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CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

Albert Schlaht - Albert resides in the Rocky mountains where he enjoys the sound of a cold stream swiftly flowing past him and the sight of a morning breeze ruffling feathers of a soulful thrush. Albert has published a work of non-fiction, the Schlaht Family History and currently self-publishes the Schlaht Newsletter.

Alice Beesley – I am a freelance writer. I have a bachelor's degree in writing and have published stories in various magazines. I have done some ghost writing on a nonfiction book and written monthly articles for a newspaper.

Amy Vasterling - Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband Tom and her children, Jane and Peter. She’s been painting for many years but only the past two have been dedicated to illustration. She’s currently teaching at River Ridge Art Academy, teaching art independently and busy as a part time stay at home Mom making art projects with her kids .http://www.amycernyvasterling.com/index.html  

Ann Applegrath- Ann Applegarth lives and writes in Roswell, New Mexico, where she teaches poetry classes at All Saints Catholic School and works part time as a secretary at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. ?She has twin eight-year-old granddaughters who read MY LIGHT Magazine in Colorado

 Angela Amit - I am a published writer and a member of the SCBWI. My first book was published when I was in college. Bedtime Stories from Around the World was published a couple of years ago.

Barbara Bockman - Mrs. Bockman grew up in North Carolina. The memory of the beautiful mountains draws her back there at least once a year when she attends the family reunion. She also loves to travel to other places. She has been to China and Europe with her granddaughter, and once she took four grandchildren to Alaska. Her hobby is raising flowers for butterflies.

Belinda Raye - I am a multi-certified high school teacher--English, German, history, and science--with publishing credits in adult and children's magazines, both online and in print. These include FACES, The Writer, the Children's Writer Newsletter, Viatouch.com, Writer's Digest Books, and Progressive Language, Inc.

Bernadette Martonick--Bernadette Martonick grew up in Walla Walla, Washington where she spent her time writing stories about animals and about the challenges of growing up. She comes from a Catholic family of six children and enjoys telling stories to her nieces and nephews and to the children she babysits. She has a degree in English Literature from Gonzaga University and has lived abroad in both Ireland and France.

Billy Burgess- Billy Burgess has written an article, You Never Forget Your First Rejection, that will be published in an upcoming issue of Once Upon A Time Magazine. He has written several book reviews that have been published in Stories For Children Magazine. His article, Where is Scrooge McDuck Hiding At? Appeared in the June 2008 issue of SFC Newsletter for Writers. His first short story, The Greeting Card, will be published in the February 2009 issue of Stories for Children Magazine.

Carol Brooke--Carol Brooke is the author and illustrator of Bumble Bear: Daniel Bear Learns a Lesson. In addition to writing and illustrating, she has experience teaching and counseling. Carol and her family treasure living in the midst of art, music and nature in Portland, Oregon. www.CarolBrookeBooks.com

Cynthia Reeg-- Cynthia began writing stories and poems in elementary school. She won a few local prizes that were published in local newspapers. She enjoyed the acclaim, but mostly wrote because she enjoyed writing so much—taking a blank page and making it come to life with characters. In high school, college, and beyond, she continued taking classes to improve her writing skills. After years working as a librarian, she decided she wanted to write full time. Now she has three books of her own out:Kitty-Kerplunking, Doggie Daycamp, and `Gifts From God.? Visit her on the web at http://www.cynthiareeg.com to learn more about her.

Diane Smit--http://dianesmit.blogspot.com/ Writing stories and poems for children is what I’d like to do all day, if I could. My four children give me lots of inspiration and valuable insight for my stories. Along with teaching Sunday School and a children's Wednesday Club, I also drive a school bus. My childhood memories of my mischievous brothers and adorable little sister also help give me ideas. After completing a children's writing course in 2004 I was hooked on writing for children. I am now working on a second writing course.

Elizabeth Ethridge- Has lived in her husband's home town in Texas for twenty years. She is an empty-nester and have found that writing poetry is a blessing to her.

Ellen Javernick is a second grade teacher in Loveland, CO. She's the author of 14 books for children including In God's House. She has seven grandchildren who all love singing "This Little Light of Mine." 

Emil Bishop-I hold a bachelor's degree in creative writing from Purdue University and a master's degree from Seton Hill University's Writing Popular Fiction program, where I specialized in writing for children and young adults. My first short story, "Amy's Outside Toy," will be published in Stories for Children in July.

Judith Vaska - – I have recently moved to Canada from India with my physician husband Solomon. I am now taking a writing course at the Institute of Children’s Literature. I have found it extremely useful.

Kathy Bently- Kathy D. Bentley lives in Ohio with her husband, Tim, son, Charlie and a menagerie of animals. Her 5 dogs are her favorite. She completed the Writing for Children and Teens course with The Institute of Children’s Literature. She is looking forward to the day when her son, Charlie reads her one of her own children’s book or magazine pieces.

Kathleen Muldoon --Kathleen Muldoon is a retired staff writer from Today’s Catholic newspaper. Currently she is an instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature. She belongs to St. Gregory the Great Parish in San Antonio, Texas.

