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Writing is all about creating, communicating, and sharing. As a paid EPIC member, we invite you to share your website and writing credits with the writing community.
EPIC members below have given permission to be listed, along with some of their credits. We will be updating frequently. If you are an EPIC member and would like your name, website, and writing credits added to this list, please contact us.
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. 2021-2022 EPIC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(Members are listed below the Board of Directors, in alphabetical order)
Laura Moe, Board President
Biography: Author, radio host, and writing teacher Laura Moe spent most of her working life as a librarian and English teacher in central and Southeastern Ohio, but moved to Seattle where she writes full-time and is an active member of SCBWI.
Published work: Parallel Lines (Fat Cats, 2015); Breakfast with Neruda (Simon & Schuster/Merit Press, 2016) - named by the New York Public Library as one of the Best Books for Teens in 2016. She is owned by a spoiled white cat and is working on a sequel to Breakfast With Neruda.
Social Media: https://bookclubbabble.com/interviews/interview-with-ya-author-laura-moe-on-breakfast-with-neruda/;
http://laura-moe.blogspot.com/; http://www.blogtalkradio.com/authorsontheair/2016/08/03/jacquelyn-mitchards-summer-scribes-presents-author-laura-moe
Alison (Ali) Eden Ersfeld, Youth Program Coordinator
Biography: Ali is a poet, a teacher, and a tree-hugger. She teaches at Meadowdale High School where she works collaboratively with students to create and publish the school’s annual art and literary magazine. She is currently the VP of Development for EPIC Group Writers and continues to work with EPIC Youth Writers.
Published work: Unmasked Magazine, The Boot, EPIC Group Writers 2018 Contest winner (second place-poetry), My Edmonds News – Poet’s Corner, Edmonds Patch.
Susan Frederick, VP Membership
Biography: Susan Frederick is an award winning writer who has published poems, short stories and essays, and is currently working on a memoir about the Vietnam war. She is a native of Washington state and grew up in small logging towns in the foothills of Mt. Rainier. She lives in Kirkland, Washington and is on the Board of EPIC Group Writers and is a member of Hugo House. She is currently at work on a memoir.
Published work: Rise & Shine, (publisher: Gather Here, an imprint of Homeostasis Press); Timber Town (publisher: Gather Here); Ghosted, published in Northwest Prime Time magazine. Several of Susan's poems have appeared in My Edmonds News.
Diane Naab, EPIC Board Secretary & Monday Morning Pages leader
Diane Naab is an artist, writer, world traveler, and published author. Her poetry and short stories were published in four consecutive issues of the annual literary review, Inside Passages, in southeast Alaska; Poetry Corners published by the Arts & Humanities Bainbridge; poetry and art for Ars Poetica at BARN on Bainbridge; and several submissions to The Poetry Corner for My Edmonds News. Diane serves as secretary on the EPIC Board of Directors and hosts the weekly writing group “The Write Time.”
Elizabeth Peck, EPIC Board Treasurer
Biography: Although Elizabeth Peck is an avid reader and supports writing, she is not a writer. However she is office manager and assistant to the president at Henry H. Ketcham Lumber in Seattle, Washington. Her skill set includes QuickBooks, Microsoft Office Suite, and digital data management. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Western Washington University and a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching Elementary Education from Western Governors University.
Gerald Bigelow, EPIC Board Member at Large & Poetry Group leader
Published work: Poetry, poems published in Arizona 100 Years, Between the Lines, Memories Looking Through a Screen Door, Soundings from the Salish Sea: A Pacific Northwest Poetry Anthology.
Christine Dubois, EPIC Board Member at Large
Biography: Christine Dubois is a widely published writer and editor who has successfully tackled articles, newsletters, resumes, advertising copy, book editing, and more for a variety of grateful clients. She teaches writing workshops at North Seattle College, as well as for local businesses and writer's conferences. Her warmth, knowledge, and enthusiasm make her a popular instructor.
Published work: "Waiting In Hope: Meditations for Expectant Parents" with my husband Steven E. Bourne; More than 500 articles in 45 publications, including Chicken Soup for the Soul, Birdwatching, Byline, Mothering, The Seattle Times, and more.
Website: www.christinedubois.com.
Laura Kemp, EPIC Newsletter Editor
Biography: EPIC board member at large Laura Kemp was a professional firefighter for almost twenty-two years, and at one point got her writing fix crafting fire department training manuals—not exactly a springboard for producing page-turners. Eventually, the terrors and triumphs of the job inspired her to attempt something that makes running into burning buildings look easy – creating decent fiction. Laura’s first screenplay, “Burn Pattern,” has placed in national competitions, including a Top 100 placing in the 2021 Austin Film Festival Table Read My Screenplay Genre Competition and winning Best Script at the Depth of Field International Film festival.
Social media: https://www.nwsg.org/membership/compendium-members-projects-credits/. https://www.facebook.com/LauraMKempWriter https://gamblecreekstudio.com.
Liz Morris
[awaiting biography]
Joe Rice, EPIC Board Member at Large and Tuesday Evening Writing Group leader
Biography: I am a retired educator now working to complete a memoir and another nonfiction book on Multiage Education. I also write poetry, short stories and educational articles. I'm also an avid of many genre and love to participate in writing groups. Never too old to learn.
Published work: Nongraded Multiage Education - A Resource Book, Edmonds School District Press 1990, 1992; Short stories published in others' collections:- Joseph Rice: Generations, edited by Darryl Teruya 2003; "One Way Out," The Greater Good,: Life Lessons from Hawai'i's Leaders, by Evan and Kari Leong 2008; "Untitled," Do It Anyway by Kent M. Keith 2003; "A survey and Analysis of Oral Reading Miscues Made By Mexican and Mexican American Migrants 1979; "Kupu Hou: To Sprout and Grow Anew," A white paper on the future of education presented to the Directors of Mid-Pacific Institute, Honolulu, Hawaii 2012.
Judith Works, EPIC Board Member at Large
Biography: Judith, a founding member of EPIC Group Writers, is the author of a memoir about living in Rome and working for the United Nations titled Coins in the Fountain. She enjoys writing travel stories, and is working on a novel set in Rome and Vashon Island, and another set in the Cascade Mountain foothills.
Published work: Coins in the Fountain as well as articles in My Edmonds News, Wanted in Rome, Alaska Airlines inflight magazine and several pieces of flash fiction in literary journals.
Social Media: FB Author's page: judithworks author; Instagram: worksjudith; website: judithworks.net.
# # #
2022-23 EPIC MEMBERS (in alphabetical order)
(EPIC Membership Year is September 1 through August 31)
Catherine Alexander
Biography: In December 2021, Catherine Alexander published her novel, DOGS DON’T COOK. She has been nominated for both the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net and published stories in 50 literary journals, including North Atlantic Review, Rosebud (two successive issues), Bryant Literary Review, and Rockhurst Review. She won Jurors' Choice in Spindrift and awarded The Prize from City.River.Tree. Paul Auster read her story, “Dancing on 74th Street,” on NPR. Jorja Fox from television’s CSI performed “Backyards” in a WordTheatre production. For fifteen years, she has taught fiction and memoir at the University of Washington, Edmonds College, and presented twice at the Write on the Sound Conference in Edmonds. Living in Seattle, Washington, with her cat and two dogs, she is hard at work on her second novel.
Jan Alkire
Biography: I am a writer, a speaker, and the author of many articles and five non-fiction books that focus on spirituality and healing. I've enthusiastically lived in Seattle ever since graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in physical therapy.
