Meet the Authors
Olivia Beaton is a writer and yoga teacher in Long Beach, New York, whose essay, Coming Home, was published in “Publish Her Anthology: Dear Body,” a collection of essays on women and bodies. In her story, Olivia shared a powerful moment while practicing yoga that changed her life, and how it ultimately helped her learn to love her body.
“I had no idea the immensity of my desperate need to calm the constant chatter in my mind.”
—Olivia Beaton
In celebration of the publication of her essay, Olivia partnered with Vira Yoga Collective to host a yoga- and writing-themed event the week of Valentine’s Day. Attendees listened to Olivia read from the book and celebrated their bodies by journaling and practicing yoga together. Participants described the event as magical.
Olivia earned an MFA in creative nonfiction from The New School and is an assistant professor of English at Farmingdale State College. She has been published in Write or Die and Light magazines and is working on a memoir. Follow her on Instagram: @liviebeatz.
Photo: Olivia Beaton
Meet the Authors
Publish Her has helped thousands of women tell their stories and publish their books. Learn more about these authors and their work.
Carolyn Alessio
An Illinois native, Carolyn teaches high school on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Her work has appeared in The Pushcart Prize, the Chicago Tribune, Sweet, Cleaver and elsewhere. Follow her on Instagram: @chicaro60607.
Rachel Allyn, Ph.D.
As a psychologist, author and speaker, Rachel’s mission is to heal centuries of toxic conditioning that has led America to be one of the most repressed countries in the world, and to break down the barriers to mind-body-soul connection, emotional intelligence and healthy intimate relationships. Learn more at www.drrachelallyn.com.
Jaimee Alonso-Lundheim
Jaimee is a Filipino-Spanish-American teacher from the Seattle, Washington area who moonlights as a writer. She has been published by Wingless Dreamer Publisher, Sad Girl Diaries and www.short-story.me. When not writing, Jaimee enjoys spending time with family, playing video games and attending comic-book conventions. Follow her on Instagram: @jaimee.alonso.
Wendy Altschuler
Wendy is a seasoned travel and adventure writer. Her work has been published in Travel + Leisure, Forbes, Parents, Tripsavvy and more. She’s given travel advice on numerous TV and radio stations, podcasts, panels and travel industry stages. She’s also author of the “Perfect Day Chicago” guidebook. Follow her on Instagram: @wendyaltschuler.
Allison Andrews
Allison is an Emmy-winning video producer and former journalist who spent two decades in television news. She’s also the author of the children’s book “The Adventures of Sid and Eli.” Follow her on Instagram: @milemarker_50.
Jenn Arevalo
Jenn enjoys the outdoors, hiking, reading, writing and spending time with her family, including her dogs, Cricket and Noni. Her essay is dedicated to all the dogs who have enriched her life with the gift of their presence. Follow her on Instagram: @jennarevalo.
Gracie Azua
Born and raised in California’s Imperial Valley, Gracie is a Chicana poet writing about her family, her culture and mental illness. Her first collection of poetry, “You Will Know Our Name,” is her way of processing the loss of her mother. She resides in San Diego County with her husband. Follow her on Instagram: @ebgracie.
Olivia Beaton
Olivia is a writer and yoga teacher in Long Beach, New York. She earned an MFA in creative nonfiction from The New School and is an assistant professor of English at Farmingdale State College. Olivia has been published in Write or Die and Light magazines and is working on a memoir. Follow her on Instagram: @liviebeatz.
Jessica Bell
Jessica is an emerging writer currently based in southwest Virginia. Her work explores themes of grief, family and girlhood. When she isn’t writing, she loves to hike the Appalachian Trail, read or play with her dog, Percy.
Haniyfa Muhammad Branka
Haniyfa is a writer and mixed media artist whose work blends text with ceramics, collage, printmaking and photography to explore memory and connection. She’s currently creating a 100-piece project featuring zines. She lives in Tennessee and enjoys reading, traveling and kayaking. Learn more at www.hmbranka.com.
Layla Bryndzia
Layla is a writer based in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She enjoys writing contemporary fiction as well as children’s books. If she’s not reading or writing, she is probably rewatching “New Girl” and hanging out with her dog, Indy. This is her first publication. Follow her on Instagram: @laylabbrynz.
Amber Byfield
Amber is an author, collaboration manager and yoga teacher whose work invites people of all ages to connect more deeply with each other through empathy and joy. She lives in Texas with her family and their pandemic pup, Pearlsnap. Learn more at www.amberbyfield.com.
Kathleen English Cadmus
Kathleen is a mother, grandmother, wife, writer and nurse practitioner. She holds a B.S. and M.S. from The Ohio State University and an MFA from Ashland University. Read more in her book, “Intertwined: A Mother’s Memoir,” and her essay “The Novice” in the anthology “Learning to Heal.”
