLI DUNCAN is a retired trauma-triage nurse. Served as a Commissioned Officer in the PHS, (medical branch of the Coast Guard.) Has been a firefighter in the mountains of N.M., Red carded with the Forestry Service to fight forest fires, trained as Tactical EMS for SWAT and is a pilot. Writes mysteries with a paranormal twist. Published professionally in nursing. Born in N.Y. and raised in Kentucky. After joining the service never cleaned out her garage because she moved every 5 years. Met my husband in the service when he was my flight instructor. He told everyone he only married me because I never would salute him and he didn’t want to throw me in the brig. Now lives in Colorado with her Newfoundland Ace.
MARY DUTTA traded New England and a career as an English professor for a new job in college admissions in the South. She is a member of Sisters in Crime National, Central Virginia, and Guppy chapters and the Short Mystery Fiction Society. Her work can be found in the anthologies The Fish That Got Away and The Best Laid Plans: 21 Stories of Mystery & Suspense. Follow her on Twitter @Mary_Dutta. https://marydutta.com/
LYNETTE EASON is the best selling, award winning author of over sixty-five books. She writes for Revell and Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Her books have appeared on the CBA, ECPA, Publisher’s Weekly, Parable, and USA Today’s bestseller lists. She has won numerous awards including the Carol Award, Christian Retailing’s Best, the Holt Medallion, the Selah, Killer Nashville’s Reader’s choice award, and more. Her book, Her Stolen Past, made into a Lifetime Movie Network movie, aired in February 2018. Lynette teaches at writing conferences all over the country. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), International Thriller Writers (ITW), and Faith, Hope, and Love. Lynette can be found online at www.lynetteeason.com.
IRIS NICOLE FRANK was born in Ohio, raised in Michigan; studied political science and creative writing at the University of Michigan, graduating with distinction. A mother, artist, author, actress, singer, musician and world traveler. Growing up in the hills of Ohio and waterways of Michigan and Canada, Iris draws on a childhood immersed in nature; paired with years of historical research, to lead her readers back thru the centuries to see from the hearts of the native Americans and early French settlers of Detroit. http://www.irisfrank.com
KATE GABLE loves a mystery that is full of suspense. As an indie author, she has sold 1.5+ million books and over 50k copies of her series Girl Missing. She is also a USA Today Bestselling author of romantic suspense books under a different pen name. Kate Gable lives near Palm Springs, CA with her husband and son. She graduated from Univ. of Southern California with a degree in math, holds an MA in Creative Writing and a PhD in Education. www.kategable.com
JUDITH GAINES is the author of the science thriller Perfect Copy and the Jade Weekes Art Mystery Series. In addition to producing video advertising and corporate marketing creative, she worked with the WUSA’s Carolina Courage and the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes to produce a weekly sports broadcast. At IndieWriterPro.com, she writes about book marketing, blogging, copywriting, and writing techniques. When not writing, Judith teaches workshops on SEO Copywriting, Visual Storytelling, and Social Media Marketing. http://IndieWriterPro.com
DEBRA GASKILL was an award-winning journalist for 20 years, writing for a number of Ohio newspapers and the Associated Press, covering the cops and courts beat. She is the author of the Jubilant Falls series (Barn Burner, 2009, The Major’s Wife 2010, Lethal Little Lies, 2013, Murder on the Lunatic Fringe, 2014 and Death of A High Maintenance Blonde, 2015) and the Fracktown Gumshoe PI series (Call Fitz, 2015, Holy Fitz, 2016, Love Fitz, 2016, Kissing Fitz, 2017, Toxic Fitz, 2018 and Hidden Fitz, 2020. A 7th Fitz novel is due February 2022. Kissing Fitz was the winner in the 2018 Silver Falchion Best Suspense category. www.debragaskillnovels.com.
After performing magic professionally in the Houston area for 20 years, BOB GEBERT moved to Los Angeles, where he is a regular performer at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. A WGA screenwriter now making a transition to writing novels, he also guest-starred on the NBC TV show The Office. He is delighted to share his unique “Development Executive” magic act with his fellow attendees at Killer Nashville as a precursor to headlining Nashville’s House of Cards. See more at https://hollywoodmagicmaker.com/
JAMES GLASS achieved the rank of Command Master Chief before retiring after 22 years in the United States Navy. After retiring from the Navy, he exchanged his rifle for a pen. He and his family moved back to Florida. James is also the President of the Panhandle Writers Group. http://www.jamescglass.com/
Originally from Lakeland, Florida, ASHLEY SARGEANT HAGAN is a long-time resident of Nashville, Tennessee, where she lives with her musician husband and their three children. She loves cats, mysteries, history, and tea, and she is serving as the current president of Sisters in Crime Middle Tennessee. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her involved with Historic Nashville and volunteering for the Land Trust for Tennessee’s Glen Leven Farm. http://www.ashleyshagan.com
MARGARET S. HAMILTON has published over twenty short stories in a variety of on-line magazines and anthologies, including The Best New England Crime Stories 2020. Her debut mystery, Corniced to Death, was a Claymore Award 2021 finalist. https://margaretshamilton.wordpress.com/
PHIL HARDWICK loves a good mystery. Early in his career, he solved real ones as a police officer and state investigator. These days he spends his spare time writing mysteries. He is the author of The Mississippi Mystery Series, a 10-book collection of short novels featuring Jack Boulder, Mississippi’s premier (fictional) private eye, including the latest volume, Letters from Lexington. He is also an award winning columnist for the Mississippi Business Journal. www.philhardwick.com
STEVEN C. HARMS is a professional sports, sponsorship, broadcast, and digital media business executive with a career spanning over thirty years across the NBA, NFL, and MLB. He’s dealt with Fortune 500 companies, major consumer brands, professional athletes, and multi-platform integrated sports partnerships and media advertising campaigns. Steven is an accomplished playwright having written and produced a successful theatrical production which led him to tackle his debut novel, Give Place to Wrath, the first in the Roger Viceroy detective series. The second book, The Counsel of the Cunning, was published in November 2021. A native of Wisconsin, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He now resides in the Milwaukee area. http://stevencharms.com
BRADLEY HARPER is a retired US Army Colonel and pathologist with extensive experience in autopsies and forensic investigation. Along with clinical experience, he had four commands, and is the only non-Italian to ever receive the Knights of Malta award for his support of the Italian Army. A life-long fan of Sherlock Holmes, upon retirement he received his Associates in Creative Writing from Full Sail University, to help him write the book–A Knife in the Fog–that he’d always wanted to read. Each Christmas, he and his wife play Mr. & Mrs. Claus. https://bharperauthor.com/
When he’s asked how long has he been in digital marketing, BOBBY HARRIS responds, “Since Myspace!” Bobby has been in some form of marketing for two decades. He got his start marketing in live music promotions just as the shift from traditional marketing to digital marketing was happening. His professional resume ranges from pastor to concert promoter to agency owner and everything between. Bobby is a problem solver, which he has applied to all areas of his life. Today, he thrives on figuring out how to make his clients as successful as possible in the digital marketing world. Learn more at www.heydigi.marketing
LORI ROBERTS HERBST loves the mountains. The beach is lovely, of course, and big cities are fun to explore. But my soul thrives in the mountains. That’s why, in spite of the fact that I am a Texan, my Rock Creek Village mysteries are set in Colorado. The Rocky Mountains have been a vacation destination for my family since I was a child, and I have often dreamed of living there. Now, through my characters, I can transport myself to the mountains every day. In the real world, I live in a Dallas high rise with my husband of thirty seven years. I am a retired educator, having spent twenty four years as a high school journalism teacher and six years as a professional school counselor. Through these jobs, I have met some amazing people, both colleagues and students, and I am grateful for those years. Now I have the opportunity to embark on a new journey, one I have always wanted to pursue. So far, it’s been challenging, frustrating, exciting, and so rewarding. I look forward to see where it takes me, and I thank you for joining me. https://www.lorirobertsherbst.com/
JEFFREY JAMES HIGGINS is a retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, screenplays, and essays. He has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. He’s a #1 Amazon bestselling author and has won numerous literary awards, including PenCraft’s Best Fiction Book of 2021. Discover his writing at https://JeffreyJamesHiggins.com.