Published Work: Books: "Seeking Christ Through Friendship"; "Healing: Stories of Faith, Hope, and Love"; "Quests: Travel Stories of Seeking and Finding" (a memoir about my life-changing adventures in Europe during my 20s); "Healing as a Parish Ministry: Mending Body, Mind and Spirit" (co-authored with Father Leo Thomas, OP); "Healing Ministry: A Practical Guide" (co-authored with Father Leo Thomas, OP)
Articles: Two examples: "Christmas Letters: A Custom We Love to Hate"; "The Power of Art in the Home."
Website: www.JanAlkire.com
Roma Anjoy
[awaiting biography)
Roxana Arama
Biography: Roxana Arama is a Romanian American author with a master of fine arts in creative writing from Goddard College. She studied computer science in Bucharest, Romania and moved to the United States to work in software development. Her short stories and essays have been published in many literary magazines. Extreme Vetting is her first novel. She lives in Seattle, Washington with her family. More at https://roxanaarama.com/
Vanessa Arpin
Biography: Vanessa Arpin has won several awards for her writing. In 2017, she won a scholarship to the Mendocino Writer’s Conference for her Young Adult submission, and her book was a top finalist in the Young Adult genre. In 2014, she was recognized by the Seattle Public Library for her poetry.
Social Media: Vanessaarpin.com
Petra Bosse
[awaiting biography]
Jeffrey Briggs
Biography: Jeffrey D. Briggs, a writer and journalist, has been writing about the Seattle waterfront since he moved onto his sailboat over thirty years ago. He now lives on land with his wife and dog and can often be found on the shores of Puget Sound, wondering what secrets lie hidden beneath those cold waters.
Published work: The Waterfront Mystery series: Out of the Cold Dark Sea and Within A Shadowed Forest.
Harriet Cannon
Biography: Harriet Cannon is a writer whose first career was as a psychotherapist with a multicultural speciality. Her debut novel, Exiled South, an international story of family secrets and reconciliation. Her non fiction book is Mixed Blessings: A Guide to Multicultural and Multiethnic Relationships. A second novel is in the works.
Published work: Exiled South; Mixed Blessings: A Guide to Multicultural and Multiethnic Relationships.
Social Media: https://www.harrietcannon.com and https://www.facebook.com/H.R.Cannon
Nicole 'Nicki' Chen
Biography: Nicki Chen is a writer and blogger who lives in Edmonds, WA. Her first novel, "Tiger Tail Soup," was inspired by stories her husband told about his childhood in China during the Japanese invasion of WWII. Her most recent novel, "When in Vanuatu," was informed by her experiences while living in the Philippines and in the South Pacific. She graduated from Seattle University and has an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Published work: Tiger Tail Soup, A Novel of China at War; When in Vanuatu, A Novel; "The Pool at Piula" in Tidepools; "A Blind Eye" in Tidepools. "Marry a Chicken, Follow a Chicken: Marry a Dog, Follow a Dog" in City Primeval; "Getting Safe in Paradise" in Confrontation.
Social Media: Website/Blog: www.nickichenwrites.com; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NickiChenAuthor/; Twitter: @NickiChenAuthor; Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8261760.
Jane Dossick
Biography: Originally a resident of New York, and now happily residing in Edmonds. Spent 32 years working for the New York City Health and Hospital Corporation (Dept. of psychiatry and mental health). Have been a writing all my life and enjoy the company and stimulation of fellow writers and other artists.
Published work: The Violinist's Daughter (published 2022); Creative Therapy Volumes I-IV, Inheritance (short story collection); In Memory of Lizzie Breed; Izzy and Osgood; and the plays Gemma, and Bleecker St. Blues.
Darlene Dubay
Biography: Darlene, a retired airline pilot living in the Pacific Northwest is compiling a list of stories from her years of commercial flying. Her experiences range from "bush flying" in Alaska to transcontinental flights with a major airline. She sings with multiple groups, gardens and writes--her latest passion.
Published work: Walking is a Prayer; Tales of Two Sisters; Short story -- Rudy's Dream-- in Anthology --Tales for a Lazy Afternoon; Second place short story - fiction in Skagit Valley Writers League Contest, Published in The Skagit River Anthology.
Roxanne Dunn
Biography: The author of Murder Unrehearsed and Murder Undetected, Roxanne Dunn has studied writing in Paris and Seattle and writes the galley column for Pacific Yachting magazine. She lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest where she volunteers as a writer for Wild Orca, an organization committed to saving the endangered Southern Resident killer whales, and leads weekly beach cleanups. Roxanne is a retired physical therapist, a foodie, a fanatic about good chocolate, and a private pilot. She lived aboard an old wood motor yacht for seventeen years, and in her dreams, is a pianist of renown, an acceptable water color artist, and a globe-trotting yogini.
Published work: Murder Unrehearsed, Murder Undetected, Galley column in Pacific Yachting Magazine.
Paddy Eger
Biography: Paddy is the published author of both non fiction and fiction books and materials, a presenter, a speaker, a blogger and a traveler. Currently her interests include writing YA, early chapter books and memoir.
Published work: Award-winning books including a YA trilogy: 84 Ribbons, When the Music Stops-Dance On, Letters to Follow-A Dancer's Adventure; and Tasman-An Innocent Convict's Struggle for Freedom
Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paddyegerfictionauthor; Twitter: @paddyegerwriter; Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/paddyeger; Website: www.paddyeger.com; Blogs: www.paddyeger.com/blog/author
Suzanne Elshult
Biography: Suzanne has been active in K9 Search and Rescue (K9SAR) and deployed on hundreds of missions since 2001. She has held leadership positions with both the Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue K9 Team and Everett Mountain Rescue, and is currently the President of Cascadia Search Dogs and a K9 handler with Mason County Search and Rescue.
Published work: A Dog's Devotion, Lyons Press, October 2022
Susan Ferguson
Biography: Susan grew up on the East Coast and has made Washington her home for over 30 years. Author of "Lopez Island" published by Arcadia Publishing, Susan is a past president of EPIC Group Writers and served for quite a few years on the Steering Committee for WOTS, the Write on the Sound writing conference. She is currently at work on a novel.
Tom Frank
[awaiting biography]
Keith Fryer
[awaiting biography]
Dan Gilchrist
Biography: Professionally, I am primarily a graphic designer, trained and licensed as a landscape architect. My day job (retail nursery) also entails copywriting and answering/advising gardening customers online. Intermittent blogger, working toward my first book (a tree pruning how-to). My poem, “Erosion,” won 2nd place at Epic’s 2022 Writing Contest, Adult Poetry division.
Published work: Rhythm & Space (my blog)… “Here’s to Smallness”; “The Dance of Rhythm & Space”; “The Wabi-sabi Garden.”
Website: https://rhythmandspace.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @dangseawa
Kathleen Glassburn
Biography: Kathleen Glassburn has been writing most of her life. She has had many short stories published, a novel and a short story collection published. She is managing editor of The Writer's Workshop Review. She is on Instagram.
Published work: Novel - Making It Work; Short Story Collection - Where Do Stories Come From?
Website: http://www.kathleenglassburn.com/
Lilach Grimminger
[awaiting biography]
Linda Hebert, EPIC Newsletter Editor
Pen name: Linda Summersea
Biography: I’ve always loved wild places. I attribute this to growing up feral on our three-generation family farm in Massachusetts, yet little did I know that it would lead to a lifetime of following my desire to see what’s over the hill. THE GIRL WITH THE BLACK AND BLUE DOLL is my 96,000-word coming-of-age memoir. Its opening scene reveals three-year-old me as I’m fleeing my mother’s wrath and her swinging army belt. The rest is the story of my survival to become a thriving adult.
Published work: The Manifest-Station, The Colombian; also, quite a few travel articles in magazines back in the day.
Linda Hope Lee
Biography: I write romance and mystery novels and short stories.
Published work: Romance, romantic suspense, mystery novels. Latest: The Nina Foster Mystery Series, published by The Wild Rose Press.
