Welcome, ALL, to the NOHSCBWI Directory!
Thanks for your interest in our diversely talented membership.
SCBWI members are working writers and illustrators. Many, occasionally, volunteer their talents to schools and other organizations. However, gratis presentations require a considerable investment on the part of our members. These working artists depend on income from speaking and teaching engagements to supplement sporadic advances and royalties. Each member establishes his/her own fees, however, the average hourly range is $100-$160.
We look forward to partnering with you in creating an enriching and memorable event.

Joan Marie Arbogast Assistant Regional Advisor Location: Stow, OH Email Joan Marie Arbogast		Joan Marie Arbogast is author of the intermediate, nonfiction title, BUILDINGS IN DISGUISE: Architecture That Looks Like Animals, Food, and Other Things, as well two parent-teacher guides titled, The Advent-Christmas Book, and The Lent-Easter Book which are full of crafts and activities for kids. As contributing editor for My Friend magazine, she pens the column, Are You Bugged? Her poems, stories, and articles have been published in a variety of children's magazines including Highlights for Children and Guideposts for Kids. To schedule an Author Visit, please contact the author direct.
Sheryl Aronson Location: Akron, OH Sheryl's website Email Sheryl Aronson		Sheryl Aronson contrasts bright colors with black in her papercut and colored pencil art. Favorite themes are Jewish and nature. She teaches middle school, high school and adult classes in papercutting, silk painting, stained glass and Hebrew calligraphy. Her art has won awards and been published in several publications, most recently on the cover of the 2006 The SOURCE, Guide to Jewish Living in Northeast Ohio. Sheryl has written poetry, Jewish programs and plays. She is new to the world of writing and illustrating for children, working on both picture books and chapter books. She is a psychiatric occupational therapist, is married and the stepmother of two young men.
Jane Biehl, PhD Membership Coordinator Location: N. Canton, OH Email Dr. Jane Biehl		I was a librarian for twenty years and enjoy conducting story hours, especially using sign language. Presently, I work as a counselor for children and adults in a private practice and teach Social Sciences at Stark State College. I've had several articles published in magazines focusing on persons with sensory loss. I am presently attempting to get picture books and magazine articles published in the important area of sensitizing children to persons who may be "different" yet the same! I'm interested in conducting story hours and school visits and tell stories in sign language if requested. Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Professional Counselor, Masters in Libary Science
LeeAnn Blankenship Volunteer Coordinator Location: Kent, OH Email LeeAnn Blankenship		LeeAnn Blankenship always knew that her love for children would be at the heart of any meaningful work she did.  For awhile she taught, but most of her work experience was in the field of social work in children's services - neglect and abuse investigations, foster care, and adoption.  Then, facing her own "empty nest" when her three adult children moved out, she decided to pursue her life long dream of writing for children.  LeeAnn has written for AppleSeeds, Cobblestone, Cricket, and Highlights for Children. Her first picture book, Mr. Tuggle's Troubles, was released in October 2005 by Boyds Mills Press. Her list of future writing ideas reaches from Kent to Kalamazoo.
Cristina Bruce-kaiser Illustrator Coordinator Location:Cleveland, OH Email Cristina Bruce-Kaiser		Cristina Bruce-Kaiser grew up in Puerto Rico and graduated from St.Joseph's University in Philadelphia with a B.S. in International Relations. She worked in international related business. At work, she was always the one to design a birthday card for a co-worker. She finally decided to change careers and go for an art degree. By 2000, she had an associate's degree in graphic design and relocated along with her husband to Cleveland, Ohio. Inspired by the arrival of their son Marco from Guatemala, she wrote her first story (not yet published). Currently she is in the process of finishing it and creating illustrations. She writes in Spanish and in English. She keeps busy by making invitations and presentation cards, mainly for children of her family and friends. She loves to travel, cook, decorate, read, and anything to do with art.
Rachel Buck Location:Solon, OH Email Rachel Buck		Rachel Buck published nonfiction essays and articles in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and Gardens Decks and Patios. She is revising a juvenile biography. She won an Honorable Mention in the Children's Fiction Category in 2001 Writers Digest Writing Competition with a short story entitled, Muff's Arrowhead. Rachel was a Newsletter Editor for the Northeast Ohio Children's Writers and ILlustrators and the Cleveland Chapter of the American Marketing Association. Currently, she is licensed and certified as a Reading Specialist and she completed her Master's Degree in Education in May, 2003.
