Faith Addair is Cecil County’s 2024 Favorite local author of two books, Raising An Addict, A Memoir of a mother’s journey through her son’s heroin addiction and recovery and her children’s book called He’s Just My Brother. Faith writes about troubling situations in life and how to get past the “poor me” attitude to see the positive in the situation.
Dave Agans, corrupted by Mad Magazine, Rocky & Bullwinkle, and Get Smart at an early age, began writing spy spoofs in the sixth grade. He is the author of the musical comedy Hot Buttons, dozens of comic stage monologues, the bestselling, funny technical book Debugging, and the satirical thriller Urban Legion Trilogy. He wrote the flash fiction noir story The Big Nap, and won the 2018 Bulwer-Lytton Award in the Crime and Detective category. Dave presented this seminar to the Seven Bridges Writer's Collaborative in Lancaster MA, at the 2025 Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia, for a Pennwriters Area 4 meeting, and a Nittany Valley Writers Network meeting, all to enthusiastic audience response.
More info about Dave can be found at
daveagans.com.
Julia Baird, MBA, is a Pittsburgh based fantasy and horror YA writer. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a dual degree in Communication Studies and English writing. She earned her MBA from Louisiana Tech University. Julia is a marketing, social media, and fundraising specialist.
Janyce Brawn is a retired K-12 Art, English as a Second Language and Spanish Teacher. She has illustrated for magazines and books for 30 years. With a vivid imagination, Janyce has been writing and drawing since she was a little girl working on handwritten stories and crayoned pictures for books with her twin sister. When she isn’t writing or drawing, she likes to read, go boating on the nearby lake, or visit with family and friends.
She is the author and illustrator of the award-winning Tales of the Teleporting Topsider juvenile fantasy series, which incorporates the idea of the Golden Rule, or being kind to others as her character grows on his fantasy quests down the drain. The series includes David and the Drainosaurs, David and the Missing Troll, David and the Midnight Unicorn, David and the Foglinian Menace, and David in the Below Lands, A Tales of the Teleporting Topsider Coloring Book. Her picture book, Hippo Hullabaloo, is about bullying at the zoo.
You can find her at:
https://www.janycebrawn.com
Carla Conti is an award-winning true crime author, journalist, and prison reform advocate. Her debut, CHAINED BIRDS: A CRIMEMOIR, is a prison abuse exposé about justice and survival in federal prison. The true crime memoir has won multiple 2025 indie and national book awards, including 1st Place in True Crime from the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Winner in True Crime from the Indie Reader Discovery Awards, Silver in True Crime from the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), and a 1st Place Nellie Bly Journalism award from the Chanticleer International Book Awards.
CHAINED BIRDS was traditionally published at the end of 2024, but in the summer of 2025, Carla obtained a rights reversion from her publisher. She re-launched CHAINED BIRDS with new 20+ photos, sketches, and prison artwork under her own imprint, and it now appears ‘wide’ including her author-narrated audiobook--on many platforms besides Amazon, like Spotify, Kobo, Google Books, and Apple Books, and is finally available in libraries.
An experienced speaker and panelist, Carla has shared insights into true crime writing, the art and craft of suspense, and the ethics of storytelling at high-profile events like the Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference. She’s an active member of her local Delaware Valley chapter of Sisters in Crime, where she’s given talks and moderated authors’ panels. She’s also appeared on over a dozen podcasts, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses into her writing process and her journey as an independent author.
Carla’s working on her next true crime book, THE JACKLIGHTER: MURDER, SECRETS, AND THE HUNT FOR TRUTH IN SMALL-TOWN PENNSYLVANIA, scheduled for release in 2026. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, who supports her true crime habit. You can read more about Carla, her books, sign up for her newsletter, or find her on social media via her blog:
www.carlajeanconti.com.
