Kristen J. Amundson, with her background as a teacher, school board chair, state legislator, and CEO of a national education organization, is a nationally acclaimed authority on parenting and education. She educates parents on how to advocate for all children within the school system.
Books: • Unfinished Learning: Parents, Schools, and the COVID School Closures • 81 Questions for Parents: Helping Your Kids Succeed in School.
Luis D. Aponte is a librarian, U.S. Air Force veteran, and author of four upcoming books on preventing school shootings. Based in Virginia, he has written for various publications including Virginia’s Mount Vernon Gazette, Fairfax Connection. A proud alumnus of Parkland High School, he emphasizes the importance of safety from gun violence for children and educators. Before librarianship, Luis worked in film and television for seven years and continues to act in productions, including library murder mystery plays.
Books: • A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting • The Ultimate U.S. School Shooting Reference Guide, Volumes 1–3.
Carolyn Belefski is a cartoonist who creates and publishes original comics, including her comic strip Curls. She collaborates with Joe Carabeo on the comic books Black Magic Tales, French Fry Club, and The Legettes. Her projects range from illustrations for Clorox to commissioned comics for the Obama Administration White House. She has worked on a variety of anthology projects including Mine!, NCS Activity Book, Magic Bullet, Rise: Comics Against Bullying, Cartoonists Draw Blood, and District Comics: An Unconventional History of Washington, DC. Carolyn is currently the Washington, DC chapter chair of the National Cartoonists Society and previously served on the Board of Directors. Carolyn also designs and produces functional art such as enamel pins, stickers, and more.
Henry G. Brinton serves as the pastor of Fairfax Presbyterian Church in Virginia. He has penned articles on religion and culture for prominent publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, and Huffington Post. Additionally, he contributes to preaching journals such as Homiletics and Proclaim. He is also a frequent speaker at various workshops and conferences.
Books: • The Welcoming Congregation: Roots and Fruits of Christian Hospitality • The Bible’s Greatest Hits: Top Sixty-Six Passages from Genesis to Revelation • City of Peace • Windows of the Heavens • War Bug
Kacy Cooney would much rather write about her fictional friends than herself. Despite an early childhood with few books and no television or perhaps because she had to entertain herself, Kacy began making up stories and the people in them. As soon as she discovered books, she was hooked and wanted to create her own. She has been a member of the Thomas Jefferson Library’s Writers’ Group, which she coordinates as a volunteer, for more than 15 years. In addition, Kacy has found another welcome challenge in joining a movie competition team as writer and production assistant, generally making movies in a single weekend.
Books: • Seeking Solace • In a Maze of Imagination
Cheryl Gander-Spagnolo was raised on Long Island, New York, where she obtained her Master’s degree in Education and dedicated many years to teaching in elementary schools. In addition to her teaching career, she serves as a minister in The Order of Melchizedek and is a certified Reiki Master/Teacher. Furthermore, she is a certified Energy Codes Coach and Facilitator. At Unity of Fairfax Church, Cheryl coordinates weekly presentations for the Sages of All Ages group.
Books: • Navigating Life with Spirit • Orbs, Lights & Clouds: Experiences With Nature
Dave Hatcher began sharpening his writing craft with required essays at West Point; his military assignments in Thailand on communist insurgencies in Asia; and his staff work years later supporting principals in the Department of Defense - bookends to nearly a decade as a foreign reporter for CBS News, Newsweek magazine, and the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Books: • From the Heartland, on the way to the Promised Land
From a young age, Rebecca Long Hayden dreamed of writing but entered the field later in life. After high school, she joined NASA, got married, and had two children while pursuing her education. She spent two decades working for the U.S. Government in various roles, including at the Air Force, CDC, and State Department. Her career took her to 16 cities across 11 states and two countries, providing inspiration for her novels.
