For 2012, we’re proud to welcome the following panelists to Coyote Con!
KS Augustin: A child of the Global South who writes SFF, romance, and permutations of the two. Currently based in Malaysia.
Raelyn Barclay is an aspiring romance author who believes anything is possible in love and everyone needs a happily-ever-after. By day she tries to keep up with four sonic whirlwinds and dreams of a clean bathroom in heaven. In the wee hours of the morning and in the quiet of the night Raelyn hones her craft with an eye on seeing her name in print. She, her husband, and the wee beasties live in Nevada where scorpion hunting is a sport.
Larry Benjamin considers himself less a writer than a wordsmith—an artist whose chosen medium is the written word rather than clay or paint or bronze. His debut novel, “What Binds Us,” a gay romance, was released by Carina Press in March 2012. His second book “Damaged Angels” is a collection of short stories and was released by Bold Strokes Books in October. He is currently working on a coming-of-age novel, tentatively titled “His Name Was Jose.” He lives in Philadelphia with his partner and their two dogs ”
Laura Bickle’s professional background is in criminal justice and library science, and when she’s not patrolling the stacks at the public library she’s dreaming up stories about the monsters under the stairs (she also writes contemporary fantasy novels under the name Alayna Williams). Laura lives in Ohio with her husband and five mostly-reformed feral cats. THE HALLOWED ONES is her first young adult novel.
TW Brown: The author of the Zomblog series and the DEAD series, I am also the editor for May December Publications with over 20 anthologies and a dozen full-length novels to my credit. In my spare time I play guitar, stare at my cichlid tank, and let my Border collie take me for walks.
Joely Sue Burkhart always has her nose buried in a book, especially one with mythology, fairy tales and romance. She, her husband, and their three monsters live in Missouri. By day, she’s a computer programmer with a Master of Science degree in Mathematics. When night falls, she bespells the monsters so she can write.
KC Burn has been writing for as long as she can remember and is a sucker for happy endings (of all kinds). After moving from Toronto to Florida for her husband to take a dream job, she discovered a love of gay romance and fulfilled a dream of her own — getting published. By day, she edits web content and at night she neglects her supportive, understanding hubby and needy cat to write stories about men loving men in the past, present and future.
A mild-mannered reporter with almost 15 years experience as a general assignment reporter, features editor and graphic designer, Angela Campbell published her first novel, CRY WOLF, in October 2011 through Carina Press. When not writing, she also works as a production assistant on TV shows, small film projects and commercials.
Dark, delicious, romantic and, most of all, erotic. These are just some of the words that describe Diana Castle’s stories. She torches the pages with hot-blooded sex, exciting romance and enticing fantasy. Under the name Anna Black, her erotic short stories have appeared in anthologies published by Simon & Schuster, Cleis Press, Logical Lust, Blue Moon, and Running Press and edited by Zane, Alison Tyler, Cecilia Tan, Lori Perkins, Maxim Jakubowski and D.L. King. When Diana isn’t writing (which is pretty much all the time), she reads and collects tarot cards and watches old B&W movies from Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Jaleta Clegg loves to tell stories ranging from science fiction adventure stories to silly horror to everything in between. She has many stories published in magazines, anthologies, and other venues. The first two books of her SF series, The Fall of the Altairan Empire, are available online in print and ebook.
Johnny Compton is a horror author based in San Antonio. His fiction has been featured in Pseudopod, Arkham Tales, From the Asylum and other publications. He recently self-published the short story anthology Civilized Monsters: A Collection.
Carolyn Crane is the author of the Disillusionists urban fantasy trilogy, assorted novellas, and the upcoming Mr. Real, the first book in a paranormal romantic suspense series (out 10/30). She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two cats, and works a day job as a business writer. During rare moments when she’s not at her computer, she can be found reading in bed, running, or helping animals.
Seleste Delaney: Early on, Seleste’s mom steered her away from witchcraft, monsters, and spaceships and urged her toward true crime–which is much scarier. Seleste found solace in the arms of vampires, werewolves, and demons. In no time, those crime stories found their way into her writing too and she embraced the mayhem. She’s written stories with no death but requires steamy sex as a trade-off. Using scheming powers learned from her villains–and heroes–she convinced Entangled Publishing, Carina Press, Mundania Press, Decadent Publishing, and Evernight Publishing to publish her devilish tales in genres including paranormal, steampunk, and romantic suspense.
Diane Dooley writes science fiction, romance and horror – sometimes all in the same story. Her short stories and novellas have been published in a variety of online, digital and print venues.
