Meet the Contributors

Click the letter of the last name to link to the page containing the contributor's biography.  

A, B, C | D, E, F | G, H, I, J | K, L, M | N, O, P, Q, R | S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Carmen D'Amico resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and is an international speaker, actress, author and celebrity look-alike for Elizabeth Taylor. She has appeared on radio and television and has helped raise money for Aids through numerous benefits and appearances. Her life experiences of triumphs over tragedies have made her a survivor. Her focus on restoring self-esteem has inspired her audiences. Her book Dust in the Wind is for anyone searching for hope, enlightenment and strength. (954) 772-4111.

Barbara Dalbey has been a fitness professional for 14 years. Her passion for teaching has expanded to include corporate employee programs for wellness and self-image. Her mission is to re-educate and explore the fallacy of the word "diet" as she focuses on mind, body and spirit. She enjoys reaching out to people through her teaching, lectures and articles. (503) 452-7576. bdalbey@teleport.com

Rita Davenport is President of Arbonne International, an international personal care product company. She is a charter member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) and has been awarded the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation. She was honored by NSA with their highest lifetime award: the Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE). She is a nationally-known success seminar leader, keynote speaker, humorist and best-selling author of several books, including Making Time, Making Money. She produced and hosted her award-winning TV show for 15 years in Phoenix. Her cable TV show, "Success Strategies," was viewed in over 32 million homes. She has also appeared on ABC's Good Morning America and other national shows. (602) 482-6919.

Barbara Davey is an executive director at Christ Hospital in Jersey City, New Jersey, where she is responsible for public relations and fundraising. She holds bachelors and master’s degrees in English from Seton Hall University. A service near to her heart is the “Look Good, Feel Better” program, which supplies complimentary wigs and cosmetics to women undergoing treatment for cancer. Her attitude toward life is “expect a miracle!” She and her husband, Reinhold Becker, live in Verona, New Jersey. wisewords2@aol.com

Christine Davis is an author, publisher and animal lover. In 1995 she decided to transition out of the corporate workplace and pursue her "soul work" of celebrating the special connection between people and animals. She formed Lighthearted Press and wrote and published For Every Dog An Angel, a giftbook for dog lovers. Presently she is working on For Every Cat An Angel. Christine and her husband, Michael, live in Portland, Oregon with their dog, Jake, and Jake's kittens — Molly, Pippen, Dickens and Star. (503) 786-3085. davis@lighthearted.com.

Eileen Davis is a writer of poetry, short stories and novels. She and is currently working on a non-fiction collaborative work with her daughter, Michelle Cohen, titled Dear Mush (Letters Between a Mother and Daughter). She has completed a collection of reflective, short stories titled Of Me I Sing, and a novel Yesterday I Woke Up Dead.

Marilyn D. Davis is a freelance writer living in the Chicago area. Her short stories and personal essays have been published in the local print media and at various Web sites. Her bachelor and master's degrees are in education, and she has worked in both teaching and administrative capacities in educational settings ranging from preschool through college. She is married and the mother of two boys, ages ten and fourteen, who provide her an endless source of material for her writings and who make her grateful every day for her sense of humor.

Jill Davis retired early last year from office life as the assistant to the president of an HMO. She then explored her writing talent by taking writing classes and writing poetry and essays. Her favorite poem was just published in a chapbook. She has also written a short children's book and is in the process of trying to get published. She was born on Catalina Island, grew up in the Los Angeles area, and currently resides in Portland, Oregon. She is dedicating this story to her mother, Norma, her father, Sid, her son, Steve, her partner, Rod, her friend Jan, and a very special lady, Louise. jillz@easystreet.com

Marilyn D. Davis lives, writes, and works in the Chicago area. Her short stories, humor pieces and first-person essays have appeared in local publications and on various Web sites. She holds a bachelor and master's degree in education, and has worked in teaching and administrative capacities at various levels, from preschool to college. In her spare time, she enjoys collecting fossil crinoids on the beaches of southwest Michigan. She is married and the mother of two school-age boys, who make her grateful every day for her sense of humor. www.allshewrites.com

Alberta James Daw is a writer and an artist who lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her architect husband. She is the current Art Editor for Potpourri, a literary magazine. In the past, she has been a producer of educational film strips, spent a summer excavating a Woodlands Indian site with a University of Missouri archeological crew, and has been a teacher. She and her husband have reared five children who now are rearing families of their own in various cities throughout the United States.