Books: •The Murder of Maggie May Slipper • The Second Life of Brencie Jessup • Tuesday in Texas
Diane Helentjaris often writes about overlooked people — an interest developed in her years as a medical doctor. She thinks of it as treasure hunting. Her historical novel The Indenture of Ivy O’Neill won the 2024 Maryland Writers’ Association Novel competition in the categories of history and romance. Her latest book, I Ain’t Afraid — The World of Lulu Bell Parr, Wild West Cowgirl, is the biography of a flamboyant, bronco riding, 20th century performer. She is completing a sequel to The Indenture of Ivy O’Neill. Next up is a biography of Lizzie King, an Appalachian woman who rose to wealth and folk heroine status as a straight-shooting, philanthropic madam. Helentjaris is a popular public speaker.
Books:• I Ain’t Afraid - The World of Lulu Bell Parr, Wild West Cowgirl •The Indenture of Ivy O’Neill • Diaspora
Ellen Herbert's short stories have won more than ten awards including a PEN Fiction and a Virginia Fiction Fellowship. One of her short stories was read on NPR. Her writing has been published in women’s magazines, literary magazines, and The Washington Post. Her historical novel, The Last Government Girl, published by Loyola Press, won the Maryland Writer’s Prize for Best Novel.
Ellen has taught writing at Marymount University as well as short fiction and creative nonfiction workshops at the Writer’s Center, Bethesda, Maryland. She is the CNF editor for the online zine, Halfway Down the Stairs.
Books: • The Last Government Girl • Don’t Hide from the Night
Chef Cal Kraft devoted three decades to the corporate travel and hospitality sector, holding positions from airline service to Director of Customer Relations at Amtrak, and later as Regional Vice President for the Council of Better Business Bureau. After retiring in 1995, he took on the role of Innkeeper at the Bailiwick Inn, developing a passion for cooking and fine dining. Cal furthered his culinary pursuits by studying Northern Italian cuisine under Chef Instructor Jane Woods and attending L'Académie de Cuisine and the Culinary Institute of America.
Books: • The Ramblings of an Old Man – Book 2 • Recipes from the Chef’s Corner • The Ramblings of an Old Man
Leslie Lautenslager began her protocol career in 1986 as an assistant at Blair House under U.S. Chief of Protocol Selwa “Lucky” Roosevelt. She organized state visit events, directed protocol for the Battle of Normandy Foundation, and managed events for General Colin L. Powell at the Washington Speakers Bureau. As Assistant Chief of Protocol during Powell's tenure as U.S. Secretary of State, she planned functions for foreign dignitaries. From 2016-2020, she served as President of the Protocol & Diplomacy – Protocol Officers Association, expanding membership and leading educational initiatives. Lautenslager authored a memoir about her experiences and is an internationally recognized speaker and trainer, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Fine Arts from the College of William & Mary.
Books: • My Time with General Colin Powell: Stories of Kindness, Diplomacy, and Protocol
Bill Lewers started his tenure as an election officer in Fairfax County in 1994, and these experiences inspired him to write The Gatekeepers of Democracy. This book pays tribute to the volunteers who dedicate their time on Election Day and has been hailed as a defining work in the genre of "election officer fiction." Originally a standalone novel, it quickly evolved into a series, each installment honoring Election Day and the everyday people who set aside their daily routines and political leanings to uphold the democratic process.
Books: • The Main Event • Eighteen Days in New York: A Novel about the 1924 Democratic Convention 6 • The Gatekeepers of Democracy
Mary Lipsey grew up in Fairfax County, Virginia. She earned a B.A. in History and Sociology from Mary Washington College and a Master's in Middle School Education from Virginia Tech. After nearly thirty years of teaching seventh grade American History, Mary retired. Her fascination with local and women's history inspired her to research and author several books. Her latest publication, Almost Forgotten Women: Yesterday's Headliners, chronicles the lives of more than sixty American women who significantly impacted women's rights during their lifetimes yet have since been largely overlooked.
Books: • Almost Forgotten Women: Yesterday's Headliners • Aviation: From Curiosity to Reality • A Christmas Flight Aviation Pioneer Dr. William Christmas
Janet R. Macreery, residing in Northern Virginia since 2009, is known for her multi-award-winning historical fiction works, including A Little Noble and A Little Wicked. Her most recent publication, The Falls, is set in Alaska during 1953. She travels across the United States and Europe, drawing inspiration and conducting research, while also pursuing the perfect hot chocolate, which she reviews on her YouTube channel, Hot Chocolate Journey.