Lis Johnson
Biography: Journalist for 20 years now writing second novel.
Published work: The Lebanon Democrat; The Gallatin News-Examiner; The Kingsport Times News; The Johnson City Press.
Falaah Jones
Biography: Falaah Jones has written numerous tales. One novel plops us in a mental hospital, one in a boarding school, and another in dystopian USA. She is a two-time contest winner, and her short essays will be included in the 2022 Two Sisters Writing anthology and the 2022 Whatcom Writes anthology. She lives in Seattle with her husband and chickens and talks to almost everyone she passes on the street.
Published work: 2022 Two Sisters Writing anthology; 2022 Whatcom Writes anthology
Kizzie Jones
Biography: Kizzie Jones found an outlet for whimsy and make-believe, creating stories that model and honor kindness, compassion, collaboration, and diversity through the Tall Tales dachshund book series. "I hope each time the books are read, seeds are planted to further the cause for a gentleness of spirit for all humanity and nature," said Kizzie, who lives on Puget Sound. "Picture it: a world of friends delighting in the whimsy of life, bringing out the best in one another. I can think of no greater legacy."
Published work:“How Dachshunds Came to Be: A Tall Tale About a Short Long Dog”. English, German, Spanish, French; “A Tall Tale About a Dachshund and a Pelican: How a Friendship Came to Be” English, German, Spanish, French; “A Tall Tale About Dachshunds in Costumes: How MORE Dogs Came to Be” English, Spanish; Contributor Anthology “Writing In Place: Prose & Poetry from the Pacific Northwest.”
Website: https://www.kizziejones.com/;
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kizziejonesauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kizeliz;
Goodreads: https://www.go:odreads.com/author/show/6615823.Kizzie_Jones
Elizabeth Keating
[awaiting biography]
Wendy Kendall
Biography: Wendy Kendall's passion for purses, mystery and romance delights in the intriguing In Purse-Suit Mysteries. Find her 5 books on Amazon and other online retailers. Wendy enjoys investigating Pacific Northwest life, and her trail of clues include as a blogger, YouTube podcaster, speaker, and syndicated columnist.
Published work: Kat Out of the Bag; Purse-Stachio Makes A Splash; Snow Kiss Cookies To Die For; Cherry Shakes In The Park; Heart of Christmas Cookies And Dreams. Column - Kids Are Bookin' It.
Social Media: Website – WendyWritesBooks.com;Facebook – WendyKendallMysteries; Twitter - @wendywrites1; Instagram - wendyekendall
Anna Dahland Kim
Biography: Anna Dahland writes about immigration, parenting, and identity. She teaches English to immigrants and is a former professor of English Education at Chonnam National University in South Korea. She lives in Shoreline with her family and a very cute dog.
Published work: Swedish Again: a memoir of motherhood and identity; "Things We Thought We Knew," "Silence," and other poems in Licton Springs Review 2015 & 2021; English Conversation/ Advanced English Conversation, Chunjae Education, South Korea.
Website: https://annadahland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annakim19
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnaDahland
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22007553.Anna_Dahland
Henry Landau
Biography: Hank and his family have lived in Woodway, WA since 1973. He is the founder of Landau Associates, a regional engineering firm. Since his retirement he has been active in human rights, environmental organizations and bicycling and kayaking adventures.
Published work: The Misadventures of a Cross-Country Kayaker, a true story describing the authors Quixotic voyage from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.
Tyler Marcil
[awaiting biography]
Bill Mayer
[awaiting biography]
Marcia McLaughlin
Biography: I am a retired spiritual director who enjoys photography and writing poetry – and seeing where the combination takes me. I am particularly interested in the natural world, how we interact with it, and the messages it has for us. I’m panentheistic; I find God or Spirit in everything. Justice is an important part of my life and my writing. My love of poetry developed from a life-long love of choral music. I was a longtime resident of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. I am now living in Lacey in a vibrant retirement community. The pandemic has given me much more time for writing!
Published Work: Nature's Messages. A self-published book of poetry, 2022. I've also been published in the Edmonds News, and in The Voice (a literary publication of Panorama).
Rebecca Meredith
Biography: Poet, fiction writer. Redmond Poet Laureate 2011-2014. Author of novels MFA in Creative Writing, Goddard College.
Published work: The Last of the Pascagoula (Kirkus Star, Writer’s Digest award winner) and it’s sequel, Look Up From the Water.
Art Mickel
[awaiting biography]
Hiroko Milatesta
Biography: About to complete the first volume of historical espionage fiction set in post-war Japan.
Published work: " A Floral Pageant," translation of Kanoko Okamoto's novella, "Hana wa tsuyoshi," in To Live And To Write: Selections By Japanese Women Writers 1913-1938
Erica Miner
Biography: Former Metropolitan Opera violinist ERICA MINER is now an award-winning author, screenwriter, arts writer and lecturer. Erica won the Fiction Prize in the Direct from the Author Book Awards for her debut novel, Travels With My Lovers. She recently released Death by Opera, the second in her “Operatic Mystery” series.
Published work: Travels With My Lovers; FourEver Friends; Murder in the Pit; Death by Opera; Staged for Murder.
Liz Morris
[awaiting biography]
Gretchen Murphy
Biography: Gretchen is a native of Seattle and has lived with her family in Bothell since 1976. She worked in healthcare and education. She retired in 2017 as Director of the Master’s program in Health Informatics and Health Information Management at the University of Washington. Gretchen has enjoyed writing and contributing to textbooks over many years and is now interested in exploring new writing experiences.
Published work: Poetry: In the Blink of an Eye, Northwest Prime Time, April 2019; poems published in My Edmonds News; Textbooks: Electronic Health Records - Changing the Vision, 1999; Systems Analysis and Computer Applications in Health Information Management, 1983; Medical Records in Health.
Information, 1979.
Vivian Murray
[awaiting biography]
Diane Olberg
Biography: Writer, reader, cook, Unitarian. Born in Minnesota, now living in Edmonds. Writing a memoir about faith, addiction, and mental illness. Housemate of feline Mack the Rascal.
Website: www.dianeolberg.com
Victoria (Tori) Peters
[awaiting biography]
Robert (Doug) Peterson
[awaiting biography]
Joanne Peterson
Biography: Joanne (Bradbury) Peterson, ongoing member of longtime Edmonds Writing Sisters, former columnist for Edmonds Beacon. Now residing a few miles from her beloved hometown, Joanne writes poetry and prose, as the fancy strikes. "A word after a word after a word is power." Margaret Atwood
Published work: Writing in Place: Prose and Poetry from the Pacific Northwest, an anthology, The Edmonds Writing Sisters.
Christine Pinto
Biography: I am a freelance editor, writing and history educator, writing coach, and writer. I have a Certificate in Writing for Children and a Certificate in Editing from the University of Washington. I currently enjoy teaching Oregon Trail history to fourth graders in the Shoreline School District, and volunteering at historic Fort Nisqually in Tacoma.
Published work: My short story, “Del”, was a 2021 EPIC Writing Contest winner.
Contact info: https://www.christinepintowrites.com/; https://allegoryediting.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-pinto-writes/
Patricia Power
Biography: I am a semi-retired adjunct professor of religious studies for Arizona State University and the Maricopa Community College District. This means I teach online courses for these institutions from the comfort of my home, or better yet, the open patio in front of Starbucks in Mill Creek Town Center! I’ve been writing one thing or another for as long as I can remember. A few pieces have even been published. While I enjoy writing non-fiction, I am trying my hand at fiction these days. On the agenda: a murder mystery set in the fictitious community of Cedar Creek.
Published work: A first-person feature article on working with the homeless in Charisma magazine; “Seppuku,” in Religion and Violence: An Encyclopedia of Faith and Conflict from Antiquity to the Present; “Dar al-Islam community (New Mexico) in Encyclopedia of Muslim-American History; “Blurring the Boundaries: American Messianic Jews and Gentiles,” in Nova Religio.