J L HILL is a native New Yorker from the South Bronx, Fort Apache, of the turbulent 60’s. He earned a degree in computer programming, his other love. A multi-genre author, his experiences seasoned his novels and the worlds he imagined. James started RockHill Publishing LLC to publish his own work and give others access to the literary world. The four-part adult urban crime series, The Killer Series, is all but finished. Killer With A Heart, Killer With Three Heads, and Killer With Black Blood have received five-star reviews. Killer With Ice Eyes is in various stages of editing and rewrites. www.rockhillpublishing.com
SHARON HOISAGER’s first novel The Cornmarket Conspiracy was published by Moonshine Cove Publishing in May 2021. It reached #11 on the Amazon Financial Thrillers New Releases list in its debut week, and Midwest Book Review called it “a powerful saga that will keep readers engaged and thinking long past the tale’s conclusion.” Sharon has been a professional writer for more than thirty years. She has been a prolific ghost writer for several nationally recognized authors, published in numerous financial, economic and political publications, and was published in Christian Retailing magazine with a series on marketing children’s books. Sharon holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin. She has three adult children and lives in Arlington, Texas with her husband and golden retriever Tucker. Find her at SharonHoisager.com.
Author, speaker, educational consultant, and editor–
KATHERINE HUTCHINSON HAYES, Ed. D. has had her hand in leadership for many years. Katherine is a freelance writer/content editor, a content editor/writing coach for Iron Stream Media, and a sensitivity reader for Sensitivity Between the Lines. She is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers), and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards, including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022). She was a finalist in the Genesis Contest ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers/Romantic Suspense 2022). She is a finalist for the Claymore Award 2022 (Thriller Division) for the best-unpublished manuscript. She is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the board of the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 and is an art instructor and virtual exhibition specialist for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine is the host of the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel and prequel to her first general market thriller novel, “A Fifth of the Story.” www.drkatherinehayes.com
STEVEN HUTSON is a native of Los Angeles, a child of the 1960s, and a storyteller almost from birth. After several years of freelance editing and directing a writers’ conference, he branched out as a literary agent in early 2011. He has placed his clients’ works with HarperCollins, Dutton, Potomac Books, Harlequin, Thomas Nelson, Hachette, Baker Books, Writer’s Digest Books, and others. Several clients have won prestigious awards, in both the Christian and general markets. https://www.wordwisemedia.com/team
RICHARD S. JAFFE is the founding partner of Jaffe, Hanle, Whisonant & Knight. Best Lawyers of America has named him Lawyer of the Year for Alabama 3 times since 2014. In 2014 Super lawyers listed him as one of the top 10 lawyers in Alabama. In 2020 Birmingham Magazine inducted him into their Hall of Fame of Birmingham lawyers. He is the author of 3 books including Quest for Justice: Defending the Damned, 2nd edition (2020) in which he tells the stories of his representation of Eric Robert Rudolph, the rise and fall of Judge Jack Montgomery and the exonerations of 4 death row inmates at new trials. Several of the cases in it are subjects of films, podcasts and other media formats. In addition, he is the author of As Night Sets In (2016) a collection of poems he has written over 40 years. He is a sought-after speaker and presenter to trial lawyers across the U.S. https://www.questforjusticethebook.com
LAURA KEMP is an Educator who has always loved to write. I have a degree in creative writing from Western Michigan University where I studied under Stuart Dybek, and yes… he is as cool as he seems. Even more so. I live on a small farm in southern Michigan, but dream of the day when my husband and I can buy land up north and vanish into the woods. Since graduation, I’ve gotten married and now have four kids, six cats, one dog, three hamsters, four horses, and innumerable chickens. I live on a small farm in southern Michigan, but dream of the day when my husband and I can buy land up north and vanish into the woods. https://laurakempbooks.com/
WENDY KENDALL’s passion for purses, mystery and romance resulted in an intriguing In Purse-Suit mysteries series. Kat Out of the Bag introduces Katherine Watson purse designer/sleuth, investigating murder as she moves from designer bags to body bags. The prequel, Purse-Stachio Makes A Splash delves into a chilling cold case. The romantic suspense, Snow Kiss Cookies To Die For creates an intriguing tangle of mystery and love. Her 2022 release, Cherry Shakes In The Park blends danger, divas, and frothy summer delights. Wendy enjoys the Pacific Northwest life and time with her two adult sons. She’s a blogger, YouTube podcaster, speaker, project manager, and syndicated columnist. Just wait until you see what Katherine Watson and her friends in Bayside face next in the series. Read more at www.WendyWritesBooks.com
JUDY KLASS’s play Cell was produced by Zev Buffman in a mystery festival in Kentucky, got nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award, and is published by Samuel French/Concord. Her play Country Fried Murder won the SOPS competition in 2018 and was produced at the Shawnee Playhouse in Pennsylvania in 2019. It was produced virtually in 2021 by Quarantine Players, and released as a Zoom recording/podcast. Her play Cozy Murder has had several online readings. Her thriller screenplay Au Pair Girl was optioned in Hollywood four times. A YA book version was published by a small press. When that press closed, she started publishing it. She also wrote a Best Selling TOS Star Trek novel published by Pocket Books. Read more at http://www.judyklass.com
DEAN KRYSTEK put away his uniform after retiring from a long military career and decided to follow his passion for books. He is an alumnus of the University of Maryland and the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in English. He’s a published novelist and short story writer. He currently resides in Pennsylvania with his wife Lynda. Dean is looking for authors with distinctive voices whose narratives invoke a strong sense of time and place and whose stories create a memorable reading experience. He’d like to see paranormal; crime (police procedural); mysteries (whodunit, cozy); sci-fi (space opera, dystopian, alternate history, time travel); psychological suspense; thrillers (looking for small town America setting vs international in scale); military fiction (character-driven pieces; favoring post-WWII. **Vietnam**). In YA and middle-grade fiction he would like to see mysteries, paranormal, sci-fi, coming of age, and suspense with writing that stirs the imagination and caters to the young reader’s sense of wonder and adventure. Dean is also looking for film & television projects to develop in his areas of interest either as original works or adaptations of an author’s work (published or unpublished). https://www.wordlink.us/agents
