James Edward Alexander, a native of Valdosta, Georgia, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1971. Upon retirement he held management and sales positions in commercial broadcasting before attending law school at age 52 and passed the California Bar Examination at age 56. His books, Half Way Home From Kinderlou, Forks in the Road, and I Wish You Had Been There, share short stories of a wonderful life. He lives in semi-retirement with his wife, Toian Bowser-Alexander, in Bluffton, SC.
Will Anderson earned a Doctor’s degree from MIT, served as an army Captain, and spent 29 years with NASA as an engineer and senior executive. He has written two techno-thriller novels: The Backdoor and The Anomaly. (Preview on www.willandersonauthor.com.) He drew on his knowledge of aerospace systems, piloting, and related experiences, relationships and travels to write these exciting, believable novels. Emergency Landing brings back fond memories of a family trip taken nearly thirty years ago.

Frederick W. Bassett is a retired academic who holds four academic degrees, including a Ph.D. in Biblical literature from Emory University. He has four books of poetry, the most recent being The Old Stoic Faces the Mirror. His poems have also appeared in more than eighty publications. He has two novels: South Wind Rising and its sequel Honey from a Lion.

Raymond P. Berberian is an attorney living in Beaufort County, SC. He is a graduate of New York University with a B.S. degree in economics and a graduate of St. John’s University Law School with J.D. degree. Originally from New Jersey, he practiced law in New Jersey and New York for over 35 years before relocating to Hilton Head Island. Publications include his book, The Remainderman, and an article published in The Island Packet, Chatting With Mitt Romney. You can also find Ray’s work in IWN’s anthologies.

James Borton is a veteran journalist who has reported for The Washington Times and Asia Times and is a regular commentary contributor for Radio Singapore International. The author of Venture Japan, he presently teaches in the English Department at USC Sumter. When not traveling to the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, he can be seen sailing his vintage Lightning sailboat out of Palmetto Bay Marina in Hilton Head.

Bob Bredin was bitten by the writing bug eight years ago at a Lifelong Learning class for wannabe authors. Since then he has moved from memoirs to short stories to one act plays. Recently he completed his first book, Grains of Sand, which was inspired by a part-time job as a trash man patrolling the beaches of Hilton Head. Copies are available on Hilton Head Island at Coastal Discovery Museum.

Len Camarda is originally from New York City, but his business career took him around the world, including assignments in Panama, The Netherlands, and Spain. His time in Spain inspired the writing of his published novel, The Seventh Treasure, an international thriller rich in history and historical fiction. Len is also an accomplished painter and exhibits regularly at the Art Gallery of Coastal Carolina in Shelter Cove. See more on Mr. Camarda and his writing at www.LenCamarda.com.

Sallie Collins, like so many others, migrated from Ohio nearly 20 years ago. She and her husband now live in an old house on the May River. Each day brings surprises in the yard, the neighborhood, the village. Several months ago, she started a blog, Life On The May, which reflects her past and present. The future has yet to write itself.

Art Cornell is an acclaimed photographer, poet, and painter of abstract art. His works reside in private and corporate collections throughout the United States. Art is also an instructor at The Art Academy on Hilton Head, SC, and has given presentations on being an abstract artist in today’s world. He has judged numerous art and photography shows throughout the Lowcountry and is recognized as a national Concours automotive judge. He is a regular contributor to The Bluffton Breeze/The Breeze poetry pages. His paintings and photographs can be viewed at the Hilton Head Art League, Calhoun Street Art Gallery, Pink House Art Gallery, and at www.artbyartcornell.com. His art resides in private and corporate collections throughout the United States.

Tom Crawford, a native of Whitinsville, Massachusetts, graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and began his news career as a reporter with the The Worcester (Massachusetts) Telegram. After graduation from a 48-week course in the Ukrainian language at the Army Language School (Now Defense Language Institute) at Monterey, California, he separated from the Army in Germany and enrolled at the University of Munich, where he studied history and Slavic languages. Back in the United States he joined United Press International and served in the Springfield, Massachusetts, Boston, London and Belgrade bureaus of the news agency. He returned to the United States with his family in 1967, and joined The Springfield Union and Sunday Republican, where he served as copy reader, wire editor and news editor, responsible for Page 1. He has concentrated on his writing since his retirement in 1996 and after spending several winters on Hilton Head, S.C., permanently relocated to the island in 2007. The first work to be published was Foibles, a collection of humorous vignettes in 2009. Goli Otok (Naked Island) is a novel giving an account of the effects of World War II on a Ukrainian family whose family head was killed in combat in the battle for Belgrade in October of 1944. Resurrections…of an Obituary Writer, to be published this fall, is a collection of essays about the most influential and/or memorable personalities of a lifetime.