Cinda Williams Chima Location:Strongsville, OH Cinda's website Email Cinda Williams Chima		Cinda Williams Chima comes from a long line of fortune-tellers, n'er-do-well musicians, and spinners of tales. She began writing romance novels in middle school, which were confiscated by her English teacher. Chima has published more than 100 reviews, feature articles, and essays in local and national media. Her nutrition column appears in the Taste section of the Plain Dealer.Her first YA fantasy novel, The Warrior Heir, was published by Hyperion Books for Children. She is available for school visits and workshops, and to speak on topics relating to writing, publishing, and fantasy fiction.
Beth Choi Location: Richmond Hghts, OH Email Beth Choi		Always a dancer, Beth Choi retired in mid-2002 after 1 1/2 decades as a psychiatric social worker and therapeutic arts group leader with severely troubled adults and children. Before being drawn back to her original field of social work, she had worked in libraries, public schools and bookstores and had a brief flirtation with translating loved foreign languages. Bibliotherapy very much interested her. Beth published in magazines throughout the 1990's. Her poetry and essays appeared most often in Christian Science Monitor and Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine, less frequently in other publications such as Detroit Free Press, Mature View, and New Frontiers.
Susan Collett Location: Millersburg, OH Email Susan Collett		I've been a member of SCBWI for many years and attend the Northern Ohio meetings and events regularly. I'm the Hospitality Coordinator for the NOHSCBWI annual Conference Planning Committee, so I'm more involved than ever. I work as a free lance illustrator and graphic designer, and I'm the designer of the official NOHSCBWI logo. I am working on my fifth picture book at the present time and have had some interest from publishers in several of my stories. I created the illustrations for two of these books, but right now my focus is on writing. SCBWI has been a valuable network of information and support.
Charlie Colman Location: Cincinnati, OH Email Charlie Colman		Charlie Colman lives in Cincinnati. His business writing has been published, but he left his business career a few years ago to write for children. He is a member of the NOHSCBWI, and the on-line Ohio critique group moderated by Susan Collett. Charlie's first children's book The Bald Eagle's View of American History was published by Charlesbridge in 2006. If he's lucky, Charlie will also sell his current projects: a middle grade novel and a non-fiction, transitional reader. Charlie and his wife, Pam, have two wonderful children: one at school , and the other at college.
Mia Coulton Location: Shaker Heights, OH Mia's website Email Mia Coulton		Mia Coulton was formerly a Reading Recovery teacher in the Shaker Heights Schools in Shaker Heights, Ohio. She has combined her experience in early reading intervention with a lifelong passion for pets in the "Danny Series." Mia has written books that will capture young reader's imaginations and stimulate their interest in reading. The photographs of Danny make the stories come to life. "This has been a labor of love for me (possibly not for Danny) and I intend to write more books focused on Danny's escapades," she says. "I will continue to solicit input from colleagues to assure that I produce books that are helpful and fun to read." Mia and Danny are available for school visits. Please visit them at: www.maryruthbooks.com
Jean Daigneau* Regional Advisor Location: Kent, OH Email Jean Daigneau		I'm a library aide at St. Patrick School in Kent and coordinate their after school day care program for kindergartners through sixth graders. My husband, Buzz, and I have lived in Kent for over 30 years. We have three children - Tracy, Ben, and Nick - and four grandsons, Ty, Aaron, Eli and Christian. I've been published in Clubhouse magazine and the Record-Courier newspaper. I've sold educational testing material to McGraw-Hill and non-fiction material to Gryphon House and Fun for Kidz magazine. I'm the regional advisor for the SCBWI and a member of a Kent critique group, The Writers Block. When I'm not writing, you can usually find me cross-stitching - another passion!
Diana Eid Location: North Royalton, OH Email Diana Eid		Diana Eid loves writing. This passion started when she was in college studying literature. She graduated from O.S.U. in 2002 with an English degree. Since then she has done a lot of research on the writing process. Recently she started writing her own stories. Diana works with her father at his store. She loves to create funny characters and feels that her inspiration for this is drawn from the many diverse people that come into the store. She also works at a travel agency and hopes to one day pursue travel writing. Diana lives with her two cats, Steve and Pickles.