Noir Crime Author ERNEST LANCASTER retired from the Memphis Police Department as a Captain in 2006 after a fascinating career that spanned multiple facets of the crime-fighting underworld. As a cop for thirty-three years, Lancaster researched his crime-fiction stories on a daily basis as no ordinary author could. He didn’t just observe the police life, he lived it. Lancaster’s own writing is based on real-life exploits and tragedies. He bends the truth in a noir melody of hard-boiled tales designed to take the reader down a winding road of dark adventure they’ll not soon forget. Lancaster now resides with his wife and Yorkie in the Smoky Mountains, where they love to camp and hike. https://ernestlancaster.com/
KATHRYN LASKY is the author of over one hundred books for children and young adults, including the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, which has more than eight million copies in print, and was turned into a major motion picture, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole. Her books have received numerous awards including a Newbery Honor, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and a Washington Post-Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction Award. She has twice won the National Jewish Book award. Her work has been translated into 19 languages worldwide. She lives with her husband in Cambridge, MA. https://www.kathrynlasky.com/
JANE B. LEE is a multi-book author of adult fiction novels. She writes romance stories wrapped around action/thriller. Jane is a play-writer, poet, and an avid world traveler, having been to over 62 countries. She has several degrees from California State University at Long Beach and holds two patents for environmental equipment. Jane is an active member of the LGBTQ community; she passionately gives voice to her LGBTQ community. Read more about her at http://www.janesadventuresinstoryland.com
JAMES L’ETOILE uses his twenty-nine years behind bars as an influence in his novels, short stories, and screenplays. He is a former associate warden in a maximum-security prison, a hostage negotiator, facility captain, and director of California’s state parole system. He is a nationally recognized expert witness on prison and jail operations. He has been nominated for the Silver Falchion for Best Procedural Mystery, and The Bill Crider Award for short fiction. His published novels include: At What Cost, Bury the Past, Little River -The Other Side of Paradise and Black Label. Look for Dead Drop in the summer of 2022 from Level Best Books. www.jamesletoile.com
LISA MALICE is currently shopping her novel Don’t Look Back. In the meantime, she’s working on her second psychological thriller, currently titled Rock-A-Bye Baby, which pits a young woman, struggling to learn the truth about her birth and adoption, in a deadly game of Truth or Dare with a decades-old black-market baby ring. https://www.lisamalice.com/
ROBERT MANGEOT’s fiction appears here and there, including ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S MYSTERY MAGAZINE, THE FORGE LITERARY MAGAZINE, LOWESTOFT CHRONICLE, MYSTERY MAGAZINE, MWA’s ICE COLD, and the Anthony-winning MURDER UNDER THE OAKS. His work has three times been named a Derringer finalist. When not writing, he serves as a chapter officer for Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime Middle Tennessee. When not doing any of that, he can be found wandering the snack food aisles of America or France. rtm@robertmangeot.com
S LEE MANNING spent two years as managing editor of Law Enforcement Communications before realizing that lawyers make a lot more money. A subsequent career as an attorney spanned from a first-tier New York law firm, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, to working for the Office of the Attorney General, State of New Jersey, to solo practice. In 2001, An award-winning writer, Manning is the author of international thrillers, Trojan Horse, a finalist in two categories for the Silver Falchion Award in 2020, and Nerve Attack. A life-long interest in Russia and espionage is reflected in the Kolya Petrov thrillers. When not writing thrillers, Manning performs stand-up comedy and was a semi-finalist in the 2019 Vermont’s Funniest Comedian. http://sleemanning.com
SHARON MARCHISELLO is the author of two mysteries published by Sunbury Press: Going Home (2014) and Secrets of the Galapagos (2019). Her other publications include travel articles, corporate training manuals, short stories, book reviews, a blog, and a nonfiction book about personal finance, Live Well, Grow Wealth. Sharon grew up in Tyler, Texas, and earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Houston in French and English. She studied for a year in Tours, France, on a Rotary scholarship and then moved to Los Angeles where she earned a Masters in Professional Writing at the University of Southern California. Retired from a 27-year career with Delta Air Lines, she does volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society and the Fayette County Master Gardener Extension Office. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime. https://smarchisello.wordpress.com/
AMANDA MCCRINA was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a BA in history and political science from the University of West Georgia. After three years of teaching secondary English, history, and government at an international school outside Madrid, Spain, she now lives in Franklin, Tennessee, where she works as a bookseller. She writes historical thrillers about Poland and Ukraine, inspired by her own family’s heritage. Traitor (2020) was her debut. It’s followed by The Silent Unseen (2022) and I’ll Tell You No Lies (2023).
DIANNE MCCARTNEY is an award-winning writer, speaker and contest judge from Canon City, Colorado. She lives with her husband, Mitch, among the deer, coyotes and other wildlife. Her novels are mainstream thriller/suspense and contemporary romance published by The Wild Rose Press. Her latest release, Dark Vengeance, is the first book in The Elijah Black Trilogy. She has sixty-three writing awards from contests in Oklahoma and Texas and is a long-standing member of the OWFI and The Rose Rock Writers. http://www.diannemcccartney.com
MARY MCFARLAND’s background includes a career as a technical writer in the software industry with a Master’s in using Web technologies in higher ed. An aspiring thriller author, she recognizes the massive challenges authors face marketing books. As a result, she founded Red Girl Digital Media LLC, a tech startup focused on creating apps and media to a) help authors increase their Return on Investment (RoI), for marketing dollars and time spent, and b) increase their market Share of Voice (SoV). Mary is an experienced CEO, with a track record building competitive startups, creating award-winning media products, and penetrating new markets. She writes edgy technothrillers, is an eco-activist, and–in her spare time–lives dangerously as a wine vintner at Mucky Manor. http://www.marymcfarlandbooks.com
RICHARD F. MCGONEGAL is the author of “Sense of Grace” and “Ghoul Duty” published by Cave Hollow is Press. His third mystery, to be published later this year, was second runner-up at the 2021 Claymore Awards. In addition, 24 of his short stories have been published, including nine in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. He is an active member of Mystery Writers of America. McGonegal retired in 2017 as a newspaper editor. He and his wife, Kristie, are parents of two daughters, Heather and Jane.