Karisa Connor
A true “Jersey Girl,” Karisa was born and raised in the Garden State. She writes about mental health, family and relationships. A certified health teacher and personal trainer, Karisa was featured in BC The Mag for her health-focused children’s book series. Learn more at www.karisawrites.com. Follow her on Instagram: @ksiramarco.
Patricia Conway
Patricia’s essays have appeared in the Boston Globe magazine, The Bark, Odyssey (Greek) magazine and the Chicago Tribune. She published a small volume of essays, “Three Dog Tales,” chronicling her evolution into a hardcore dog devotee. She currently lives in Pittsford, New York, with her husband and Bishop the Great.
Lucinda Cummings, Ph.D.
Lucinda is a writer and retired psychologist who began publishing her work after turning 50. Her writing has appeared in Hippocampus, Baltimore Review, Little Patuxent Review, Glassworks and others. Her creative nonfiction was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and received notable recognition in “Best American Essays.” Learn more at www.lucindathewriter.com.
Katrina DeWit
From a childhood on a fundamentalist family farm in Montana to finding her way as a leading business owner in the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Katrina’s journey has at least three separate story arcs waiting to be told. This is her first published piece. Follow her on Instagram: @katrinadewit.
D.C. Dubs
D.C. hoped to become a princess but became an English teacher instead. Her work has appeared in PaperBound, Icebreakers Lit, The A3 Review and others. She lives wherever the military takes her and her husband and their darling baby girl. Learn more at www.dcdubswrites.com. Follow her on Instagram: @dianaceewrites.
Cindy Feldmeier
Cindy is a retired public health nurse who rediscovered her voice after the death of her daughter. She and her dog, Gordie, have traveled to more than 25 states and Canada in her campervan. People they’ve met declare Gordie the “perfect dog.” And he is. Follow her on Instagram: @cindy.feldmeier.
Evangelina A. Flores
Evangelina is a functioning daydreamer working as a library associate in northern Colorado, where she shares her passion for music, writing, and her culture. When not spinning romantic identity-driven stories, she enjoys time with her bossy yet cuddly border collie and two devilishly handsome horses. Follow her on Instagram: @evangelina_flores_villa.
Katie Noah Gibson
Katie is a writer, runner, flower fiend, cyclist and Texas transplant based in Boston, Massachusetts. She does communications work for a small nonprofit by day and reads all the books by night. Learn more at www.katieleigh.wordpress.com
Krista Lee Hanson
Krista lives in Seattle, Washington, home of the Coast Salish people, with her partner and two children. Krista’s writing about care, parenting and disability has appeared in The Rumpus, The Normal School, “Rad Families: A Celebration” and other publications. Learn more at www.kristaleehanson.com.
Katie Hanus
Katie is a writer, life coach, community herbalist and mother, supporting individuals in creating rituals promoting purposeful living and self-trust. She’s a devout student of Sit Spot, a nature connection practice, and lives with her family in the Piney Woods of Texas. Learn more at www.thehandmadelife.com.
Elizabeth Ashley Holtsclaw
Elizabeth is a writer from Louisville, Kentucky. She blends her passion for history, her social work experience and her improv comedy background to channel strong character voices and humor into her creative work. She lives in a house full of love and too many pets. Follow her on Instagram: @elizabethashleyholtsclaw.
Kate Hopper
Kate is an editor, teacher, author of “Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers,” “Ready for Air: A Journey Through Premature Motherhood,” and co-author of “Silent Running.” Her writing has appeared in Brevity, Longreads, Los Angeles Review of Books, and The New York Times online. Learn more at www.katehopper.com.
Shawntan Howell
Shawntan is an empowerment strategist and speaker and the founder of Girls Are Powerful, a nonprofit that empowers girls to celebrate their power. She inspires self-discovery and healing through her initiatives, including Transforming Positivity Into Power, which equips women with practical tools for transformation. Learn more at www.shawntanhowell.com.
Karol Jackowski
Karol is on the faculty of Bay Path University’s MFA in Creative Nonfiction. She has published several books, most recently “Sister Karol’s Book of Spells, Blessings, and Folk Magic.” Karol is a member of the Sisters for Christian Community.
Kenesma John, Ph.D.
Kenesma is an experienced primary and higher education educator. She is passionate about reading and writing, drawing inspiration from her own life experiences to craft stories. Beyond professional pursuits, Kenesma enjoys exploring new places with her husband and beloved puppy. Follow her on Instagram: @kdvjohn.
Lisa Johnson
Lisa is a retired pastor’s wife, Italian grandmother of three, mentor and poet. She enjoys discovering rest, healthy rhythms and healing through grief therapy, story work and gardening. Her other published works are included in The Way Back To Ourselves and Calla Press Literary Journals. Follow her on Instagram: @lisamicelijohnson.
