Meet the Staff
Poetic Monthly Magazine
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Cheryl T. Pillsbury I began writing in my teens, in a diary and noticed the diary turned into a story and that’s where Angus Grady began. Over the years, other stories came along. I had my daughter at 35, her name is Alicia. She’s a special needs child, PDD-Autism. The list is too long but she’s my life line. I got married at 36. I met Al Blanchard who’s also a published writer, ‘Murder on Walden Pond.’ He was a close friend and my mentor. He sadly passed away November 14, 2004. I have several books published: |
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Lanaia Lee was born in 1957 to a Navy father and a schoolteacher
mother who home-schooled her. In second grade, she was reading on a 4th
grade level, so they moved her to a private school to enhance her
education. When she was nine years old, her mother died from a massive
stroke. Because her father was rarely home, her grandmother, a professed
black witch, gained custody. When Lanaia was 14, her grandmother abandoned her, and she landed in foster care where she had four different sets of foster parents within a year, because she kept running away to avoid men who attempted to molest her. At age fifteen, she went to boarding school on her dad's GI Bill. She graduated in her junior year after which she drifted, living with various people with neither a family nor a home. At eighteen, she married and divorced having three miscarriages. By nineteen, she began working in management for convenient stores and restaurant chains. In 2001, David dared her to write a poem. Out of curiosity, she posted it in an online poetry forum. The feedback was so positive, she kept writing. At first, she wrote just poems, then short stories and finally novels. All of her work is typed one-handed because of her disabilities. Lanaia gives credit to the grace of God which has helped her overcome immense adversity, hold her head high, and she claims she won’t quit until she hits the best seller list. |
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Paulette Stewart *Staff Position* Email Moderator |
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Paulette work goes under the pen name of Paulette Sharron Stewart. Her work can be viewed at the following places, www.myspace.com/paulettea, http://groups.msn.com/LETTIESART, Paulette is an Ordained Minister, Counselor, artist and writer
with Grade 8 in 'Speech and Drama with the Royal Trinity College
of London. Her writing came out of a childhood where her active
imagination was feed, she made up imaginary stories with her
dolls, plays, which she coerced her youngest sister to perform
with her to family, friends, neighbors, with the lure of money
as prizes from school concerts where cries from her sister, International
Library of Poets in several Anthropologies including 'Best
Poems for 2004, up for nomination for best poet for 2005, Noble
House in U.K. And U.S.A., Womans' Corner, Auckland Poetry
Society, Byline, Firstwriters, Voicesorg, MasquePublshing,
Voicesnet. Won poetry contest for the month 2006, Anthropology
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Maggie Grinnell *Staff Position* Email Website |
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My name is Maggie Grinnell. I
began writing in 1992. I write short suspense stories,
children's stories and poetry. Writing is an extension of me
because everything comes from the heart.
My children's picture book, |
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Alysun Sanders Email Website
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I, Alysun Sanders, was born in Vallejo, California on October 13, 1990. Started trying to write my first book in first grade, but I always wanted to be a storyteller. I moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho when I was nine years old, and thought of the idea for EKTA when I was fourteen. Continued working on it through the end of middle school and throughout all of high school, along with a few short stories. Finished my first novel in my sophomore year, and immediately began work on the second. Now 17, I live with my mom and dad in Hayden, and I hope to continue writing for the rest of my life.
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Larsen M. Callirhore *Staff Position*
www.Poetstage.com
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My pen name is Larsen M.
Callirhoe. I am 37 years old male born March 31, 1971.
I was in a car accident in August 1996 which changed my
outlook in life. My wife Joyce left me then and I am now
divorced and single. I now believe I can make a difference
in the world with my writings. In this accident I became a
quadriplegic because I broke my neck. I can move my arms and
right hand and right fingers allowing me to do daily
functions such as bathing, shaving, brushing my teeth,
combing my hair etc... and it also allows me to type on the
keyboard with that hand also. I started writing in June
2000.when I lived on my own in a apartment in Cincinnati,
Ohio. I am now a resident in a nursing home called Glencare
in Cincinnati, Ohio. You can drop me a line oh i mean
letter because my name is listed a few sentences below in
this article and the address of this nursing home is listed
on the internet too. My birth name is Victor M. Lashewitz.
As i said I believe my writings especially my poetry and
short stories that I write can impact the world and make a
difference and are now very spiritually oriented and
focused. I have been studying college grammar on my own
with computer disk I purchased bin 2003 June. I have
learned how to write more accurately with this computer
program. Well I look forward to being on the writing staff
of Poetic Monthly. I also look forward to getting to know
the staff. Here is a little more back ground information on
me. I was born in south Florida and grew up in that area.
