Thomas Belisle
Thomas Belisle leverages his extensive career in the military and aircraft industry to build stories of suspense, action, and intrigue. He has hands-on experience with a wide range of aircraft, weapons and explosives, and feet-on-the-ground time in the Middle East, Europe, the Far East, and Asia. His first novel, Raptor Bloom, was published in April 2020. His second novel, Taking the Dream Spinner, will be ready for release in early summer 2021. He lives with his wife Cathy in Florida. Visit his website here.
D. Scott Dickinson
D. Scott Dickinson is a retired NASA Public Affairs manager at Kennedy Space Center. Starting as a copy boy in the newsroom of U.S. News and World Report, he went on to become a reporter and editor, Peace Corps personnel director and university research fellow. His published works include:
- The Little Box Turtle (a children's book)
- The Dark Side of Town: A Portrait of the Jim Crow South
- Paradox Moon (first in the Regenesis trilogy)
- Lunar Antipodes: The Far Ends of the World (second in the Regenesis trilogy)
- The final book in the Regenesis trilogy is due out soon
- The Janus-Faced Queen
- World Beneath Our Feet
- The Orbuculum's Riddle (in Dreams, a Space Coast Writers' Guild Anthology)
- The Bromeliad Passage
Carol Ann Didier
Carol Ann Didier's passion is the American West and its first Americans. In high school, all her book reports and term papers were about our westward expansion. As an adult she was fortunate enough to visit some of the places she had researched which only fueled her love for Native American lore and caused her to write the book of her heart, APACHE WARRIOR.
She has been writing historical romances for 10 years and is happy to present her second book, APACHE PROMISE, which follows APACHE WARRIOR, published by Kensington Books in 2008. NAVAJO NIGHT was her second book for Kensington about a Navajo holy man and a preacher's daughter from West Virginia, coupled with a tragic period in Navajo history, called "The Long Walk." Her stories are about the taboo love between a Native American male and a white woman in Southwest America in the 1800's . Her stories prove that love knows no color, creed, or race; it happens in the heart when and where you least expect it, and if allowed to grow, can conquer differences in culture, hatred, and personal loss.
Carol belongs to a local writers group, Space Coast Writers' Guild. She has been published in CHARISMA and LITERARY LIFT-OFF magazines. In her spare time she writes inspirational vignettes, verses for greeting cards, and stories for her grandchildren. Carol resides on the Space Coast of Florida. Please visit her web site and let her hear from you:
Violet Favero
Violet Favero is known as the Greek grandmother character, Silly Yaya, in many of her children’s picture books about family, fun and traditions. When she’s not visiting school or libraries getting kids excited about reading, you can probably find her in the kitchen.
Violet’s third book, Unkie Munkie Lives at The Zoo, was named Amazon’s #1 New Release in its genre. It followed her first two books that are international sellers, Silly Yaya and Sunday Dinner at Silly Yaya’s. Her first early chapter book, Gracie’s RV Mis-Adventure,
a series about a dramatic dog, was also named Amazon’s #1 New Release. Her newest book, Pete Comes To America, was named Amazon’s #1 New Release in four categories. Violet is the author of numerous journals and companion coloring books under the
imprint of Meadow Road Books.
Violet is passionate that we are raising readers, one book at a time. She is a frequent visitor to schools and libraries and has read to thousands of students to get them excited about reading and to use their critical thinking skills. She is a frequent guest on podcasts, radio shows, and panels promoting reading. She travels with her husband and two dogs in their RV doing book signings and appearances. Find out more about Violet on her website SillyYaya.com.