AMANDA MCKINNEY is the bestselling and multi-award-winning author of more than fifteen romantic suspense and mystery novels. Her latest book, Rattlesnake Road, was named one of POPSUGAR’s 12 Best Romance Books to Have a Spring Fling With, and was featured on the Today Show. The fifth book in her Steele Shadows series, Jagger (Steele Shadows Investigations), was recently nominated for the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. Amanda wrote her debut novel, LETHAL LEGACY in 2017, after walking away from her career to become a writer and stay-at-home mom. Her books include the bestselling series, STEELE SHADOWS SECURITY, the multi-award-winning BERRY SPRINGS series, BLACK ROSE MYSTERIES, and many more to come. Set in small, Southern towns, Amanda’s books are page-turning murder mysteries peppered with steamy romance. Amanda is a member of Romance Writers of America, International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. She lives in Arkansas with her handsome husband, two beautiful boys, and three obnoxious dogs. https://www.amandamckinneyauthor.com/
RICHARD MEREDITH worked as a marine scientist and wildlife biologist for the federal government and the private sector before embarking on his writing passion. His first thriller, Sky Dance, was based on his restoration work in the oil fields of Ecuador. His second novel, The Crow’s Nest, which won the Silver Falchion Award for the best Action-Adventure novel at the 2021 Killer Nashville Conference, drew on his experience on commercial fishing boats. His third novel, Maskirovka—The Russian Art of Deception, was recently accepted for publication. When not writing or reading, he enjoys travel, bird and wildlife watching, scuba, guitars, most sports, and tending to his four grandchildren. He is on the board of Capitol Crimes, Sacramento’s Sister-in-Crime chapter. http://www.richardwmeredith.com
KIERSTEN MODGLIN is an Amazon Top 10 bestselling author of psychological thrillers and a member of International Thriller Writers, Novelists, Inc., and the Alliance of Independent Authors. Kiersten is a KDP Select All-Star and a recipient of ThrillerFix’s Best Psychological Thriller Award and Suspense Magazine‘s Best Book of 2021 Award. She grew up in rural western Kentucky and later relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where she now lives with her husband, daughter, and their two Boston terriers: Cedric and Georgie. Kiersten’s work is currently being translated into multiple languages and readers across the world refer to her as ‘The Queen of Twists.’ A Netflix addict, Shonda Rhimes superfan, psychology fanatic, and indoor enthusiast, Kiersten enjoys rainy days spent with her nose in a book. https://www.kierstenmodglinauthor.com/
A life-long reader, JACOB THOMAS MOON enjoys many different genres. He began writing fiction as an early teen, inspired by classic and modern horror novelists. His first published short story, ‘Knocking Them Down,’ was published in the British horror magazine Morpheus Tales. His most notable publication credit is his short story ‘Seven Generals,’ based on one of his real-life army experiences, was published in the The Saturday Evening Post. In his forties, Jacob turned to writing longer works. The results so far have been ‘Furlough,’ a crime thriller, and ‘Dead Reckoning,’ a supernatural suspense thriller. https://writerjake.com/
JUDY L. MURRAY is an IPPY Silver Medalist, a Silver Falchion Finalist, and Agatha Award Nominee for Best First Novel with Murder in the Master – A Chesapeake Bay Mystery. Second in the series, Killer in the Kitchen, will be released in September 2022. A Philadelphia real estate broker and restoration addict, Judy has worked with enough delusional sellers, jittery buyers, testy contractors, and diva agents to fill her head with back-office insight and truth versus gossip. She began her professional writing career as a newspaper reporter and magazine columnist. She lives atop a cliff on the Chesapeake Bay with her husband. They’re buffeted by winds in winter and invaded by family and dogs in summer. Judy is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. Join her at www.judylmurraymysteries.com
NOLA NASH Originally from south Louisiana, Nola Nash now makes her home in Brentwood , Tennessee, with her three children. Growing up in Baton Rouge, she spent long hours onstage or backstage in the local community theaters. Her biggest writing inspiration was the city of New Orleans that gave her at an early age a love of the magic, mystery, and history. When she isn’t writing, Nola is an online high school instructional coach or interviewing authors on Dead Folks Tales and BYOB on Authors on the Air Global Radio Network. She also considers tacos and coffee major food groups. http://nolanash.com
NELLIE NEEMAN grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, tapping away on her mother’s typewriter. She attended the City University of New York where she earned a master’s degree in speech pathology. In 2015, she left the Big Apple and her twenty-year career to pursue her writing passion full-time in the greener and wider pastures of the Midwest. Nellie is an avid traveler and hiker who uses her own adventures as inspiration for her stories. She currently resides in Cincinnati and Jerusalem with her husband and Lexi, the wacky Labradoodle. http://nellieneeman.com/index.html
CAROL ORANGE’s A Discerning Eye was published in October, 2020. It was inspired by the real art heist at Boston’s Gardner Museum. The novel won the Global Book Award for mystery/suspense. Carol has worked in the art world for more than 20 years. An article on art heists was published in Crime Reads. Two of her short stories have been published. Kate Tuttle of the Boston Globe interviewed her for an article about A Discerning Eye. http://www.carolorange.com
RANDY OVERBECK has served children as a teacher, college professor and school leader for four decades, gaining national recognition for his work in improving student literacy and strengthening academic achievement. In fact, Dr. Overbeck has the distinction of winning national accolades in both the field of education and writing. Over the years, he has earned several education awards including the National Teacher Leader Award from the Reading Recovery Council of North America. Also, his first novel, “Leave No Child Behind” won the 2011 Silver Award for Thriller of the Year from ReadersFavorite.com. But he is especially proud to have shared his tribute, “Teachers: the Real American Heroes” with more than 120 audiences all across the country. Here to share that tribute with us is Dr. Randy Overbeck. His most current work was “Blood on the Chesapeake,” released this spring. https://www.authorrandyoverbeck.com/
PEGGY O’NEAL PEDEN is a long-time Nashville resident and Middle Tennessee native who grew up listening to country music and remembers her father making his own steel guitar. She holds degrees from Lipscomb University and the University of Kentucky, is an award-winning advertising copywriter, and teaches college-level English. Your Killin’ Heart, 2016 Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery winner and a finalist in both the Killer Nashville and William Faulkner-William Wisdom Writing competitions, is Peden’s first published novel, a mystery set in Nashville. Gone Missin’, and Flyin’ Solo, both published in 2022, are also mysteries set in Nashville. She was commissioned to write a book on Nashville’s annual outdoor Shakespeare-in-the-Park festival production of the Scottish play and also writes literary fiction.
JIM PERRY (Wilson Whitlow) I write under the name of Wilson Whitlow. I have published two novels: Mystery of the Khar Chuluu (2020), a middle grade fantasy, and Consent, Vol. 1: Erdos (2021), a finalist for the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Sci-fi / Fantasy. I studied literature at Carnegie Mellon University. Right now I’m into: Blaze Foley, King Cat Comics & Octavia Butler. You can learn more about me at www.wilsonwhitlow.com.
JEFFREY “HAMMERHEAD” PHILIPS strapped on a scuba cylinder (when Clorox bottles were BCD’s) for the first time in 1967. Dove for two years, decided he liked the water and obtained his scuba certification from NASDS, then became a PADI instructor. He hasn’t stopped diving since. In 1980 he married the prettiest mermaid in the ocean, Kitty. Today, he lives in Monterey, Tennessee, writing fictionalized events of his travels.
