Diana Dru Botsford, a gold-level instructor for the Pennwriters online educational program, is known for her in-depth workshops and courses, always ensuring that every attendee walks away with new tools for their craft. She developed and ran the award-winning screenwriting program at Missouri State University for nearly twenty years. As an author and screenwriter, Botsford wrote the critically acclaimed Stargate SG-1 novels Four Dragons and The Drift in addition to the Scribe Nominee short story "Perceptions". Her most recent short story contributions include "Everything and Nothing" for the 2023 IAMTW anthology, Double Trouble, and "History is Written By the Losers" for the 2024 anthology, Shifting, Swirling HERitage. Her newest story, "Pass the Cream", is slated to appear in the 2025 sequel.
Botsford co-wrote the episode "Rascals" for Star Trek: The Next Generation. She created, wrote, and produced the multiple award-winning time travel web series, Epilogue. Her television and film production credits range from cult-favorite animated series such as Spiral Zone, Heathcliff, and the feature film Pound Puppies & The Legend of Big Paw to CBS series Harts of the West and Nightgames. Her work in Visual FX includes work on films such as Nightmare on Elm Street VI, Dusk 'Til Dawn, and Terminator 2. She has also written and directed for the stage, folding in ASL performers as main characters for new interpretations of family-orientated stories such as Alice in Wonderland and Stuart Little.
In addition to Pennwriters, Botsford is also a member of SFWA (the professional organization Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America) and IAMTW (International Association of Media Tie-In Writers). She provides one-on-one coaching for writers of all ilk, particularly specializing in guiding screenwriters toward successful submissions to high-profile national and international competitions. For a full bibliography, visit her website at dianabotsford.com or her page on IMDB.com.
Janyce Brawn is a retired K-12 Art, English as a Second Language, and Spanish Teacher. She has illustrated for magazines and books for 27 years. Brawn is the author and illustrator of the Tales of the Teleporting Topsider middle grade fantasy series, which 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 children's picture book, Hippo Hullabaloo, will be coming soon from Dragonfly Publishing, Inc. All are available through Amazon or Barnes and Noble in print or eBooks. When not writing or drawing, Janyce likes to read, go boating on the nearby lake, or visit with family and friends.
Kate Brenton, Ed.M., is a published author, inspired speaker, podcaster, and soul-guide. Kate is a highly-rated motivational speaker with 17+ years of experience as an inspirational, teacher and group facilitator. She crafts custom experiences designed to give space, support, and practical tools to help entrepreneurs and employees transform their daily lives for the better. Small pivots create sustainable change & transformation. Kate empowers others to bring their brilliance and wisdom, into the world & even onto the page. Her first best-selling book, Rebirth, is a crafted compilation of inspiring people and their courageous triumphs.
Mike Buzzelli is a stand-up comedian and sit-down author. As a comedian, he has performed all around the country, most notably, the Ice House, the Comedy Store and the Improv in Los Angeles. He has performed as a stand up in Pittsburgh for several local charity events such as Cabaret for a Cause, The GLSEN Awards, and Brewing Up A Cure.
As a writer, Mike has published in a variety of websites, magazines and newspapers. He is a theater and arts critic for 'Burgh Vivant, Pittsburgh's online cultural talk magazine. Buzzelli is also a Moth Grand Slam storyteller and actor. His book, "," is a collection of essays culled from his weekly humor column in the Observer-Reporter. His book, "All I Want for Christmas," is a comedic holiday romance. His short story, "Study Buddy," is featured in the LGBTQ+ anthology, "Winter Break."
Hana Haatainen-Caye is a writer originally from Manheim, PA, living in Pittsburgh with her husband, Bill and their cats, Annabella and Christmas. 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 nonfiction book VINEGAR FRIDAYS 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.
Sidelined by a devastating stroke in 2021, she is thrilled to be writing again.
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 grandfatherÕs dairy farm in Washington County, Pennsylvania with their very spoiled cat, Kensi.
L.E. Delano, an award-winning author, has previously led workshops for the Philadelphia Writing Workshop and has appeared as an author panelist at Keystone Comic Con and San Diego Comic Con International. Her 2021 YA novel, BLUE, received six literary awards including the prestigious SCBWI SPARK Award, and her 2017 debut YA novel, TRAVELER was a Keystone State Reading Association (KSRA) Book Award Finalist.
When she's not writing, she eats too much refined sugar and tries to thwart her cat's plans for world domination. This has been unsuccessful on every level.