Deena is the Digital Director of The Book Connection’s digital division – E-BookBuilders – and the co-host and producer of Bluebonnets, Bagpipes and Books Podcast. She had been on the fringes of professional independent publishing for almost 20 years when she took the plunge and joined The Book Connection in an effort to help move them into the e-publishing arena. As a formatter who uses HTML, she has made E-Book Builders the company to depend on for difficult to format manuscripts and non-fiction. Deena is a tireless supporter of indie authors and publishers.
Sharon Lynn Fisher is a three-time RWA Golden Heart finalist and the author of GHOST PLANET, coming from Tor/Macmillan on Oct. 30. The book is a sci-fi/romance blend that offers a “”fresh and fascinating take on the human-alien problem”" (says author Linnea Sinclair). Sharon has a passion for world-building and twisty plots. One theme that recurs in her writing is what it means to be human, and she’s also fascinated by symbiosis in human relationships. Trivia: – Writes, mountain bikes, hikes, and breathes in the beautiful Pacific Northwest – Labels: Aries. INFJ. Geek Mom. Shoe enthusiast. – First accomplishment as a writer: Honorable mention for “”Ice Age Adventure”" from Cricket Magazine (age 10).
Kait Gamble: Gamer, geek and science fiction romance author for Carina Press.
Angela Highland is the author of a forthcoming fantasy trilogy from Carina Press, due out April 2013, and also writes the Free Court of Seattle series, under the name of Angela Korra’ti.
J.L. Hilton is the author of the Stellarnet Series published by Carina Press, including “Stellarnet Rebel” (January 2012) and “Stellarnet Prince” (November 2012). Her artwork is featured in the books “Steampunk Style Jewelry” and “1000 Steampunk Creations.” She is a Yognau(gh)t, Browncoat, gamer, homeschooling mom of two and resident of Raleigh, North Carolina.
JA Howe: I’m a writer of fantasy and science fiction, occasionally horror. Lately, I’ve begun to study game design, in the intent of one day publishing my own games based on my writing. My writing’s been seen at various places including “Jim Baen’s Universe” and “Beyone Centauri”, as well as a few on AmazonKindle including one ebook. I’m also at work finishing up a platform for DNDOG based in maybe the most popular land I’ve written about, Kritter.
Anna Kashina is an internationally published author of fantasy and historical fiction, whose books appeared in the original editions in Russia, Germany, Australia, and United States. In 2012 she has published three novels with different US-based small presses, including THE PRINCESS OF DHAGABAD and THE GODDESS OF DANCE (Dragonwell Publishing) and THE FIRST SWORD (Wildside Press). She lives in Philadelphia, PA.
Jeffe Kennedy is an award-winning author with a writing career that spans decades. Her works include non-fiction, poetry, short fiction, and novels. She has been a Ucross Foundation Fellow, received the Wyoming Arts Council Fellowship for Poetry, and was awarded a Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Award. Her essays have appeared in many publications, including Redbook. Her fantasy BDSM romance, Petals and Thorns, originally published under the pen name Jennifer Paris, has won several reader awards. Sapphire, the first book in Facets of Passion has placed first in multiple romance contests. Her most recent works include three fiction series: the fantasy romance novels of A Covenant of Thorns, the contemporary BDSM novellas of the Facets of Passion, and the post-apocalyptic vampire erotica of the Blood Currency. An avid user of social media, Jeffe engages daily with thousands of fans on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads. She frequently guests on publishers’ Twitter-feeds and reviewers’ blogs. She’s been an active member of RWA since 2008. She served two terms as president of RWA’s very large Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal special-interest chapter and continues as an advisor to the current board. Jeffe can be found online at her website: JeffeKennedy.com or every Sunday at the popular Word Whores blog.
Jane Kindred began writing fantasy at age 12 in the wayback of a Plymouth Fury—which, as far as she recalls, never killed anyone…who didn’t have it coming. She spent her formative years ruining her eyes reading romance novels in the Tucson sun and watching Star Trek marathons in the dark. Although she was repeatedly urged to learn a marketable skill, she received a B.A. in Creative Writing anyway from the University of Arizona. She now writes to the sound of San Francisco foghorns while two cats slowly but surely edge her off the side of the bed.
Ciara Knight writes to ‘Defy the Dark’ with her award winning fantasy, paranormal and young adult books. Her novels have secured Night Owl Top Pick, five stars from the Paranormal Romance Guild, and won July Book of the Month at Long and Short Reviews. Her first love, besides her family, reading, and writing, is travel. She’s backpacked through Europe, visited orphanages in China, and landed in a helicopter on a glacier in Alaska.
A lifelong fan of all things horror and a member of the Horror Writers Association, C.W. LaSart has been published in anthologies by Cemetery Dance Publication, Eirelander Press, Dark Moon Books and many more. Her first collection, Ad Nauseam 13 Tales of Extreme Horror, was published in March of 2012 by Dark Moon Books. Find out more at http://www.cwlasart.com/.