I lived there till November 1999. I love the beach, reading
Anne Rice novels, Stephen King Novels, many other writers
novels, I'm a Star Wars geek (lol), I love music, I believe
in spirituality, and I love reading and writing poetry. I
used to love collecting and reading comic books until I got
hurt in 1996 and had to give up this hobby because I
couldn't afford the comic books anymore. I miss reading
comic books dearly. Well now you have gotten a better
understanding of me. I now emphasize wearing a seatbelt
when driving in a vehicle. I didn't and became paralyzed in
a accident because I didn't wear one. So please take care
of yourself.
Til next time. Larsen M. Callirhoe. |
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Gertjan Zwiggelaar *Staff Position*
Email
Website
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| Born: Amsterdam, the Netherlands, December 26, 1950 Emigrated to Canada in June, 1960 Entered the University of Regina on a BFA entrance scholarship, 1970 Graduated with distinction and great distinction in Visual Arts in 1974. Returned to university in 1977, eventually completing a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Art Education, with distinction in 1982. In 1978 I began teaching junior and senior high school art and drama. I taught secondary Art, Drama and Visual Communication Technology over a period of 20 years. During that time I produced a lot of art work and showed regularly. To date I have written nine plays, a collection of poetry and six novels. I am at work on number seven. I have two daughters and a son, plus five grand kids. I live in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada Gertjan's 548 page novel, A Pirate's Tale was published by PublishAmerica on July 18th, 2008 |
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Charlene LaRose |
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BIOGRAPHY A.K.A DARK DECEPTION My name is Charlene LaRose. I was born and raised in California. I have one son that is the sunshine of my life. I enjoy role playing, writing short stories and writing forums. I have been writing for a little over three years now. I have two wonderful sisters and an excellent mother. I am also work for AG Press.
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Rima Rahal Website www.number1artist.com/rimarahal
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Lisa Maresca
Smith
Lmsartsolutions@mac.com
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She started her career as a journalist working for Suffolk Life, Smithtown Messenger, Smithtown News and other periodicals. She continues to freelance her writing services today. Additionally, she expanded into art design (her mother is an artist), and to this day continues to offer writing and design services.
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Steve Lapan
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In 2003 his first cookbook was published, The Bubba Gourmet. His second, devoted to grilling, is due out in early spring.
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Thomas Cantrall is a native of northern California where he graduated from Sonoma Valley High School in 1961. He is Navy Veteran and attended the University of Washington. Years logging in the Pacific Northwest led to personal experience with Sasquatch which developed into a life long interest in the creatures. |
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Lin Ross *Staff Position* Website
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L. M. Ross is a New York poet and LAMBDA
Award-nominated novelist. His true heart is that of a poet, and
most everything he composes contains a certain jazz-tinged
rhythm. He was first published nationally while in high school;
and in the succeeding years his work has appeared in well over
200 magazines, journals and anthologies including: African
American Review, Black Writer, Catalyst, Class, Essence, Free
Lunch, Gypsy, Haight Ashbury Literary Journal and numerous
others. He was featured prominently in the landmark "In The
Tradition, An Anthology of Young Black Writers" and "Freedom In
This Village." His novel "Manhood… The Longest Moan" was released in 2007, followed by "The Moanin' After" published by Q-Boro/Urban Books in the spring of 2008. Currently he is set to release his next book entitled "Like Litter in The Wind" as an e-book later this year. Ross also records his life experiences, poetry and rants in an online blog called "Moaning Moanerplicities." |
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I am 64 years old, live in Florida with my husband Ray and our Rottie "Shebubba." I have two beautiful children, two terrific stepsons, all grown, and four awesome grandchildren.
Recuperating from a quadruple
cardiac by-pass in June of 2007, I had plenty of time to begin
taking my "ramblings" a little more seriously. Poetry has
always been a fascination of mine, as well as a deep desire to
write short stories. Most of my writings previously were short
poems for friends and family, but with extra time on my hands
during this period, I decided to take this ambition to a more
serious level.I began submitting a few poems to the poetry sites
on the Internet to see what responses I would receive. Well,
clearly, I had mixed reviews, some good, some awful. This
encouraged me to seek out and complete several creative writing
courses and to participate in our local college Poetry Weekend
program - I loved it! From then on, I knew this was going to be
my challenge. |
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I am a full time Secretary At South East Real Estate Management Company. I am an empty Nester with one 10yr old grand child (she's the apple of my eye). I have been married to my personal hero for 30+ years (my life mate). I love to read. More than that, I love creating my own characters. Giving each birth. To watch them spring to life that they literally jump off the pages throughout their story. They are my passion.. To be a good writer, you have to feel the words with your heart. This cannot be taught from books or joining clubs.
I believe the stories I create are not mine but my characters'. I have been blessed by God to have been given the ability to slip their porthole, whether it be fiction or fact. What I strive for my readers is this: My readers will not be disappointed.. My characters will be keepers.
