- David Bond – Carbondale, IL
- Type of Writing—Poetry
- Writing Since—Early 1990’s
- First Published Work—“The Escape,” Karamu
An Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowship winner in poetry in 2001 and 2005, David Bond has published recent work in Rhino, Spoon River Poetry Review, Prairie Poetry and Big Muddy. He attended the 2004 Nimrod/Hardman Awards Conference at the University of Tulsa as an invited reader and teacher of a poetry “Masterclass” on work and the workplace. A finalist in The Poetry Center of Chicago’s Annual Juried Reading in 2002 and 2003 and a MacDowell Colony Fellow in 2006, David lives in Carbondale, where he claims inspiration from the beauty of the Shawnee National Forest. He works at Southern Illinois University as a library assistant.
- Pamela Braswell – Johnson County, IL
- Type of Writing—Poetry, Fiction & Non-Fiction
- Writing Since—the 4th grade
Pamela originally came to southern Illinois in 1973 at age 18, after moving from the Chicago suburb of Lombard. She started writing poetry and memoirs while in the 4th grade. While never having attempted to publish any of her work, she continued writing throughout the years, thinking that perhaps one day she would like to write a novel. In September of 2006, she retired from 19 years of selling cars in order to pursue her dream. She is currently completing her first fiction novel, and is working on a non-fiction story based on the memoirs she has written. Personal interests include gourmet cooking (she grows most of her own herbs and vegetables), reading, horses, bowling, bicycling, riding her motorcycle, and most outdoor activities. She fosters abandoned cats, and her three dogs (jack russell terrier, walker hound, and a beagle), are all adopted. She lives on a 3 1/2 acre farm plot in rural Johnson County.
- Carol Dooley – Carbondale, IL
- Type of Writing—Fiction, Poetry
- Writing Since—1991
Carol has had short stories and poems published in small magazines and newspapers in the St Louis area. She also has three novels “in the works” including a “novel in a month” project, which gives you an immediate deadline.
- Patricia A. Evans – Buncombe, IL
- Type of Writing—Children’s Poetry, Adult Inspirational Poetry
- Writing Since—Early 1960’s
- First Published Work—“Robert Oren Hammonds” 1994 in A Little Anthology of Verbal Portraits
Pat is the Secretary of the SIWG. She is a lifelong resident of Illinois. She was born and raised in Chicago but now lives in the Pleasant Grove area in Southern Illinois with her two cats, Precious and Hunter — “The boys”. She says of her Boys, “They keep me laughing all the time with their antics.” She loves going to the movies, reading, visiting friends, baking, and writing. She is a woman of faith. Her passion for the Lord is reflected in many of her poems.
- Yavonne Field-Bagwell – Carterville, IL
- Type of Writing—Children’s Books, Articles, Poetry, Devotion Books
- Writing Since—1981
- First Published Work—Beep, Beep, Beep: An NICU Experience, 1992
Yavonne, a mother of teenage twins, primarily writes about her parenting adventures. While most pieces are written with a humorous slant, her first published piece was a very personal one, sharing the emotions and experience surrounding the premature birth of her children. Her first children's book, also written about her boys, was published in 1999. Yavonne works full-time, is an involved parent, loves to travel and scrapbook, and writes when she can, which is not often enough.
- Lois Fowler Barrett
- Type of Writing—Historical Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry
- Writing Since—High School (the 1950’s)
- First Published Work—“Artist O. Fowler” in 1984 Springhouse Magazine
A former reporter, columnist, & photographer for newspapers in Southern Illinois area, Barrett was born and educated in Marion, IL. She has self-published three novels: When The Earthquakes Spoke, Preacher’s Son & Henry Brown, and There Oughta Be A Law; and freelanced for Heartland Women prior to moving to Cuero, Texas from Harrisburg, IL. Current publications include: “Tornado” in Marion Living, January 2008; “Dee Barrett, Little League” in Springhouse February 2008.