Books: • The Falls • A Little Noble • A Little Wicked
Jerry Markowitz worked over 30 years managing technical training programs in the federal government. Since his retirement, Jerry teaches at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, George Mason University; participates in the Thomas Jefferson Library Writers’ Group; and enjoys being a Life Member, Friends of the Burke Centre Library. The author donates proceeds from his books to the Alzheimer’s Association to support Alzheimer’s research and education.
Books: • Exploring Kindness and Respect: Poems • Poems that Rhyme, Most of the Time • Joyful and Meaningful Retirement: Nonfinancial Tips
Nicholas Mattiuzzo is a creative artist originally from Missouri, currently residing in northern Virginia with his family. Inspired by his Creator, Nick continually seeks innovative methods to express his worship through art. He authored and illustrated his first book, a narrative imbued with faith and inspiration.
Books: • Falling Leaf Forest: A Small Tree's Tale
Judith Mudd-Krijgelmans fulfilled her dream of working in the Foreign Service, in New Delhi, Mumbai, Dhaka, Taipei, Hong Kong, Brussels, Libreville, Bujumbura and Brazzaville. From Washington she supported civic education in South Africa; and she led public diplomacy in eight French-speaking African countries. Lauded for outstanding achievement of U.S interests, since leaving the Foreign Service, she leads memoir courses in Northern Virginia where she lives.
Book: • Flowers for Brother Mudd: One Woman's Path from Jim Crow to Career Diplomat
Kamakshi Murti is a retired professor of German Studies. She moved to the NoVa area in 2008 after retiring from Middlebury College. Kamakshi writes fiction and non-fiction. Her scholarly writing is devoted to multi-cultural issues, as well as gender studies. Her Bandilanka’s Forgotten Lives was shortlisted for the Neev Book Award in India. Kamakshi is a member of the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education.
Books: • Yasemin and Nirmala: A Tale of Two Teens • Bandilanka's Forgotten Lives • Murders in the Ivory Tower
Neal Nathan has an academic background in Engineering, Information Systems, and Public Policy. An avid reader, Neal has cultivated a strong interest in ancient, modern, and contemporary history, as well as linguistics. His debut novel has been successfully translated and published in both Hindi and Marathi.
Books: • Raaz Mahal -The Palace of Secrets
Cat Needham is a native Washingtonian having spent the last 31 years in Northern Virginia. Her passion for animals has been a constant throughout her life, and she grew up immersed in literature, enthusiastically reading works by authors such as Beatrix Potter, A.A. Milne, Marguerite Henry, and Jack London, among others. Currently, she serves as a contractor supporting the U.S. Navy. In her leisure time, she enjoys riding her horse, Rolo, and providing equine massage therapy through her business, Happier Pony Equine Massage. Additionally, she has authored two books inspired by true stories.
Books: • Yuna and the Fox • Shepherd Girl: A Dog Story
Frances Park’s writing life began in a Fairfax County classroom at age ten. Many years later, she is the author of thirteen books – novels, memoirs, children’s books – all driven by her Korean American heritage. Forthcoming work includes her coauthored children’s book Suka’s Farm.
Books: • My Sister's Doljabi •Blue Rice • Ahn Love • Suka's Farm •The Summer My Sister Was Cleopatra Moon • That Lonely Spell: Stories of Family, Friends & Love
Drawing from her Korean heritage, Ginger Park's children's books have garnered numerous accolades, including the 1999 International Reading Association Award, the 2002 Joan G. Sugarman Award, and the Paterson Prize. Upcoming is Suka's Farm, a novel inspired by her father's experiences in Japanese-occupied Korea, weaving history with the unexpected friendship between a Japanese farmer and a young Korean boy employed on his farm.