Amy Jorquera
Amy is a writer and a mother. Her work has been featured in award-winning creative campaigns, and she is currently drafting a debut fantasy novel. In her spare time, Amy shares musings on motherhood and romance on her Instagram account. Follow her on Instagram: @era_lines.
Melody Joy
Melody is a transformational coach and author of “Shaktified: The Seven Sacred Keys to Heal and Awaken Your Feminine Power” and The Naked Mystic on Substack. Melody works at the fulcrum of Eastern and Western medicine, focusing on women’s health and empowerment. Learn more at www.melodymysticjoy.com. Follow her on Instagram: @melodymysticjoy.
Susan Justiniano
Susan is a teaching artist, event producer, recording artist and bilingual internationally published and performing poet and playwright. She was honored as the first Puerto Rican woman poet laureate of Jersey City and as the State of New Jersey’s Beat poet laureate. Follow her on Instagram: @rescuepoetix.
Ann Kempke
Ann is a writer, mom, wife, former librarian and accidental beagle lover. She writes about chronic pain and illness, home and motherhood. Together with her husband and son, she’s visited all of Minnesota’s state parks—from Afton to Zippel Bay.
Amanda Kennedy
Amanda primarily writes creative nonfiction and memoir but has recently found joy in recycling life experiences and trauma into collages of fiction. She has excelled in avoiding writing for years by reading everything she could on writing, starting two writing groups, facilitating writing retreats, and even writing a writing group manual.
Autumn Kepley
Autumn earned a master’s in English from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a focus on literary and cultural studies. She teaches English at E.A. Laney High School. She co-authored a poetry collection, “in a field of flowers,” with Brooke Burris. Follow her on Instagram: @autumnkepley.
Ann V. Klotz
Ann is a writer, empty-nester and frequent feeder of too many pets in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Her work weaves together reflections on 42 years of teaching and motherhood. She makes the strongest cup of coffee in the Midwest. Learn more at www.annvklotz.com.
Cindy Lehew-Nehrbass
Cindy is a writer, dance teacher, health coach and parent advocate who holds a bachelor’s in choreography and a master’s in creative writing. When not caring for her beautiful daughter, writing essays for church newsletters, or creating poetry, she enjoys walking with her dog, Mia. Learn more at www.cindynehrbass.com.
Dawn Levitt
Dawn is a two-time heart transplant recipient who writes at the intersection of storytelling and healing, combining her personal experiences with C-PTSD and medical trauma with thoughts of hope and resilience to turn tough experiences into art. Her writing has appeared in Newsweek and Insider, among others. Learn more at www.dawnlevittauthor.com.
Mónica Lindo
Mónica has a passion for seeing new places, people and cultures. She taught literature and Spanish at public high schools in Connecticut and Washington, D.C., and TESOL in South Korea and Japan. She is currently working on a travel memoir about her experiences teaching in the U.S. and Asia.
Katharine Malaga
Katharine is a former registered nurse, Spanish interpreter and ESL teacher. She has an MFA from Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is a caregiver for her husband since his stroke and dementia diagnosis.
Joyce A. Miller
Joyce is the author of “Joe Harris, the Moon” and “Look! You’re Dancing: A Memoir of Dogs, Dance and Devotion.” A greyhound lover and member of James River Writers, she explores themes of connection, movement and the bonds between humans and animals. Learn more at www.joyceamiller.com.
Lezlie Williams Mitchell
Lezlie is the founder of Mooniun. She is an actor, model and writer whose work has been featured in Reebok, Livestrong, Lit Angels and more. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband, three small children, and their cat, Coco. Follow her on Instagram: @lovelezlie.
Iris M. Mora
Iris is sometimes a poet and other times a fiction or non-fiction writer. When she’s not writing, she takes photographs or plays her clarinet. Being creative is her passion. She has been published in Ireland and in the U.S. Currently, she is revising her first YA sci-fi novel. Learn more at www.irismmora.com.
Jillian Netherland
Jillian is a nonprofit professional and writer with a passion for storytelling. She holds a degree in communication and media technologies from RIT and contributes regularly to LA Metro magazine. Jillian lives outside Dallas, Texas, with her husband, two daughters and their dog, Coda. Follow her on Instagram: @jillneth.
Suzanne O’Brien
Suzanne writes about the mundane and the delightful. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, her work has been featured in several publications, including Literary Mama, Mutha magazine and the Publish Her Anthology, “Better Together.” She is writing a memoir about mothers, daughters, and shifting identities across generations.