Kathryn Craft is the award-winning author of two novels, The Art of Falling and The Far End of Happy, and the author of chapters in Author in Progress and The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing from Writers Digest Books. Her eighteen years as a freelance developmental editor at Writing-Partner.com, influenced by a previous career as a dance critic and choreographer, has resulted in her new nonfiction book for writers, Crafting Story Movement: Techniques to Engage Readers and Drive Your Story Forward. She is a member of Pennwriters and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, where she served as 2020 Guiding Scribe. Kathryn mentors novelists through her Your
Novel Year program and is a regular contributor to top writing blog Writer Unboxed.
https://kathryncraft.com
Annette Dashofy is the USA Today bestselling author of sixteen mystery novels including seven Agatha Award finalists and a Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award winner. Her most recent releases are What Comes Around, the thirteenth in Zoe Chambers series, and Keep Your Family Close, the second in the Detective Honeywell series.
Additionally, she has been a Derringer Award finalist for her short fiction. Annette is a board member of Pennwriters and is president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Sisters in Crime. Annette and her husband live on ten acres of what was her grandfather's dairy farm in Washington County, Pennsylvania with their very spoiled cat, Kensi.
Angie Rae (Davis) writes to escape from the real world. Residing in northwestern Pennsylvania, she shares her home with a rescue cat who, in many ways, rescued her. As an academic librarian surrounded by books daily, Angi channels her love of literature into crafting tales that transport readers to cozy realms where love often saves the day. Her stories feature strong, intelligent heroines and sensitive, charming heroes. She looks forward to sharing her stories with readers who believe in the transformative power of love and the magic of storytelling.
Abigail Drake (Wende Dikec) is the award-winning and bestselling author of twenty-five novels, but she didn’t start her career in writing. She majored in Japanese and economics in college, and spent years living abroad, collecting stories wherever she visited. She collected a husband from Istanbul on her travels, too, and he is her favorite souvenir.
Abigail is a coffee addict, a puppy wrangler, and the mother of three adult sons. She writes romance and women’s fiction, and, in her spare time, she enjoys traveling, blogging about her dog, Capone, and teaching writing classes for children and adults.
Abigail is represented by Lauren Bieker of FinePrint Literary Management, and she is the cofounder of Romancing Your Muse (
www.romancingyourmuse.com). More information can be found about her at
www.abigaildrake.net.
Timons Esaias is a sporadically award-winning satirist, writer and poet living in Pittsburgh. His works, ranging from literary to genre, have been published in twenty-two languages. He has been a finalist for the British Science Fiction Award and the Seiun Award, twice won the Asimov’s Readers Award, and won the Winter Anthology Contest for 2020. His story “Norbert and the System” has appeared in a textbook, and in college curricula. He was shortlisted for the Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Prize. He is a Pushcart nominee and Intrepid Award winner for the story “To Do.” His full-length Louis-Award-winning collection of poetry -- Why Elephants No Longer Communicate in Greek -- was brought out by Concrete Wolf.
He taught in Seton Hill University’s MFA in Writing Popular Fiction Program for 20 years, and his mentees have published more books than he can afford to buy. He currently teaches freelance with Pennwriters and with Flash Fiction Magazine.
Scholars are convinced that Walter de la Mare’s 1918 poem “Poor Tired Tim! It’s sad for him.” was written about him.
Lori Duffy Foster, a former crime reporter, was born and raised in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, where a piece of her heart remains. Her previous novels include NEVER LET GO, a thriller, and the Lisa Jamison Mystery Series. Her books have been nominees or finalists for Agatha, Silver Falchion and Shamus awards. Lori is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, The Historical Novel Society, International Thriller Writers, The Finger Lakes Authors & Readers Experience and Pennwriters. After several moves about the country with her family, Lori now lives and writes in the hills of Northern Pennsylvania. Look out for two new novels in 2026 and 2027 from Speaking Volumes LLC, SPRING MELT, an historical courtroom drama, and NO STRANGER HERE, a thriller.
