Alba Arango
Alba Arango retired from teaching in 2017 to become a full-time children’s author. Her audio podcast, Book Writing Tips: Quick Tips for New and Seasoned Authors is wildly popular and downloaded weekly in over forty different countries. When she’s not writing or recording, she loves spending time with her beautiful rescue beagle named Pumpkin. She lives in Henderson, Nevada, where she loves coffee and chocolate…especially together (white chocolate mocha is the best!).
Andres Fragoso Jr.
Andres Fragoso Jr. is a versatile author and ghostwriter whose work spans genres from sci-fi and horror to LGBTQIA+ literature, erotica, and self-help. A proud Mexican-American and U.S. Army veteran, Andres brings his rich life experience—from gourmet chef to nonprofit mentor—into every story he tells. Whether exploring identity, resilience, or love, his writing connects readers across cultures with heart, humor, and imagination. With a master’s degree in business management and marketing, Andres combines professional excellence with creative flair. He brings warmth, humor, and authenticity to every project, known for his ability to make people laugh and feel seen—always with respect and heart.
Jonathan Maberry
JONATHAN MABERRY is a NYTimes bestselling author, 5-time Bram Stoker Award-winner, 4-time Scribe Award winner, Inkpot Award winner, poet, and comic book writer. He writes in multiple genres including suspense, thriller, horror, science fiction, fantasy, and action, for adults, teens and middle grade. V-WARS (Netflix) was based on his books/comics; Alcon is developing his teen post-apocalyptic novels for film; and Chad Stahelski, director of JOHN WICK, is developing his bestselling Joe Ledger thrillers for TV. Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER was partly based on his work. He’s president of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers, and the editor of Weird Tales Magazine. www.jonathanmaberry.com
Marijke Mc Candless
Marijke Mc Candless is a mindfulness coach, playfulness instigator, and award-winning writer. She is half type-A perfectionist and half creative wild messy spirit. Over the years, she has come to embrace this dichotomy of being, which she says is the key to living life imperfectly but with great delight. In 2016, O Books published her first book, More…Journey to mystical union through the sacred and the profane, a memoir of her own spiritual journey, which has won awards in every year since its publication. Her essays have been published in internationally recognized newspapers and magazines and selected for inclusion in award-winning anthologies. She has contributed to and written blogs: The Feisty Writer, Cooking Up Stories, and Sacred Journey to More, where She covers subjects dear to her heart: contemplative awareness practice, adopting a playful attitude, and writing her way home.
R.A. McCandless
R.A. McCandless has been a writer both professionally and creatively for nearly two decades. He was born under a wandering star that led him to becoming the author of the steampunk novels THE CLOCKWORK DETECTIVE and BENEATH A FEARFUL MOON and the urban fantasy series TEARS OF HEAVEN, HELL BECOMES HER, and COMPANY OF THE DAMNED. His short stories include “And Into A Watery Grave” in IN SHAMBLES, “Grenadiers and Dragon’s Fire” in GEARS GADGETS AND STEAM, “Through the Sting of Fairy Smoke” in NINE HEROES: HEROIC FANTASY anthology, and “He Who Tells the Tale” and “Holes Full of Dark” in HOLES: AN INDIE AUTHOR ANTHOLOGY. In addition, R.A. McCandless is a senior partner and editor at Ellysian Press, the home of talented authors writing science fiction, fantasy, horror, paranormal romance and other genre fiction. He is also half of the dynamic MythBehaving Podcast, interviewing genre fiction authors of all stripes across the country and around the world. He continues to research and write steampunk and urban fantasy fiction, battle sprinklers, and chauffer his three boys around Southern California.
Erick Mertz
Erick Mertz is a screenwriter, developmental editor and paranormal mystery author from Oregon City, Oregon. Many of his scripts have gone on to be optioned and sold and been recognized for numerous awards including the Academy Nichols Fellowship. When he is not writing or watching movies, you can often find him reading fiction, cooking Italian food, and exploring the Pacific Northwest with his wife, son and dogs.
Stephanie Montgomery
The Nevada Arts Council has funding opportunities for individual writers and/or writers working in collaboration through the Project Grant for Artists. Teaching writers may also consider applying for the Nevada Arts Council Teaching Artist Roster. Writers accepted to the Roster are eligible to directly apply for the Arts Learning Express grant to support hands-on learning programming. Nevada Arts Council staff presenting on these opportunities will include Grants and Projects Analyst Stephanie Montgomery, Artist Services Specialist Sapira Cheuk, and Arts Learning Specialist Sogand Tabatabaei.
Julie Okabayashi
For more than 20 years, Julie Okabayashi has been employed by The Library District in Las Vegas, providing free educational programs such as the annual Authors & Artists Fair, Mob Month, Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and a variety of literary and visual arts workshops. Through her work at The Library District, Julie has partnered with Nevada Arts Council, Nevada Humanities and Mystic Publishers, Inc., to introduce over 500 local & regional authors and artists to library audiences. Currently, Julie teaches recycled book art classes and curates the Sustainable Community Art Wall at Clark County Library. As an artist, Julie has exhibited her art at Las Vegas City Hall and the Clark County Government Center. Her upcoming multi-wall art project using recycled paper products will be displayed at Winchester Dondero Community Center in 2026.
Eva Shaw, Ph.D.