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Sophia L. McMorris is a native from Spanish Town, Jamaica. She received her elementary education at Spanish Town Primary. She then attended The Queen’s High School where she received her high school education. After high school, Sophia heeded to the call that had been on her life from an early age, and went on to teacher’s college. At St Joseph’s Teachers` College she majored in Elementary education. After graduation, Sophia started her career at Hydel Prep School in Jamaica where she taught a fourth grade class. Within her first year of teaching, Sophia excelled in every area .Her fourth graders performed exceptionally well. At the end of the school year, she was awarded Teacher of the Year. She then felt a strong calling to work nearer to her home and made the decision to teach at Harrison’s Prep School which is located in Spanish Town. She taught a first grade class and again her students excelled in every area academically. Sophia then migrated to the U.S.A. She continued her education at Lehman College in Bronx, New York. She then moved to Florida to be nearer to her family in Jamaica and also to be with her brother. She worked at Harvest Christian Academy which is located in Tampa, Florida. Here again Sophia did a tremendous job as head of The Junior High Department. At the end of her final year at Harvest, Sophia was awarded Teacher of the Year. She presently works at King’s Ave Christian School which is located in Brandon.Fl.As a third grade teacher, she strongly believes that she has found the grade that God had intended her to teach. Sophia is a committed Christian. She worships at Faith Christian Center in Brandon, FL under the leadership of Pastor Thomas Garrett and Min.Stephanie Garrett. She actively serves in the hostess department. Sophia loves the Lord dearly and is determine to serve Him to the end. She is single and resides in Brandon, Fl. |
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Jim Woods is an independent editor assisting book authors, small presses, university presses and corporations with line, style, and substance editing. He applies his expertise to novels and short story collections; and to nonfiction– memoirs, history, biography, travel, and corporate image. His corporate clients have included Safari Club International. Honeywell, Hughes Aircraft, Litton Industries, and RCA. He has served in staff positions-Editor, Editorial Director, Managing Editor and Contributing Editor-with the commercial magazine publishers: Petersen Publishing Company; Publishers’ Development Corporation; and The Omega Group.In addition to his life’s work as an editor, he is a widely published author. A partial listing of national and regional magazines in which his more than four-hundred articles have been published include: Outdoor Life, Popular Mechanics, Digest Books, Western Outdoors, and Southern Outdoors. His six books in print include the crime collection, Gunshot Echoes: a co-authored collection of mainstream fiction, Olla Podrida; a novel set in South Africa, The Lion Killer; a memoir of his world hunting experiences, Honk If You Love Geese; a collection of general short fiction, Journeys; and a writing tutorial, Two Dozen lessons From an Editor. He has contributed to various hardbound anthologies including Hunting in Zimbabwe, Safari Press; Guns of The Gunfighters, Bonanza Books; and A Guide to Handmade Knives, Janus Press. His professional associations include American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA); Society of Southwestern Authors (SSA); Society of Technical Writers and Publishers (STWP); and Outdoor Writers of America (OWAA). Jim Woods lives and works in Tucson, Arizona. |
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Hello and thank you for your
passion. I was born and raised in heart of the heartland,
Omaha , Nebraska
, 43 years ago and have lived a very interesting life. I am a
lover of life and everything that comes with it... good, bad and
indifferent. My blessings are plentiful. Happily married to my
polar opposite (I'm 4'10" tall and he is 6'7") for over 22
years, gifted with a spunky daughter of grace and filled with
love and compassion from friends and family around the world, I
cannot complain. The love of writing came to me when I was seven years old. My grade school guidance counselor advised me to write down my emotions, fears and frustrations while she tried to teach me that I could not save the world. Over the years, I have written more than a hundred poems and several short stories. I am currently currently working on three novels. The first is nearly complete, a suspense thriller with many hidden messages of self help, believe it or not. This one is sure to be a best seller, as it includes a bit of everything for every reader. I call it, "The P.J.'s". The second, a short story, is a memoir of my trials in becoming a Playboy bunny, in the early 80's, against all odds. It is funny, inspirational and will warm the hearts of many. I've titled it, "Little Tail, Big Tale". The third novel has just begun. I had to put the previous two on hold while I live the pages of my biggest challenge, yet. "A Book and Its Cover", is the story of my fight to slay breast cancer using the strength I've earned from my childhood, or what I like to call Boot Camp. I look forward to sharing my artistic expression of words with each and every one of you. Thank you for the opportunity! |
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Appeared as a cub scout on Channel 5, KTLA in 1950 on a kiddies show hosted by Roscoe Ates (he was once a big time comic). Played the rear end of an Elephant in a theater in Munich in 1963. Appeared daily on an English language show in Tokyo 1968-70 on Fuji Television. Dubbed Richard Jaeckel in the movie Latitude Zero. Was in the US Army 1964-66. Nearly swept overboard in a blizzard in mid-Atlantic. Unknowingly joined a sociopathic cult in 1970-83. Had a nervous break- down as a result and ended up living in a garage on food stamps for five years. Became homeless, ended up in Tucson Az. Published several poems thereafter in Evergreen and in the Pickle Gas Press. |
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Tica McGarity is a self
supporting artist who has been producing original art for over
twenty years. She has shown work in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas,
Florida, Connecticut and Louisiana. Tica is a multifaceted
artist, skilled in all painterly media. Currently, and for the
past five years she has been exploring the possibilities of
watercolor paintings, especially in the subject of Pelicans.