DALE T. PHILLIPS has published novels, story collections, non-fiction, and over 70 short stories. Stephen King was Dale’s college writing teacher, and since then, Dale has found time to appear on stage, television, radio, in an independent feature film, and compete on Jeopardy (losing in a spectacular fashion). He’s a member of the Mystery Writers of America and the Sisters in Crime. He’s traveled to all 50 states, Mexico, Canada, and through Europe. http://www.daletphillips.com
MARCY POSNER attended the University at Buffalo and has a master’s degree from Columbia University. Marcy started out with a brief career as a children’s librarian before she transitioned to publishing. From there, she worked for Pinnacle Books, Rodale Press, Salem House, as Pantheon’s Associate Publisher, during which time she worked with Noam Chomsky, Matt Groening, Art Spiegelman, and Studs Terkel. For eleven years Marcy worked as a Vice President of The William Morris Agency where she represented bestselling writers as well as selling Foreign Rights. She then moved to Sterling Lord Literistic before landing at Folio Literary Management in 2010. https://www.foliolit.com/agent/marcy-posner
MARTHA REED is a multi-award-winning mystery and crime fiction author. Her Crescent City NOLA Mystery, “Love Power” was a 2021 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award winner as well as a Silver Falchion Finalist in the Best Mystery category and features Gigi Pascoe, a transgender sleuth. Her John and Sarah Jarad Nantucket Mystery series garnered an Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Award for Mid-Atlantic Best Regional Fiction. Her short story, “The Honor Thief” was included in the 2021 Bouchercon anthology, “This Time for Sure,” edited by Hank Phillippi Ryan. http://www.reedmenow.com
LUIS E. ROSAS is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and has served overseas in the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He graduated from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas with a degree in International Relations. He was inspired by classics like Sherlock Holmes, Atlas Shrugged, and The Old Man and the Sea. His interests reading and writing in the thriller genre were influenced by authors like Tom Clancy, David Baldacci, Jack Carr, Lisa Gardner, Hank Phillipi Ryan, and Jason Matthews. His debut novel, A Savage Joy, reflects unique elements the authors mentioned brought into the printed word. Luis has lived in Washington, DC, the United Kingdom, and currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri. http://luisrosasbooks.com
KAIRA ROUDA is a USA TODAY, Amazon charts, and international bestselling, multiple award-winning author of contemporary fiction that explores what goes on beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Her domestic suspense novels include BEST DAY EVER, THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER, ALL THE DIFFERENCE, and THE NEXT WIFE. Her next novel, SOMEBODY’S HOME, is out January 18, 2022. To date, Kaira’s novels have been translated into more than ten languages. She lives in Southern California with her family and is at work on her next novel. http://www.kairarouda.com
CAROLYN ROWLAND is a recovering lawyer turned writer. Raised in Texas, she now calls Tennessee home – a place of history, folklore and inspiration. She’s published short stories and non-fiction articles and is currently finishing her first amateur sleuth mystery set in Savannah, Georgia. She comes by her interest in ghosts, myths and legends and the paranormal naturally, having spent hours in cemeteries with her grandmother. She has stories in the Fiction River anthologies and Pulphouse Magazine. www.carowland.com
Special Agent/Forensic Scientist DAN ROYSE (Ret.) is a thirty-five-year veteran of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation who has investigated numerous homicide scenes as the leader of a Violent Crime Response Team. Royse also served as a Firearms Examiner, Firearms Instructor, Armorer, and in many other capacities over his career, as well as testifying as an Expert Witness hundreds of times. He retired in 2016 as Assistant Director of the Bureau.
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN is the USA Today bestselling author of 13 psychological thrillers, winning the most prestigious awards in the genre: five Agathas, four Anthonys, and the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award. She is also on-air investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDH-TV, with 37 EMMYs and dozens more journalism honors. Book critics call her “a master of suspense,” “a superb and gifted storyteller”; she’s the only author to have won the Agatha in four categories: Best First, Best Novel, Best Short Story and Best Non-Fiction. Hank’s 2020 novel is THE FIRST TO LIE, nominated for both the prestigious Anthony Award for Best Novel and Mary Higgins Clark Award. Her newest book is HER PERFECT LIFE, a chilling psychological standalone about fame, family, and revenge which received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, which called it “A superlative thriller,” and Mystery Scene called it “A powerhouse of a thriller.” Hank is a founder of MWA University and The Back Room; and National Sisters in Crime past president. HankPhillippiRyan.com
LOIS SCHMITT combines her love of animals with her love of mysteries in her “Animal Lovers” mysteries series featuring wildlife reporter Kristy Farrell. Lois has published three books in this series. Monkey Business (Five Star Press, 2017), Something Fishy (Encircle Publications, 2019) and Playing Possum (Encircle Publications, 2021). Something Fishy was the second runner up for the Claymore Award. Lois served as media spokesperson for a local consumer affairs office and currently teaches at Nassau Community College. Lois is a Killer Nashville success story. She met her first editor (Deni Deitz) at the Killer Nashville Conference. She comes from Long Island, New York (which you can tell the moment she speaks.)
JESSIE SEIGEL doesn’t buy: “write what you know.” Instead, she believes: know what you write—and then make an empathetic leap to inhabit someone else’s world for a while. Seigel’s fiction has appeared in Ontario Review, Daily Science Fiction, Gargoyle, The Satirist, and anthologies Electric Grace and Furious Gravity, among others. She twice received fellowships from D.C.’s Arts and Humanities Commission, was a Speculative Literature Foundation grant finalist, a New Millennium Awards finalist, and a semi-finalist in the William Faulkner Creative Writing Competition for the Novel. Seigel also writes reviews for The Washington Independent Review of Books and a political column at The Insider. https://www.jessieseigel.com.
JULE SELBO’s crime mystery, 10 DAYS: A Dee Rommel Mystery is nominated for a Clue Award, received a starred Kirkus review and is on the 2021 top-five list of Kirkus’ best crime/mysteries from independent publishers. She absconded from Hollywood and her work as a produced screenwriter to Portland, Maine to write novels. Three award-winning historical fiction books followed. Now she focuses on her favorite genre – the crime/mystery – and has just completed the second in her series: 9 DAYS, A Dee Rommel Mystery. Jule’s also a professor; books include Building Character and Film Genre for the Screenwriter. She lectures internationally about her ground-breaking work on how writers can use a knowledge of story genres to enhance their fiction. http://www.juleselbo.com
SAM SEVERN is an award-winning ghostwriter, book doctor, screenwriter and writing coach, a collaborator on eleven #1 best-selling books, including five New York Times #1 best-sellers. Mentored by an Academy Award-winning writer (Stewart Stern, Rebel Without A Cause), Sam’s works include the #1 true crime memoir Tears For My City (winner of 25 literary awards) and the #1 inspirational best-seller The Revved Life by NASCAR racer and pastor Jeff Knight. Sam served as consultant for the New York Times #1 best-selling Serafina and Willa of the Wood Children’s series published by Disney Hyperion. His ghostwritten screenplays are two-time winners at international script competitions. Sam has published more than 3,000 news stories and ghostwritten, coached or edited 50 published books. His calling is telling redemption stories which chronicle the resilience of the human spirit. Sam and his wife Sally (who is also a #1 best-selling editor) live in the Nashville countryside, with their three cows, three rescue dogs, and one rescue cat. A West Coast native, Sam currently lays claim to being the lamest heavy metal guitar player in the entire South. www.samsevern.com.