Sheila Gale, originally from North Wales, immigrated to Canada and worked as a college professor for twenty-eight years. Since retiring in 2003, Sheila has been writing novels and short stories. Most recently, she has been working on a series of mystery capers, two of which have already been published. The third one, Dottie Flowers and the Ghosts of Savannah is in the final editing stage. Sheila and her husband Ted spend their winters on Hilton Head, and enjoy cycling, walking on the beach, and socializing with the many friends they have made here, both Canadian and American.

Anne Grace, inspirational author, lives in Bluffton, SC, and loves the beach, ocean, and seafood. She has published two books, Grace upon Grace and The ABCs of Grace.

Bobbi Hahn has been writing for decades. She began with scribbling little stories in lined, black and white composition notebooks at a very early age; as technology progressed, she advanced to manual typewriter, electric typewriter (and in her words, “When I figured out how to turn the blasted thing on because the switch was below the keyboard, of all places!”), word processor and, finally, computer. Bobbi published a weekly neighborhood newsletter as a child and worked on her high school newspaper and yearbook staffs. Eventually, when she went out into the real world and was paid for her “way with words,” she was responsible for advertising and promotional copy for a wholesale tour operator, community theater, needlework shop, and art gallery. See and hear more about Bobbi on her website at bobbihahn.com.

Jane Hill has published numerous technical works in the U. S., Canada, and Europe. A native South Carolinian, she is now writing about the Lowcountry, where she spent many happy childhood vacations. Her recent works include two young adult novels, Clarendon Island and Only a Ghost of a Chance, published by Salt Marsh Cottage Books, www.smc-books.com. Jane has degrees from the University of South Carolina, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Georgia State University.

Rick Hoel practiced international law in Chicago and Hong Kong before moving to the Lowcountry in 2003. Now a Realtor with Seashore Real Estate and a freelance writer, Rick is working on a book about his father’s experiences as a prisoner of war in Germany in Stalag Luft III, the site of “The Great Escape.” Rick’s interest in this time period was the genesis of his story set on Hilton Head during World War II.

David F. Kelly is professor emeritus of health care ethics at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He earned three graduate degrees in Louvain, Belgium, and a Ph.D. in Toronto, Canada. He has written four books which are still in print, all on bioethics. The most recent is Medical Treatment at the End of Life. He is highly regarded as a speaker on medical ethical issues. Recently retired, he lives in Palmetto Dunes on
Hilton Head Island.

Andrea Koenig was born in Washington, D. C. and grew up in Illinois. In her mid-twenties she moved to suburban New York City. Andrea has a bachelor’s degree from Illinois College and masters’ degrees from both Roosevelt University and New York University. She has taught secondary school in Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and South Carolina and college in New York. She has published newspaper articles. She moved to Bluffton in 2004.

Norm Levy retired as Director, Advertising Development of Procter&Gamble and moved to Hilton Head Island in 2004. He is a published song writer (Blues and Country Western)- sorry, no hits. He writes mostly topical light verse- but, the low country’s natural beauty has inspired a more lyrical exploration.

Carol Linneman is a Registered Nurse with a Master Degree and Graduate Gerontology Certification.  Having worked and studied in long-term care settings and personally experienced nursing home life as a supportgiver, Carol offers assistance to other supportgivers through her guides and talks. Publications include Personalizing the Nursing Home Experience and  customized guides on demand for specific group needs. See more at Supportgiver.com.

Marilyn Lorenz has been writing since she was in third grade, when her teacher encouraged her to read her stories during “show and tell.” A graduate of the program in Writing in the English Department at Northwestern University, she has previously published short stories and poetry. The Beaufort County Arts Association awarded Marilyn a grant towards the publication of her children’s book, Great Blue Gert, due out in December 2007.

Margaret Lorine (aka Lorine M. Getz, Ph.D.) is a member of the Queen’s Writers Group and the N.C. Writers’ Workshop, and for many years a university professor of Art, Literature and Religion. She has authored numerous works of fiction and non-fiction. Best known for her volumes on Flannery O’Connor, she co-edited The Kissing Bough with Judith Simpson. Her short story, “Bardo Winter,” has been published in Tales for a Long Winter’s Night.

Cathryn McNamee Cathryn McNamee, a retired teacher, has been writing most of her life but has concentrated on creating children’s stories in the last 5 years. She has now published 11 books and has many more in the creative tunnel. Whimsy, imagination, fun, monsters, lost dogs and heroes dwell in her world. Visit Cathryn at her website at www.cathrynmcnamee.com.

Charlie McOuat, a retired dentist, practiced for twenty five years on Cape Cod. Since moving to Hilton Head, he spent two delightful years having fun at the beach with his grandson Aidan. He has published magazine articles for United Planet about his volunteer experiences in Africa and for Hilton Head Monthly about tutoring English with Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry.

Sansing McPherson grew up in Montgomery, AL, is a graduate of Auburn University, and holds an MEd from Kean University. She taught English and writing from middle school through college level. After 25 years living in New Jersey she and her husband, Terry, retired to Hilton Head Island. She has been a staff writer for 101 Things to Do on Hilton Head, is marketing her first novel, Entangled Ties, and finishing her second, Sweat Sisters.