Karen R. Fabre Location: Akron, OH Email Karen R. Fabre		Karen Fabre has spent most of her adult life working with children in public schools. Currently she is a Title One Tutor with the Akron Public Schools. Reading and Writing are her specialties. "I've written short stories and a novel for the middle grades. I'm also getting interested in writing educational picture books for the primary grades. I have yet to be published but I love to write and I know it's only a matter of time." Karen lives in Akron with her husband and ten year old daughter along with a dog, two cats, and a hamster.
Daniel J. Frey Location: Cleveland, OH Email Daniel J. Frey		Daniel J. Frey, freelance illustrator, received his B.A. in Studio Art from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio and his B.F.A. in Drawing from the Cleveland Institute of Art. He is an artist member of the prestigious American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA). Dan also sits on the board of the Northern Ohio Illustrators Society, (NOIS) as secretary. Dan's marine paintings are represented by Porterfield's Fine Art and shown to the public at the Allen Gallery, Berea, Ohio. Clients include Portal Publications, American Greetings, Hindodstone, American Greetings, Warner Brothers Television, Next Dimensions Studios, The Children's Hospital at The Cleveland Clinic, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, Cleveland Magazine, Hard Rock Cafe International, Southwest General Health Systems.
Don Gallo Location: Solon, OH Email Don Gallo		Don Gallo is one of the nation's leading authorities on books for teenagers as well as an editor of ten highly-acclaimed collections of original short stories written by notable young adult authors, including Sixteen, No Easy Answers, On the Fringe, and Destination Unexpected. Before moving to Ohio in 1997, Dr. Gallo was a professor of English at Central Connecticut State University and the author of numerous journal articles and chapters in professional books about the teaching of English in middle and high schools. Although he is retired from full-time teaching, he currently is working on a new short story anthology, editing a column about YA books for the English Journal, interviewing famous authors for the Authors4Teens.com website, working on a couple of picture books and middle grade informational books, and conducting workshops for teenagers, teachers, and librarians across the country.
Charles Goodwin Location: Norwalk, OH Email Charles Goodwin		I am an established writer in non-children’s magazines, seeking to market two stories in the children’s and general fields. The Findley Lake Chronicles is a 1950s revisit to the adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, set in western New York. Randy Raccoon is the tale of his rescue from the chimney of a house and eventual relocation to a paradise of field corn and delicious frogs. Both are largely non-fiction. I’ve made my living as a writer for 42 years and currently work for four automobile magazines.
Barb J. Huff Location: Dover, OH Website: www.barbhuff.com Website: www.ontourfanclub.com Email Barb J. Huff		Barb J. Huff is the author of the ON TOUR Christian young adult series. She also writes regularly for many Christian youth publications such as Devo'zine, SHINEbrightly, Celebrate!, and Encounter, and she has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Mother and Daughter Soul and Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul 2. Actively advocating for the youth, Barb is a foster parent, children's ministry worker, and YMCA mentor. She is always available to share her passions-- ministry, child advocacy, and literacy-- and teach writing to both children and adults in the classroom and workshops. www.barbhuff.com to find out more about the Christian Book Club for Teen Fiction!
Barbara S. Huff Featured Member Editor Location: Oberlin, OH Email Barbara S. Huff		Barbara Savage Huff of Oberlin, OH spends her days working as an assistant grade school librarian and as a private cello teacher.  At night you can find her hunched over her laptop writing picture books and middle grade fiction or catching up on piles of reading.  She is not yet published, but she has been tickled pink to receive some great rejection letters.  Her interviews with Ohio SCBWI authors and illustrators are on our website.
Wendy C. Kasten, Ph.D. Location: Kent, Ohio Dr. Kasten's website Email Dr. Wendy C. Kasten		Wendy C. Kasten, Ph.D. is a professor who teaches reading, writing, and children’s literature in the College of Education at Kent State University, in the Department of Teaching, Leadership, & Curriculum Studies. She has co-authored 5 professional books, the most recent which is on the topic of children’s literature, called Living Literature, (with Kristo and McClure, 2005, Prentice-Hall Merrill). A former classroom teacher, Kasten is working towards publishing for children. She is also Associate Editor of The Reading and Writing Quarterly.