Terry S. Friedman began her writing career freelancing for a small newspaper outside Philadelphia. She earned an M.F.A. and two thumb surgeries from Wilkes University and also graduated from the FBI Citizens Academy. Twenty-four of her fiction and non-fiction articles have been published, and she co-edited Delaware Valley Mystery Writers' short story anthology, Death Knell V. She is a Pennwriters Board member and a longtime member of Sisters in Crime. Her paranormal thriller, BONE PENDANT GIRLS, was published by CamCat Books in January 2024. Research for this novel introduced her to a medium for spirit releases, FBI agents, a paranormal investigator, and a South Carolina Chief of Police. BONE PENDANT GIRLS has received a Silver Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) award and was a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, (NGIBA); Foreword Reviews, Indie Book of the Year Awards; and International Book Awards, (IBA). In local writing contests, the GIRLS were also awarded Southeastern Writers second place in the novel contest, and Terry won a first place in the humor category.
A northern transplant in the land of fabulous fried foods, snakes, and gators, she writes from coastal South Carolina with yellow lab Fiona and tuxedo cat Antigone, keeping an eye on the process. Terry does not miss Pennsylvania winters, but in October every year she reconciles hurricane season as the price you pay for not shoveling snow. She has traveled the world from Fiji to Delphi and brings to her writing a solid respect for things that go bump in the night.
Susan Gableis a USA Today Bestselling author known for emotionally-rich stories that make readers laugh, cry—and often both. Her books have been finalists for the RITA® Award and Golden Heart, earned nods from Romantic Times for Best Superromance of the Year, and won honors including the National Readers’ Choice Award. Nearly a million copies of her novels have been sold worldwide, across both traditional and indie publishing platforms.
A former elementary teacher turned tech-loving creative, Susan is equally at home with story structure and story-driven software. She’s a popular conference speaker who helps fellow writers embrace technology—from AI and video creation to Canva design and productivity tools—without losing the heart of their storytelling. Known for her clarity, warmth, and a deep belief that “there’s no such thing as a dumb question,” Susan makes even intimidating tech feel approachable and fun.
Rachel Gehmanis a published nonfiction and fiction author (pen name Rachel D. Lyne). She enjoys creating and editing curriculum, is an elementary educator (English and History), and is an inspirational public speaker for women, youth, and writer groups. Rachel holds degrees in Business and in Biblical Studies with a counseling concentration. After nearly two decades of employment in administrative roles, Rachel currently enjoys being a homeschool mom (which includes dozens of job descriptions in and of itself!). She lives with her husband of 19 years and 2 teens in Area 5 Pennwriters and hopes to inspire others to keep going in their craft. Her motto is “Spreading Hope One Word at a Time.” Connect with her @racheldlyne or
www.racheldlyne.com.
Joy Givens writes children’s and middle grade fiction full of adventure, self-discovery, and friendship. Joy has published several award-winning short stories, and her debut picture book, THE UNSTOPPABLE JAMIE, called “Heartwarming and reassuring” by Kirkus Reviews, was released by Two Lions in Fall 2023. She also works as an Immigrant & Refugee Youth Program Specialist for a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization. Joy's work gives her the opportunity to learn, laugh, and grow with students from all over the world. Raised in a big Midwestern family, Joy now lives with her husband and four kids in the blossoming literary community of Pittsburgh, where she can often be found drinking reasonable amounts of coffee, volunteering, trying new recipes, and singing all the way.
Hana Haatainen-Caye is a writer originally from Manheim, PA, living in Pittsburgh with her husband, Bill and their cats, Annabella and RoBearto. A blended family, they have 5 grown daughters and 6 grandchildren. Hana has won awards for her short stories, poetry, magazine articles, and her blog, www.GreenGrandma.org. She is author of the books VINEGAR FRIDAYS and 56 SOUTH OAK STREET and is multi-published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies.
Hana worked with iStoryBooks.co from 2007 until 2017, narrating over 300 of their children’s books as the voice of Maya Ray. During that time, she also sold 100 of her own children’s books to the digital platform. She teaches writing for the Osher Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, as well as at writers’ conferences and has led Writers at Work, a monthly writers’ group in Pittsburgh for the past 20 years.