Dee Merian, a native of Santa Monica, California, holds a Master’s degree from New York University. She has lived on Hilton Head Island with her husband John for 10 years. A former airline hostess, nurse, dietician, college professor, and award-winning story teller, she has published three books – American Mosaic, Counterfeit Horserace, and Flying High.

Shanti North is a parent, traveler, teacher, and general veteran of life’s experience. From this perspective she hopes to express some of the deep seeded lessons, concepts and valuable insights into the ongoing mystery of life. With a keen interest in the natural world, and a wish to illuminate the fullness of its inherent value, her writing is laced with elements of the philosophical, the sensory, and the mystical. She has been published in magazines, and is working on a novel.

Jim Riggs enjoyed his career as a high school math teacher and tennis coach. He earned a BA from Iowa State Teacher’s College and an MA from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He and his wife, Darlene, followed their daughter to Hilton Head Island where they live beside a salt marsh with a view of Broad Creek. A high tide offers kayaking time. In retirement Jim discovered a passion for compiling stories from his ancestry which has developed into fiction writing. Jim recently published, Freedom Run, a story of four prisoners who kill a guard, escape from a half-way house, and search for new identities and new lives. All writers ask the question, “Is it good writing?” The reviews from readers have been satisfying.

Elizabeth Robin retired to Hilton Head Island after thirty-three years as a high school English and Psychology teacher. After years overseas as a Navy pilot’s daughter, her family settled in Northern Virginia. She graduated from the College of William and Mary. She coached student writers both in class and for a literary magazine, but also wrote for a public relations quarterly newsletter for twelve years, ventured into technical and textbook editing, and worked freelance and curriculum writing. Seven programs she wrote in Psychology and English are still taught. View her current writing projects at her website at elizabethrobin.com.

Gregory Alexander Smorol  was born in Rochester, New York, and remained a New York State resident until he retired to Hilton Head, South Carolina with his wife Donna. Mr. Smorol maintained a penchant for writing throughout his attendance at Saint Lawrence University, and then during the following years as he received his masters at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Taking early retirement at fifty five, Mr. Smorol has finished five novels which are currently undergoing revision and editing.  The Tithonian Biosphere is the first novel reaching publication, the others will soon follow. You can learn more about Mr. Smorol and his books at his author site at www.gasmorol.com.

Kenneth Stuart (aka Kenneth Getz) is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He currently lives on Hilton Head Island and writes short stories set in the coastal areas of the Atlantic seaboard, from Maine to Florida.

Charles Thorn enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school and served in Germany during the Cold War. After separation he attended New York University and later transferred to Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern. Subsequently he spent many years at Newsweek and Forbes magazines in New York and Atlanta before relocating to Hilton Head Island. He now divides his time between writing and tourism and conducts tours of historic Daufuskie Island, SC. It was there that he stumbled upon the difficult issue of “Heirs’ Property” that became the basis for the plot of “Children of Shadows”. His second novel is in the works, and because of many readers’ enthusiastic response to the main characters in the first it will be a sequel. He can be contacted at cthorn@aol.com.

Kent Thune is a practicing investment advisor on Hilton Head Island and he also has freelance writing gigs as an expert on mutual funds at About.com and as a contributor at InvestorPlace.com. Locally, Kent writes for Celebrate Hilton Head, publisher of CH2 Magazine and CB2 Magazine. When not advising clients or helping readers with their investments and personal finance, Kent combines his financial knowledge with his love of philosophy at his blog, The Financial Philosopher, which has received over 600,000 page views and has been referenced on notable websites, such as The Wall Street Journal‘s Wealth Manager Blog. Kent is currently working on his first book, which will be published in 2016. You can follow Kent on Twitter @ThinkersQuill.

Norma Van Amberg, is an award-winning journalist who wrote for various papers in her native New Jersey as well as for the Hilton Head Island Packet. She earned her B.S. degree at Douglass College, Rutgers University and has lived in the Hilton Head area since 1984 and is an avid sports and outdoors enthusiast. Norma is now working on a non-fiction book about mental illness.

Barbara Vernasco, by Emily Hammond, age 8: “My Grandma said she had two careers. Number one was being a wife and mother, and number two was working as Manager of the Microfilm Department for the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana. She enjoyed doing both jobs, but being a good mom and wife was the hardest job. She wrote a book called Pass the Blessings Along for her grandchildren.” Serendipity – making a fortunate discovery by accident.

Vicki Barnhill Winters grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, graduated from Smith College, and earned an MA from the University of Houston. After living 22 years in Houston, Texas, she became a syndicated columnist for the 7-newspaper Acorn Press in Wilton, Connecticut; owned a restaurant and art gallery in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and spent a year on a 40-foot sailboat in the Caribbean. She now splits her time between Hilton Head and Lenox, Massachusetts.