Joanne Fisher
Joanne is a Canadian-Italian-American author who has penned eleven books. Additionally, she has written four short stories for Space Coast Writers' Guild anthologies. In April, 2019 Joanne was elected President of Space Coast Writers' Guild. She lives on the Space Coast of Florida with her adoring husband Dan, and her two Dachshunds, Wally and Madison. Her books include:
- With All of Me
- With All of Me II
- Her Spanish Doll
- Good Things Always Happen in Springtime
- Traveling Boomers First Stop: Italy
- Baker's Dozen Anthology
- The Devil of St. Gabriel
- Christmas in Venice
- Magnolia Blossom
- Traveling Boomers Second Stop: Israel
- Christmas in Florence
- NEW! The Melbourne Connection
Cindy Foley
Cindy has published 6 books, including fiction and poetry with painting and photography. Cindy just finished her term as the Guild president and has served as treasurer and director. She is a past winner of the Don Argo Award and is a contributor to the anthologies. Cindy also is a musician and gardener. Her repertoire of published books includes:
- The Truth Lies...: A Florida Saga (2016 winner of the Argo Award)
- I Clawed-Book One: The Renewal
- I Clawed-Book Two: Dog Days
- Water Drops
- Chase A Dream Today
- From Heaven or Homeless?
Terri Friedlander
Terri Friedlander, a native New Yorker, has held several notable job titles including writer, college professor, teacher, freelance journalist, and MIS Director of a global law firm. She created an original column that appears in print in Florida Today and online about education in today’s world entitled In Front of the Classroom.
Her latest venture is a series of two new children’s books, The Adventures of Percy the Siberian Cat and No More Bullying. Terri has also authored three novels: The Dorm, Chasing Her Destiny, and Work Hard Play Hard.
Jay Heavner
Jay Heavner is an award-winning author of nine books, four in the Braddock's Gold Mystery series, and five in the Florida Murder Mystery Novel series. Mr. Heavner has always been a storyteller. It used to get him in trouble when he was young, but now people keep asking him for another. Recently retired, he spends his time between homes in the beautiful West Virginia hills and the flatlands of Florida. Jay's books include:
- Murder at the Indian River
- Murder at the Canaveral Diner
- Death at Windover
- Killing Darkness
- Hunter's Moon
- Fool's Wisdom
- Braddock's Gold
- Murder at Seminole Pond
- Murder of Cowboy Gene
You can sign up for Jay's newsletter or leave comments at jay@jayheavner.com
Betty Jackson
Betty Whitaker Jackson writes fiction, memoir, poetry, nonfiction, devotional guides, and anthology pieces. Although she has written for years, retirement from a forty-year career as a secondary language arts teacher has given her the required time to devote to her craft.
She has won First Place in the Reader’s Digest Life Rich Memoir Writing Contest, and has published with WestBow Press, Life Rich Publishing, and CreateSpace.
Betty is an active member of the Space Coast Writers’ Guild and volunteers with the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra. She resides in Palm Bay, Florida after living in New York, New Jersey, and Iowa. She is a cum laude graduate of Hope College with a major in English Education and minors in history and music and hold a Master of Arts degree in Humanities from Hofstra University. She is a designated Master Teacher and is a National Board Certified Teacher.
Betty's favorite writing quote is: “I write to discover what I know.” By Flannery O’Connor.
Betty has an impressive repertoire of books published.
2012 It's a God Thing! (WestBow Press)
2013 Job Loss: What's Next? A Step by Step Action Plan
2013 Bless You Bouquets: A Memoir
2014 And God Chose Joseph: A Christmas Story
2014 Rocking Chair Porch: Summers with Grandma
(First Prize in Reminisce/Reader’s Digest
LifeRich Memoir Contest 2014)
2015 Whispering Woods (LifeRich Publishing)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz_MPtVkiKY
2015 Winter Wonderland at Whispering Woods
2016 Splendid Springtime at Whispering Woods
2016 Christmas Is Coming at Whispering Woods
2015 Thanksliving: Attitude of Gratitude, a Devotional Guide
2016 Beyond Easter: Ascension and Pentecost
2016 Advent Adventure: A Devotional Guide
2016 My Psalms Devotional Guide
2017 Seaside Serendipity
2017 Yay! Hooray! It’s Concert Day!
2018 It’s Surely a God Thing!
2018 Restore My Soul Psalms: A Lenten Journey
2018 Encore Anthology Stories and Poems
2018 Life-Changing Water: Chaos to Glory: a Metaphor Study
2019 Apple Tree Lane
2019 I Hear Music Everywhere
2019 At Home on Apple Tree Lane
2019 Led by the Spirit: An Anthology in His Honor
2020 The Nature of Things: World Poetry Day 2020
2020 Her Name Was Bess
Nicholas Kaplan
Nicholas Kaplan, a first-time author, has published several short stories on life events and politics. Now retired, he has written articles and essays for the Brevard Scribblers anthology Driftwood, is a member of The Space Coast Writers Guild, contributed to the anthology PANDEMIC, and has a self-published novel under the nom de plume of Nicholas Taylor titled The Long Game. It is a story of intelligence, espionage, and government corruption. Available on Amazon.