Valerie Ramer
Biography: Valerie Ramer is the author of Alastair McAllister Goes to School, a children's book purrfect for ages 3-8. Valerie has raised 2 amazing children and lots of kittens. She has a background in theater. She has written and directed children's theater and did ghostwriting for numerous TV and film screenplays.
Published work: Alastair McAllister Goes to School, a children's book for ages 3-8.
Website: www.Redwritingbooks.com
Lisa Reddick
Biography: Lisa M. Reddick has lived in, loved and been writing about the Pacific Northwest for most of her life. Her personal essay. She is currently working on the sequel to The Same River which focuses on issues in the future having to do with climate change.
Published work: The Same River, published in Landscapes of the Heart; Narratives of Nature and Self.
Brenda Reiss
Biography: Call me a slow starter. I was here on the planet before anyone had even heard of the Beatles... but the possibility of writing never occurred to me until almost too late. Now, (thank you lockdown) I'm deep into a memoir. It's my maiden voyage in the thrashing seas of not-quite-literary reminiscence... salted with a generous dollop of bull. Expat memoirs of colonized countries are a whole genre and since I grew up as an American in South Africa, that's what mine is about. More or less.
Donna Rudiger
Biography: Donna M. Rudiger began writing as an adolescent and has lived in the PNW since 1974. She is an award-winning essayist and poet and an active member of several writing groups in the Seattle area. She is a retired technical writer and lives in Arlington.
Published work: Contributing Poet to "Soundings of the Salish Sea", a poetry anthology, published by EPIC Writers Poetry Group, 2018.
Carol Sanford
Published work: Three award-winning non-fiction. The Responsible Business, The Responsible Entrepreneur with Wiley; The Regenerative Business, with Nicholas Brealey and soon to be released No More Feedback self-published. 3 Podcasts and Blogs. The Regenerative Business, The Responsible Capitalist, Business Second Opinion. Producer The Regenerative Summit. Faculty @ Universities in Europe and UW. Senior Fellow of Social Innovation at Babson College.
Social Media: Website: www.carolsanford.com; Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carolsanford2; Twitter: carolsanford
Mary Ann Schradi
Biography: Mimzi Schradi lives in Camano Island, is a former Drama and English Teacher and belongs to various choral groups. She is the author of three romantic thrillers in the Angelina Seraphina Series, the latest being Poisoned in Paris.
Published work: Novels: Psychic in Seattle, Frantic in Fiji…and other ports of call, and Poisoned in Paris; Novella: The IT Girl in the collection, Detective Ink. Poetry: Published in Skagit Valley Writers Anthology, Skagit River Anthology, and Skagit River Anthology II.
Courtenay Schurman
Biography: Traditionally published in adult non-fiction, I'm currently working on MG novels featuring active girls who love the outdoors. I was chosen through SCBWI to participate in their 6-month Mentorship Program. When I'm not writing or training clients for their outdoor adventures, I serve on the WOTS Steering Committee, volunteer with the giraffes at Woodland Park Zoo, shelve books at the Olympic Hills Elementary School, and prepare for upcoming overseas adventures including trips to Ireland as a chaperone for my daughter's high school marching band, and New Zealand.
Published work: Train to Climb Mt. Rainier or Any High Peak DVD (Body Results 2002); Chapter 4 (Conditioning) Freedom of the Hills (Mountaineers books) editions 7, 8, 9; The Outdoor Athlete (2009; Human Kinetics); Quarterly columnist Mountaineers Magazine (Seattle Mountaineers) 2014-current.
Cindy Speer
Biography: Cindy Lynn Speer is the author of several books, including the Amazon best selling The Chocolatier’s Wife, and her latest, The Key To All Things. A panelist and several conferences, she liked to talk about folklore, cryptids, and any aspect of writing. She also practices historical sword fighting and costuming. When she has free time she likes to take to the road, and swears that nothing resolves a plot problem like a long walk.
Published work: Unbalanced; Blue Moon; The Chocolatier’s Wife; The Chocolatier’s Ghost; Wishes and Sorrows; The Key to All Things.
Website: Www.apenandfire.com
Kristina Stapleton
[awaiting biography]
Elizabeth Stewart
Biography: grew up in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York, and made my way to Washington State via Northern California. I am a genetics/genomics scientist by training and have written numerous publications and grants in the field. However, I wanted to also try something different and so I am now working on writing fiction which is quite a stretch from writing scientific papers but I am having a lot of fun with it. I love to read sci-fi and fantasy.
Carol B Tiebout
Published work: Calyx Journal of Art and Literature, My Edmonds News, Poet's Corner, American Jewish Historical Society webite.
Diane Tinsley
[awaiting biography]
Howard Tinsley
Biography: I am a retired university professor with extensive experience editing and publishing in psychological journals and books. I began to study creative writing in the early 1990 but until now have written only for personal pleasure. I am currently working on two fiction novels I hope to publish when completed.
Published work: Tinsley, H. E. A., Lease, S. H., & Wiersma, N. S. G. (Eds.). (2016). Contemporary theory and practice in counseling and psychotherapy. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; Tinsley, H. E. A., & Lease, S. H. (Eds.). (2008). Encyclopedia of counseling, Volume 2: Personal counseling and mental health problems. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; Tinsley, H. E. A., & Brown, S.D. (Eds.). (2000). Handbook of applied multivariate statistics and mathematical modeling. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Dorothy Van Soest
Biography: Novelist Dorothy Van Soest, professor emerita and retired dean at the University of Washington, holds a B.A. in English Literature and a Masters and Ph.D. in Social Work. Van Soest has been a professional writer for over thirty years with eleven books published and over fifty journal articles, essays and book chapters.
Published work: Just Mercy (2014), At the Center (2015), and Death, Unchartered (2018) were published by Apprentice House, Baltimore, MD. Her most recent novel, Nuclear Option, will be released in 2020.
Kathryn Walsh-Clark (pen name Lylium Walsh)
Biography: Lylium Walsh is a queer, pagan writer based in Edmonds, WA. She currently leads Writing Rainbow, a twice monthly meet up for LGBTQIA+ writers. More about her can be found at lyliumwalsh.com
Published work: Lylium has been published in My Edmonds News repeatedly, and placed second in poetry for EPIC Group Writers’ 2021 writing contest.
Naomi Wark
Biography: Besides being an active member with EPIC Group Writers, Naomi Wark is on the board of Skagit Valley Writers’ League, and a member of Pacific Northwest Writers. She holds a Certificate in Commercial Fiction from the University of Washington. When she is not writing, Naomi enjoys gardening and swimming. She is a volunteer and on the Board of Stanwood Camano Food Bank.
Published Work: Naomi’s debut novel, Wildflowers in Winter is recognized by AlzAuthors for its accurate portrayal of a woman dealing with dementia. Both Wildflowers in Winter, and the prequel novel, Songs of Spring, draw inspiration from diaries left behind by a grandmother and discovered upon her death. An excerpt from Songs of Spring is included in Skagit River Anthology.
Awards: An excerpt from Songs of Spring won 2nd place in adult prose in the EPIC writer’s contest in 2020, and a short story, The Hunt, won 2nd placed in prose in 2021. A separate excerpt from Songs of Spring won 3rd place in a contest sponsored by Skagit Valley Writer’s League.
Ingrid Wolsk
Biography: I was born in New York City and from childhood on I wrote poems and illustrated them, along with writing very short stories. As an adult I lived abroad for ten years working both in and out of the arts and theater world. I feel so privileged now to have the time to write, which is my true passion, and now finally am published.
