J.R. Bale is the author of the political thriller, Phoenix in the Middle of the Road, an Amazon five-star bestseller, as well as his science fiction novels, Cognition Chronicles: The Redstone Legacy and Cognition Chronicles: Destiny’s Orphans. When not writing fiction, J.R. is a professor at several New Jersey colleges, a marketing consultant, and a resident of New Providence.

You can visit J.R.’s website at www.jrbale.com.

Michael Stephen Daigle was an award-winning journalist for more than four decades, including 30 years in New Jersey. He is the author of the award-winning Frank Nagler Mystery series: The Swamps of Jersey (2024), A Game Called Dead (2024),  The Weight of Living (2025), The Red Hand (2025) and Dragony Rising (2024). Michael lives in New Jersey with his family.

Visit Michael’s website at www.michaelstephendaigle.com.

Susen Edwards recently published her 1960s coming-of-age novel, What a Trip. She previously published her children’s book, Dr. Whisper and Nurse Willow.

Lear more by visiting www.susenedwardsauthor.com.

Tom Kranz is a Philadelphia native whose 40-year career in journalism includes radio, television, print and online platforms. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Temple University. Tom has written eight books including Liveshot, his first-person account of his experience covering the disastrous 1985 MOVE conflict in West Philadelphia. He’s also written seven novels. He resides in New Jersey where he writes, hosts a podcast on creativity and does freelance communications work.

Learn more at www.tomkranzkbooks.com.

Elissa Matthews is the author of Where the River Bends, a historical fiction taking place in 1931, a time of social, financial and racial chaos. She has also written a collection of short stories entitled, Bittersweet and Magic.

Visit Elissa’s website at www.epmatthews.com.

Michael Penncavage’s story, The Cost of Doing Business, originally appeared in Thuglit, won the Derringer Award for best mystery.  One of his stories, The Converts was filmed as a short movie, while another, The Landlord was adapted into a play. His debut novel, Person Unknown, adapted from the screenplay, was also recently released from All Due Respect Press.

Fiction of his can be found in over 100 magazines and anthologies from 7 different countries such as Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine (USA), Here and Now (England), Tenebres (France) Crime Factory (Australia), Reaktor (Estonia), Speculative Mystery (South Africa), and Visionarium (Austria).  He has been published by IDW and Ahoy Comics.

Carol Van Den Hende is an award-winning author who pens stories of resilience and hope. Her Goodbye, Orchid series draws from her Chinese American heritage, and has won 40 literary and design awards, including the American Fiction Award, IAN Outstanding Fiction First Novel Award, and Royal Dragonfly Awards for Cultural Diversity and Disability Awareness. One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous husband and twins, who prove that love really does conquer all. Lear more at www.carolvandenhende.com.