Suzi M writes for fun and occasionally profit. When not busy with her own work or getting pictures and autographs of people who recognize her on the street, Suzi helps support the efforts of independent artists, writers, musicians, and film-makers. You can follow her on Twitter @xirconnia or join the Suzi M Facebook fan page at facebook.
Melanie Macek: Contemporary Romance Writer about to self-publish my first book. I live in So. Texas and work full time in addition to writing. A member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), iWriteNetwork, and a NaNoWriMo participant. Enjoy learning from other writers in all genres.
Heather Massey is a lifelong fan of science fiction romance. She searches for sci-fi romance adventures aboard her blog, The Galaxy Express. She’s also an author. Her stories range from space opera (Once Upon a Time in Space) to erotic clockpunk romance (The Watchmaker’s Lady) and steampunk (Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts). When she’s not reading, she’s watching cult films and enjoying the company of her husband and daughter. For more information about her work, visit heathermassey.com.
Ashlynn Monroe has been dreaming up stories all her life. She started to put them on paper at thirteen, but it wasn’t until she was thirty that she decided to share them with others. She’s a busy mom with a full time job, fantastic friends, and a unique sense of humor. She’s just a regular girl who’s in love with the idea of happily-ever-after. She’s honored to be multi-published by some of the best electronic publishers in the industry. Ashlynn survives each day by dreaming up her next tale of romance.
Billie Sue Mosiman: Edgar and Stoker Nominee for best novel. Novelist, short story writer.Published since 1983. Author of 14 novels, 160 or so stories.
R.L. Naquin is an urban fantasy novelist and short story writer. Her novel Monster in My Closet from Carina Press is available everywhere e-books are sold. Originally from Northern California, Rachel has a tendency to move every few years. Currently, she’s hiding in the Heartland, planning her next grand adventure. She has one heroic husband, two genius kids, three annoyed cats, and an imaginary dog named Waffles. She doesn’t have time for a real dog.
Kait Nolan is stuck in an office all day, sometimes juggling all three of her jobs at once with the skill of a trained bear—sometimes with a similar temperament. After hours, she uses her powers for good, creating escapist fiction. The work of this Mississippi native is packed with action, romance, and the kinds of imaginative paranormal creatures you’d want to sweep you off your feet…or eat your boss. When she’s not working or writing, she’s in her kitchen, heading up a revolution to Retake Homemade from her cooking blog, Pots and Plots.
Allison Pang is the author of the Abby Sinclair urban fantasy series. Her latest book, A Trace of Moonlight, will be released by Pocket Books on October 30, 2012. She also writes the online graphic novel Fox & Willow, found at http://www.sadsausagedogs.com and has a story coming out in an upcoming issue of Womanthology:Space. She has a penchant for Hello Kitty, sparkly shoes and gorgeous violinists.
Award-winning author Cindy Spencer Pape firmly believes in happily-ever-after. Married for more than twenty-five years to her own, sometimes-kilted hero, she lives in southern Michigan with him and two grown sons, along with an ever-changing menagerie of pets. Author of more than 40 books, Cindy has been, among other things, a banker, a teacher, and an elected politician, but mostly an environmental educator, though now she is lucky enough to write full-time. Her degrees in zoology and animal behavior almost help her comprehend the male humans who share her household.
Terry Persun writes in many genres, including historical fiction, mainstream, literary, and science fiction/fantasy. His novel, “Cathedral of Dreams” is a ForeWord magazine Book of the Year finalist in the science fiction category. His novel “Sweet Song” just won a Silver IPPY Award, too. His latest novel is, “Revision 7: DNA”, a sci-fi thriller. Terry’s website is: www.TerryPersun.com or you can find him on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Terry-L-Persun/e/B004NV8Q4Y/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Dr Gillian Polack is a Medieval historian and is completing a second PhD in writing. She is a reviewer, critic and non-fiction writer and award judge. Gillian has two novels published (Ms Cellophane/Life through Cellophane was a Ditmar finalist), sixteen short stories and has edited two anthologies (Baggage was a Ditmar finalist) and an historical cookbook. One story won a Victorian Ministry of the Arts award and three more were listed as recommended reading in international lists of world’s best stories. She has received two writing fellowships at Varuna, arts grants, and a Ditmar award for her work.
Whether as D. Reneé Bagby or Zenobia Renquist, Reneé lives in her imagination. When not traveling through her fantasy worlds, she can be found in Hawaii living with her husband and two cats. She is an Air Force brat turned Air Force wife, which means she’s accustomed to travel and does it whenever possible (so long as she doesn’t have to fly). Her favorite pastime is torturing her characters on their way to happily-ever-after for the enjoyment of her readers. On the few occasions her muse flees the scene of the crime, Reneé likes to read (comics, manga, and romance), go to the movies, play a few levels of whichever puzzle game has hijacked her interest or experiment with a new chain mail weave.
