D&SN Kudos and Comments by the Mysterious Diane Nelson

John Evans must be congratulated for doing a superb job of organizing and conducting a highly successful program which proved to be entertaining, informative and audience friendly.  Plus he managed to put me, at least, quite at my ease.

It was the eclectic mix of readings from a variety of genres that engaged and held the audience's attention, even the young'uns in the group.

I liked the intimate setting, being close to the listerners, surrounded by like-minded folk sharing their passion - and their nerves.

My son camcorded the session and will make a DVD/CD available to whomever wishes a copy - including the GLVWG archives - when he gets back from Florida.

It was also a pleasure to meet GVLWG members 'in the flesh', and I look forward to participating in future programs.

Diane 'the elusive' Nelson

Bernadette Sukley at Dark and Stormy Nights in Emmaus

Our seventh GLVWG author for the Dark and Stormy Nights in Emmaus event on December 11th is Bernadette Sukley.

Bernadette has been researching, writing and editing for over 20 years.  Her work has appeared in Sports Illustrated for Women, Men's Health and Natural Health magazines. She's written and copy edited for the Danish-based expat publication, ABROAD.  Her novel, A Saving Hurricane is about a woman who flees to New Orleans from an abusive husband in NY, straight into the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

So join Bernadette at Dark and Stormy Nights at Shops of Emmaus on December 11th.

Diane Nelson at Dark and Stormy Nights in Emmaus

Our sixth GLVWG author for the Dark and Stormy Nights in Emmaus event on December 11th is the mysterious Diane Nelson

Diane is a versatile and prolific writer.  After thirty years as an analytical chemist and technical writer, Diane retired to writing fiction full time.  Her first published novel, Dragon Academy, for the YA and adult market came out in eBook form and is available on Amazon and other digital bookstores.  Sculpting David and the Portals novella series can be viewed here.  She is the editor of the anthology Flashes Through Time. Diane is also an accomplished poet. 

Join us at Shops of Emmaus Dark and Stormy Nights on December 11th to meet the elusive Diane.

Roman D. Mac at Dark at Stormy Nights in Emmaus

Our fifth GLVWG author for the Dark and Stormy Nights in Emmaus event on December 11th is Roman D. Mac.

By the age of twelve Roman joined the Ukrainian underground where he served as a scout, special courier, and operational leader. Whether against the Nazis or the Communists he understood the stakes: to win the freedom of Ukraine or die trying. In "The Winding Path to Freedom," He tells the story of his years as a freedom fighter, escaping the Communists by walking to Germany's American zone and his life after immigrating to America in 1950. He served in the US Army, graduated from college, and established a business manufacturing accessories for musical instruments.

Join Roman at Dark and Stormy Nights on December 11th and learn true history from a man who helped make it.

Sally L. Luckenbach at Dark and Stormy Nights in Emmaus

Our fourth GLVWG author for the Dark and Stormy Nights in Emmaus event on December 11th is Sally L. Luckenbach

Sally is a stress management consultant based here in the Lehigh Valley. In classes and private consultations, she teaches a broad spectrum of techniques for both children and adults to address the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of each person. She is the author of The ABCs of Stress Management, a practical philosophy and program of wellness that uses a novel approach of word associations and simple exercises to acknowledge, understand, and manage stress.

A former reporter and copy editor for The Morning Call newspaper, she began a second career in wellness and stress management in 1991. Sally has a BA in Psychology from Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA, and continues her studies and the practice of CranioSacral Therapy and other forms of relaxation techniques. She is affiliated with the Lehigh Valley Health Network.

So join Sally at Dark and Stomy Nights on December 11th and get stress reduced for the holidays!

John Evans at Dark and Stormy Nights in Emmaus

Our third GLVWG author for the Dark and Stormy Nights in Emmaus event on December 11^th is John Evans.

John has a special interest in Mark Twain. His first book, A Tom Sawyer Companion, draws a parallel between The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Twain’s personal adventures as a boy.  “Getting the Bugs out of Tom Sawyer” is a humorous look at an entomologist obsessed with insects mentioned by Twain.  John also reviews books for the Mark Twain Forum, an on-line website of Twain scholars who share an interest in Twain’s life and writing.  John recently retired from teaching and has turned his energies to writing fiction. His first novel The Cut was published by Beachhouse Books to favorable reviews. He has just completed a second novel, Dead Issues.

John is also the organizer and head honcho of GLVWG's "Dark and Stormy Nights" project, so join us at noon in the Emmaus library on the 11^th and watch John not read his work, because he will be the MC.

Elizabeth Bodien at Dark and Stormy Nights in Emmaus

Today we're highlighting GLVWG author Elizabeth Bodien for the Dark and Stormy Nights in Emmaus event on December 11th.

Elizabeth holds multiple degrees from the University of California (Berkeley), John F. Kennedy University, and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, USA.  She has worked as a teacher of English in Japan, an organic farmer in Oregon, a certified childbirth instructor in West Africa, a calligrapher, a graphic designer and a certified Montessori teacher.  She has taught cultural anthropology and critical thinking on the college level.

Elizabeth is a published (no mean feat in itself) and award winning poet in such diverse areas as haiku and poetry to be translated into Pennsylvania German.  On December 11^th she will be reading from Plumb Lines and Rough Terrain: Notes of an Undutiful Daughter.  Finishing Lines Press will publish her next collection, Endpapers, in January, 2011.  Click for a sample of her poetry, Garden Shed.

Plan to join Elizabeth in Emmaus on Saturday, December 11^th.

Jeffrey B. Allen - Dark and Stormy Nights in Emmaus

Our first GLVWG author to showcase for the Dark and Stormy Nights in Emmaus event on December 11th is Jeffrey B. Allen.

Jeff has had such a varied career it is difficult to fit in any one box.  He has been a high school teacher, a master cabinet maker, and an award winning business owner.  He's taken bike tours around the USA, and has his fifty ton Coast Guard captain's license.  In addition to writing – his second novel Beneath the Quarry Waters, is scheduled for release February 8th, 2011 – he teaches courses at NCACC and lectures on writing and social issues.  Jeff is also a fellow of the National Writing Project at Penn State University.  His complete bio is here.

On December 11th Jeff will be signing and reading from his first novel, Gone Away Into the Land, a fantasy that uses the technique of Magical Realism to deal with the very real problem of domestic violence.

So be sure to attend GLVWGs first Dark and Stormy Nights event at Shops of Emmaus on December 11^th and say hello to Jeff!