Paul J. Kijinski Location: Lyndhurst, Ohio Email Paul J. Kijinski		Paul Kijinski was born in Garfield Heights, Ohio, and earned degrees from Oberlin College, The Ohio State University, and John Carroll University. He began writing seriously while serving as a missile officer in the U. S. Air Force. The solitude of underground launch control centers provided a uniquely rich envirionment for putting pen to paper. His final assignment in the military was teaching English at the Air Force Academy. Kijinski has published articles in periodicals such as the Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine and the Akron Beacon Journal. Camp Limestone, his first young adult novel, was published by Journey Stone Creations in April 2006. He has also completed manuscripts for two middle grade novels. Paul Kijinski teaches fourth-graders at Rowland Elementary School in South Euclid, Ohio. He lives in the neighboring town of Lyndhurst with his wife Eileen and their teenaged sons, PJ and Andy.
Kathiann M. Kowalski Location: Fairview Park, OH Email Kathiann M. Kowalski		Kathiann M. Kowalski has written 17 nonfiction books and about 400 articles and stories for young people. Her topics include social issues, law, history, politics, science, the environment, and health. Kathi is also working on a middle grade novel and an adult mystery. Kathi's writing has won honors from the ASPCA, The Society of School Librarians International, the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, and the National Science Teachers Association and Children’s Book Council. Kathi's interactive school and library presentations explore the art of nonfiction writing, activities for children, or social and science issues featured in her writing.
Judy Irvin Kuns Location: Sandusky, OH Email Judy Irvin Kuns		Judy Irvin Kuns is a 1999 graduate of the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College. She has had stories published in the past in Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty, Children's Digest, and Once Upon a Time magazines. She was awarded Honorable Mention in the 2002 Writer's Digest writing competition in children's fiction for her short story, A Brain of Feathers. Her first middle grade novel, WHILE YOU WERE OUT, "a tribute to both the bond of friendship and the power of remembrance" was published by Dutton Children's Books in November, 2004. Judy lives in Sandusky, Ohio with her husband, four children, and a newly acquired golden retriever puppy. She is interested in and available for speaking engagements and school visits.
Jason Lady Location: Cleveland, OH Email Jason Lady		Jason Lady was an Army Brat, spending many of his formative years in Germany. From his earliest days, Jason was writing and drawing his own stories to entertain his family and friends, who oftentimes were the main characters. Jason is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunication and a minor in creative writing. Jason's goal is to write fun, imaginative stories for middle grade readers. Jason works as a Project Coordinator for a Telecommunications company in Cleveland, and helps lead his church's youth group. He lives in Cleveland with his wife.
Nancy McArthur Location: Berea, OH Nancy's website Email Nancy McArthur		Nancy McArthur is the author of 14 children's books, including a best selling middle grade novel, The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks, and eight sequels. Her play based on the first Plant book was premiered for family and school audiences at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. For a complete list of books, see the web site. Her article, Tips on Writing Children's Books, was published in The Writer magazine (December 2000). She taught journalism at Baldwin-Wallace College and has made (and continues to make!) many presentations at schools and writers conferences.
Rhenee McGraw-Harris Website Editor Location: Kent, OH Email Rhenee McGraw-Harris		Rhenee McGraw-Harris can’t pinpoint the age she started writing stories but she recalls her first sell, a book report to a third-grade classmate. It was the start of a thriving business. Nowadays, Rhenee writes for middle grade, young adult and picture book audiences. Her books, under contract with HarperCollins and Enslow Press, are scheduled for release in 2007 and 2008. Rhenee offers two workshops: Got Story? Successfully Submitting Your Work, for adult, aspiring children's writers and, Word Painting, an interactive workshop for her younger audiences.