Cari Dubiel is a hybrid author and librarian. She is the author of How to Remember (2021), a novel available in independent bookstores and through public libraries, which won the 2017 Hugh Holton award from Mystery Writers of America, Midwest Chapter. Her recent releases include I Loved the Mothman and Other Stories and The Author's Guide to Libraries, both published in 2024. Cari is an active member of Sisters in Crime and a previous Library Liaison for the group's National board. She is represented by Lynnette Novak of the Seymour Agency and is the lead editor for the co-op publisher Duskbound Books.
Timons Esaias is a satirist, writer and poet living in Pittsburgh. 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.
His works, ranging from literary to genre, have been published in twenty-two languages. He has also been a finalist for the British Science Fiction 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 2019 Gregory O'Donoghue International Poetry Prize. His full-length Louis-Award-winning collection of poetry -- "Why Elephants No Longer Communicate in Greek" -- was brought out by Concrete Wolf.
In recent years, his stories have included a PSA warning about the dangers of werepandaism, a flash fiction about snuff poetry, a story with a pillow as the protagonist, and another with Concord grape jelly packets as the antagonist.
People who know him are not surprised to learn that he lived in a museum for eight years. He collects chess sets and elephants, and he visits far too many coastal fortifications. It is alleged that he goes on and on when asked a question.
Susan Gable is a USA Today Bestselling author, known for her emotional, award-winning books that make readers laugh and cry. With nearly a million copies sold worldwide, her works have won numerous awards and been finalists for the Golden Heart and RITA¨ Awards. A former teacher, Susan is a sought-after presenter who loves technology and learning new things.
Dr. Tamara Girardi, an award-winning author, writes books for children and teens. Her published titles include the Amazon Editor's Pick
Why, Daddy? Why? and
Why, Mommy? Why?. Two more titles,
Why, Grandma? Why? and
Why, Grandpa? Why? will follow in the series on Grandparents Day 2027. Tamara has published six YA titles in two different series with Wise Wolf Books.
Gridiron Girl, which tells the story of Julia Medina, a high school senior who quits playing volleyball to compete against her boyfriend for the starting quarterback position on the football team kicks off the Iron Valley Vikings series that includes other titles:
Disorder on the Court, Ultimate Takedown, and
Shot Through the Heart.
Above the Fold is the first book in Tamara's second series, all about teens exploring their dreams and their true selves through exhibits at a popular, mardi-gras-esque hotspot called Carnivalesque. Also an academic, Tamara is a college English professor. She lives in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and four adorably rambunctious children.
Rachel Gehman is a published non-fiction (Rachel D. Lyne) and fiction (R.D. Lyne) author of multiple books and articles. She's also an editor (novels and curriculum) and an inspirational public speaker for women's groups, schools (K-12th), and author 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 18 years and 2 children in Area 5 (Pennwriters) and hopes to inspire others to "KEEP GOING" in their craft. Connect with her @racheldlyne or
www.racheldlyne.com.
Karen Fatica Geiger's journey into coaching and leading workshops began with an invitation to spearhead a journaling program at Erie Cancer Wellness Center. Karen embraced the challenge. She pursued education and certifications, using her background in language and science to teach the benefits of analog living for cognitive fitness, stress reduction, and creativity. She inspires others to see their own creativity and untold narratives. Karen is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist and is a certified journal writing coach through The Therapeutic Writing Institute and Journal to the Self™ method. She is a published essayist, award-winning nonfiction author, and book coach in training. Off the pickleball court, you can find her teaching at ECWC, co-teaching grief and journaling groups, hosting private journaling classes, or presenting at conferences. You can hear Karen talk about the cognitive impact of journaling on podcasts with Two Marketing Moms, KitchenTalk Pickleball, and Dr. Heather Hirsch's Collaborative.
Joy Givens is a Youth Services Specialist for resettled refugee children and the lucky mother of four small superheroes. She has published several award-winning short stories and writes children's and middle grade fiction to celebrate the fresh, fierce, fantastic side of life. Joy's debut picture book, THE UNSTOPPABLE JAMIE, called "Heartwarming and reassuring" by Kirkus Reviews, was released by Two Lions in Fall 2023.
Robert Harrison writes under the pen name R.W. Harrison, Robert has written five supernatural thrillers and a rom-com under the name Winnie Roberts (publishing October 2024). 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 dozens 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.