Robert Harrison. Writing under the pen name R.W. Harrison, Robert has written and published five supernatural thrillers and a rom-com under the name Winnie Roberts. Other writing credits include articles in the Tampa Bay Times, AAA Going Places Magazine, and local specialty publications.
Robert lives outside Cleveland, Ohio and works in the non-profit sector as a communications manager. His company, Seneca Author Services, has helped hundreds of new authors bring their books to life, providing a wide range of services, all with a patient and personal touch. Robert is an approved partner member of the Alliance of Independent Authors.
Information on Robert’s books and his author services can be found at
www.rwharrisonbooks.com and
www.senecaauthorservices.com.
Don Helin. During his time in the military, Don served at a number of stateside posts as well as overseas in Vietnam and Germany. He is the author of ten thrillers that draw from those military experiences including three tours, ten years in the Pentagon. He is the author of his own memoir, From Army Regulations to Novels, a Writer’s Journey, and is the editor of the award-winning anthology, Voices from the Pandemic. For further information, check out Don’s website,
www.donhelin.com.
Cindy Hospador After a career which included teaching high school Social Studies and writing for technical manuals and marketing pieces, Cindy Hospador turned her attention to fiction writing stories in several genres. Working with writing partners and critique groups exposed her talent for copy and line editing. After a great deal of study, she began freelancing as a copy and line editor. Her editing clients regularly praise her work, and her client list includes multiple authors who return to Cindy with subsequent manuscripts.
Nancy A. Hughes, a Penn State communications graduate, followed her dream from business writing to a life of crime—fiction, that is. The award-winning author has eight traditionally published novels of mystery and suspense since 2016. She loves ‘series development’ while demanding that each novel stand alone.
Most recently, By Rook or By Crook was a finalist in: The Next Generation Indi Book Awards, Killer Nashville Claymore Award, and the London and LA Book Festivals. The Innocent hour was a 5-star Readers Favorite. Rook’s sequel, The Point of the Bodkin, was launched at the American Library Association Convention on June 28, 2025. Currently, she is expanding each of her three series.
Nancy lives in south central Pennsylvania’s woodland with her husband, where she is a passionate shade gardener. She is a member of Pennwriters, the Author’s Guild, MWA, ITW, and SinC. She believes in giving back to mentor programs and as a judge. She is a volunteer for the Lebanon VA hospital.
Brent Maguire is a licensed psychologist and the author behind the Broken Minds thriller series—a Six-book saga that follows a clinical psychologist teaming with law enforcement to untangle the most intricate crimes. He also writes non-fiction in psychology-themed works.
His professional work sits at the crossroads of psychology and storytelling. By exploring the mindbody connection through mindfulness, guided imagery, and hypnosis, Brent has witnessed firsthand how words can reshape perception, mood, and behavior.
For Brent, solid grammar and crisp style are the scaffolding of good writing, but the true engine lies in the habits that sustain it: motivation, procrastination management, and the ability to quiet negative self-talk and writing anxiety. He teaches writers how to weave evidence-based mindbody and behavioral techniques into their daily routine, turning the creative process into a practice of self-mastery rather than a race to the finish line.
Lara Brenckle Malmont is a Pittsburgh native who specializes in writing about the people, places, and stories that call us home. At age fourteen, her first poem appeared in the Cincinnati Public Library's literary magazine, The Seven Hills Review. Since 1992, she has consistently contributed to various media, including daily newspapers and websites.
Lara graduated with honors from Ursuline Academy near Cincinnati and earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree, magna cum laude, from Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism with minors in history and political science. She spent ten years as a Pennsylvania newspaper reporter, garnering several first-prize feature awards from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, Associated Press Managing Editors, and Press Club of Western Pennsylvania. In 2011, she transitioned to corporate storytelling, crafting marketing campaigns, websites, and social content for two Fortune 1000 companies and a state-affiliated agency.