JEFF SHAW is a retired law enforcement officer. He served in various capacities including, SWAT, Hostage Negotiator and Homicide Sergeant. http://jshawwrites.com
TERRY SHEPHERD wrote his first short story at age eleven and was first published as a non-fiction author in 2008. He created Detective Jessica Ramirez in 2019, publishing his thriller “Chasing Vega” in 2020. The book earned 5-Star ratings on Amazon and is also available in audio book and Spanish language editions. The second installment in the trilogy, “Chasing The Captain” was released in the fall of 2021 with “Chasing Karma,” Jessica’s third adventure due out this summer. When his grandchildren asked to star in their own stories, he created the “Waterford Detective” stories for his grandson and published the popular “Juliette and the Mystery Bug” series, co-authored with his wife, Colleen, when his granddaughter wondered how kids could protect themselves during a pandemic. His most recent book is “Students In Time,” a science fiction time travel adventure that parallels the 4th grade public school history curriculum. Terry is also a prolific book narrator and audio-artist, voicing 7 novels, along with dozens of commercials and promotional trailers. He hosts the popular Authors on the Air podcast, has been a moderator and panelist at Bouchercon, co-chaired Capitol Crimes Chapter’s 2021 Anthology project and currently serves on the board. https://terryshepherd.com/
BENNY SIMS can trace the origin of his love for storytelling to reading Jack London’s “The Call Of The Wild” when he was seven years old. As he grew older, several teachers in high school and college recognized his aptitude for writing and encouraged him to pursue it, and he hasn’t stopped since. He grew up in middle Tennessee, graduated high school in southern Illinois, and college in Murray, Kentucky. After a brief stint as a journalist, he accepted a job with an aerospace company in Huntsville, Alabama. He is now retired and lives in Foley, Alabama. His debut novel “Code Gray” is the 2021 Silver Falchion Award winner for Best Mystery. http://BennySims.com
DIANE SISMOUR writes poetry, short fiction, and novels with a dry humor and fast-paced plots in Romantic Suspense, Psychological Thrillers/Horrors and Crime Fiction, and takes pleasure in Ghostwriting for others. She’ll be signing her latest story this weekend, the Psychological Horror, ASHES TO ASHES, in the anthology UNOPENED DOORS by Sunbury Press. She enjoys creating characters while shaded under the maple tree and greeting guests at her Leaser Lake B and B located in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. Diane is a motivational speaker, a member of Romance Writers of America, Liberty States Fiction Writers, the Bethlehem Writers Group, the Horror Writers Association, and The Hive. Look for her at conferences or giving a workshop. http://www.dianesismour.com
LYNN SLAUGHTER earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University after a long career as a professional dancer and dance educator. She writes coming-of-age romantic mysteries and is the author of the newly released LEISHA’S SONG, a Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards bronze medalist; WHILE I DANCED, an EPIC finalist; IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU, a Silver Falchion finalist; and DEADLY SETUP (forthcoming from Fire and Ice, 2022). She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where she’s at work on her next novel and serves as the President of Derby Rotten Scoundrels, the Ohio River Valley chapter of Sisters in Crime. http://www.lynnslaughter.com
JOHN SLAYTON is a graduate of the Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing at Florida International University. His short fiction and poetry have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies. His debut novel Running to Graceland won a gold medal in popular fiction from the Independent Book Publishers in 2019. He is currently a reviewer of thriller fiction with the New York Journal of Books. http://johnslayton.com
After completely flunking out at San Diego State, a Marine Corps recruiter handily outsmarted PAUL JAMES SMITH. This launched a long and checkered career of service as enlisted marine, a local lawman, Federal Agent, and reserve Coast Guard officer. Assignments included command of two expeditionary units, Commander, Maritime Security Force, Guantanamo Bay, and four wartime deployments to the Persian Gulf. On his last deployment he was a senior maritime advisor to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Paul’s 31 years of cop experiences ran the gamut-Patrolman, Field Training Officer, SWAT, Detective, Federal Agent, Special Response Team member, Sniper and Sniper Instructor, National Tactical Team Leader, and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program Manager. During his 20-plus years as a Fed he was nearly fired twice and twice decorated for valor. There was little he didn’t see or do, and he shares many of his law enforcement experiences in the Night Police. https://www.nightpolice.com/
CLAY STAFFORD (https://claystafford.com/) is an American bestselling and award-winning author, poet, screenwriter, playwright, composer, filmmaker, educator, and public speaker. He has sold nearly four million copies of his books, has his work distributed in over sixteen languages, and has spoken as a Master of Ceremony to over one million people live. Clay writes the monthly “Killer Writers” column for Writer’s Digest. Clay serves as President/CEO of American Blackguard Entertainment, which includes Killer Nashville Magazine, Clay Stafford Books, American Blackguard Records, and American Blackguard Music. Clay has an M.F.A. and has taught at numerous universities and is the honorary Writer-in-Residence at Battle Ground Academy. He is also the founder of Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference. He is recipient of Publishers Weekly, Frankfurt Book Fair, and the American Booksellers Association Star Watch Nominee for top North American publishing industry professionals.
LANE STONE lives in Alexandria, Virginia and Lewes, Delaware with her husband, Larry Korb, and their Standard Schnauzer, Cordy. She is the author of the Pet Palace Mysteries and the Tiara Investigation Mystery series. The first book in her The Big Picture, an art thriller trilogy, will be available May 2022. THE COLLECTOR is the title. The first book in the Old Town Antiques Mystery series, DEAD MEN DON’T DECORATE, will be published in 2022, also. When not writing she enjoys characteristic baby boomer pursuits: being a dog Mom, traveling and volunteering for good causes, like the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation. She serves on several boards. She has a post-graduate certificate in Antiquities Theft and Art Crime. Visit Lane at https://lanestonebooks.com.
JANE SUEN is a USA Today bestselling author who writes mysteries, sci-fi thrillers, short stories, contemporary romance, and crime fiction. While driving through Alabama on a hot summer afternoon, she saw a “Murder Creek” road sign which inspired her first book in the Eve Sawyer Mystery series. Murder off Route 82 is her third book in the series. Jane is a transplant to the South who has taken a liking to grits, iced tea, and snow cones – so she’s there to stay. http://www.janesuen.com
DANA SUMMERS is a nationally syndicated political cartoonist and creator of the comic strips, The Middletons, and Bound & Gagged. He’s written five novels, Drawn and Buried, The Dark and the Dead, Downhill Fast, Hell’s Heart, and Simon Crumb and the Ghost of Blaine Street. His books have won numerous awards from The Florida Writers Association including two Book of the Year awards for Downhill Fast and Hell’s Heart. He lives with his wife, Mary Jane, and his dog, Gracie, in Orlando, Florida.
