Our Blog
Nannini, Marcus A.
Marcus A. Nannini ABOUT MARCUS In the sixth grade, Mr. Nannini began his writing career publishing a newspaper. His parents did not have a copier, so he charged 25 cents per school quarter for the privilege of reading the only hand-written copy of each edition. The newspaper was a modest success and planted the seed he might one day make a living through writing.He was a paid newspaper reporter during his undergraduate years and worked three semesters as the Research Assistant to journalism professor Richard Stocks Carlson, Ph.D. Carlson advised him to write as conversing with his readers, not speaking to them.Nannini is a life-long history buff with a particular interest in World War II and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He once discovered an error in his fifth-grade history book concerning the attack, which the publisher subsequently corrected. His first novel, Chameleons, An Untold World War II Story, was well received and awarded “Best Thriller” by International Thriller Writers.Nannini’s second work, Left for Dead at Nijmegen, the True Story of an American Paratrooper (Casemate Publishers, Oxford, UK, and Philadelphia, PA), received plaudits from around the world, has been placed in the United States National Archives, and was named 2019 Nonfiction Book of the Year. 2020 IAN Best Nonfiction Book of the Year-History Category. Sir Charles, Prince of Wales, owns a copy.Nannini’s third work, Midnight Flight to Nuremberg, the Capture of the Nazi who put Adolph Hitler into Power, was released in the UK and EU on September 17, 2021, by Pen & Sword Books (Yorkshire, United Kingdom, and Philadelphia, PA) and the USA and Canada in November 2021. On March 7, 2022, Midnight Flight was awarded the Overall Grand Prize for Nonfiction, 2021-2022.Nannini is presently working on the biography of an impoverished Italian immigrant who rose to a
Bartlett, James T.
James T. Bartlett ABOUT JAMES Originally from London, James T. Bartlett has been living in Los Angeles since 2004.As a travel and lifestyle journalist and historian, he has written for the Los Angeles Times, BBC, Los Angeles Magazine, ALTA California, High Life, Hemispheres, Westways, American Way, Atlas Obscura, The Guardian, Daily Mirror, Real Crime, Ripperologist Magazine, History Ireland, Bizarre and Variety, among others.In 2012 he published Gourmet Ghosts – Los Angeles, an alternative guide to the history and ghost stories behind some of the city’s oldest bars, restaurants and hotels, while 2016’s Gourmet Ghosts 2 focused on true crimes that took place at more of L.A.’s notable locations and eateries.The books led to lectures, events, book club hosting, and appearances on radio, podcasts, and television shows including Ghost Adventures and The UnXplained. You can find out more information at www.gourmetghosts.com and @gourmetghosts / #gourmetghostsMuch more information, pictures and documents about The Alaskan Blonde and the murder of Cecil Wells can be found at www.thealaskanblonde.com and on Instagram and Facebook @thealaskanblonde
Disigny, Zoe
Zoe Disigny ABOUT ZOE Zoe Disigny holds a master’s degree in art history and taught college courses throughout her career. She also worked as an art gallery director, a lecturer for The Norton Simon Museum of Art, and recently as a Road Scholar lecturer. Zoe has led numerous art tours in Europe and, at one point, established a business in Paris offering art history adventures for American tourists. Ms. Disigny’s short story ONLY AN ART CLASS was published in The Potato Soup Journal in 2020 and the California Writers Club Literary Review in 2021. Her guest blog post, MEET MY MUSE, was published in Art in Fiction also in 2021, and her writing appears in the Pulpwood Queen’s WORK IN PROGRESS: a collection of excerpts Anthology, edited by Mandy Haynes and published in 2021. Zoe produces a newsletter called “For Lovers of Art and Travelers at Heart.” You can subscribe through her website zoedisigny.com or email her at Zoe@zoedisigny.com. When not traveling, Zoe and her artist husband divide their time between the mountains and the beach in Southern California. For more information about Zoe, go to zoedisigny.com. Interview for Publishers and Writers of San Diego:http://publisherswriters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/08_Aug_2021-PWSD_Newsletter-Final.pdf#page=6
Barwin, Jenna
Jenna Barwin ABOUT JENNA Jenna Barwin writes the Hill Vampire series, which blends mystery, wine, and romance into a heady paranormal combination. When not writing, she enjoys photographing denizens of the sea, and is known to attend Victorian dances in full regalia right down to pantaloons and a hoop skirt.