Publications: 'A Screech of Warning' a flash fiction piece on Amazon Kindle. 'The Secret of Anja' a novel, on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. For the moment it appears only as an eBook since it takes 2-3 weeks to get it to appear as a print version.
(Members are listed below the Board of Directors, in alphabetical order)
Laura Moe, Board President
Biography: Author, radio host, and writing teacher Laura Moe spent most of her working life as a librarian and English teacher in central and Southeastern Ohio, but moved to Seattle where she writes full-time and is an active member of SCBWI.
Published work: Parallel Lines (Fat Cats, 2015); Breakfast with Neruda (Simon & Schuster/Merit Press, 2016) - named by the New York Public Library as one of the Best Books for Teens in 2016. She is owned by a spoiled white cat and is working on a sequel to Breakfast With Neruda.
Social Media: https://bookclubbabble.com/interviews/interview-with-ya-author-laura-moe-on-breakfast-with-neruda/;
http://laura-moe.blogspot.com/; http://www.blogtalkradio.com/authorsontheair/2016/08/03/jacquelyn-mitchards-summer-scribes-presents-author-laura-moe
Alison (Ali) Eden Ersfeld, Youth Program Coordinator
Biography: Ali is a poet, a teacher, and a tree-hugger. She teaches at Meadowdale High School where she works collaboratively with students to create and publish the school’s annual art and literary magazine. She is currently the VP of Development for EPIC Group Writers and continues to work with EPIC Youth Writers.
Published work: Unmasked Magazine, The Boot, EPIC Group Writers 2018 Contest winner (second place-poetry), My Edmonds News – Poet’s Corner, Edmonds Patch.
Susan Frederick, VP Membership
Biography: Susan Frederick is an award winning writer who has published poems, short stories and essays, and is currently working on a memoir about the Vietnam war. She is a native of Washington state and grew up in small logging towns in the foothills of Mt. Rainier. She lives in Kirkland, Washington and is on the Board of EPIC Group Writers and is a member of Hugo House. She is currently at work on a memoir.
Published work: Rise & Shine, (publisher: Gather Here, an imprint of Homeostasis Press); Timber Town (publisher: Gather Here); Ghosted, published in Northwest Prime Time magazine. Several of Susan's poems have appeared in My Edmonds News.
Diane Naab, EPIC Board Secretary & Monday Morning Pages leader
Diane Naab is an artist, writer, world traveler, and published author. Her poetry and short stories were published in four consecutive issues of the annual literary review, Inside Passages, in southeast Alaska; Poetry Corners published by the Arts & Humanities Bainbridge; poetry and art for Ars Poetica at BARN on Bainbridge; and several submissions to The Poetry Corner for My Edmonds News. Diane serves as secretary on the EPIC Board of Directors and hosts the weekly writing group “The Write Time.”
Elizabeth Peck, EPIC Board Treasurer
Biography: Although Elizabeth Peck is an avid reader and supports writing, she is not a writer. However she is office manager and assistant to the president at Henry H. Ketcham Lumber in Seattle, Washington. Her skill set includes QuickBooks, Microsoft Office Suite, and digital data management. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Western Washington University and a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching Elementary Education from Western Governors University.
Gerald Bigelow, EPIC Board Member at Large & Poetry Group leader
Published work: Poetry, poems published in Arizona 100 Years, Between the Lines, Memories Looking Through a Screen Door, Soundings from the Salish Sea: A Pacific Northwest Poetry Anthology.
Christine Dubois, EPIC Board Member at Large
Biography: Christine Dubois is a widely published writer and editor who has successfully tackled articles, newsletters, resumes, advertising copy, book editing, and more for a variety of grateful clients. She teaches writing workshops at North Seattle College, as well as for local businesses and writer's conferences. Her warmth, knowledge, and enthusiasm make her a popular instructor.
Published work: "Waiting In Hope: Meditations for Expectant Parents" with my husband Steven E. Bourne; More than 500 articles in 45 publications, including Chicken Soup for the Soul, Birdwatching, Byline, Mothering, The Seattle Times, and more.
Website: www.christinedubois.com.
Laura Kemp, EPIC Newsletter Editor
Biography: EPIC board member at large Laura Kemp was a professional firefighter for almost twenty-two years, and at one point got her writing fix crafting fire department training manuals—not exactly a springboard for producing page-turners. Eventually, the terrors and triumphs of the job inspired her to attempt something that makes running into burning buildings look easy – creating decent fiction. Laura’s first screenplay, “Burn Pattern,” has placed in national competitions, including a Top 100 placing in the 2021 Austin Film Festival Table Read My Screenplay Genre Competition and winning Best Script at the Depth of Field International Film festival.
Social media: https://www.nwsg.org/membership/compendium-members-projects-credits/. https://www.facebook.com/LauraMKempWriter https://gamblecreekstudio.com.
Liz Morris
[awaiting biography]
Joe Rice, EPIC Board Member at Large and Tuesday Evening Writing Group leader
Biography: I am a retired educator now working to complete a memoir and another nonfiction book on Multiage Education. I also write poetry, short stories and educational articles. I'm also an avid of many genre and love to participate in writing groups. Never too old to learn.
Published work: Nongraded Multiage Education - A Resource Book, Edmonds School District Press 1990, 1992; Short stories published in others' collections:- Joseph Rice: Generations, edited by Darryl Teruya 2003; "One Way Out," The Greater Good,: Life Lessons from Hawai'i's Leaders, by Evan and Kari Leong 2008; "Untitled," Do It Anyway by Kent M. Keith 2003; "A survey and Analysis of Oral Reading Miscues Made By Mexican and Mexican American Migrants 1979; "Kupu Hou: To Sprout and Grow Anew," A white paper on the future of education presented to the Directors of Mid-Pacific Institute, Honolulu, Hawaii 2012.
Judith Works, EPIC Board Member at Large
Biography: Judith, a founding member of EPIC Group Writers, is the author of a memoir about living in Rome and working for the United Nations titled Coins in the Fountain. She enjoys writing travel stories, and is working on a novel set in Rome and Vashon Island, and another set in the Cascade Mountain foothills.
Published work: Coins in the Fountain as well as articles in My Edmonds News, Wanted in Rome, Alaska Airlines inflight magazine and several pieces of flash fiction in literary journals.
Social Media: FB Author's page: judithworks author; Instagram: worksjudith; website: judithworks.net.
# # #
2022-23 EPIC MEMBERS (in alphabetical order)
(EPIC Membership Year is September 1 through August 31)
Catherine Alexander
Biography: In December 2021, Catherine Alexander published her novel, DOGS DON’T COOK. She has been nominated for both the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net and published stories in 50 literary journals, including North Atlantic Review, Rosebud (two successive issues), Bryant Literary Review, and Rockhurst Review. She won Jurors' Choice in Spindrift and awarded The Prize from City.River.Tree. Paul Auster read her story, “Dancing on 74th Street,” on NPR. Jorja Fox from television’s CSI performed “Backyards” in a WordTheatre production. For fifteen years, she has taught fiction and memoir at the University of Washington, Edmonds College, and presented twice at the Write on the Sound Conference in Edmonds. Living in Seattle, Washington, with her cat and two dogs, she is hard at work on her second novel.
Jan Alkire
Biography: I am a writer, a speaker, and the author of many articles and five non-fiction books that focus on spirituality and healing. I've enthusiastically lived in Seattle ever since graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in physical therapy.
Published Work: Books: "Seeking Christ Through Friendship"; "Healing: Stories of Faith, Hope, and Love"; "Quests: Travel Stories of Seeking and Finding" (a memoir about my life-changing adventures in Europe during my 20s); "Healing as a Parish Ministry: Mending Body, Mind and Spirit" (co-authored with Father Leo Thomas, OP); "Healing Ministry: A Practical Guide" (co-authored with Father Leo Thomas, OP)
Articles: Two examples: "Christmas Letters: A Custom We Love to Hate"; "The Power of Art in the Home."
