By Geordie Stock In early 2024, English professor and singer-songwriter Ephraim Scott Sommers applied to take a sabbatical from Winthrop University to focus on his writing. At that point it had been years since he completed his last poetry collection, and he was brainstorming directions for his follow-up. Then, nearly a year before his scheduled break from teaching, he was…
By Jenny Hayes Donna Miscolta’s fiction often draws from her experiences growing up in Southern California in a Filipino/Mexican family. She only started writing it as an adult living in Seattle, Washington, however, finding the time to put words on the page amidst a busy life raising children and working as a city government project manager. Through steady practice, Miscolta…
By Julie Colbrese Jaime Parker Stickle is a master multitasker. She’s an actor, professor, host of two popular podcasts, mother, and now a two-time author. She’s fiercely committed to helping others, especially young women, who come up after her in these pursuits. It’s part of her core belief—to pay it forward, and share what she has learned about writing, publishing,…
By Angelo A. Williams Martin Cossio is a first-generation Mexican American poet-teacher-boxer from San Bernardino, California, a graduate of the UCR Palm Desert MFA program, and the winner of the 2021 Golden Triangle International Haiku Contest. His debut poetry collection, Shadow Boxer, “chronicles the author’s gym journey from skinny-fat underdog to super-welterweight live dog.” In a short suite of poems,…
By Geordie Stock Tom Provost is a true hyphenate. He has Hollywood credits as an actor, screenwriter, and director, which are three disciplines that he’s also taught at the university level during his time at Pepperdine and Chapman. He also has professional experience as an editor and producer. He’s just finished his first novel, which he describes as a combination…
By Betty Fall Critically acclaimed author, award-winning filmmaker, professor of English and literature, Zen Buddhist priest—Ruth Ozeki’s extensive portfolio is as impressive as it is varied. Ozeki has built a literary career exploring all facets of how people connect, especially through reading and writing, and her stories have resonated with audiences across the globe. Despite already having such an accomplished…
By Shannon Glass When it comes to writing, TJ Martinson is always trying something new. His first two novels, The Reign of the Kingfisher and Her New Eyes, explore first the superhero myth and then speculative fiction delving into the body-identity connection. With his latest work, Blood River Witch, Martinson takes inspiration from his current home in Kentucky to craft…
By Geordie Stock Désirée Zamorano is a foodie, and in her short fiction, it shows. Her latest book, Amarisa’s Cooking Pot: Tales of Life in All its Wonders, is a hearty meal of a collection. Zamorano’s characters are overjoyed, furious, desperate, forlorn, pensive, and resolute. They populate the collection in magical fairy tales; cold, mean diatribes; and bittersweet introspective days…
By Sandy Duchac If authors are meant to write what they know, Perrin Pring’s work as a park ranger provides a wealth of knowledge. As a law enforcement officer, Pring is required to patrol thousands of acres, investigating crimes, providing emergency aid, and navigating unforgiving terrain with little to no backup. The work demands adaptability, restraint, and a constant awareness…
By Pallas M. Gutierrez Emily Rapp Black does not shy away from the tough stuff. Her first memoir, Poster Child, explored her experience as a disabled person. The Still Point of the Turning World detailed her experience of losing her son Ronan to Tay-Sachs disease. As a result of that loss, many people over the years have told her, “I…