Nicholas is a graduate of the University of Missouri and The George Washington University. He has worked in Aerospace, Military Contracting, and Academia. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East for work and pleasure. He is currently retired and lives with his wife beachside in Florida.
T. W. "Thom" Lofgren
T .W. Lofgren's career began as a photographer, passing through a period in construction trades and as a claims adjuster for a major company. His creative writing developed from a challenge set down by his daughter—to explore a talent first discovered in a college creative writing course. His writing style blends satire, reality, and fantasy to make a poignant commentary on today's critical issues.
His short stories were published in several anthologies, and his novella, Dodging Butterflies--The Autobiography of Thomas Speaker, gained recognition for participation in the Writer's Digest self-published book awards.
Thom's latest release, Too Late to Pray, features Pastor Thomas Speaker struggling to keep hope alive by counseling his listeners and providing spiritual guidance and practical knowledge for survival, during the End Times.
An active member of The Space Coast Writers' Guild and Palm Bay Writers Group, Mr. Lofgren currently lives on Florida's Space Coast, where he struggles to keep his garden thriving. (5/19/21)
Gene Luke
Gene Luke Vlahovic is of Serbian origin. Born and raised in the former Yugoslavia, he acquired his love of literature from reading European Classics at an early age. At fourteen, his first short story was published by his hometown magazine, and at nineteen, several of his poems were published by University Press and the Literary Magazine for Young Poets. Gene Luke lives in Florida and continues to write and publish stories in his second language. He is a member of the Space Coast Prolific Authors, the Space Coast Writers Guild, and the the Florida Writers Association. You may contact him at brevardauthorssociety@gmail.com. Gene Luke's works include:
- Pilgrim of Fate: The Holy Trail of Brother Samuilo
- The Artisan (now available in audio format)
Mark Lyons
Mark is the 2019 winner of the prestigious Don Argo Award. Mark did not begin writing novels very early in his life, but since he began a few years ago he has completed three, with a fourth well underway. So far all of his stories involve big crimes perpetrated in Florida. These stories of fiction contain much more than purely crime elements. All are seen through the eyes of Mike Lyman, a nurse, and so have medical factors that are key in the stories.
For over 45 years, Mark worked as a nurse when not working on his farm in Minnesota. He was the only man in his nursing school graduating class, and he always said he didn’t even meet another male nurse for the first ten years of his practice.
His biggest heroes have always been those who work toward the same end. Mark currently works in an assisted living facility.
Ashley McGrath
UnabASHed by Disability
UnabASHed by Disability is the autobiography of a girl who learned how to live with her handicaps, overcome obstacles, and achieve goals. It is a story of hope and encouragement for both the able-bodied and those with disabilities.
Ashley's writing has been included in other anthologies and local publications. She is the Don Argo Award coordinator and a former Space Coast Writers’ Guild board member. She is active at her church in Palm Bay, Florida.
Zeenat Mian
In August 2011, Zeenat Mian went to a beach on the east side of Oahu to see a Hawaiian monk seal pup. She had never seen one, and was very curious. When she saw that incredibly active, little black seal and her very doting mum, Zeenat fell in love! This was Ka'iwi.
After that, she decided to follow the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal population in Hawaii, more specifically on the island of Oahu. Zeenat has logged more than 16,000 hours observing and taking footage of the behavior of the Hawaiian monk seal and her pup.
Ka'iwi the Hawaiian Monk Seal: Get to know me is a short story targeted toward children and narrated by the main character, a young female Hawaiian monk seal called Ka’iwi. Born on August 11, 2011, and a very popular seal with the locals, Ka’iwi belongs to a critically-endangered species of seals. Using real life photos in a simple manner, Zeenat explains the Hawaiian monk seal's main habits and outlines a few simple steps we all can take to help protect this fragile marine mammal.