Website: www.JanAlkire.com
Roma Anjoy
[awaiting biography)
Roxana Arama
Biography: Roxana Arama is a Romanian American author with a master of fine arts in creative writing from Goddard College. She studied computer science in Bucharest, Romania and moved to the United States to work in software development. Her short stories and essays have been published in many literary magazines. Extreme Vetting is her first novel. She lives in Seattle, Washington with her family. More at https://roxanaarama.com/
Vanessa Arpin
Biography: Vanessa Arpin has won several awards for her writing. In 2017, she won a scholarship to the Mendocino Writer’s Conference for her Young Adult submission, and her book was a top finalist in the Young Adult genre. In 2014, she was recognized by the Seattle Public Library for her poetry.
Social Media: Vanessaarpin.com
Petra Bosse
[awaiting biography]
Jeffrey Briggs
Biography: Jeffrey D. Briggs, a writer and journalist, has been writing about the Seattle waterfront since he moved onto his sailboat over thirty years ago. He now lives on land with his wife and dog and can often be found on the shores of Puget Sound, wondering what secrets lie hidden beneath those cold waters.
Published work: The Waterfront Mystery series: Out of the Cold Dark Sea and Within A Shadowed Forest.
Harriet Cannon
Biography: Harriet Cannon is a writer whose first career was as a psychotherapist with a multicultural speciality. Her debut novel, Exiled South, an international story of family secrets and reconciliation. Her non fiction book is Mixed Blessings: A Guide to Multicultural and Multiethnic Relationships. A second novel is in the works.
Published work: Exiled South; Mixed Blessings: A Guide to Multicultural and Multiethnic Relationships.
Social Media: https://www.harrietcannon.com and https://www.facebook.com/H.R.Cannon
Nicole 'Nicki' Chen
Biography: Nicki Chen is a writer and blogger who lives in Edmonds, WA. Her first novel, "Tiger Tail Soup," was inspired by stories her husband told about his childhood in China during the Japanese invasion of WWII. Her most recent novel, "When in Vanuatu," was informed by her experiences while living in the Philippines and in the South Pacific. She graduated from Seattle University and has an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Published work: Tiger Tail Soup, A Novel of China at War; When in Vanuatu, A Novel; "The Pool at Piula" in Tidepools; "A Blind Eye" in Tidepools. "Marry a Chicken, Follow a Chicken: Marry a Dog, Follow a Dog" in City Primeval; "Getting Safe in Paradise" in Confrontation.
Social Media: Website/Blog: www.nickichenwrites.com; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NickiChenAuthor/; Twitter: @NickiChenAuthor; Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8261760.
Jane Dossick
Biography: Originally a resident of New York, and now happily residing in Edmonds. Spent 32 years working for the New York City Health and Hospital Corporation (Dept. of psychiatry and mental health). Have been a writing all my life and enjoy the company and stimulation of fellow writers and other artists.
Published work: The Violinist's Daughter (published 2022); Creative Therapy Volumes I-IV, Inheritance (short story collection); In Memory of Lizzie Breed; Izzy and Osgood; and the plays Gemma, and Bleecker St. Blues.
Darlene Dubay
Biography: Darlene, a retired airline pilot living in the Pacific Northwest is compiling a list of stories from her years of commercial flying. Her experiences range from "bush flying" in Alaska to transcontinental flights with a major airline. She sings with multiple groups, gardens and writes--her latest passion.
Published work: Walking is a Prayer; Tales of Two Sisters; Short story -- Rudy's Dream-- in Anthology --Tales for a Lazy Afternoon; Second place short story - fiction in Skagit Valley Writers League Contest, Published in The Skagit River Anthology.
Roxanne Dunn
Biography: The author of Murder Unrehearsed and Murder Undetected, Roxanne Dunn has studied writing in Paris and Seattle and writes the galley column for Pacific Yachting magazine. She lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest where she volunteers as a writer for Wild Orca, an organization committed to saving the endangered Southern Resident killer whales, and leads weekly beach cleanups. Roxanne is a retired physical therapist, a foodie, a fanatic about good chocolate, and a private pilot. She lived aboard an old wood motor yacht for seventeen years, and in her dreams, is a pianist of renown, an acceptable water color artist, and a globe-trotting yogini.
Published work: Murder Unrehearsed, Murder Undetected, Galley column in Pacific Yachting Magazine.
Paddy Eger
Biography: Paddy is the published author of both non fiction and fiction books and materials, a presenter, a speaker, a blogger and a traveler. Currently her interests include writing YA, early chapter books and memoir.
Published work: Award-winning books including a YA trilogy: 84 Ribbons, When the Music Stops-Dance On, Letters to Follow-A Dancer's Adventure; and Tasman-An Innocent Convict's Struggle for Freedom
Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paddyegerfictionauthor; Twitter: @paddyegerwriter; Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/paddyeger; Website: www.paddyeger.com; Blogs: www.paddyeger.com/blog/author
Suzanne Elshult
Biography: Suzanne has been active in K9 Search and Rescue (K9SAR) and deployed on hundreds of missions since 2001. She has held leadership positions with both the Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue K9 Team and Everett Mountain Rescue, and is currently the President of Cascadia Search Dogs and a K9 handler with Mason County Search and Rescue.
Published work: A Dog's Devotion, Lyons Press, October 2022
Susan Ferguson
Biography: Susan grew up on the East Coast and has made Washington her home for over 30 years. Author of "Lopez Island" published by Arcadia Publishing, Susan is a past president of EPIC Group Writers and served for quite a few years on the Steering Committee for WOTS, the Write on the Sound writing conference. She is currently at work on a novel.
Tom Frank
[awaiting biography]
Keith Fryer
[awaiting biography]
Dan Gilchrist
Biography: Professionally, I am primarily a graphic designer, trained and licensed as a landscape architect. My day job (retail nursery) also entails copywriting and answering/advising gardening customers online. Intermittent blogger, working toward my first book (a tree pruning how-to). My poem, “Erosion,” won 2nd place at Epic’s 2022 Writing Contest, Adult Poetry division.
Published work: Rhythm & Space (my blog)… “Here’s to Smallness”; “The Dance of Rhythm & Space”; “The Wabi-sabi Garden.”
Website: https://rhythmandspace.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @dangseawa
Kathleen Glassburn
Biography: Kathleen Glassburn has been writing most of her life. She has had many short stories published, a novel and a short story collection published. She is managing editor of The Writer's Workshop Review. She is on Instagram.
Published work: Novel - Making It Work; Short Story Collection - Where Do Stories Come From?
Website: http://www.kathleenglassburn.com/
Lilach Grimminger
[awaiting biography]
Linda Hebert, EPIC Newsletter Editor
Pen name: Linda Summersea
Biography: I’ve always loved wild places. I attribute this to growing up feral on our three-generation family farm in Massachusetts, yet little did I know that it would lead to a lifetime of following my desire to see what’s over the hill. THE GIRL WITH THE BLACK AND BLUE DOLL is my 96,000-word coming-of-age memoir. Its opening scene reveals three-year-old me as I’m fleeing my mother’s wrath and her swinging army belt. The rest is the story of my survival to become a thriving adult.
Published work: The Manifest-Station, The Colombian; also, quite a few travel articles in magazines back in the day.
Linda Hope Lee
Biography: I write romance and mystery novels and short stories.
Published work: Romance, romantic suspense, mystery novels. Latest: The Nina Foster Mystery Series, published by The Wild Rose Press.
Lis Johnson
Biography: Journalist for 20 years now writing second novel.
Published work: The Lebanon Democrat; The Gallatin News-Examiner; The Kingsport Times News; The Johnson City Press.