Marsha McGregor Location: Hudson, OH Email Marsha McGregor		Marsha McGregor's essays and features have appeared in a variety of regional and national venues, including the Philadelphia Inquirer, National Public Radio, and the popular anthology, A Cup of Comfort for Women. She was a frequent contributor to Cleveland's Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine . Marsha is a regional repersentative and workshop instructor for the International Women's Writing Guild and a member of three active writing groups. She has served as a public speaker for several organizations and conducted writing workshops at the Purnderson "Women Who Write" annual conference in northeast Ohio. She joined SCBWI to learn more about writing for children.
Elizabeth Charles Milli Location: North Royalton, OH Email Elizabeth Charles Milli		Elizabeth Milli is a freelance writer in Northeast Ohio. Formerly an editor/writer for a marketing communications firm, she has recently left the agency to broaden the scope of her writing projects. She continues to develop copy and internal communications for a wide variety of markets. She is also a grant writer with many successfully managed education programs to her credit. Elizabeth is currently working on a series of short stories based on her childhood memoirs and has completed a picture book that has been submitted for review. In 2004, she authored a computerized citizenship program for the school-age residents of a major urban revitalization project in Cleveland. She continues to support children’s causes through fundraising and mentoring programs. Elizabeth draws from a wide variety of experience for her inspiration. She is an accomplished equestrian and nature enthusiast. She has traveled extensively with her four children, and hopes to use these adventures as the basis for future literary endeavors.
Debbra Beecher Nance Marketing Coordinator Location: Toledo, OH Email Debbra Beecher Nance		Debbie Nance is originally from the West but relocated with her husband to Toledo in 2001. She is a long time storyteller and started writing seriously a few years ago. Debbie sold three magazine articles in 2005 (finally!) and continues to try to find a home for her MG historical fiction novel and other works. Debbie joined the SCBWI in 2003 and currently serves as the Marketing Coordinator of our Northern Ohio chapter.
Jeff Nicholas Location: Wadsworth, OH Jeff's Website Email Jeff Nicholas		Jeff Nicholas, an elementary school teacher of 29 years, has written and illustrated stories for library and school programs throughout Ohio. His unique presentations have been well received statewide. With humorous stories and vividly drawn characters, Jeff has motivated children and adults to explore their own creativity. He also had a weekly comic panel published in local papers for over a decade. He recently was featured in Child Life Magazine for his interactive website www.skyoffirefly.com . The site serves as an online step by step resource for young illustrators as well as a place to experience some of Jeff’s work.
Shelley Pearsall Location: Brecksville, OH Shelley's website Email Shelley Pearsall		Shelley Pearsall has been writing since elementary school when she had a "writer's office" in her tiny bedroom closet. She sent her first story to a publisher at age 13, but wasn't published until the age of 34. Her first book, Trouble Don't Last, an exciting story of Ohio's Underground Railroad, recently received the 2003 Scott O'Dell medal for Historical Fiction. Published by Alfred A. Knopf, it has received starred reviews in Publisher's Weekly and Booklist. Shelley has been a Playwright-in-Residence for Cleveland's Bicentennial and an Ohio Arts Council writing fellowship recipient. She has held many "historic" jobs including working for Colonial Williamsburg, writing Great Lakes ghost stories, and performing historic character roles. As a former teacher, Shelley loves to visit schools and libraries to inspire others to read and write.
M. LaVora Perry Location: East Cleveland, OH LaVora's website Email M. LaVora Perry		As a former actress, author M. LaVora Perry has performed in film and stage productions in New York and Europe. In 1995 she graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. That same year she became the first African-American staff card writer in the world's largest publicly-owned greeting card company-American Greetings'® (AG). Since then, her words have appeared on gift items on three continents. LaVora received AG Creative Excellence awards in 1999 (Juvenile and Conventional Writing) and 2000 (Concept Innovation for the In Rhythm card line). Taneesha's Treasures of the Heart is her first children's book. LaVora is seeking a publisher for her prequel, Taneesha's New Family Tradition, and another completed title Wu-lung & I-lung, which is based on a Chinese legend. LaVora lives in East Cleveland with her husband and their three children. She is enjoying visiting schools, libraries and organizations to talk about writing and her stories.