Susan DeMersseman, Ph.D., is a psychologist in the San Francisco Bay Area. She works in schools and conducts workshops on a wide range of subjects. Topics include stress reduction, parenting adolescents, character education and multicultural issues. She begins most parenting workshops with the statement: “Parenting expert” is an oxymoron! She grew up in South Dakota and brings a Midwestern sense of proportion and humor to her work with children and families. She lives with her husband and two teenage children, who are a frequent source of inspiration for her writing. She consults on media projects related to children and has appeared on TV and radio programs and in educational films. She has written for local and national publications. Demerssemans@yahoo.com

Kristine Meldrum Denholm is a writer, editor, and media relations specialist. After graduating with honors from Duquesne University, she worked for the Department of Treasury's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in Washington, DC. and was editor-in-chief and reporter for the monthly publication Inside ATF; she has also served as a speechwriter to ATF's director and worked extensively with the media. She has written articles for several law enforcement magazines. She recently left ATF's press office to pursue a career in freelance writing and motherhood. She and her husband and their two children now reside in northeast Ohio. rdenholm@email.msn.com.

Jennifer Dobrenski has been teaching elementary school since 1996. She is currently teaching internationally and lives with her husband in Basel, Switzerland. Previously she has worked with severely handicapped children through community programs such as Easter Seals. She is still involved in community youth work and one day hopes to teach visually impaired children.

Jennifer Doloski lives in north central Illinois with her husband, Michael, daughters, Rebecca and Anna, a cat, and a dog. An at-home mom and freelance writer, she writes feature articles, essays, and short stories. doloski@yahoo.com

Patsy Dooley is an inspirational speaker and author with "the lighter touch." Her keynotes reflect the challenges of everyday experiences. Through her 25 years in the business world, she creates funny and value-packed programs on getting along with people and adding humor in your life. Her gift of connecting humor with reality affords a fresh originality to her programs. You feel you have known her forever as she brings her own unique stories and humor for your enjoyment and growth. (940) 592-1009.

Karen C. Driscoll lives in coastal Connecticut with her husband and four young children. While pregnant with twins she completed a master’s degree in Elementary and Special education. Four years and four kids later she has embraced life as a stay-at-home mother. Looking for something creative to do while her children napped, recording her life with kids became a way of keeping in touch with friends and family. With naps now a distant memory, she continues to write and has been published in both books and magazines. kmhbrdriscoll@hotmail.com

Beth Duncan is an avid writer and has set a goal to empower as many women as possible through personal contact, her short stories, and a book of poetry on which she is currently working. She lives in North Carolina with her three children, two of whom are in college. gingerfreeze11@hotmail.com

Linda Dunivin, MEd., has won several awards for lyrics in songwriting. She performed on the video of her collaborated children's musical, "Together," which was published for Christian television. She is an inspirational and juvenile writer and is currently writing a romantic historical novel. She is a former teacher of the visually impaired, has a Masters of Education Degree from Georgia State University and lives on Colonel's Island South of Savannah, Georgia.

Michelle Dunn is a freelance writer and is currently working on her first novel. She and her husband are Australians, but travel and work throughout the United States. paulandshelly@hotmail.com

Kay duPont, Certified Speaking Professional, is Executive Vice President of The Communication Connection, an Atlanta, Georgia company that custom-designs communications and relationship programs for organizations all over the world. (770) 395-7483. Kdupont@TCC-WSA.com

Ellen Durr lives in the mountains of western Maryland where she writes and works as a training consultant. She sees the underlying theme of her work as "learning the art of applying the lessons for living we were given as little people to our adult lives." Her story, Having Ourselves a Gentle Day, is in honor of her grandmother, Grace, who blessed loads of children with simple, wonderful and profound lessons on their family farm in Greene County, Pennsylvania. She is currently working on a collection of Grace's wisdom. (301) 759-2552. ellendurr@prodigy.net

Barbara Ann Dush writes non-fiction based on her family experiences growing up in Clarks, Nebraska. Her award-winning newspaper stories have ranged from a focus on prisoner of war veterans, to a series on Holocaust survivors, and to a series on the homeless. Other reports have been on women in World War II, a Vietnam soldier killed in action and AIDS patients. She is consistently a winner for her feature stories in the annual Nebraska Press Association and Nebraska Press Women contests. She now resides in Fullerton, Nebraska.