ADAM SYDNEY studied film at the University of Kent at Canterbury, U.K., and screenwriting at The American Film Institute and the University of London. With a little experience in sitcom writing, he segued into novels, which he continues to write to this day. A creative writing instructor for the past 15 years, he’s published three novels. https://www.amazon.com/Adam-Sydney/e/B008H6F9LE/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk
ELENA TAYLOR’s most recent novel, All We Buried, follows Bet Rivers, who returns to her small home town to fill in for her dying father, only to discover her new role as interim sheriff may be more permanent than she planned. Elena also writes the humorous Eddie Shoes Private Eye series. When she’s not writing or working as a developmental editor, one-on-one with authors, she can be found with her cats, dogs, and hubby at their home on the middle fork of the Snoqualmie River or down the road at the stables with her horses. For more info visit: www.elenataylorauthor.com
JADEN TERRELL is a Shamus Award finalist and the internationally published author of the Nashville-based Jared McKean PI series. She’s also a proud Mad Catter and the author of a cozy cat mystery, Trouble Most Faire. Terrell’s short stories, which range from cozy to noir, have appeared in several anthologies, and she’s a contributor to ITW’s The Big Thrill and to Now Write! Mysteries, a collection of how-to essays for writers of crime fiction. Terrell is the recipient of the Killer Nashville Builder Award and two awards for service to the Southeast Mystery Writers of America. She offers workshops, coaching, and courses for writers. You can read more about her at http://www.jadenterrell.com.
Southern author MAGGIE TOUSSAINT writes cozy and paranormal mysteries, romantic suspense, and dystopian fiction (as Rigel Carson), with more than twenty fiction novels published. Her next release is Snuffed Out, A Magic Candle Shop Mystery, writing as Valona Jones. A multi-year finalist for Georgia Author of the Year, she’s won Silver Falchions, two Readers’ Choice awards, and the EPIC Award. She’s a past president of Mystery Writers of America-Southeast chapter and a member of Sisters In Crime. She lives in coastal Georgia, where secrets, heritage, and ancient oaks cast long shadows. https://maggietoussaint.com/
RICK TREON writes about life and death in the Lone Star State. His thriller LET THE GUILTY PAY was nominated for the 2021 Silver Falchion Award for Best Suspense Novel and DIVIDED STATES was named a finalist in the 2021 Best Thriller Book Awards. His debut novel, DEEP BACKGROUND, won the PenCraft Award for Literary Excellence in Suspense. Before making up stories, he worked as a reporter and top editor for several newspapers in Texas, where he still lives and writes. http://ricktreon.com
MARK TROY is the author of two private eye novels—the Shamus-nominated, Pilikia Is My Business, and The Splintered Paddle—as well as numerous short stories and novellas. Recent works include: “Dos Tacos Guatemaltecos y Una Pistola Casera” (2020), Derringer-nominated “Burnin Butt, Texas ” (2021), and “Sundown Town” in Groovy Gumshoes, Private Eyes in the Psychedelic Sixties (2022). When not writing, Mark mixes knock-you-on-your-ass tiki cocktails and plays Hawaiian songs on the ukulele. Mark resides in Texas with his wife and family. http://marktroyauthor.com
CATHY TULLY is the pen name of E.C. Tully, a chiropractor and writer. She is a graduate of Georgetown University, in Washington DC, where she studied foreign languages and linguistics. She lived abroad in Quito, Ecuador and worked for an international trademark and patent law firm in New York City, before changing careers and graduating from Life University, in Marietta, Georgia with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. She writes the Dr. Susannah Shine ChiroCozy Mystery Series and lives in small-town Georgia with her husband and rescue cats. https://ectully.com/
NINA WACHSMAN As a descendant of a dynasty of rabbis, one of whom was a contemporary of Rabbi Leon de Modena, I have many emotional ties to Venice. I am a frequent visitor to the Ghetto, which has changed little in nearly five hundred years. My mother’s sabbath candlesticks were once torch-holders, in all likelihood, pawned by a nobleman in the Ghetto centuries ago. This story has been in my head for years, and got its start when I read the autobiography of Rabbi Leon de Modena. His worries and fears for his children –his daughter Diana, and his sons — an alchemist, a pirate and an adventurer– are not very different from those of a parent today. https://venicebeauties.com/
ELYSSE WAGNER helps authors determine the most effective promotional path for their book releases, and for crafting their brand. Prior to joining the Books Forward team, Elysse worked as a content strategist in the nonprofit sector. She is also a seasoned book blogger and social media influencer, amassing a following of more than ten thousand avid readers who value her savvy book recommendations. She was even a trusted reviewer for Books Forward authors and championed the company’s talented writers before joining the Books Forward family. She lives in Dayton, Ohio, with her husband, Nick, and their yellow lab, Murphy. You can read more about Elysse at https://booksforward.com/about-us/elysse-wagner/.
PEGGY WATKINS earned her master’s in counseling from Spring Arbor University and after a fifteen-year path as a psychotherapist she turned in her ‘damnit doll’ and took a position as Executive Director for the Athens Community Foundation where she works part time. Peggy began public speaking while working for Ted Nugent and The Damn Yankees back in the day, 1990-91 and she hasn’t stopped since! Peggy Watkins is a keynote speaker for child abuse prevention and a motivational speaker on how to move past your past! She is an expert in the field of child abuse and speaks from personal and professional experience. She has written a few fun kids’ books, but she loves writing psychological thrillers, paranormal, novellas and short stories and as she calls it, “BGG” Blood, Guts & Gore! She has just finished her debut novel, Hillbilly Chess, The Bastard Pawn a memoir coming in September 2022. Peggy has two more novels, a collection of short stories and a couple novellas all finished and soon to be published as well. You can find her sipping her girly coffee, nibbling frozen yogurt chunks, cuddling her dogs and petting her hubby at home in the mitten state. http://www.PeggyAWatkins.com
CARLY WATTERS is a SVP and Senior Literary Agent at P.S. Literary. She has a BA in English Literature from Queen’s University and a MA in Publishing Studies from City University London. She began her publishing career in London as an assistant at the Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency. Carly joined Toronto-based P.S. Literary Agency in 2010. She represents award-winning and bestselling authors in the adult fiction and non-fiction categories, and select children’s books. She is known for her long-term vision for her authors and being an excellent collaborator with a nose for commercial success. She has close ties to publishers in the major markets and works directly with film agents to option film and TV rights to leading networks and production companies. Her clients’ books have been translated into 40 languages, optioned for TV and film, adapted into podcasts, and have been on every bestseller list from coast to coast, including the New York Times, USA Today, the LA Times, the Washington Post, the Toronto Star, and the Globe and Mail. The popular writing podcast The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, for which Carly is the co-host, has over 500,000 downloads. https://www.carlywatters.com/
RANDY WEIR is an award-winning author who lives in the Mile-High City with his family, where the Rocky Mountain High isn’t always achieved with an herbal substance. When not glued to the computer, he relaxes by enjoying the outdoors and traveling in his motorhome. His writing delves into genres with gritty investigators exploring mystery, crime, suspense, and thrills, with involved plots and unexpected twists. Featuring former US Marshal Hunter Divine, a dire, determined man searching for salvation in his broken life. While private eye Jarvis Mann is tough and snarky, with as many faults as virtues. Characters exhibiting traces of his sense of humor, though he’s not nearly as tough and fearless. Though no evil stands a chance against his written word! http://www.rweir.net