Kathleen A. Pichola, Ph.D Location: Copley, OH Email Dr.Pichola		Kathleen A. Pichola, Ph.D is a wholistic psychologist, an ordained minister, a professional storyteller, and a writer of memoir, essays, and children's stories. She has had articles published in local, regional and national magazines, newspapers and professional newsletters. With the help of local SCBWI members, she has recently completed her first children's story, Gran's Secret Recipe and is fishing for a publisher. She is in the process of writing three more books, with countless ideas waiting in the wings. She is available for ceremonies, sermons, storytelling, school visits and seminars. Kathleen brings joy, inspiration, and a sense of fun to all she does.
Charmaine Ramsey Location: Akron, OH Email Charmaine Ramsey		Charmaine Ramsey writes children's books, adult inspiration and poetry! She has authored the following children's titles: EMO GOES FOR A WALK (AuthorHouse, 2005) A SISTERS' BLESSING, THE SPIRIT WITHIN (AuthorHouse, 2006) BUSTER, THE BIG YELLOW SCHOOL BUS (AuthorHouse, 2006) Charmaine is available for school/library visits and/or workshops.
Mary C. Ryan Location: Auburn Township, OH Email Mary C. Ryan		Journalist, freelancer, and children’s author, Mary Ryan's first paid writing was a poem in the Wall Street Journal for a whopping $5. Since then, she has worked as a correspondent reporter and humor columnist, written two cover stories for Boys’ Life, published articles, poetry, and stories in several national and regional newspaper and magazines, and published seven middle grade novels. Three of those novels were listed at Junior Library Guild Selections. Me Two was the basis for the Disney Channel Original Movie, The Other Me. Mary has presented community education programs in writing and been a featured speaker at many schools, conferences, libraries, and events for a variety of organizations. In 1999, Mary formed her own publishing company, Dragonseed Press, to self-publish The Secret in The West Woods, a middle grade novel with a local slant. She also re-issued Me Two through the Author’s Guild Back-in-Print program under the auspices of iUniverse.com. In her leisure time, Mary enjoys the outdoors and “neat stuff,” like hot air ballooning, snorkeling with sea turtles, sea kayaking and swimming with sea lions off the coast of Mexico, going underwater in a nuclear submarine, and exploring a Maya cave in Belize.
Victoria A. Selvaggio Location: Twinsburg, OH Email Victoria A. Selvaggio		I live in Twinsburg, Ohio with my husband Vincent, our children Anthony and Dominic, and our family pets. I have welcomed the many challenges in my life, from owning my own business for sixteen years to being a mother. Writing and drawing has always been a passion of mine. I did not share completely my passion of storytelling until I had children of my own. My children are my inspiration. And watching their lives change through the good stages and yes, the bad have influenced my two published books: Because I'm afraid and The Hope Chest.
Annette M. Sheldon Assistant Regional Advisor Location: Austinburg, OH Email Annette M. Sheldon		After nearly 20 years as a library storyteller and preschool specialist, Annette Sheldon retired to pursue writing (and grandchildren!) full time. Her first book, Big Sister Now, was released in 2005 by Magination Press. Other books to follow include Big Brother Now, a much-requested boys' version of the story. She is available for author visits, writing workshops, and editing. She also enjoys public speaking on the topics of writing, life, and the validity of following your dreams. She lives on a farm in Austinburg, Ohio, with her husband, Harry.
Melanie A. Stinson, LMT, CCP Location: Bowling Green, OH Email Melanie A. Stinson		Melanie Stinson writes children's fiction, adult nonfiction, screenplays, and free verse. In 2005, she was a quarterfinalist in the Writers Signatory Network's Fiction & Screenplay Competition for a work-in-progress, her first YA urban fantasy, Jones, which she feels is definitely her medium. Two of her children's stories, The Buzz Boy of Bradner, Ohio, and 2001 Writers Digest award-winner, Sharanda's Voice, will be published in a Northwest Ohio Writers' Forum (NWOWF) anthology in 2006. Melanie's publication credits include Highlights for Children, New York City Ballet News, Toledo's Oddo Entertainment Guide, and BGSU Magazine, among others. She is web master and editor of Wood County Park District's The Oak Leaf Program Guide/ Newsletter. While picture book, Carly's First Pliés, and chapter book, The Middle Princess, are making the rounds, Melanie intends to complete Jones, and a screenplay entitled, Kissed By a Fairy. Melanie also hopes award-winning YA author/therapist Chris Crutcher finds time in his busy schedule to produce the documentary on censorship for which she wrote a draft after meeting the author at a 2005 conference. Melanie enjoys working with young people on relaxation and writing and is available for talks and workshops.