Sue Dyer is President of OrgMetrics. She works with construction teams who want to prevent or resolve disputes, and with leaders who want to grow their organizations. She is the author of Partner Your Project: Working Together To Bring Your Project In On Time and On Budget. She also writes a monthly column Dyer Straights for the construction trade press. She has developed a reputation as a "turn-around" expert by transforming troubled organizations into thriving forces. (800) 805-8300. SueDyer@OrgMet.com

Erika Eberhardt is a businesswoman, Feng Shui consultant, and writer. She has thirteen years professional experience in leadership, sales, creative problem solving, staff motivation, and training. In her spare time she is an avid gardener and culinary chef. She is currently writing a book for young women to help them develop their inner and outer beauty in a practical way. She still has a tremendous passion for theater and music. She resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 314-628-9374. errolland@earthlink.net.

Dr. Edith Eva Eger, an Auschwitz survivor, is a licensed Psychologist and a keynote speaker, workshop leader and consultant. She tailors her presentations to the unique requirements of business, government, military, healthcare, religious, civic, community and educational organizations. Dr. Eger's unforgettable presentations bring dynamic new perspectives to the universe of human behavioral issues facing all people and organizations today. (619) 454-8442.

Shirley Elkin, MSEd., is a professional speaker and trainer based in Decatur, Illinois. She presents keynotes, and seminars on Body Language in the Business World, Change Your Thinking - Change Your Life, and Professional Presentation Skills. She has a masters degree and worked in secondary education prior to becoming a speaker and trainer. (217) 875-1721.

Anamae Elledge is an elementary school teacher in the Hawaii Public Schools system. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, quilting and taking care of her six children.

Jacqueline Gillis Elliott is a freelance writer living in West Linn, Oregon. She received her Masters in Physical Therapy in 1977. Positions she has held include therapist, consultant, university instructor, rehabilitation manager, and director of quality services. She credits her husband, Dave, and son, Eli, and many geriatric clients with contributing healing doses of humor and inspiration to the most ordinary moments of daily living.

Linda G. Engel is surviving her mid-life crisis era by enjoying times spent with family and friends, and by finally coming out of the writer's closet. Faith and fishing provide foundation and a little fun along the way. ssengel@uslink.net.

Krissa Englebright is a student at the University of Washington. She is majoring in English and Dance, and will then go on to get her Master's degree in Education. Krissa currently teaches 5 to 11 year olds at Haller Lake Children's Center in Seattle, Washington. She and her husband, George, have recently started a home business with Nikken, Inc., a company that manufactures wellness products, and is mostly know for magnet therapy. (253) 373-9277. gkengle@aol.com.

Holly Esparza, RN, MBA, has been a registered nurse, manager and sometimes even a leader for many years. She is currently the Director for Women's and Children's Services for two hospitals in Denver, Colorado. Her passion is health and wellness, and encouraging herself, her husband and two daughters to live a healthy, happy, balanced life. (303) 741-5203.

Karin Esterhammer is a columnist and editor for the Los Angeles Times. She lives in Burbank, California where her passions include her two daughters and everything German — language, culture, history and cooking. (818) 842-1852. Karin.Esterhammer@latimes.com

Laurie Hopkins Etzel is an author, poet, freelance writer, and teacher. She writes children’s books and nonfiction. Her children’s story, Magic Memaw, appeared in Come to the Gathering. She is particularly interested in researching mythology and wolves. As a teacher, she has piloted several programs in the Austin Independent School District, and has presented at the Texas Middle School Conference and at the National Middle School Conference. Currently she is collecting Native American wolf myths for an anthology. msetzel@hotmail.com

Christine B. Evans, MA, Marriage and Family Therapist, has been in practice for 23 years in Sebastopol, CA. She is a keynote speaker, and leads women's support groups and workshops on shame and empowerment. She wrote, Breaking Free of the Shame Trap: How Women Get Into It, How Women Get Out of It (Ballantine, 1994). John Gray, author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, says of her book, "An important and strong book and a necessary support for validating women's feelings at a time when it is most needed." (707) 829-5901.

Candis Fancher, MS, CCC in Speech Pathology, is the founder of Inner Sources. Audiences are inspired by her upbeat philosophy. Her “Pleasure Pause” seminars have energized participants to adopt more positive lifestyles. Her “Staying Afloat in the Stresspools of Life” seminars explore practical ideas for integrating humor into your personal and professional life. Her “SNAC” approach provides practical and humorous ways for Stopping, Noticing, Acting and Creating heart-to-heart connections. She is also a speech/voice coach and is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the National Speakers Association. (952) 890-3897.