- Sharon Gearhart–Hans – Murphysboro, IL
- Type of Writing—Poetry, Fiction, Non–Fiction
- Writing Since—Early Teens
- First Published Work—Seasons of the Enemies – Adams Press (1993)
Sharon Gearhart–Hans’ entry “Little Half-Man,” was named Honorable Mention in the Southwestern Authors Association Short Story Contest in 1996–97, in Tucson, AZ. She has published poetry in various anthologies, is a contributor to An Artist’s Portrayal of Madonna & Child With Stories of Mothers, Grandmothers & Children. She taught Writing and Language Arts at the junior high, high school, and junior college level, while in residence on the Navajo Indian Reservation in the Four Corners area of the Southwestern U.S. While there, she wrote Seasons of the Enemies, a historical fiction novel of the Navajos “Long Walk” experience in 1868, which she used in her teaching at Monument Valley High School in Kayenta, AZ. Sharon currently has several short stories, a novel of the Navajo (her second), and a some genealogy books in the works. She is retired and resides with her husband, Jerry Hans, and their Pekinese, Shanghai, on a quiet lake between Carbondale and Murphysboro during the summer. They return to the Valley of the Sun for the winter months. She sings soprano in her church choirs, likes crafts and oil painting, and is taking piano lessons.
- Ken “fog” Gilbert
- Type of Writing—Poetry
- Writing Since—1960’s
Fog Gilbert has just published Against the Current, his tenth book of poetry under the pseudonym of jacob “fog” erin-cilberto. It contains 240 poems including the Pushcart nominated poem “Splash.” Fog has been writing poetry for 40 years and his work has been published in numerous small magazines and journals. He teaches English composition and literature at John A. Logan and Shawnee community colleges, and also teaches poetry workshops for Heartland Writers Guild, as well as SIWG. He has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize in 2006 and 2007.
- Sue Glasco – Rural Marion/Crab Orchard area, Illinois
- Type of Writing—Usually Nonfiction
- Writing Since—Forever
- First Published Work—Editorials in high school newspaper A-J Scratches
Growing up in Jonesboro, Sue spent summers on a Goreville farm. After college, a summer in Greenwich Village, and school year teaching in a Chicago suburb, she married Gerald Glasco. Gerald finished at SIUC; Sue had their first child, Katherine. Gerald finished his masters at Urbana and taught a term at Macomb, and their son, Gerry, was born. While leasing a Mississippi River bottom farm, they had their third child, Jeannie. During their first year farming in Williamson County, they had their fourth child Mary Ellen. With a career as wife/mother, Sue has taught and written whenever housewifery allowed. Sue writes feature stories, devotionals, memoirs, family history, local history, and an occasional short story or poem. She blogs on Wednesdays on Woodsong Notes and on Sundays at AmazonConnect. She frequently writes and speaks on the Trail of Tears through Southern Illinois.
- Jodi Hawkins – Marion, IL
- Type of Writing—Magazine Articles, Short Fiction, and Poetry
- Writing Since—Childhood
- First Published Work—“Woman of Life” – 1993
Jodi began writing short stories in elementary school and was given the “greatest writer“ award by her fourth grade teacher. Years later, she started writing poetry and was published three times in the early 1990’s. From 2006 – 2008, Jodi was a regular correspondent for Southern Health magazine and now writes for Southern Illinois magazine. She’s worked for the Williamson County Soil & Water Conservation District since 1995. Her personal interests include taking walks, fishing, and learning more about photography and landscape painting. Jodi loves to spend time with family and friends and gets her greatest strength from God.
- Jari Jackson – Marion, IL
- Type of Writing—News–magazine articles, Non–fiction
- Writing Since—1950’s
Jari found her love of writing when she wrote for her high school newspaper in 1950. She then graduated from U of Illinois with a degree in communications in 1956. She has written and edited for several newspapers including the Chicago Tribune, STL Globe Democrat, and the Champaign News–Gazette. She is a former assistant managing editor for the Marion Daily, as well as a former writer and columnist for Russell Publications. She has also written and edited outdoor guides for Reppert Publications. Jari has just recently authored a non&hndash;fiction book titled A Dozen Knights and Griffins, which was published July, 2008.
- Robert Julius – Rochester, MN
- Type of Writing—Poetry, Short & Long Fiction, Non-Fiction
- Writing Since—1961
- First Published Work—Poems written for contests of the Iowa Poetry Association
Robert has been writing since graduating from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He has written for The Associated Press, as well as daily newspapers in Texas and Iowa. Most of his professional career was spent in the public relations field. During this time, he wrote two corporate histories, film scripts, speeches, advertising copy and a lot of news releases and newsletters. He started writing poetry about 30 years ago in Iowa. Robert has written a Civil War novel that he hopes to publish and, in recent years, many short stories. He currently lives on the Zumbro River in Minnesota with my wife of 47 years, Lucy, and a grand-daughter, Alisha, a student.