Lara has been a Pennwriters member since 2018, and is a past president of the Public Relations Society of America Central Pennsylvania Chapter, and proud Jeopardy! first runner-up. When she's not writing from her Carlisle home, Lara can be found obsessively watching vintage Saturday Night Live episodes, solving family riddles on Ancestry.com, and cheering on her husband, Jason, a decorated photojournalist, and their fantastic daughter, Jillian. Her first novel, Three Rivers Home, the fictionalized account of her paternal grandfather’s childhood as an Allegheny County orphan “farmed out” for $5.60 a week, will be published in 2026 by Sunbury Press' Milford House imprint.
Sarah McDavis likes to do a lot of different things. Sometimes that causes problems, but usually it keeps her the right amount of busy. Sarah is a writer, illustrator, digital presence educator, and kids yoga instructor in Pittsburgh, PA. She published her first chapter book, Octo, PI, and the Missing Egg, in May 2024 and book two in the series is scheduled for Summer 2025. As the founder and CEO of The Start Effect, Sarah helps people navigate the overwhelming task of creating and maintaining a digital presence by providing strategic guidance and practical tools to own who you are online. Her belief in the power of storytelling informs her approach to digital presence education and she empowers people to take ownership of their online narrative. When she's not creating stories, Sarah loves making kids laugh as part of the Penny Arcade improv cast, learning fun things about animals, and getting outside as often as she can.
Susan Meier is the author of over 90 books for Harlequin, Silhouette, Tulle, Entangled and Guideposts. Her book THE TYCOON’S SECRET DAUGHTER was a 2013 Rita Finalist, and NANNY FOR THE MILLIONAIRE’S TWINS won the Book Buyer’s Best award and was a finalist in the National Reader’s Choice awards. She accomplished all that while married, raising three children and teaching workshops both online and in person at conferences. One of eleven children, she loves to write about the complexity of families and totally believes in the power of love.
Christopher Mele has been an award-winning journalist for nearly 40 years and knows his way around writing and editing on deadlines. He also understands the power of story-telling and narrative. He’s edited writing in many forms: books, columns, magazine-length pieces, breaking news, features, interviews, obituaries, culture, sports, investigations, etc. He’s dedicated to clear communication that removes unnecessary “noise”; and holds the attention of readers. He’s worked as a reporter and editor in newsrooms in the Adirondacks of New York State (The Adirondack Daily Enterprise of Saranac Lake and The Press-Republican of Plattsburgh), in the Hudson Valley in New York (The Times Herald-Record of Middletown), and as an executive editor in Pennsylvania (The Pocono Record of Stroudsburg). In 2014, he joined the Metro copy desk of The New York Times and now leads The Times’s breaking news desk, the Express Team, as its deputy weekend editor. He was part of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize team that was a finalist for breaking news for its coverage of a Bronx fire that claimed 17 lives. He was at the tip of the spear coordinating and mobilizing resources, organizing coverage and getting articles published that day. He is the author of the novel “Goodwill’s Secrets,” which was published in 2024, and is working on a second novel. (More at
chrismeleauthor.com.) He also does freelance editing and writing. (More at
bettergetaneditor.com.)
Bill Peschel. I am a lifelong mystery fan who has written several mysteries of my own. I’m a Sherlockian who self-published seven stories featuring Mark Twain in Sherlock’s world. With my wife Teresa, I’ve watched more than 300 Agatha Christie movie and TV adaptations and edited her reviews for the Anthony nominated Agatha Christie, She Watched and International Agatha Christie, She Watched. I’m now busy breaking down stories by Christie, Sayers, Queen, Conan Doyle, and some contemporary writers for a book on the subject.