CHRISTINE MAGER WEVIK lives on a farm in southeast South Dakota with her husband, Doug (the other Clint Eastwood) and her dog, Livie. She’s mother to 4 children, Valerie, Ashley, Kara, and Daniel; and grandmother to 4, Claire, Nathan, Piper, and Kinley.Christine is a member of Sisters in Crime and Nebraska Writers Guild, and has presented for NWG and Killer Nashville panels.Christine is the author of It’s Only Hair, a humorous, self-help book about living and coping with hair loss, and award-winning paranormal mysteries, Vacant Eyes and Borrowed Memories. She is also published in C. Hope Clark’s FundsforWriters, a nationally recognized newsletter for writers, and The Link, a quarterly magazine for the American Hair Loss Council.She’s an avid gardener and writer, and loves to nap, read Dean Koontz novels, drink coffee, and procrastinate. https://christinemagerwevik.com/
L.M. (Linda) WHITAKER is a data scientist and a writer of science and technology thrillers. By day she plays with numbers, by night, with words. Her stories are founded on years of research and decades of work in computer technology, artificial intelligence, and other advanced data science. Like her heroine, she started her career with a PhD from The Georgia Institute of Technology. As they say, write what you know. Linda lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina. https://www.lmwhitaker.com/
A Macavity Award finalist in the Mystery Readers International Short Story Category, ALANA WHITE sold The Sign of the Weeping Virgin, the first novel in her historical mystery series set in Renaissance Florence, Italy, to an editor she met while attending Killer Nashville. The Sign of the Weeping Virgin, which was a finalist for the Silver Falchion Award, is newly available in paperback. The second book in the series, The Hearts of All on Fire, coming in Late Summer/Early Fall 2022, is a finalist for the 2021 Chanticleer Geoffrey Chaucer Award for historical fiction. Alana is a longtime member of SinC, MWA, and the Historical Novel Society, serving the latter as a reviewer for the Historical Novels Review. http://www.alanawhite.com
EMILY WHITSON is a former marketing copywriter and a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with a major in journalism. She is now pursuing a Master of Education with a specialization in English Literature at Vanderbilt University. Whitson is particularly passionate about women’s education and female stories. When she isn’t writing or in the classroom, she can usually be found with her dog, Hoss. BENEATH THE MARIGOLDS is her debut novel.
BECKI WILLIS Best-selling indie author Becki Willis loves crafting stories with believable characters in believable situations. Many of her stories stem from her own travels and from personal experiences. (No worries; she’s never actually murdered anyone). When she’s not plotting danger and adventure for her imaginary friends, Becki enjoys reading, traveling, dark chocolate, and a good cup of coffee. A professed history geek, Becki often weaves pieces of the past into her novels. Family is a central theme in her stories and in her life. Becki has won numerous awards (including the 2021 Silver Falchion Award for Best Cozy and the 2018 RONE Award for Best Paranormal) but believes the real compliments come from her readers. www.beckiwillis.com.
LYNN CHANDLER WILLIS has worked in the corporate world, the television news industry, baby-sat grandkids, and owned a small-town newspaper. Her first published book was Unholy Covenant: A True Story of Murder in North Carolina. She writes mystery/thriller/suspense and crime novels. She’s the current President of the Southeast Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, a member of International Thriller Writers (ITW), and a past-president of Sisters in Crime––Murder We Write chapter. She’s a Shamus Award finalist, A Grace Award Winner for Excellence in Faith-based Fiction, and the winner of the St. Martin’s Press/PWA’s Best 1st PI Novel — the first woman in a decade to win the award. https://lynnchandlerwillis.com/
LOIS WINSTON, USA Today and Amazon bestselling and award-winning author, writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, children’s chapter books, and nonfiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is a former literary agent and an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry. www.loiswinston.com
LISA WYSOCKY is the award-winning, best-selling author of the Cat Enright cozy mystery series, now optioned for film and television, and the young adult mystery The Mysterious Horse House, winner of Best Horse Book of 2021, as chosen by the American Horse Media awards. She also edits fiction and nonfiction, and is an in-demand ghostwriter for autobiographies and memoirs. http://www.lisawysocky.com
GAY YELLEN first dipped into mystery as contributing writer for the thriller Five Minutes to Midnight, a NYT “New & Notable.” Her award-winning Samantha Newman Mystery series (The Body Business, The Body Next Door) has earned a Readers’ Favorite Mystery, Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem, and Silver Falchion Finalist at Killer Nashville, among others. Gay has been held at gunpoint and survived both a killer earthquake and an elephant’s sneeze at close range, which explains why she writes suspense with a touch of humor.http://www.GayYellen.com
ROBIN YOCUM is known for his fiction set in the Ohio Valley. His most recent novel, The Sacrifice of Lester Yates, was released in April 2021. He is the author of five additional works of fiction: A Perfect Shot, A Welcome Murder, A Brilliant Death, The Essay and Favorite Sons. Favorite Sons was named the 2011 Book of the Year for Mystery/Suspense by USA Book News. A Brilliant Death was a Barnes & Noble No. 1 bestseller and a finalist for both the 2017 Edgar Award and the Silver Falchion Award for best adult mystery. He also has written two works of non-fiction: Dead Before Deadline . . . and Other Tales from the Police Beat and Insured for Murder. http://www.robinyocum.net
RICH ZAHRADNIK is the author of the thriller The Bone Records and the four critically acclaimed Coleridge Taylor mysteries, including Lights Out Summer, winner of the Shamus Award from the Private Eye Writers of America. Lights Out Summer won the 2018 Shamus Award for Best Paperback Private Eye Novel. The first three books in the series collected awards in the three major competitions for books published by independent presses. A Black Sail was named best mystery in the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Drop Dead Punk received the gold medal for mystery ebook in the 2016 IPPY Awards, while Last Words won the bronze medal for mystery ebook in the 2015 IPPYs and honorable mention for mystery in the Foreword Reviews competition. Zahradnik was a journalist for 27 years, working as a reporter and editor in several different media, including online, newspaper, broadcast, magazine and wire services. He held editorial positions at CNN, Bloomberg News, AOL and The Hollywood Reporter. Zahradnik was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, and received his B.A. in journalism and political science from George Washington University. He lives with his wife Sheri in Pelham, New York, where he writes fiction and teaches kids around the New York area how to publish newspapers. He is providing guidance to the Pelham Examiner, the first community newspaper in New York State managed, edited, reported, and written by people under the age of eighteen. http://www.richzahradnik.com/
LESLIE ZAMPETTI joined Dunham Literary in 2016, having previously interned at The Bent Agency. A writer and former librarian, Leslie has perspective from both sides of the query letter. Leslie is seeking mysteries that layer character explorations with investigation for all ages, under-represented main characters and diverse voices, and narrative nonfiction for adults. @literarylesliez http://www.dunhamlit.com