- Joy Rainey King – Herrin, IL
- Type of Writing—Poetry & Songwriting
- Writing Since—1961
- First Published Work—“From the Gazebo”
Joy writes songs for the SONGS OF LOVE FOUNDATION in New York, writing songs for terminally and chronically ill children. As a result of this writing she was included in the “METROPOLITAN WHO’S WHO” in New York. She is the only person from Herrin chosen to appear in this volume. She was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2004 and again in 2008. She has had one book published in Mongolia, one in India and five in Italy. She is currently having one published in India to be used in the high schools there. She won International Author of the Year-l999 from the International Board of Examiners in Italy.
- Jim Lambert – Carbondale, IL
- Type of Writing—Poetry, Fiction & Essays
- Writing Since—He was 8!!
Jim is the ever-so-inspiring President of the SIWG. He is tolerated by his wife of 43 years, a cat, and two desert tortoises in their home near John A. Logan College. He retired from his day job in 2007 and now writes full time. Jim enjoys writing poetry, fiction and essays. He leans toward writing humor—most of the time intentionally. He has self published a book of poetry, has been published in three poetry anthologies, and has had articles published in several newsletters. He is currently writing a novel which may be split into a book of short stories. He is also in the early stages of putting together another book of poetry. Information on his poetry and activities can be found at http://www.jimlambertpoetry.com.
- Anne-Marie Legan – Herrin, IL
- Type of Writing—Mystery Novels, Poetry, Prose, Short Stories, Articles
- Writing Since—1997
- First Published Work—“My Soul’s On A Journey” (Poetry Book)
Anne-Marie has twenty poetry books to her credit along with four mystery novels. She is a winner of the International Poet of the Year Competition by Cader Publishing, where her book “My Soul’s On A Journey” was published. She has won many awards including: Distinguished Poet of the Year by Sparrowgrass Poetry Forum, and the 2007 Poet of the Year by International Poetry Research Center in China. Her mystery novels include: Tattoo of a Wolf Spider, Deadly Chase, Death Shadow and Wolf Lake.
- Roger Poppen
- Type of Writing—Fiction & Non-Fiction
Roger holds a Ph.D. in psychology and was a researcher/professor for over 35 years. An avid weightlifter for more than half a century, he’s won many regional, national, and international competitions. He is married, has four children, three grandchildren and a motorcycle. Roger has published in many online and print literary magazines. Read the first chapter of his novel at http://www.booklocker.com/books/2925.html.
- Sharon Robinson – Benton, IL
- Type of Writing—Poetry, Short Stories, Fiction
- Writing Since—1970’s
Sharon grew up on the family farm near Akin, IL, and currently lives with her husband, Rick, in rural Franklin County. Sharon enjoys writing, gardening, photography and the study of energy medicine.
- Mary Ann Sexton – Herrin,IL
- Type of Writing—Inspirational Poetry
- Writing Since—August, 2007
- First Published Work—“The Favor of God”, 2008
Mary Ann and her husband, John, live in Herrin, IL, and have two children, Annie and John. She began writing just after their daughter, Annie, went off to college. She chooses to write inspirational poetry, hoping to share with others the “favors” God has bestowed upon her and her family. Mary hopes to someday publish a book of her poetry.
- Deana J. Smith – Marion, IL
- Type of Writing—Non–fiction
- Writing Since—1996
- First Published Work—A series of articles called “Homefront Stories” for Reppert Publications
Born and raised in southern Illinois, Deana has written for a wide–variety of local and national publications including the Washington Post. She currently writes a monthly column for the Southern Illinoisan entitled, “Writer’s Block.”
- Violet Toler – Goreville, IL
- Type of Writing—Poetry, Children’s Stories, Short Plays
- Writing Since—Childhood
- First Published Work—Charlie Churchmouse, 19768
“I remember my own childhood clearly,” says Violet Toler. “Being a child at heart makes it easy to write for little ones.” She taught Children’s Church for over 25 years. Using her own puppet creations and written scripts, she performed numerous full-production Puppet Shows in several states, Published works include three puppet books, two poetry chapbooks, stories, articles, devotionals, drama, games, puzzles, and crafts, in various magazines and program books. She and her husband, Larry, live in the Shawnee National Forest where they enjoy hiking and bird watching. They have five daughters, a dozen grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.