Books: • My Sister's Doljabi • Blue Rice • Ahn Love • Suka's Farm •Grandpa's Scroll • The Hundred Choices Department Store • The Have a Good Day Cafe
Deanna Reina was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, as the second of four children. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business from The College of William and Mary, she relocated to Northern Virginia, where she has resided since 1998. In 2011, she obtained her MBA from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her decision to document her story stemmed from a challenging period in her life following a layoff and enduring singlehood. Currently, she works as a realtor, stylist, and a breast cancer survivor.
Books: • MENtal: A Preposterous Pursuit of Love
Desmond Ross is a talented storyteller who values childhood imagination and the power of narratives to inspire joy and creativity. His books feature vibrant illustrations, charming characters, and exciting adventures, encouraging young readers to dream big, ask questions, and believe in their own magic. Outside of storytelling, Desmond enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife and two children, with his firstborn, Carter, inspiring his writing journey.
Books: • Floating Courage • My Superpowers
In Spanish, *darle alas* means to empower someone to achieve something significant (literally, to give someone wings). Keyla Sanders, also known as Alas, received those wings from her grandmother, who instilled in her the values of faith, determination, and a passion for helping others.
At the age of 16, Keyla arrived in the United States as an undocumented immigrant, chasing her American dream. Here, she has embraced her grandmother's teachings, continuing her education, finding love, raising her children, and becoming an entrepreneur. Through her photography and writing, she actively seeks out opportunities to uplift and empower others.
Currently, Keyla resides in Washington, D.C., with her husband, three children, and her delightfully pampered dog.
Books: • Mojada, Memoir of a Honduran Immigrant
E. R. Smo is an author of fantasy novels, driven by a passion for entertaining his readers. He particularly enjoys crafting narratives rich in magic and dynamic action sequences. Influenced by JRPG video games like Final Fantasy, which he enjoys during his leisure time, fantasy literature remains his preferred genre, with a particular affinity for stories featuring zombies. Beyond his writing pursuits, E.R. Smo is an avid gamer, engaging on both PC and console platforms. He openly embraces the enjoyment of midday naps as a delightful indulgence.
Books: • Provenance (Accrue's End Book 2) •Affliction (Accrue's End Book 1)
Rick Spees has spent over 40 years working on the staff of the US Senate and as an attorney and lobbyist. With this background he has lived in the crazy and humorous sides of the lobbying profession, which are the basis of his first novel, Capitol Gains. This book was named a finalist in the 2024 American Fiction Awards in the Humor/Comedy/Satire category. Rick has lived in Fairfax for 36 years. When not writing, Rick can be found on his bicycle riding throughout Northern Virginia.
Book: • Capitol Losses .• Capitol Gains
Keisha Strand grew up visiting her local library in Richmond, VA to attend programs and gained a love for reading. She volunteered for the system when she was in high school and eventually worked as an administrative assistant for the Fairfax County Public Library system. Her experience in the public library setting inspired her to want to write for kids to create more diversity in books.
Books: • What If We Went?... • I Need A Friend
Roy Whitehurst, a former CIA analyst and instructor, dedicated over 30 years to assessing written materials, images, videos, and various media collected by the CIA. He also taught media literacy skills to new CIA analysts. Roy contends that everyone—beyond just CIA analysts—can learn to assess the accuracy, credibility, logic, and argumentation present on social media. He asserts that these skills are essential for participating in civic discourse and fostering a stronger democracy. Additionally, Roy regularly posts evaluations of trending pop culture topics and other social media content on his website.
Books: •Teaching Media Literacy with Social Media News: Practical Techniques for Middle and High School Classrooms
Beka Wueste, originally from Texas and raised in Virginia, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, as well as a Master of Arts in Art History from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. An acclaimed visual artist, she frequently exhibits her work in both regional and national venues. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Beka is an avid traveler, devoted reader, nature enthusiast, lifelong film aficionado, and vinyl music collector. She currently resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and their rescue Shiba Inu.
Books: • My Side of the World and Other Tales of Death (Coming Nov. 2025) •The Unsent Letters of Lucy Prior • Fireflies in a Jar