Marion Tickner - I have been published in Bread for God's Children, On the Line, Real Time, Shine Brightly, Wee Ones Magazine, Fun for Kidz, and others. My stories have been published in two anthologies, "Mistletoe Madness" and "Summer Shorts" (Blooming Tree Press 2004 and 2006).

Marjorie Flathers-- I have been a freelance writer for over 25 years (as well as a lifelong Catholic.) My work has appeared in print over 300 times, in numerous publications, including St. Anthony Messenger, Liguorian, Our Family, and Guideposts for Kids, among many others. From 2000 to 2007, I was a regular contributor to the Kids’ Reading Room page of the Los Angeles Times (until that page was cancelled.) To learn more , visit my blog.

Ramey Channell - I have been a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Alabama State Poetry Society, and Alabama Writers' Conclave for many years, and have received numerous poetry awards. I've had poetry and short stories, both adult and children's, published by Alalitcom, Aura Literary Arts Review, Scholastic Press, and many others. My adult short story, The Funeral, and my children's story, Charlie Bill Leaves Home, are published online in the 2008 Alabama Writers Conclave journal at www.alalit.com , and my children's story, Big Team, the Little Turtle, is in the 2007 issue of Alalitcom

R.S. Lipcomb -- R.S. Lipcomb is an author and illustrator. She especially enjoys writing, crafts, and art.

Sarvinder Naberhaus--I am pursuing a Master’s in Curriculum and Instructional Technology. I have a degree in Elementary Education, and taught for thirteen years. I enjoy writing, having had articles accepted by Lyrical Iowa, The Blue Review, The Boone News Republican, and Highlights For Children. I am part way through my course at Institute Of Children’s Literature, and am a network chair for SCBWI. I am also active in my church and my faith, am a mother of three, with a border collie, all of which give me plenty to write about.

Susan Hornbach - Susan Hornbach is the author of Spencer Goes To School, a nonfiction book filled with information about angora rabbits, explained by an English Chocolate. She is also the author of Beetle Bombs, a nonfiction book that takes a scientific look at the Bombardier Beetle, as well as whimsical poetry -- contributes to children 6 to 12 years of age. [ Both to be published in 2009.] This author writes,articles, creative/nonfiction, fiction, poems, and stories that relate to her childhood in the 1950's. "Stories are an author's canvas, for which they create paintings, brush stroked with words" She says. She is a graduate of The Institute for Children's Literature {Writing for Children and Teenagers}. She is a member of the Museconferenceboard@yahoogroups.com Ms. Hornbach finds the fun of research, and the challenge of putting it all together in an exciting informational package, to always be her passion. www.susanhornbach.bravehost.com

Susannah Hayes - Lives and writes in Columbia, South Carolina with her husband and four children.

Suzie Jean Maskin- Susan Jean Maskin lives in New York City with her husband Mel. The mother of two grown children, Susan has been involved in Education all of her life. Her parents were educators and she followed in their footsteps. Susan taught kindergarten and first grade, but spent most of her career as a children’s librarian at a Day School. Susan’s passion is Early Childhood Education. She writes picture books
and composes songs for ages 4-7. She is presently illustrating her stories using Photoshop. She posts these stories on her website: http://suziejean.com.

Tanja Cilia --lives in Malta, Europe. She is a newspaper columnist, journalist, and featured writer. She also formulates puzzles and writes poetry. Tanja has always been fascinated by the aura of words, and has been writing for Allied Newspapers (Malta) since she was 14 years old. Visit her column see more of her work.

Tom Prill - is a retired elementary teacher who has taught grade 2 through 6 and
special education in public and Catholic schools.

Tracy Vonder Brink-- Tracy Vonder Brink lives and writes in southern Ohio. Her stories have also appeared in Stories for Children magazine. Please visit her on the web at http://www.tracyvonderbrink.com

Jennifer Jesseph - I am a teacher and writer and have been writing for over 20 years. Some of my credits include publishing poems in Stories for Children, Wee Ones, Dragonfly Spirit, Your Big Back Yard, Highlights, and Ladybug. I have poems forthcoming in Spider and Whittle Tykes.

Lou DiGuiseppe-- Lou DiGuiseppe is a member of SCBWI and a student at the Institute of Children ’s Literature. One of his stories won honorable mention in the 74^th Annual Writer’s Digest competition, placing 33 out of 18,000 entries.

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS

Amy Vasterling - Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband Tom and her children, Jane and Peter. She’s been painting for many years but only the past two have been dedicated to illustration. She’s currently teaching at River Ridge Art Academy, teaching art independently and busy as a part time stay at home Mom making art projects with her kids. http://www.amycernyvasterling.com/index.html

Candace J Hardy-Candace Hardy is a freelance illustrator from Northwest Ohio, She's an active member of The Society of BookWriters and Illustrators as well as the local NOSCBWI and has enjoyed illustrating for numerous online venues to include WEE ONES online, WRITER’S EXCHANGE E-PUBLICATION, and STORIES FOR CHILDREN.