Jill Fancher is fifteen years old. Her full name is Jill Joo-Mi Amanda Fancher, and she was born in Seoul, Korea. She will be attending the Burnsville High school starting this year. She enjoys playing soccer, reading, school, hanging out with her friends, and spending time with her family. Her faith has a special place in her heart. She resides in Burnsville, Minnesota. jfanch007@hotmail.com

Carol F. Fantelli was born in Cleveland, Ohio and has lived in Raleigh, North Carolina since 1974. She received her bachelor’s degree in art from Meredith College, in 1977 and began her career as a Forensic Facial Reconstruction Artist in 1982 working with various law enforcement agencies by reconstructing the faces of victims for identification purposes. She published her first forensic mystery in 1997, The Face Finder, and has completed a second forensic mystery in a new series which is not yet published and is presently working on a third. Her books are based loosely on her twenty years experience as a forensic sculptor and are works of fiction. www.Grapevine-Pub.com. Facefinders@aol.com

Debbie Farmer writes the award-winning syndicated column "Family Daze." Her essays have appeared in Reader's Digest, Family Fun Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor, various Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and hundreds of newspapers and parenting magazines in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. She's the author of the book Life In The Fast Food Lane: Surviving the Chaos of Parenting. For more information about her column visit: www.FamilyDaze.com, or features@familydaze.com

Susan Farr-Fahncke is a freelance writer living in Utah. She writes for inspirational books and magazines and runs a web site and daily list of inspirational stories. She has recently published her book, Angel's Legacy, a tribute to her inspiring sister who lost her battle with a brain tumor. Susan@2theheart.com. www.2TheHeart.com

Rachael Federico is a 15-year-old ninth grader at Fremont Jr. High in Mesa, Arizona. She enjoys learning, reading, writing, and listening to music. She is an active participant in the school track team. Friends and family play a big role in her life as well as giving her inspiration and self-esteem in whatever she does. A lot of her time is spent studying and working towards achieving new goals. In seventh grade, she started The Service club at her school to aid needy children in Nepal, and she has been the club president since. She is college bound with high hopes for the future as a writer and student. Prncessrach@aol.com

Carol Fewell is a writer who recently relocated from California to a small town near Salem, Oregon where she lives with her husband. cairynskye@yahoo.com

Kristi Frahm recently resigned from her high school English instructor position in order to spend more time with her husband, Donn, and two children, Whitney and Kendall. Born and raised in North Dakota, she loves the transitions among the four distinct seasons that the state has to offer. She enjoys traveling, eating in unique restaurants, watching sentimental movies, and reading fictional short stories and novels, along with the Chocolate series of books, of course! defrahm@stellarnet.com

Judith Morton Fraser, M.F.T., a psychotherapist in Los Angeles is also a writer and actress. Her short stories have been published in the L.A. Times, Everywoman’s Village, Hallmark, Chocolate for a Woman’s Heart and Chocolate for a Woman’s Spirit, and articles dealing with relationships and addictions in the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists’ newsletters. She is presently writing a novel combining creativity, Native American ceremonies, and life passages. She and her husband, Ian, an eleven-time Emmy Award winner, have two grown children, a son and daughter, and three grandchildren. (323) 656-9800. phrasmusu@earthlink.net

Holly Fedak has changed positions, moved, and recently married. She is the Director of Women’s and Children’s Services at Exempla St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and is enjoying her new husband and her family. (303) 759-5954.

Kelsey Fekkes is 13 years old and lives in Ventura, California (near the ocean). She has a little brother who is five. Some of the things she likes to do are skateboard, camp, hang out with my friends, shop, swim, run, dance, draw and travel. She went to Holland with her dad when she was eleven.

Carolina Fernandez, MBA, left her job as a stockbroker with Merrill Lynch when she started her family. She now runs a home-based business marketing a line of custom-designed handpainted children’s playwear that bears her name. Relying heavily on her own brood of four for much of her material, she has written her first book on creative motherhood and is active in a wide variety of writing and public speaking platforms to encourage mothers and inspire their creativity. Her strength and hope stem from a deep and abiding faith in God. She lives with her husband Ernie, and Nicolas, Benjamin, Cristina and Victor in Ridgefield, Connecticut. (203) 894-8977. www.CarolinaFernandez.com

Eleanor S. Field, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist, marriage and family therapist, and hypnotherapist in private practice in Tarzana, CA. She is the co-author of The Good Girl Syndrome (Macmillan) and has participated in many radio and television interviews including Donahue, Hour Magazine, Tom Snyder, and Michael Jackson. Dr. Field is on staff at the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center and consults on pain control and depressive disorders. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and speaks on motivational topics and "The Mind-Body Connection." (818) 708-3559.

