< Back Allison Gunn Allison Gunn is a researcher, writer, and librarian with a penchant for all things whimsical, folkloric, and strange. Presently digging deep into Appalachian Studies, she earned her MLIS and History M.A. from the University of Maryland with an emphasis on marginalized communities. She currently roams the wonderfully weird land of West Virginia with her delightful daughters, several furry overlords, and one masterful Mountaineer musician. Writing is, above all else, the only thing keeping her somewhat sane. Next

< Back Tabitha Mann Tabitha “Tabbie” Mann, also known by her pen name Dorcas Renee, is a licensed clinical social worker, author, playwright, and local television personality. She wrote her first book, Dinosaur Brains, after studying how fear functions as the brain’s safety system. Written for children ages 6–10, the book is also used as a therapeutic tool with readers of all ages. Bitten by the writing bug, Tabbie has since written and produced ten plays and two novels exploring displacement, family, and the quest for safety: Y’all Chose This: The Diaries of Trina Pardo and Wait! What? The Decimation of Lady Liberty. She is a well-known storyteller in the DC metro area and co-hosts The Loveys Entertainment Review Show on Comcast Channel 2. Next

< Back Karen Marginot Karen Marginot is an author, a recovery coach, and an integrative coach with over four decades of literary experience. Her published memoir, The Bad Girls Club: Promises of a Spirituality-Based Recovery, explores transformation and recovery from trauma and addiction. With a background spanning publishing, content development leadership, and senior positions at Salesforce and Dell, Karen brings unique insight to writers at all stages. Her innovative workshops blend classical storytelling techniques with transformative approaches to narrative development, helping writers discover their authentic voice and craft impactful stories. Specializing in guiding those in the wisdom phase of life, Karen creates supportive environments where participants develop both technical skills and narrative gifts. A graduate of Co-Active Training Institute, Karen is currently working on her next two book projects while helping others discover the stories only they can tell. Her teaching philosophy centers on her conviction that a single story can change everything—transforming both author and audience. Next

< Back S.J. Lee S.J. Lee is the award-winning author of the dystopian military speculative fiction Altered Earth series and is currently in the foreign service. She holds a masters of science in security and intelligence and dual bachelors of science in different business fields. Her career has taken her to Iraq, Mexico, Chile, India, Brazil, and Guyana. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her spouse and their rescued street dog. Next

< Back Chris Whitlatch Chris Whitlatch is an author, game creator, and nonprofit marketer, but he especially likes to be known as a storyteller. With a lifelong passion for animals, he has just release a new series called Animal Heroes. The first book is all about goats and their superpowers. Next

< Back Patti Gaustad Procopi Patti Gaustad Procopi is a former army brat who lived all over the world before settling in Gloucester, Virginia. After retiring from two area history museums, Patti finally had time to do what she always wanted - write. Patti’s first novel “Please…Tell Me More” was published in 2020. She’s had two more contemporary fiction novels published and in 2025 Patti’s first mystery, “The Murderer You Know” was released. She’s won awards for short stories. Patti enjoys interacting with her fellow writers and has presented l talks on “Writing Your Story” for the Virginia Writers Club, Chesapeake Bay Writers and area libraries. Next

< Back George WB Scott George WB Scott is an East Tennessee book author and video producer, with a life-long interest in European and American history. Scott was born in Stuart, Florida, and graduated from Martin County High School. Scott's previous books include "I Jonathan, A Charleston Tale of the Rebellion," and "Growing Up In Eden," a childhood memoir. Website: SouthernRocket.net Next

< Back A.D. Stone A.D. Stone is an author, chandler, and vintage toy shop owner. A lifelong lover of books, art, Arthurian legend, poetry, Disney, and all things whimsical and nostalgic, she takes pride in her creative ability, always looking for the next magical thing to conjure up or be a part of. She was born and raised within the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. She resides in Waynesboro with her significant other and beloved pets. Next

< Back Ellen Butler Ellen Butler is the international bestselling author of the Karina Cardinal mystery series, hailed by Publishers Weekly as “intelligent escapism.” Drawing on her firsthand experience working on Capitol Hill and with a national medical association in Washington, D.C., Butler delivers high-stakes, fast-paced thrillers rich with authenticity, intrigue, and insider detail. Beyond contemporary suspense, Butler is also the acclaimed author of the Ariadne Winter historical mystery series and multiple award-winning works of historical spy fiction. Her novel The Brass Compass earned widespread recognition, including the IndieReader Discovery Award and a Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal for Historical Fiction. The sequel, Operation Blackbird: A Cold War Spy Novel—inspired by true events—captured the prestigious Next Generation Indie Book Award Gold Medal for Historical Fiction, cementing Butler’s reputation as a master storyteller across genres. Next

< Back Teresa Inge Teresa Inge is an award-winning mystery author whose work appears in First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder, Coastal Crimes, Virginia is for Mysteries, Mutt Mysteries and Murder by the Glass. She belongs to Sisters in Crime, Short Mystery Fiction Society, and Virginia Writer’s Club, and contributes to Sand in our Shorts and Writers Who Kill blogs. Teresa works for a financial firm as an administrative assistant, corporate reporter, and notary coordinator. In addition to writing, she participates in car shows with her 1955 Torch Red Thunderbird and resides in Southeastern Virginia with her husband A.J. and their shepherd dog Luke. Next

< Back Patsy Asuncion Patsy Asuncion, retired educator and Palm Beach Principal of the Year, has Cut on the Bias, Lineage of Weeds, and now, A Universal Belonging. Patsy's work is in twenty-plus other publications, e.g., New York Times, Sixty-Four Best Poets of 2019, About Place, Artemis, Cutthroat. Patsy, a bi-racial first-generation immigrant, promotes diversity through national, community, & open mic events. Find her at www.patsy-asuncion.com Next

< Back Cindy Chisholm Cindy grew up in rural North Carolina exploring the vast woods and streams with her older brother, younger sisters and faithful dogs. Her debut children's chapter book, A Cabbit Tale, captures her creative imagination, taking the reader on an exciting journey with the cats and cabbits as they discover hidden secrets, solve mysteries and forge new friendships. Cindy is a published poet and has written several short stories. A Cabbit Tale placed as a finalist in the 2025 American Fiction Awards honoring literary excellence in juvenile fiction. Next