2024 Golden Author, Writer, and Screenwriter Shortlist

I write women’s upmarket and historical fiction. As a former retail executive specializing in e-commerce, for years I’ve channeled my story-telling passion into writing thousands of words in the form of published articles, white papers, website and social media content, marketing materials

My work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, Writer’s Digest and Family Circle. A Pushcart Prize nominee, I won the Grand Prize in the annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition and received a Finalist Award in Prose from the Illinois Arts Council. I graduated with a

Steve conveys perspectives and emotions in poems and songs. His draft memoir, Galvanized, tells how he overcame timidity as an air cavalry officer in the Vietnam War. A tuxedo cat from a shelter encourages him from a perch over his PC keyboard. Steve assists disabled veterans in getting government

In 2009, Barry Finlay went up a mountain as an accountant and came down as a philanthropist. After over thirty years in various financial roles with the Canadian federal government, he took his life in a different direction and climbed Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro at age 60 with his son Chris. The

Writer, artist, librarian, herbalist and genealogist, Gail has written several family histories, short stories and her paranormal cozy mysteries series entitled, The Gallagher Girls Mysteries. After traveling the world as a military spouse, Gail now resides in Idaho with her husband and their

Born in Greenock, Scotland, I went to Glasgow University to study Chemistry and Physics; graduated with a B.Sc. and went on to teaching both subjects in Glasgow. Immigrated to Brazil to teach chemistry and did the same in Peru. I’m married and have two daughters, one in Paris and the younger here in

Heather Peck is author of the multi-award-winning Greg Geldard series of murder mysteries, set in rural North Yorkshire and Norfolk. She has also written books for children, mainly based on the adventures of her two dogs and her farming life. Writing was always her first love, but for a long time it

Jayne Doxtater was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and currently resides in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada. A business owner and esthetician of 40 years, she is now semi-retired and loves spending time outdoors. A self-proclaimed tree hugger and chocolate lover, Jayne is

Retired fire chief. Faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College. Former dolphin trainer and whale scientist. Baja, motocross, and desert racer. Now carving out a new career as a writer.

Mike Macke is a screenwriter who specializes in character-driven drama and comedy with heart. Through his writing Mike looks to entertain as well as inspire in a fashion that illuminates the power and goodness of the human spirit, excluding no one, inviting everyone along for the ride during our

I began my career in musical theater in New York City, and have been a SAG/AFTRA, and Equity member since 1974. I have also been a member of the Directors Guild of America. Although I have both directed and produced TV pilots and films, writing has always been a personal passion. My focus in the