Jennifer R. Finley is a southern scribe who makes her living as a technical writer from her home in Atlanta, Georgia. She has a BA in journalism and has authored numerous spiritual fiction and nonfiction works, including her first book, a spiritual memoir entitled God Makes No Strays. Her stories often revolve around her passion for animals and her love of travel. She is currently working on a set of books, specifically designed to prepare handicapped children for hippotherapy. Jfinley66@aol.com

Patricia C. Fischer received her Bachelor and Master's degrees in Social Work from Aurora University in Chicago, Illinois. Her articles and short stories have appeared in United Airlines' Inflight magazine, The Forum, and The Storyteller where she won first place for her story titled Gunplay. Her recent retirement from United Airlines has afforded her more time to devote to her love of writing. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband Fred and stepson Ted. She has four children and two grandchildren.

Fran Fisher is a Certified Personal and Professional Coach and President of "Living Your Vision" which provides guidance and coaching for individuals and small business owners. "We each have a unique Divine Design that desires to be fulfilled," says Fran. She blends the art of visioning, the structure of planning and her intuitive ability to help clients fulfill their heart's desires. (206) 401-0309.

Holly A. Fitzhardinge is a writer and film director in Vancouver, B.C. and has worked extensively in story development and production in both films and television. She is a member of the Directors Guild and Writers Guild and recently completed a film concerning Amnesty International prisoners of conscience that is on the film festival circuit. She is currently working on another film. Fax: (604) 940-8814. adubaker@mdi.ca

Diane Fleming has a diploma in advertising arts, a BA in Sociology and English, and a Certification in Clinical Hypnotherapy. She has been published in Woman’s Day and has had children’s stories and current events stories published locally. She has her own hypnotherapy and counseling business and writes in her spare time. Her three adult children and three grandchildren all live in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. She lives with her husband, Mike, and Cayman, their big white cat.

Jacquelyn B. Fletcher is a freelance writer end editor in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is currently writing children's books and laughing a lot. JacqueBFletcher@aol.com

Joeann Fossland, CEO of Advantage Solutions Group, is a personal and business coach and professional speaker who lives in the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Tucson, Arizona. She delights in working with individuals, groups and companies that are committed to discovering how to maximize their uniqueness'. Through keynotes, workshops and one-on-one coaching, Joeann's clients create abundance, love and creativity that ignite joy, self-expression and aliveness! (520) 744-8731. jfossland@earthlink.net; www.Joeann.com

Carolyn Fox is currently writing a book about her spiritual and personal growth from her motorcycle adventure through all 50 states. (541) 957-5631.

Judith Morton Fraser, M.F.T., a psychotherapist in Los Angeles is also a writer and actress. Her musical Director husband, Ian, is an eleven time Emmy Award winner; daughter Tiffany, an actress; son Neal, a chef; grandchildren Grace, Chelsea and Jenna, creative works in progress. (323) 656-9800

Joanne M. Friedman was born and raised in New Jersey. She has a BA in psychology from Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, and a MEd in Special Education from University of Hartford. She has been a teacher and a writer for thirty years and is currently teaching high school English. She lives with her daughter and her partner in Sussex County, New Jersey on the horse farm she owns and operates. She writes a humor column on the subject of horses, which appears in several local newspapers in Massachusetts. Joanne.friedman@att.net

Lyssa Friedman is a freelance writer living in Mill Valley, California. As a teenager, she learned that cars, books, music played loud and the sound of the ocean contribute meaning to life. It wasn't until she grew up, though, that she learned the value of showing up on time and studying algebra.

Beverly Froehlich continues to write — both poetry and a book of creative non-fiction concerning the lives of her great-grandparents — while residing in a small, turn-of-the-century farmhouse in Beavercreek, Oregon. Poems written while she circled the country riding along in her husband’s 18-wheeler have been recently published in synesthesia and the self-published Lost Photographs. Her poem Lucky You appears in the spring 2002 issue of Clackamas Literary Review. (503) 632-5449

Luci N. Fuller is an essayist, whose work has appeared in magazines and books around the country. She is also the author of the nonfiction book titled, Where the Universe Breathes: Lessons from a Sacred Journey, which her agent is now circulating. She lives in the scenic Pacific Northwest, and welcomes writing assignments and other correspondence. (503) 492-4317. LuciFuller@aol.com

Marci Madsen Fuller is a writer, wife, mother, currently living in south Texas, with the wild parrots, the water snakes, and the geckos that bob their heads in greeting from the kitchen windowsill. She has just finished her first novel and is now sorting inspirations for her second. (956) 399-3094. Wlflsprite@aol.com