Lose Yourself: Get Lost in the Words

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   K.B. Carle earned her BA from Old Dominion University in Virginia, MA from West Chester University in Pennsylvania, and MFA from Spalding University's Low-Residency program in Kentucky. "Them Quiet Hours" is a part of her novel-in-progress. When she is not exploring the realms of speculative, jazz, and historical fiction, K.B. avidly pursues misspelled words, botched plot lines, and rudimentary characters. Her work can be found in Pennyshorts, Sick Lit. Magazine, and Phindie.

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  Dorothy M. Place lives and works in Davis, California. Since submitting her first short story in 2008, she has had eleven stories accepted for publication in literary journals; three have been awarded prizes and one, a fellowship. Her debut, literary fiction novel, The Heart to Kill, has been published by SFA Press (2016). A collection of fifteen short stories has been compiled and being prepared for marketing this spring. Her second novel, “The Search for Yetta,” is in process.

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   A retired English teacher (surprise!) Colin Brezicki has written three novels and a collection of short stories. The novels remain unpublished, while some of his stories have won awards in Canada, New Mexico and New York. His feature articles have appeared in The Globe and Mail and in education journals in Canada and the U.S. Any writing ability he has was acquired by reading fiction writers more skilled than he could ever hope to be. Daughter Catherine's sharp editorial eye has also proved indispensable. He lives in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.

   As a part-time faculty member of the University of Pittsburgh’s English Department, Ronna L. Edelstein works as a consultant at the school’s Writing Center. She also teaches Freshman Programs, a course that introduces students to the University and the city. Her work, both fiction and nonfiction, has appeared in the following: “New Slang” A New Literary Voice by the Women and Girls of Pittsburgh” (online); Quality Women’s Fiction; Ghoti Online Literary Magazine; First Line Anthology; SLAB: Sound and Literary Artbook; Pulse: Voices from the Heart of Medicine (online and print); AARP Bulletin (online and print); Healthy Roots (Forbes Health Foundation and Hospice); The Jet Fuel Review (Lewis University’s online literary journal); Writer’s Relief (online); Seasons of Caring; Tales of Our Lives: Fork in the Road (online e-book); Signature (Carnegie Mellon University Osher publication); Verse Envisioned: the Poetry and Art of Pittsburgh; the Washington Post; and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Oh, Brother!” is Ms. Edelstein’s ninth Vera story to be honored by Scribes Valley Publishing.

  Lisa Battalia is a writer, mediator, attorney, and the mother of two teenagers not fully launched. In a transitional, mid-stage of life, her writing often speaks to experiences of stuckness; unexpected moments of clarity; and taking first steps. She was selected to participate in the Jenny McKean Moore Writers Workshop at George Washington University, and was recently accepted to the MFA in Creative Writing program at Queens University of Charlotte. Her "Three Day Wind" was selected for inclusion in an anthology of women' writers "Aspiring to Inspire," published by Durham Publishing in March, 2014. She was also awarded runner up in Minerva Rising Literary Journal's 2014 chapbook contest. Her story "The Gift" has received several honors -- honorable mention in Bethesda Magazines' 2012 Fiction Contest; 2nd place in Rough Copy's 2010 Short Story Contest and was published in the 2013 Summer/Fall issue of New Purlieu Review. She self-published a novel "The Warming Season" in August 2013 and is currently working on her second novel.

    Michelle, who currently lives in New York City with her husband and three cats, has worn several hats since her writing journey began over a decade ago: daughter, sister, student, waitress, secretary, professor, director, fiancé, and, most recently, wife. Her realistic fiction is inspired by her diverse experiences and the spirited people she has encountered along the way. She takes pride in being introspective and looking for the common humanity we all share, regardless of where we come from – the little things that connect us and have the power to inspire kindness and understanding.
   "Royalton Road" explores what is left behind when we unexpectedly lose someone and what it is we do with the pieces still remaining. One reader called Royalton Road a "love letter". Michelle didn't intend for this to be the case, but very much likes the idea that it was interpreted as such.
   Michelle's very grateful to have the opportunity to once again publish with Scribes Valley Publishing.
   Michelle would like to thank her husband for showing her an entirely new existence in which she has found love and support in a way she previously believed to only be found in fiction.

  Hugh Dudley is the pen name of Ken Dudley and his spouse, Bear Kosik. Ken is an information systems specialist with the State of New York. Bear is a full-time writer working in almost all formats.

  Sarah Evans has had over a hundred stories published in anthologies, magazines and online. Prizes have been awarded by, amongst others: Words and Women, Winston Fletcher, Stratford Literary Festival, Glass Woman and Rubery. Other publishing outlets include: the Bridport Prize, Unthank Books, Riptide and Best New Writing. She has also had work performed in London, Hong Kong and New York.

   Catharine Leggett’s short stories have appeared in the anthologies The Reading Place, Slow the Pace, The Empty Nest, Law & Disorder, Best New Writing 2014, as well as in the journals Room, Event, The New Quarterly, Canadian Author, and The Antigonish Review. Other stories have appeared online in paperbytes, Per Contra, and Margin: Exploring Modern Magical Realism, as well as on CBC Radio. She is a two-time finalist in the Columbus Creative Cooperative Great Novel Contest and the recipient of the Okanagan Fiction award. Her novel, The Way to Go Home, will be published by Urban Farmhouse Press and will appear in the fall of 2017. She lives in London, Ontario, Canada and taught creative writing in the continuing studies program for Western University.

  Joe Dornich is a PhD candidate in Texas Tech's creative writing program where he also serves as Managing Editor for Iron Horse Literary Review. Joe's stories have won contests with SCMLA, Fresher Writing, Master's Review, and Carve.