Hilary Hauck's journey from a British teenager struggling to complete her first novel to an award-winning author of historical and fantasy fiction has been a tapestry of exploration, adventure, and relentless curiosity. After an early attempt at writing stalled due to a lack of life experience, she embarked on a journey to discover the world. She's hiked in the Himalayas, swam in bioluminescent waters, mastered Italian, and even won a national karate championship.
Her novels, including "Ashes to Song" and "The Things We'll Never Have" are deeply influenced by these experiences, featuring characters who transcend their fears to uncover their inner strength. Kirkus Reviews praised her work for its "remarkable subtlety and suspense," and her books have been recognized through other nominations and awards.
Beyond writing, Hilary is a dedicated entrepreneur, transforming her website into a thriving online business. She is also an active member of the writing community, serving as past President of Pennwriters and the current Chair of the Festival of Books in the Alleghenies.
Eileen Enwright Hodgetts is delighted to have the opportunity to return to the Pennwriters Conference as a workshop leader. She is the author of seventeen novels, most of which are historical fiction. She began her writing as a playwright and her stage play Titanic to All Ships has now been made into a movie under the title Unsinkable, Titanic Untold. The process took some time and was delayed by the Pandemic but it is now availableÊto stream on Amazon Prime. The success of the movie encouraged her to continue writing about the Titanic and she now has three novels in her "Novels of the Titanic" series.
Eileen is British by birth and American by adoption. While she enjoys writing American characters, her greatest joy is to recreate British characters with all the eccentricities for which the British are famous.Ê She has written a number of murder mysteries set in England in the post-war years and even wrote a murder mystery to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. She is an avid watcher of Brit-Box and Masterpiece Theatre. She finds that one of the greatest pleasures in being a writer is the opportunity to talk to readers at book clubs, book signings, and libraries. This is only second to the excitement of attending a Pennwriters Conference, making new friends, and learning so many new tricks of the trade.
Eileen lives in Harmony Pennsylvania with her husband Graham, who acts as her agent and manager and puts up with cold dinners and crazy conversations.
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.
Tom Joyce writes a monthly feature called Nuts & Bolts for the Horror Writers Association's blog, featuring interviews about the craft and business of writing with some of the most knowledgeable people in the business. His short fiction has appeared in publications including Space and Time Magazine and Needle: A Magazine of Noir. He is currently at work on a dark fantasy novel set in 1990s New Jersey, featuring historically accurate swordplay, fairy lore, medieval necromancy, and con artistry.
Sara Beth Kohut, Attorney, writer, and historian, practices business law at Enduraylant Law, LLC. She has also worked as journalist and freelance writer. When she's not visiting covered bridges, she's researching them for the sequel to her first book, Crossing Under Cover, published in 2024.
Keith Kopka received the Tampa Review Prize for his collection of poems, Count Four (University of Tampa Press, 2020). His poetry and criticism have recently appeared in American Poetry Review, New Ohio Review, The International Journal of the Book, and many others. The recipient of the International Award for Excellence from the Books, Publishing, and Libraries Research Network, he is also the author of the critical texts, Asking a Shadow to Dance: An Introduction to the Practice of Poetry (GRL, 2018) and Crossing Disciplines: A Cross-Curricular Writing Guide (Kendall Hunt, 2022). His work has been supported by the MacDowell Foundation, Centrum, and the Vermont Studio Center. Kopka is a senior editor for Narrative magazine, Poetry Editor of Philadelphia Stories, and the Director of the low-res MFA at Holy Family University in Philadelphia.
Nancy Martin is the author of over fifty novels in four genres --mystery, romance, suspense, and action-adventure. She is published worldwide in 27 languages, and her bestselling Blackbird Sisters mysteries have won industry awards and critical acclaim. A lifetime member of Pennwriters and one of the organization's founders, Nancy is a big fan of critique groups and lunches with writer friends. Find her at
NancyMartinMysteries.com
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.
Kathy Otten is the published author of multiple historical romance novels and short stories. Her Civil War romance novel,
A Place in Your Heart, was a 2016 RWA Northwest Houston Chapter, Lone Star Winner and her western novel, Lost Hearts, was a 2008 Utah/Salt Lake RWA Hearts of the West finalist.
The Solace of Denim, a young adult, paranormal mystery was release in 2022. Her newest historical romance novel,
The Whisper of a Kiss, will be released soon from The Wild Rose Press.
Recently Kathy became an Author Accelerator certified fiction book coach and now helps clients bring their writing vision to life. She also teaches classes on writing craft both on-line and in person at workshops and conferences.