Teresa Peschel is a lifelong reader and movie viewer. During the Agatha Christie Movie Project, she watched, analyzed, and reviewed more than 300 Agatha Christie film adaptations, both English language and international. These were published as the Anthony-nominated Agatha Christie, She Watched and International Agatha Christie, She Watched. She has presented programs about Agatha Christie films to numerous audiences, including the 2024 International Agatha Christie Festival in Britain.
Janet L. Pierce, PhD, is a retired ESL teacher. She has written historical nonfiction articles for newspapers, informational articles for Pennwriters, St. Davids' Christian Writers, and TESOL International; newsletters for professional organizations; and murder mystery scripts. Recent publications include poems, flash fiction and a creative nonfiction story. Currently, she is shopping her debut historical fiction novel to publishers.
James Rada, Jr.,is an Amazon.com bestselling author of historical fiction and non-fiction history. His works include the popular books Strike the Fuse, Canawlers, and Battlefield Angels: The Daughters of Charity Work as Civil War Nurses. He lives in Gettysburg, Pa., where he works as a freelance writer. James has received dozens of awards from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, Associated Press, Maryland State Teachers Association, Society of Professional Journalists, and Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. for his newspaper writing.
If you would like to be kept up to date on new books being published by James or ask him questions, he can be reached by e-mail at jimrada@yahoo.com. To see James's other books or to order copies online, go to
www.jamesrada.com.
Stacey H. Rubin graduated from Villanova University and began her career as a United States Army Nurse Corp officer. After military service, Stacey earned a Master of Nursing degree from The University of Florida and is currently a nurse practitioner in a neonatal intensive care unit in Hartford, Connecticut. Desiring to pursue her love for writing, Stacey earned an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She has taught literature and creative writing to high school students and academic writing at The University of Hartford. She is the author of the nonfiction The ABCs of Breastfeeding: Everything a Mom Needs to Know for a Happy Nursing Experience (AMACOM 2008). Her debut novel, The Baby Nurse, will be published by Bloodhound Books in August 2025. Stacey lives in Connecticut with her husband, and they are parents of two grown children. Connect with Stacey:
https://staceyhrubinauthor.com/
Debra R. Sanchez has moved over thirty times...so far. She has lived in five states and two countries. She earned her B.A. in communications and writing from Westminster College. She and her husband have three adult children and seven grandchildren.
Currently she is an editor and translator at Tree Shadow Press, and also a freelance editor and a translator of a wide variety of topics, including numerous books.
She teaches writing workshops, provides writing coaching, and hosts writing retreats. For many years she led various writing groups in the Pittsburgh area where she also worked and volunteered at four libraries and oversaw writing contests and programs.
Her writing has won awards in various genres, including children’s stories, poetry, fantasy, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Several of her plays and monologues have been produced and published. She is especially proud of one monologue for teens that was censored/banned by a parent at a theater camp yet won a high school forensic competition with outstanding comments from the judges. Her other works have been published in literary magazines, newspapers, and anthologies.
For more information, visit her webpage:
www.debrarsanchez.com Follow her on Facebook and Twitter: @DebraRSanchez
Larry ‘Rock ’n’ Roll’ Schardt is a best-selling, award-winning author. Dr. Schardt is on a mission to share the power of living a life of Success That Rocks! Larry’s passion is people. He teaches writing-intensive courses at Penn State, puts on writing workshops, and is a sought-after keynote speaker. He entertains audiences across the United States, encouraging, motivating, and inspiring folks to live life to the fullest.
Schardt’s book, “My Runaway Summer,” is a best-selling memoir. A coming-of-age story about running away at the age of 15 to escape violence, alcohol, and rage. His book, “James Conner: The Triumphs of a Football Hero,” is rated “One of the Best Sports Biography Books of All Time” by BookAuthority (on CNN, Forbes, and Inc.)
Through the power of story, Dr. Schardt illustrates that no matter how terrible your start, you can rock your life For the past 33 years, Dr. Schardt has been inspiring students at Penn State. Larry is Co-Coordinator of nearly 30 Mindful Writers Retreats. He also helps writers as a keynote speaker and regular presenter at writers’ conferences around the United States.