Falaah Jones
Biography: Falaah Jones has written numerous tales. One novel plops us in a mental hospital, one in a boarding school, and another in dystopian USA. She is a two-time contest winner, and her short essays will be included in the 2022 Two Sisters Writing anthology and the 2022 Whatcom Writes anthology. She lives in Seattle with her husband and chickens and talks to almost everyone she passes on the street.
Published work: 2022 Two Sisters Writing anthology; 2022 Whatcom Writes anthology
Kizzie Jones
Biography: Kizzie Jones found an outlet for whimsy and make-believe, creating stories that model and honor kindness, compassion, collaboration, and diversity through the Tall Tales dachshund book series. "I hope each time the books are read, seeds are planted to further the cause for a gentleness of spirit for all humanity and nature," said Kizzie, who lives on Puget Sound. "Picture it: a world of friends delighting in the whimsy of life, bringing out the best in one another. I can think of no greater legacy."
Published work:“How Dachshunds Came to Be: A Tall Tale About a Short Long Dog”. English, German, Spanish, French; “A Tall Tale About a Dachshund and a Pelican: How a Friendship Came to Be” English, German, Spanish, French; “A Tall Tale About Dachshunds in Costumes: How MORE Dogs Came to Be” English, Spanish; Contributor Anthology “Writing In Place: Prose & Poetry from the Pacific Northwest.”
Website: https://www.kizziejones.com/;
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kizziejonesauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kizeliz;
Goodreads: https://www.go:odreads.com/author/show/6615823.Kizzie_Jones
Elizabeth Keating
[awaiting biography]
Wendy Kendall
Biography: Wendy Kendall's passion for purses, mystery and romance delights in the intriguing In Purse-Suit Mysteries. Find her 5 books on Amazon and other online retailers. Wendy enjoys investigating Pacific Northwest life, and her trail of clues include as a blogger, YouTube podcaster, speaker, and syndicated columnist.
Published work: Kat Out of the Bag; Purse-Stachio Makes A Splash; Snow Kiss Cookies To Die For; Cherry Shakes In The Park; Heart of Christmas Cookies And Dreams. Column - Kids Are Bookin' It.
Social Media: Website – WendyWritesBooks.com;Facebook – WendyKendallMysteries; Twitter - @wendywrites1; Instagram - wendyekendall
Anna Dahland Kim
Biography: Anna Dahland writes about immigration, parenting, and identity. She teaches English to immigrants and is a former professor of English Education at Chonnam National University in South Korea. She lives in Shoreline with her family and a very cute dog.
Published work: Swedish Again: a memoir of motherhood and identity; "Things We Thought We Knew," "Silence," and other poems in Licton Springs Review 2015 & 2021; English Conversation/ Advanced English Conversation, Chunjae Education, South Korea.
Website: https://annadahland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annakim19
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnaDahland
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22007553.Anna_Dahland
Henry Landau
Biography: Hank and his family have lived in Woodway, WA since 1973. He is the founder of Landau Associates, a regional engineering firm. Since his retirement he has been active in human rights, environmental organizations and bicycling and kayaking adventures.
Published work: The Misadventures of a Cross-Country Kayaker, a true story describing the authors Quixotic voyage from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.
Tyler Marcil
[awaiting biography]
Bill Mayer
[awaiting biography]
Marcia McLaughlin
Biography: I am a retired spiritual director who enjoys photography and writing poetry – and seeing where the combination takes me. I am particularly interested in the natural world, how we interact with it, and the messages it has for us. I’m panentheistic; I find God or Spirit in everything. Justice is an important part of my life and my writing. My love of poetry developed from a life-long love of choral music. I was a longtime resident of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. I am now living in Lacey in a vibrant retirement community. The pandemic has given me much more time for writing!
Published Work: Nature's Messages. A self-published book of poetry, 2022. I've also been published in the Edmonds News, and in The Voice (a literary publication of Panorama).
Rebecca Meredith
Biography: Poet, fiction writer. Redmond Poet Laureate 2011-2014. Author of novels MFA in Creative Writing, Goddard College.
Published work: The Last of the Pascagoula (Kirkus Star, Writer’s Digest award winner) and it’s sequel, Look Up From the Water.
Art Mickel
[awaiting biography]
Hiroko Milatesta
Biography: About to complete the first volume of historical espionage fiction set in post-war Japan.
Published work: " A Floral Pageant," translation of Kanoko Okamoto's novella, "Hana wa tsuyoshi," in To Live And To Write: Selections By Japanese Women Writers 1913-1938
Erica Miner
Biography: Former Metropolitan Opera violinist ERICA MINER is now an award-winning author, screenwriter, arts writer and lecturer. Erica won the Fiction Prize in the Direct from the Author Book Awards for her debut novel, Travels With My Lovers. She recently released Death by Opera, the second in her “Operatic Mystery” series.
Published work: Travels With My Lovers; FourEver Friends; Murder in the Pit; Death by Opera; Staged for Murder.
Liz Morris
[awaiting biography]
Gretchen Murphy
Biography: Gretchen is a native of Seattle and has lived with her family in Bothell since 1976. She worked in healthcare and education. She retired in 2017 as Director of the Master’s program in Health Informatics and Health Information Management at the University of Washington. Gretchen has enjoyed writing and contributing to textbooks over many years and is now interested in exploring new writing experiences.
Published work: Poetry: In the Blink of an Eye, Northwest Prime Time, April 2019; poems published in My Edmonds News; Textbooks: Electronic Health Records - Changing the Vision, 1999; Systems Analysis and Computer Applications in Health Information Management, 1983; Medical Records in Health.
Information, 1979.
Vivian Murray
[awaiting biography]
Diane Olberg
Biography: Writer, reader, cook, Unitarian. Born in Minnesota, now living in Edmonds. Writing a memoir about faith, addiction, and mental illness. Housemate of feline Mack the Rascal.
Website: www.dianeolberg.com
Victoria (Tori) Peters
[awaiting biography]
Robert (Doug) Peterson
[awaiting biography]
Joanne Peterson
Biography: Joanne (Bradbury) Peterson, ongoing member of longtime Edmonds Writing Sisters, former columnist for Edmonds Beacon. Now residing a few miles from her beloved hometown, Joanne writes poetry and prose, as the fancy strikes. "A word after a word after a word is power." Margaret Atwood
Published work: Writing in Place: Prose and Poetry from the Pacific Northwest, an anthology, The Edmonds Writing Sisters.
Christine Pinto
Biography: I am a freelance editor, writing and history educator, writing coach, and writer. I have a Certificate in Writing for Children and a Certificate in Editing from the University of Washington. I currently enjoy teaching Oregon Trail history to fourth graders in the Shoreline School District, and volunteering at historic Fort Nisqually in Tacoma.
Published work: My short story, “Del”, was a 2021 EPIC Writing Contest winner.
Contact info: https://www.christinepintowrites.com/; https://allegoryediting.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-pinto-writes/
Patricia Power
Biography: I am a semi-retired adjunct professor of religious studies for Arizona State University and the Maricopa Community College District. This means I teach online courses for these institutions from the comfort of my home, or better yet, the open patio in front of Starbucks in Mill Creek Town Center! I’ve been writing one thing or another for as long as I can remember. A few pieces have even been published. While I enjoy writing non-fiction, I am trying my hand at fiction these days. On the agenda: a murder mystery set in the fictitious community of Cedar Creek.
Published work: A first-person feature article on working with the homeless in Charisma magazine; “Seppuku,” in Religion and Violence: An Encyclopedia of Faith and Conflict from Antiquity to the Present; “Dar al-Islam community (New Mexico) in Encyclopedia of Muslim-American History; “Blurring the Boundaries: American Messianic Jews and Gentiles,” in Nova Religio.