Shelby Morgen (AKA Margaret Riley) loves writing off-beat tales that defy as many rules as possible. Shelby likes chocolate with peanut butter, Suspense with Romance, and kink with her sex. She’s always had a hard time keeping Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Paranormal from mixing with her kink. Shelby shares her belief in electronic publishing with her longtime friend and partner, Bill, her husband of over 30 years. When you can catch her awake and not buried up to her eyebrows in work, Shelby will assure you this is the best job in the world — she’s the keeper of dreams.
John Rosenman, a retired English professor, has published 350 stories in Weird Tales, Whitley Strieber’s Aliens, Fangoria, Galaxy, The Age of Wonders, etc. He’s published twenty books, including SF novels such as Beyond Those Distant Stars and Speaker of the Shakk (Mundania Press), and Alien Dreams and A Senseless Act of Beauty (Crossroad Press). MuseItUp Publishing released three SF novels: Dark Wizard; Dax Rigby, War Correspondent; Inspector of the Cross, as well as such short stories as More Stately Mansions and The Blue of Her Hair, the Gold of Her Eyes (winner of Preditors and Editors Annual Readers Poll). He’s the former Chairman of the Board of the Horror Writers Association.
Cynthia Sax lives in a world where demons aren’t all bad, angels aren’t all good, and magic happens every single day. Although her heroes may not always say, “I love you”, they will do anything for the women they love. They live passionately. They fight fiercely. They love the same women forever.
Jenny Schwartz is a West Australian author, born and bred. She studied Australian social history at university, never dreaming she’d end up rewriting it with a steampunk twist.
Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library full of books as its heart, and when she ran out of things to read, she started writing her own stories. Married young to her high school sweetheart then widowed, Veronica has two grown daughters, one young grandson and cats. Her recent releases include WRECK OF THE NEBULA DREAM – SF Adventure with romantic elements, and PRIESTESS OF THE NILE – Paranormal romance set in Ancient Egypt.
David Sklar grew up in Michigan, where the Michipeshu nibbled his toes on the days when Lake Superior felt frisky. His publications include fiction and poetry in journals such as Strange Horizons, Paterson Literary Review, and Bull Spec, and the novella Shadow of the Antlered Bird from the wonderful but short-lived Drollerie Press. His story “Lady Marmalade’s Special Place in Hell” closes off the Scheherazade’s Facade anthology of gender-bending fiction from Gressive Press. David lives in New Jersey with his wife, kids, and cat, and he works as a freelance writer and editor.
Andrea Speed was born looking for trouble in some hot month without an R in it. In her spare time, she arms lemurs in preparation for the upcoming war against the Mole Men. Viva la revolution! She’s also the author of the Infected series for Dreamspinner Press, and the Josh of the Damned series for Riptide Publishing.
Cindy Lynn Speer has been writing for most of her life, and loves nothing better than the chance to create stories to share with her readers. She also gardens (poorly) and practices historical fencing (with swords, not posts) and makes small attempts at writing clever bios. Her works include The Chocolatier’s Wife, Unbalanced, Blue Moon and the forthcoming short story collection Wishes and Sorrows. You can learn more about her at her website.
Formerly writing as Meredith Holmes, Meredith Spies had short stories and novellas published by Drollerie and Torquere. Currently under contract with Musa, she has several urban fantasy and historical romance novellas and one new novel in the works! She loves writing romance and fantasy and endeavors to make them mythologically and historically correct!
Eleri Stone was born and raised in New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Iowa and still lives in the Midwest with her husband and their three children. She’s an avid reader of fantasy, horror and romance but likes it best when the three are combined. Eleri writes fantasy and paranormal romance—speculative fiction with a happy-ever-after. She enjoys kayaking, cooking and hearing from readers.
Stacey Turner lives way out in the country in West Central Illinois with her husband, adult children, one adorable grandson and 6 cats. Most of her time is taken up with running Angelic Knight Press and editing, but she still finds time to review books & interview authors, write a blog about her absolutely ridiculous family, and write fiction. You can find her Author blog at www.staceyturner-authorspot.blogspot.com or follow her on twitter: @Spot_Speaks. She has been published in several anthologies and online magazines. Most recently, her story “”Born of Darkness”" was included in the Fading Light anthology. Her first collection of short stories will be forthcoming in 2013.
Maria Zannini spends her day hunting scorpions, wrangling chickens, and fighting for a piece of the bed against dogs of epic proportions. Occasionally, she writes books. Maria is known for her sizzling sex scenes in her paranormal and science fiction romances. She also publishes nonfiction titles (and blog posts) on saving money because she believes smart shopping is a killer aphrodisiac–just ask her husband.