When she's not writing, she enjoys walking her German shepherd through the woods and fields near her home or curling up with a good book and her cat.
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, her agent is shopping her debut historical fiction novel to publishers.
Chris Posti's writing experience comes in a variety pack. She's authored six books (three fiction, three nonfiction), and for 22 years was the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Sunday Careers & Workplace columnist. While self-employed as an HR Consultant and Career & Executive Coach, Chris wrote scores of resumes, speeches, training programs, handbooks, and business proposals. Her latest writing project is a pilot for a TV series, based on her "Next Act" trilogy about three women who reunite forty years after graduating.
James Rada, Jr., is an Amazon.com bestselling author of historical fiction and non-fiction history. They include the popular books Strike the Fuse, Canawlers, and Battlefield Angels: The Daughters of Charity Work as Civil War Nurses. He also writes fantasy, horror, and middle-grade novels as J. R. Rada.
He lives in Gettysburg, Pa., where he works as a freelance writer. James has received numerous awards from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, Associated Press, Maryland State Teachers Association, Society of Professional Journalists, and Community Newspapers 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.
Debbie Reynolds, from Tioga County, PA, is an Assistant Editor for Sunbury Press. She also works with the non-profits: the Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia, and the Northern Appalachia Review, and is a member of Pennwriters. In her work she is able to help other writers while honing her own craft; and promote the unique and beautiful voice of the Northern Appalachia Region.
Debra R. Sanchez has moved over thirty times . . . so far. She earned her B.A. in communications and writing from Westminster College. She and her husband have three adult children and seven grandchildren. She teaches writing workshops, provides writing coaching, and hosts writing retreats. 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. Her other works have been published in literary magazines, newspapers, and anthologies. Besides being an editor and translator at Tree Shadow Press, she is also a freelance editor and a translator of a wide variety of topics, including numerous books.
For more information, visit her webpage:
www.debrarsanchez.com Follow her on Facebook and Twitter: @DebraRSanchez
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.
D. J. Stevenson, author, book designer, editor, publisher, and translator, composed her first novel -- All of seven handwritten pages! Complete with a cover and table of contents! -- at age seven and hasn't stopped since. She's published twenty-six novels and ninety-two short stories across all genres. In nonfiction, she regularly contributes essays and reviews to the Outside In series and to the online Sci-Fi Bulletin. The Executive Vice President of the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers, she chairs their Scribe Awards. As a longtime member of Pennwriters, she chairs their Critique Partners Program and serves as their Online Course Coordinator.
Recent credits (in 2024) include The Council of the Four, book 6 in the Sorcery & Steel series; "The Mercury 13" in the anthology Shifting, Swirling HERitage; and "Jupiter Jigsaw" in the 8th Brave New Girls anthology Chronicles of Curious Girls Who Create. Women Take the Conn includes her piece on Klingons. Her backlist includes several ongoing series: The Angel Cat Collection, Dark Fae, Interstellar Exiles, Jupiter, The Lady Pirates Series, The Patel Family Chronicles, $amanya, Sorcery & Steel (with Laura Ware), Tales of Mimion, Teerock, Tsevet, and Vagabonds Adventures. She wrote the standalone hockey novel Breakaway, the historical The Last Abbot of Lin Duachaill (with Michelle Markey Butler), and the romantic suspense novel Masquerade.
In addition to the IAMTW and Pennwriters, she is a member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association, International Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors, Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, Eastern Shore Writers Association, and the Ligonier Valley Writers.
She loves travel, science, martial arts, and history, all things theatrical and cinematic, and speaks German fluently. Most importantly, she dotes on her astronomically adorable swarm of feline kids. For a complete bibliography and cover collection, visit BluetrixBooks.com.
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.
Sandi Van is a writer, academic advisor, and former special education teacher from Buffalo, New York. She is the author of young adult verse novels SECOND IN COMMAND, LISTEN UP, EVERYTHING IT TAKES, CAUGHT IN THE HAZE, and THE KEY TO SURVIVING SUMMER (8/1/24). Follow the van on social media @sandivanwrites and check out Sandi Van dot com for the latest musings.
Claudine Wolk is a three-time published author, columnist, podcast host of Get Your Book Seen and Sold, speaker, and book marketing consultant. Her latest book with co-author Julie Murkette, Get Your Book Seen and Sold, (Sept 2023, Lost Valley Press) is the go-to guide for aspiring authors to dive in to book marketing to successfully sell their books!
ClaudineWolk.Com