Valerie Ramer
Biography: Valerie Ramer is the author of Alastair McAllister Goes to School, a children's book purrfect for ages 3-8. Valerie has raised 2 amazing children and lots of kittens. She has a background in theater. She has written and directed children's theater and did ghostwriting for numerous TV and film screenplays.
Published work: Alastair McAllister Goes to School, a children's book for ages 3-8.
Website: www.Redwritingbooks.com
Lisa Reddick
Biography: Lisa M. Reddick has lived in, loved and been writing about the Pacific Northwest for most of her life. Her personal essay. She is currently working on the sequel to The Same River which focuses on issues in the future having to do with climate change.
Published work: The Same River, published in Landscapes of the Heart; Narratives of Nature and Self.
Brenda Reiss
Biography: Call me a slow starter. I was here on the planet before anyone had even heard of the Beatles... but the possibility of writing never occurred to me until almost too late. Now, (thank you lockdown) I'm deep into a memoir. It's my maiden voyage in the thrashing seas of not-quite-literary reminiscence... salted with a generous dollop of bull. Expat memoirs of colonized countries are a whole genre and since I grew up as an American in South Africa, that's what mine is about. More or less.
Donna Rudiger
Biography: Donna M. Rudiger began writing as an adolescent and has lived in the PNW since 1974. She is an award-winning essayist and poet and an active member of several writing groups in the Seattle area. She is a retired technical writer and lives in Arlington.
Published work: Contributing Poet to "Soundings of the Salish Sea", a poetry anthology, published by EPIC Writers Poetry Group, 2018.
Carol Sanford
Published work: Three award-winning non-fiction. The Responsible Business, The Responsible Entrepreneur with Wiley; The Regenerative Business, with Nicholas Brealey and soon to be released No More Feedback self-published. 3 Podcasts and Blogs. The Regenerative Business, The Responsible Capitalist, Business Second Opinion. Producer The Regenerative Summit. Faculty @ Universities in Europe and UW. Senior Fellow of Social Innovation at Babson College.
Social Media: Website: www.carolsanford.com; Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carolsanford2; Twitter: carolsanford
Mary Ann Schradi
Biography: Mimzi Schradi lives in Camano Island, is a former Drama and English Teacher and belongs to various choral groups. She is the author of three romantic thrillers in the Angelina Seraphina Series, the latest being Poisoned in Paris.
Published work: Novels: Psychic in Seattle, Frantic in Fiji…and other ports of call, and Poisoned in Paris; Novella: The IT Girl in the collection, Detective Ink. Poetry: Published in Skagit Valley Writers Anthology, Skagit River Anthology, and Skagit River Anthology II.
Courtenay Schurman
Biography: Traditionally published in adult non-fiction, I'm currently working on MG novels featuring active girls who love the outdoors. I was chosen through SCBWI to participate in their 6-month Mentorship Program. When I'm not writing or training clients for their outdoor adventures, I serve on the WOTS Steering Committee, volunteer with the giraffes at Woodland Park Zoo, shelve books at the Olympic Hills Elementary School, and prepare for upcoming overseas adventures including trips to Ireland as a chaperone for my daughter's high school marching band, and New Zealand.
Published work: Train to Climb Mt. Rainier or Any High Peak DVD (Body Results 2002); Chapter 4 (Conditioning) Freedom of the Hills (Mountaineers books) editions 7, 8, 9; The Outdoor Athlete (2009; Human Kinetics); Quarterly columnist Mountaineers Magazine (Seattle Mountaineers) 2014-current.
Cindy Speer
Biography: Cindy Lynn Speer is the author of several books, including the Amazon best selling The Chocolatier’s Wife, and her latest, The Key To All Things. A panelist and several conferences, she liked to talk about folklore, cryptids, and any aspect of writing. She also practices historical sword fighting and costuming. When she has free time she likes to take to the road, and swears that nothing resolves a plot problem like a long walk.
Published work: Unbalanced; Blue Moon; The Chocolatier’s Wife; The Chocolatier’s Ghost; Wishes and Sorrows; The Key to All Things.
Website: Www.apenandfire.com
Kristina Stapleton
[awaiting biography]
Elizabeth Stewart
Biography: grew up in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York, and made my way to Washington State via Northern California. I am a genetics/genomics scientist by training and have written numerous publications and grants in the field. However, I wanted to also try something different and so I am now working on writing fiction which is quite a stretch from writing scientific papers but I am having a lot of fun with it. I love to read sci-fi and fantasy.
Carol B Tiebout
Published work: Calyx Journal of Art and Literature, My Edmonds News, Poet's Corner, American Jewish Historical Society webite.
Diane Tinsley
[awaiting biography]
Howard Tinsley
Biography: I am a retired university professor with extensive experience editing and publishing in psychological journals and books. I began to study creative writing in the early 1990 but until now have written only for personal pleasure. I am currently working on two fiction novels I hope to publish when completed.
Published work: Tinsley, H. E. A., Lease, S. H., & Wiersma, N. S. G. (Eds.). (2016). Contemporary theory and practice in counseling and psychotherapy. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; Tinsley, H. E. A., & Lease, S. H. (Eds.). (2008). Encyclopedia of counseling, Volume 2: Personal counseling and mental health problems. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; Tinsley, H. E. A., & Brown, S.D. (Eds.). (2000). Handbook of applied multivariate statistics and mathematical modeling. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Dorothy Van Soest
Biography: Novelist Dorothy Van Soest, professor emerita and retired dean at the University of Washington, holds a B.A. in English Literature and a Masters and Ph.D. in Social Work. Van Soest has been a professional writer for over thirty years with eleven books published and over fifty journal articles, essays and book chapters.
Published work: Just Mercy (2014), At the Center (2015), and Death, Unchartered (2018) were published by Apprentice House, Baltimore, MD. Her most recent novel, Nuclear Option, will be released in 2020.
Kathryn Walsh-Clark (pen name Lylium Walsh)
Biography: Lylium Walsh is a queer, pagan writer based in Edmonds, WA. She currently leads Writing Rainbow, a twice monthly meet up for LGBTQIA+ writers. More about her can be found at lyliumwalsh.com
Published work: Lylium has been published in My Edmonds News repeatedly, and placed second in poetry for EPIC Group Writers’ 2021 writing contest.
Naomi Wark
Biography: Besides being an active member with EPIC Group Writers, Naomi Wark is on the board of Skagit Valley Writers’ League, and a member of Pacific Northwest Writers. She holds a Certificate in Commercial Fiction from the University of Washington. When she is not writing, Naomi enjoys gardening and swimming. She is a volunteer and on the Board of Stanwood Camano Food Bank.
Published Work: Naomi’s debut novel, Wildflowers in Winter is recognized by AlzAuthors for its accurate portrayal of a woman dealing with dementia. Both Wildflowers in Winter, and the prequel novel, Songs of Spring, draw inspiration from diaries left behind by a grandmother and discovered upon her death. An excerpt from Songs of Spring is included in Skagit River Anthology.
Awards: An excerpt from Songs of Spring won 2nd place in adult prose in the EPIC writer’s contest in 2020, and a short story, The Hunt, won 2nd placed in prose in 2021. A separate excerpt from Songs of Spring won 3rd place in a contest sponsored by Skagit Valley Writer’s League.
Ingrid Wolsk
Biography: I was born in New York City and from childhood on I wrote poems and illustrated them, along with writing very short stories. As an adult I lived abroad for ten years working both in and out of the arts and theater world. I feel so privileged now to have the time to write, which is my true passion, and now finally am published.
Publications: 'A Screech of Warning' a flash fiction piece on Amazon Kindle. 'The Secret of Anja' a novel, on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. For the moment it appears only as an eBook since it takes 2-3 weeks to get it to appear as a print version.