Marijean Oldham
Marijean is a public relations consultant and writer. When not writing, she is a pie enthusiast and competitive baker. In 2003, also set a Guinness World Record for creating the largest bouquet of flowers. Learn more at www.marijeanoldham.com. Follow her on Instagram: @marijeano.
Jen Olson
Jen is a Minnesota-based writer, mom and attorney. An active member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, she loves fiddling with words. She’s inspired by her husband, two teenagers and two energetic German shorthaired pointers. When not writing, Jen enjoys reading, exercising and traveling. Follow her on Instagram: @jjolsonwrites.
Rachael Kessler Palm
Rachael is a queer writer, marketing professional, activist and yogi based in Charlottesville, Virginia. She enjoys writing nonfiction, devouring novels and memoirs, traveling the U.S. and abroad, and spending time with her fiancee Carolyn, daughter Penelope, and dog Harry. Learn more at www.rachkpalm.com. Follow her on Instagram: @rachkpalm.
Heidi Fettig Parton
Heidi’s writing has appeared in Brevity, Forge Literary, Fugue, Multiplicity Magazine, North Dakota Quarterly, River Teeth Journal’s Beautiful Things, Sweet Lit, The Manifest-Station and more. Her Brevity essay “The Once Wife” was recently nominated for “The Best American Essays 2023.”
Samantha Puc
Samantha is a fat, disabled, lesbian writer whose work focuses on LGBTQ+ and fat representation in pop culture. Their writing has been featured on Polygon, The Mary Sue, Bitch Media and elsewhere. Outside of work, she loves being with her family. Learn more at www.theverbalthing.com. Follow them on Instagram: @theverbalthing.
Kim Ramsden
Kim has been a writer, journalist and communications professional for more than 20 years. Occasionally, she sets aside obligations for work and family and allows her creativity to flow into her personal writing. Kim lives in the Twin Cities in Minnesota, with her two daughters, husband and dog Maizie.
Lindsey Rose
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Lindsey Rose is a mom, writer and longtime public relations professional. After recovering from colon cancer in 2012, she launched a communications consultancy that supports purpose-driven brands. She is a passionate autism awareness advocate, dog lover, yoga teacher and cookie baking aficionado. Follow her on Instagram: @lindseyrosepr.
Joy Riggs
Joy, author of “Crackerjack Bands and Hometown Boosters: The Story of a Minnesota Music Man,” writes about history, travel and caregiving for aging parents from her home in Minnesota. Her essays have appeared in Catamaran Literary Reader, Hippocampus Magazine and The Manifest-Station. Learn more at www.joyriggs.com.
Pat Rippey
Following retirement from a 40-year career as an environmental scientist for a U.S. Army health organization, Pat volunteers at local parks and writes monthly profiles for Baltimore Real Producers, a platform for real estate industry leaders. This is her first published essay drawing on her personal experience.
Heidi Schneider
Heidi tries to nourish her mermaid spirit by spending time in the water. Nonetheless, like her mother, she hates shopping for swimsuits. Her writing has been published in Months to Years magazine, Sleet magazine, Together We Carry and two anthologies: “Her Path Forward” and “Choosing Judaism.” Learn more at www.heidi-schneider.com.
Miranda Scotti
Miranda is a lifelong writer and daydreamer. She works in a library to maximize her time spent drinking coffee while surrounded by books. Miranda has had stories published in two anthologies, as well as a short story published by Voyage YA. Follow her on Instagram: @mirandasbooked.
Jody Vallee Smith
Jody is a writer, children’s book author and magic-maker residing outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her storytelling is inspired by her daughters, who navigate the world using imagination, grit, smarts and whimsy. Jody believes compassion, humor and a little more play can change the world. Follow her on Instagram: @jodyvalleesmith.
Sarah Tillemont
Sarah is an integrative therapy teacher residing in Orlando, Florida. She supports women globally in holistic healing and guides them in becoming integrative wellness practitioners. As host of the “Her Ascension Story” podcast, Sarah shares stories that inspire deeper human connection and healing experiences. Follow her on Instagram: @sarahtillemont.
Sally Vardaman
Sally is the author of “Shoot the Arrows,” an essay collection for her grown children about life, owning our mistakes and telling the truth. She believes sharing our stories is how we make connections across our differences and accept ourselves as we are. Learn more at www.sallyvardaman.com. Follow her on Instagram: @sally.vardaman.
Kris Woll
Kris is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based writer and educator and mystic at heart. Her essays and stories on home, history, family and food have appeared in local and national publications, and she has shared her work on stage in four “Listen to Your Mother Twin Cities” live storytelling events.
Susan M. Young
Susan lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband and three golden retrievers who train her more than she trains them. When not working her day job as a realtor, she creates stained glass and occasionally writes for local pet magazines, blogs, and her own dog sports newsletter.