She also has a CAFE PRESS STORE featuring wildlife and exotic pets memorial cards as well as other items for Exotics Veterinarians. She is currently building a portfolio of paintings of vintage homes and hopes to begin accepting commissions in this venue in the future.

Please visit her Portfolio and Website

Carol Brooke-Carol Brooke is the author and illustrator of Bumble Bear: Daniel Bear Learns a Lesson. In addition to writing and illustrating, she has experience teaching and counseling. Carol and her family treasure living in the midst of art, music and nature in Portland, Oregon. www.CarolBrookeBooks.com

Daud Christian—Daud Christian is a university student at ITHB, Bandung ( Indonesia ). His illustrations include: advertisements, web, and animation. His recent job included illustrations for a church.

Dorothy McPartland- Dorothy McPartland has a degree in Early Childhood Education, and I has taught CCD to second graders for many years. She is the .sole proprietor of Little Light Press, through which she has written, illustrated, published, and distributed her first picture book, Wishing Stars. Visit her site to learn more: www.littlelightpress.biz

Feras Nouf Feras Nouf graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts / Damascus University - 2001(Graphic drawing section) Specialized in illustrating children's books for Arab publishing houses and creating comics for Arab magazines as a freelancer since 1998. Currently, he is a member of the talent pool in Trafford Publishing House (Canada) and he’s a co-operating Illustrator in the Creative Literacy Project, TCLP (USA). IN addition, he works with independent authors from USA and UK and is a contributor for Stories for Children Magazine

Heidi Pedretti-- Heidi J. Pedretti is a children's illustrator from Elkader, Iowa. She has had an interest in illustration since she was a child. She illustrated her first picture book, The Adventures of Freddie and Nicky, in 2005. Since then she has earned Member of the Year of the SCBWI of Iowa, earned a masters degree of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Idaho, and illustrated her second picture book. To learn more about Heidi, please visit her website.

Julia Kelly Julia Kelly designs and hand stitches fabric collages, adding embroidery embellishments, photographs them digitally and then corrects in PhotoshopMore of her work can be found here: www.moonflowerstudio.biz

Mical Hustson-- Mical is a mother of two people, one border collie, one gray cat, one hamster, and one pony. Her garden is full of thistle though because she is busy running her photography business, marketing guest ranches, working as a part-time children's librarian and storyteller, writing children's stories . . . and playing with the aforementioned children.

Naomi Canale - Naomi worked full time for five years as a Unit Clerk/Monitor Tech in a local hospital's Cardiac Intensive Care Unit to put her husband through school. He recently graduated and Naomi was able to quit her job and work full time on her dream of becoming published.

Naomi has showcased her paintings in many places. Her works of art have been shown in Ironstone Vineyards, New York's Rocking Horse Café, and E3 Gallery. She was also published in Direct Art magazine.

Ramey Channell - I have been a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Alabama State Poetry Society, and Alabama Writers' Conclave for many years, and have received numerous poetry awards. I've had poetry and short stories, both adult and children's, published by Alalitcom, Aura Literary Arts Review, Scholastic Press, and many others. My adult short story, The Funeral, and my children's story, Charlie Bill Leaves Home, are published online in the 2008 Alabama Writers Conclave journal at www.alalit.com , and my children's story, Big Team, the Little Turtle, is in the 2007 issue of Alalitcom

Rosemarie Gillen -- Rosemarie Gillen is a children Illustrator who resides in the country side of West Virginia with her husband, son and their collie Riley. She has illustrated for Stories for Children and Whittle Tykes children Magazines and Living Waters Publishers. And has recently released her first e-book picture book, "Sometimes I Am." Visit her website at RosemarieGillen.com.

Samantha Bell--I am a freelance children's writer/illustrator living in the upstate of South Carolina with my husband, four children, and lots of chickens. My illustrations have been published in Wee Ones Children's Magazine, SCBWI Bulletin, and Parents for Parents Magazine. More of my work can be seen on my website and my Art Made Easy website

Sarvinder Naberhaus- I am pursuing a Master’s in Curriculum and Instructional Technology. I have a degree in Elementary Education, and taught for thirteen years. I enjoy writing, having had articles accepted by Lyrical Iowa, The Blue Review, The Boone News Republican, and Highlights For Children. I am part way through my course at Institute Of Children’s Literature, and am a network chair for SCBWI. I am also active in my church and my faith, am a mother of three, with a border collie, all of which give me plenty to write about.

Steve Geist is a professional illustrator who graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design with a BFA in illustration. While a student he was awarded the Keith Parkinson Memorial Award and the Outstanding Graduating Illustrator Award. During the summer of 2005, Steve was instructed by such illustrators as Gary Kelley, C.F. Payne, Anita Kuntz, John English and Sterling Hundley at the Illustration Academy. Since his graduation Steve has been working with regional and national companies to expand his portfolio. In 2007 he created the final art for a Telly award winning, 30 second animated commercial partnered with Otaku Motion Digital Media Group. http://www.stevegeistillustration.com/