K. Turk Osman
K. Turk Osman currently lives in the mystical land of Florida, where tourists flock to get sunburned and part with their cash.
Turk did his undergraduate studies at Wabash College, obtained a Master’s Degree at Drake University, and finished his coursework towards a Ph. D. at Florida Atlantic University. Turk is married to the lovely Robin and has one daughter, Maddy, who is the oldest soul he knows. His writing influences include Tom Robbins, Michael Crichton, and Richard Bach.
Turk is currently working on two more novels to thrill the reader with more magical realism and stories of love.
He has been a Guild member since 2018.
J.P. Osterman
"Everything we do ripples through time," J.P. believes. We leave ourselves and what we do behind as footsteps in life.
As a Science Fiction author and Researcher, J.P. focuses on space travel, the precarious laws that govern space-time, and issues relating to space travel, exploration, and colonization of Mars and exoplanets. J.P. most recently was a top finalist for the Patrick D. Smith award through the Brevard Library Foundation.
She has written ten novels, mostly science fiction: from exploring Mars in her book Cosmic Rift, to space-folding to an ancient alien world in the following books: First Communication; Battlefield Matrix; and, Astrocity Sagan. She has won several awards, including the prestigious Rupert Hughes' Award at the seminal Maui Writers Conference for her sci-fi novel, The Matter Stream, which she is transforming into her Nelta Series. She won First Place for her play, The Man Next to Me, subsequently published in the San Diego Writer's Monthly magazine. Her new collection of short stories, Commuter Collection, is now available for your reading pleasure as well as her sci-fi short story collection, Pareidolia.
K. J. Pierce
Thanks to her Army Brat upbringing, author K. J. Pierce has an insatiable curiosity for both the world at large and the people who inhabit it. She loves to travel but rarely does, so she combats her "itchy-feet" syndrome by rearranging the furniture.
She loves heroines who are misfits and outcasts, and who are stronger than they think. Like many of her favorites, she's prone to the occasional bout of melodrama and suffers from the not-so-occasional foot-in-mouth disease.
She currently lives on Florida's Space Coast with her cat Dorian Gray, who lives up to his name by striving to be the state's most prolific lizard serial killer. Yours Truly is her first novel.
Scott Tilley
Scott Tilley is the president and founder of the Center for Technology and Society, a professor at Florida Institute of Technology, where he is the Director of the Systems Evolution Lab, president of the Big Data Florida user group, and a Space Coast Writers' Guild Fellow. His books include:
- Systems Analysis and Design
- Making Technology Work for You
- Technical Justice
- Surreal Technology
- Technology 2010-2011
- Make Technology Great Again
- Software Testing in the Cloud: Migration and Execution
- Hacktivists Anonymous (Technology Today Book 5)
- Testing iOS Apps with HadoopUnit: Rapid Distributed GUI Testing
- and many others.
Linda Zern
Linda is the only person to have won the coveted Space Coast Writers' Guild Don Argo Award twice! Her first award (2018) was for The Gryphon's Glade. In October 2020 she won her second Argo Award for book 3 in the Strandline Series, Keeping the Strandline.
"Born in Florida, raised on sunshine and bug spray, I read every cereal box I could find and every book I could get my hands on, and when other people's books ran out, I started writing my own."
Linda's prolific writing began with children's chapter books, like Mooncalf, a finalist for the Space Coast Writers' Guild Don Argo Award, to inspirational books (like The Long-Promised Song) and to a young adult survival, dystopian trilogy: Beyond the Strandline (Book I) Following the Strandline (Book II), Keeping the Strandline (Book III) winner of the 2020 Argo Award, to her first rural contemporary fantasy The Gryphon's Glade, winner of the 2018 Argo Award, Excellence in Florida Based Literature.
"I write because there can never be too many good books or the people who love them." Linda L. Zern 16Toadstonelane.com lindalzern.net. email linda@lindalzern.net)