Diane Stresing Location: Kent, OH Email Diane Stresing		Diane Stresing is the author of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Cleveland, and is also a contributing editor to LAPTOP magazine. Since 1992, she has served as a correspondent for The Record Publishing Company newspapers. Diane is also published in The Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Christian Science Monitor, and Home Cooking Magazine, among others. Diane says she finds writing for children to be both more challenging and more rewarding than writing for adults. Diane has had children’s articles published at WeeOnes.com, RainyDayCorner.com, and in Ladybug magazine. Diane is polishing her first middle-grade novel, set in the US during WWII, and she is also writing a nonfiction book about vegetables, also for the middle-grade market. Diane lives in Kent with her husband and two children, and enjoys volunteering in the local school system—especially with young writers!
Jodi L. Warner Events Photographer Location: North Olmsted, OH Email Jodi L. Warner		Jodi Warner is a picture book author. She says: I currently have two manuscripts at a publisher in California-one of which has been there for almost 2 years.(EEK!) Received a great letter from the editor-sounded very promising! The hardest part is waiting for the "okay we want your story"!(Is it a good thing if you call to check on your status and the editor tells you it's in the "I like very very much pile" ?) For now, I'm still waiting & working on several new projects. I really enjoy attending the NOHSCBWI meetingsI -seeing all of my friends there - and leaving each time feeling inspired with hope that some day I may be published.
Sandra Warren Location: Strongsville, OH Email Sandra Warren		Sandra Warren’s published works currently number 11+, and span poetry, gifted education, teacher's guide, publishing, children’s stories, newsletter and journal articles, video, audio, CD and script writing. She has optioned an adult biography for a movie-of-the-week, and a children’s story, Edna Mae: First Lesson In Prejudice, is included in Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul. Two adult biographies related to the Persian Gulf War are also on the market as well as edition one of a teacher's activitiy guide. The second edition of the teacher's activity guide is due out by Spring of 2006.
Laurel Winters Laurel's Website Email Laurel Winters		Laurel Winters is an artist and educator living in Akron, Ohio. She received her B.F.A. and M.F.A. in painting, drawing and printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her work has been accepted into over 25 national and internally competitive exhibitions, and numerous regional juried and invitation shows, in addition to her one-person exhibitions. She has taught studio art, art education, and art history at the University of Akron, Mt. Union College and Walsh University. She has designed organizational awards and her illustrations have been published locally in books and calendars. Raising two boys and teaching art to young children at Canton Country Day School has turned her attention to children’s books and illustration, an area where she is currently focusing her efforts. You can visit her work at www.wintersstudio.com.
Andy Wohlwend Location: Hudson, Ohio Email Andy Wohlwend		Andy Wohlwend is a writer/illustrator who attended Miami University for Journalism. He has written numerous articles in various newspapers such as The Middletown Journal and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Andy and his wife Maryann design greeting cards under the name Studio 1.2.1. Andy is currently working on a series of picture books that teach biblical principles through tales of adventure. He draws his inspiration from his two young children, Ethan and Sophia.
Joy York Location: Hudson, Ohio Email Joy York		I am originally from Alabama where I graduated for Auburn University with a BA in Sociology. I spend 30 years in retail management, eighteen of those years as a Store Team Leader for Target. I moved to Hudson, Ohio with my husband and son in 1995 to manage a Target in Stow, Ohio where I was also the District Community Grant and Volunteer Coordinator. I left Target in 2003 to spend time with my family, volunteer in my church and community, and pursue my passions. I have never been published. My thirteen year old son has been my writing inspiration. I discovered that the stories I made up for him were a wonderful way to not only delight, but to build imagination, teach, establish values, and promote diversity. I have written a 50,000 word middle school fiction novel that has been submitted to a publisher. I am currently writing my second fiction novel for YA.

The Ohio SCBWI Member Directory is updated annually during the first quarter, when new biographies are accepted and existing biographies may be revised.