Eva Shaw, Ph.D. is one of the country’s premier ghostwriters and is the author of more than award-winning 100 books. Novels with her byline include The Seer, The Finder, The Pursuer, The Conductor in the Beatrix Patterson mystery series. Nonfiction best sellers include Ghostwriting: The Complete Guide, Writeriffic 2: Creativity Training for Writers, Garden Therapy: Nature’s Health Plan, and What to Do When a Loved One Dies. Eva teaches five university-level writing courses available online at 4000 colleges and universities worldwide. A breast cancer survivor, she’s an active volunteer with the American Cancer Society and causes affecting women and children and with church. She loves to travel, read, shop, garden, play the banjolele and paint, focusing on folk art and California landscapes. When not at her desk, you can find her walking around the village of Carlsbad, California with Coco Rose, a rambunctious 7-year-old Welsh terrier.
@evashawwriter – www.evashaw.com – FB: Eva Shaw
S.G. Tasz
S.G. Tasz is a multi-award-winning fantasy novelist from Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to her published novels, her work has appeared in anthologies for the Nevada Humanities and the Henderson Writers Group. When she’s not working on her next book, she’s running critique groups for the Sin City Writers, appearing at local venues as a member of the Coffee House Tours book signing organization, or cheering on her favorite sports teams, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Green Bay Packers.
For more information on her latest publications, visit www.sgtasz.com.
Alisha West
Alisha West, (she/they), is an award-winning writer, agent, and life-long lover of stories. She earned a BA in English Literature and an MA in Women’s and Gender Studies. Alisha loves complex characters and thoughtfully crafted plots. She’s looking for stories that reveal the truth of what it means to be a human in our difficult, often oppressive, world. While Alisha will look at any great story, she is most drawn to Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Women’s Fiction (including historical), and Upmarket/Book Club Fiction with a great hook or a little touch of the speculative. Alisha is always looking for writing from group historically underrepresented in publishing, with a special place in her queer little heart for LGBTQIA+ folks.
Maer Wilson
Maer Wilson is the founding partner at Ellysian Press, a boutique publisher, known for their high-quality books, rigorous editing and excellent covers. Because they spend time with each author, they offer a place for the writer to find a home for themselves as an artist. Several of their authors have received awards over the last few years. Due to the individualized attention on each book, EP only accepts one or two authors each year.
Coming into the literary world first as an author, Maer brings with her a vast background including business, public relations and theatre arts. She is involved in all aspects of the press and has a thorough understanding of what it means to be an author in today’s constantly changing literary world.
You can find all Maer’s books and novelettes at Amazon and other online retailers. For more info, you can visit Maer’s website at https://www.maerwilson.com or Maer’s page at Ellysian Press.
Maer on Amazon: http://goo.gl/a2BiU2
Maer on Facebook: https://goo.gl/KRgX2k
Maer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaerWilson
Tessa Shaffer
Tessa Shaffer is a Literary Manager for screenwriters, a Sr. Literary Agent for authors, and the Vice President of Corvisiero Literary Agency, supporting the staff and clients agency-wide. Heading Corvisiero’s Film & TV department, Shaffer’s heavily involved in the development of book adaptations as well as taking exclusive book proposals to publishers from documentary content in progress. She’s built a network of relationships with producers, directors, and talent at every level and takes pride in assembling teams for her clients who will champion their projects as much as she will. Shaffer is focused on content inspired by true stories (in books, scripted, and unscripted) and on lifting voices and creators who have the desire to start important conversations—even if those conversations are uncomfortable.
Meredith Allard
Meredith Allard, is the author of the beloved bestselling paranormal historical Loving Husband Trilogy. Her sweet Victorian romance, When It Rained at Hembry Castle, was named a best historical novel by IndieReader.
Her other books include Christmas at Hembry Castle; The Window Dresser and Other Stories, a short story collection; Woman of Stones, a novella of Biblical Jerusalem; The Duchess of Idaho, a time-travel love story set on the Oregon Trail; and And Shadows Will Fall, the sixth and final book in the Loving Husband Series.
Down Salem Way, the prequel to the Loving Husband Trilogy set during the Salem Witch Trials, is the winner of the B.R.A.G. Medallion and a semi-finalist for the 2022 Chaucer Award in Early Historical Fiction. Her first nonfiction book, Painting the Past: A Guide For Writing Historical Fiction, was a #1 New Release on Amazon in Authorship and Creativity Self-Help.
Marisa A. Corvisiero
Marisa A. Corvisiero is the founder and CEO of the Corvisiero Literary Agency, an attorney, and our Senior Literary Agent. During the few years prior to starting her own agency, Marisa worked with another well-known New York City Literary Agency, where she learned invaluable lessons and made a name for herself in the industry. She is also a Literary Consultant, Speaker, Author and continues to practice law in New York City with specialties in Publishing, Corporate, and Trust & Estates. She has experience in Top Global Firms and Fortune 500 companies. She has attended over 100 conferences and workshops, and continues to present as a guest on webinars, tutorials, and bootcamps for Writer’s. Marisa judges each story more than just on the writing, but with an eye toward finding creative stories with well-developed plots and rich characters with unique voices. She is always hoping for stories with standout #ownvoices from under-represented authors and those with special circumstances or experiences that make the story truly theirs and unique. she will consider Romance, Women’s Fiction, Thrillers, Adventure, Paranormal, Fantasy and Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, or any combination thereof.