Hood, Chris
Chris Hood ABOUT CHRIS Chris Hood is a digital strategist and technology entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in online entertainment and marketing for TV, Film, Music, and Video Games. As the Head of Business Innovation and Strategy for Google, Chris engages with some of the top companies in the world to develop digital transformation strategies that grow business value. At Google, He also hosts the weekly business podcast That Digital Show. Previously, Chris Hood worked as a Director for Fox Broadcasting where he developed storytelling technologies and innovated new mechanisms for viewers to engage with television content for shows like Glee, Gotham, Sleepy Hollow, The X-Factor, and American Idol. His work included the development of TV Everywhere products and interactive media platforms for streaming services. Chris also teaches in the Information Technology department for Southern New Hampshire University and Colorado Technical University.
Hernandez, Laura
Laura Hernandez ABOUT LAURA I write crime fiction mysteries based on the death penalty murder cases I worked on at the desert Public Defenders Office while still in law school. Yup, short, blond Half-a-Mexcian Girl spills the te. Drama, jail, and a few bad words in service of the accused.
Cassis, Judith Anne
Judith Anne Cassis ABOUT JUDITH Judith Cassis is a New York Times Bestselling ghostwriter (2013) and book coach. She leads adult workshops for the City of Santa Clarita, CA and supports writers in writing and publishing books and blogs. Judith has written over 2,000 articles, along with several articles, and has ghostwritten numerous books. In her mountain community, Judith leads workshops and writers’ retreats. Judith has a strong background in marketing/promotion and event planning. She has produced events for entrepreneurs and small businesses since 2010. In 2000 Judith founded The Golden Pen Writers Guild. Members have ranged in age from 22 – 96. The group is in the process of publishing its 9th anthology, and 16 of Judith’s students have published their own books. In 2014 Judith founded the Writers Mastermind Alliance and launched a certification program for writers in 2015. She founded the Mountain Communities Women in Business (Frazier Mountain, CA) in 2016. Judith’s background is in personal development. She is a trainer and inspirational speaker. Over the years she has worked with high school students and at-risk youth with regard to overcoming adversity and exploring post-graduation options. Judith’s passion is supporting others in enhancing quality of life through learning. https://www.facebook.com/judith.cassis
Hatlen, Loren E
Loren E Hatlen ABOUT LOREN Loren is retired from a long career as a research biochemist. In addition, he has ministered to people around the world for four decades. His journey as a writer began when he co-authored A MARRIAGE MADE IN HEAVEN, a self-published memoir. His current project is a novel with elements of suspense and romance. He enjoys travel, cooking and spending time with family. Loren resides in Laguna Woods.
Atkins, Kathryn
Kathryn Atkins ABOUT KATHRYN Kathryn Atkins is a native Californian. She attended UC Berkeley for a BS in Marketing and an MBA. After a long corporate career, she changed gears, opened a business writing firm, Writing World, and then began writing fiction. She joined the Long Beach chapter of the non-profit 501(c)(3) California Writers Club in 2008 and became VP, then President, and won the Jack London Award in 2011. Atkins now serves on both the branch and state board of directors for the club, which was founded in 1909.Her non-fiction work has appeared in the Orange County Register, OC Metro Magazine, the Huffington Post, Thrive Global, Life Hack, and more recently in the National Business Post. Many of her poems, essays, and short stories have been captured and published by Outskirts Press in “Giving My Self to the Wind,” 2017, and “My Piano Hands, A Flash Memoir Collection,” 2020. Besides writing, the author enjoys playing the piano, attending writing club meetings, doing yoga, flamenco dancing, and reading.Her first novel, “Deathlist,” is expected to be out in early 2022, followed by a nonfiction book about coffee.To see some of her work and catch up with her on social, please visit www.kathrynatkins.com, and writingworld.biz, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Wing, Thomas M.
Thomas M. Wing ABOUT THOMAS A 1984 Naval Academy graduate, Thomas M. Wing retired after serving 32 years as a Navy Surface Warfare officer. He’s now a full-time writer of nautical fiction, both historical and modern. He has completed two novels and has begun work on a third. Unable to constrain himself to a single time period, his first novel is set during the American Revolution, his second in modern times, and his third during World War II. Tom lives in San Diego with his wife and daughter, two cats, and a dog. He spends whatever time he can on the water in sail boats or a kayak. In his diverse career, he has: taught Coast Guard licensing courses at all levels; held licenses himself for Master of Vessels up to 1600GT; Second Mate, Unlimited Tonnage; and Master of Sailing Vessels up to 50GT; all of these were endorsed for Upon Oceans. He also held a ticket as an Able Seaman, Unlimited. He founded and served as Executive Director for the Continental Navy Foundation, which conducted experiential education at sea for young people 13-17 years of age. He also commanded the Foundation’s tall ship, brigantine Megan D. Finally, he served as an engineer in Navy civilian service, and is a part time consultant. His Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/ThomasMWingWriter/.