Since 2014, Larry writes daily Facebook blogs to entertain, celebrate, and pay forward the positive in life . . . Starting people’s days on an upbeat note. He also has stories in four “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books and anthologies: ‘Into the Woods,’ ‘Over the River and Through the Woods’, and ‘Shell House.” His ‘Teaching Philosophy’ is published in “The Penn State Teacher II.” In speaking, writing, and everyday pursuits, Larry’s passion for people, positive spirit, and zest for life shine through.
From his peace sign to his smile to his familiar “Rock ‘n’ Roll!!!” Larry does his best to share joy and plant seeds of love and happiness everywhere he goes. Blessings . . . Peace, Love, and Rock ‘n’ Roll!!!
Carol Silvis, a Pennwriter for over two decades, is the Area 3 rep, was President, VP, Authors’ Advocate, 2007 and 2005 Conference Coordinator, and 2008 Meritorious Service Award recipient.
Publications include Murder & Mayhem, Book 1 of The Suzie Tuft Mystery Series, nine college textbooks/business books, an anthology, the Writers Market, and articles in national magazines. Interviews and TV appearances include ABCNews.com, Cornerstone TV, HMC-TV, WIUP-TV, Yahoo.com, AARP Online, and CBSMoneywatch.com.
Misty Simon always wanted to be a storyteller... preferably behind a Muppet. Animal was number one, followed closely by Sherlock Hemlock... Since that dream didn't come true, she began writing stories to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time.
Touching people’s hearts and funny bones are two of her favorite things, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband in Central Pennsylvania where she is hard at work on her next novel or three.
Joanne Spence is an author, yoga therapist, and workshop leader who specializes in helping people integrate creativity, movement, and spiritual practice. With a background in both social work and theology, Joanne has spent over two decades teaching yoga and mindfulness in diverse settings—ranging from hospitals and schools to PESI, 2021), Trauma-Informed & Trauma-Responsive Yoga Teaching: A Universal Practice (2024), and Yoga Card Deck for Therapists (PESI, 2023). Her forthcoming book, How to Die Well: A Workbook for the Living, blends reflection, story, and practical exercises to help readers face mortality with honesty and grace.
Joanne holds a Doctor of Ministry in Creative Writing and Public Theology from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where her research explored the intersections of faith, embodiment, and narrative. She is also a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and an experienced registered yoga teacher at the 500-hour level (ERYT-500). Known for her warm and accessible teaching style, Joanne helps people of all backgrounds connect with their bodies as a source of wisdom and resilience.
In addition to her books, Joanne publishes the Be Well Substack newsletter, where she shares reflections on wellness, spirituality, and the creative life with over 1,000 subscribers. She has presented workshops nationally on topics including embodied writing, trauma-informed care, and contemplative practice.
At her core, Joanne believes that writing—like yoga—is a practice of presence. Both invite us to pause, listen deeply, and engage with the world more fully. Her workshops create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where participants feel encouraged to explore new ways of being in their bodies and on the page.
Rob Teplitz is grateful to have found Pennwriters and the Fourth Wednesday Writers Group in 2017. Since 2020, he has served as the Area 5 Representative (Central Pennsylvania) and as a member of Pennwriters board of directors. An honors graduate of both Franklin & Marshall College and Cornell Law School, Rob has spent 30 years in a variety of legal, policymaking, political, and teaching positions. While his career has involved extensive technical writing, he focuses on fiction in his spare time. Rob lives with his family in Susquehanna Township, outside of Harrisburg. For more information, please visit
www.robteplitz.com.
K.S. Via is the pen name of an award-winning writer who has lived in five countries and five states. Pennsylvania has been home the longest. She spends her free time hiking in its forests searching for bald eagles, ghost pipes, and unusual mushrooms. Charles D’Ambrosio once told her, “As far as dialogue, you can do whatever you want; you’re that good at it.” She hopes to share this expertise with other writers.