Tica is an experienced portrait artist who brings together the
spontaneity of caricature with the formal practices of
traditional fine art. Tica takes a professional approach to her
work in that she applies her skill, training and talent every
day. Tica may be seen most sunny days, working on Saint Peter’s
Street on Jackson Square in New Orleans. Credentials: Kansas City Art Institute, class of 1976. BFA University of Texas at Arlington, 1996. |
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I
have been the Southeast Regional Vice President for a physician
recruiting firm. I have been an outside representative for IBM
in Savannah, Georgia. I have been a public school teacher in
Elementary School, Middle School, and
High School. I have been a bible class teacher for
classes the size of many congregations in our great land. I have
performed marriage ceremonies for friends and family members.
For a number of years I worked with movie studios providing them
with statistical analysis for their most recent on-screen
presentations. Most recently, I have served three years as
Director of Admissions and am currently serving as the Student
Services Coordinator for the largest aviation maintenance
training facility in the country. My new book, Moments of Mine, came from the halls of Campbell High School where I would broadcast poetic emails to my fellow faculty members three to four times per week. One such week a representative from the English Department came to me. I didn't know if it was a good thing that she had come by or not. I quickly found it to be a good thing and the book Moments of Mine came, if I had to pick a day, from that visit. The encouragement of peers is a wonderful thing. After that fellow teachers would ask me to write poems on specific things like their school affiliations, poems for their sweethearts, poems for any number of things. I even got a request from a student to write one on how much her mom meant to she and her brother. All because they seemed to like poetry. I am still writing today as I did 30 years ago. There is still fresh subject matter in the everyday world that we live. It is where inspiration, as well as frustration, lies. Somethings are lost before I can remember to put them in written form. I try to carry a not pad but sometimes it is gone before the pen hits the paper. Inspiration is the fragile sister of torment. Writers experience them both. |
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Maria Mitchell is a 26 year old artist and writer with a quirky, gothic edge living in Northern California. A veteran performer of reader's theatre and composer of music for piano, she has written and performed accompanying scores for a wide range of live performances from jazzy zydaco for a telling of the "The 11:59", a traditional tale of the phantom death train of Louisiana, to morose and brooding music for selected readings of her own gothic mystery novel American Solstice, the story of a composer who vanishes in the winter of 1984 in the Pine Barrens of Smithville New Jersey while researching the eerie legend of the Jersey Devil. |
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Debbie has enjoyed the written word since she
was a child and takes a specific liking to Contemporary and
Historical romance. Debbie began writing with poetry, which she
dabbled in since childhood and continued through adulthood. It
wasn't until a few years ago that she took her writing further
and wrote her first book, and since, she has enjoyed the journey
of exploring many genres, and finding a love of everything to do
with words. Debbie finds joy in escaping to a blank screen and
creating a world of her own, and loves the freedom of allowing
her characters to dictate the story to her. On the flip side of
that editing brings new challenges because the characters are
written, and it's so much fun to work with an author to help
them fulfill their dreams and find ways to see things in their
characters that they might not have thought of. Debbie very much
enjoys working with authors to polish their work and see it
through to publication. When not writing or editing she can
often be found cooking, with her friends, or with her young
child doing any number of things. Radio Show Host - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jordana-ryan |
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Alessandrina Lerner is the author of two books. “The Essence of Love” (Sep’09) is a beautiful poetry book illustrated by a precocious 10-year old Artist and daughter to the author, Amandine Love Lerner. It aspires to take the readers on a journey to the core of themselves through inspirational poems of a meditative nature. Alessandrina’s first novel, “Spiritual Enlightenment in the Age of Cybersex” (Dec’ 09), is a comedic spiritual gem which introduces Spiritual teachings with humor and a real urban flavor, making them accessible to a modern, and maybe a little less spiritually inclined crowd.
Traveling to over 55 countries in the context of her career, she fulfilled the explorative part of her dream, yet found herself seeking more meaningful experiences to further nourish her soul. Motherhood pushed her further in that direction, propping her to quit her job and start training with a Spiritual Indian Master to become a Yoga Therapist, now her primary occupation since 2001.
Having grown increasingly passionate and talented in the Art of inspiring others through Yoga, Alessandrina decided to take it to the next level by going back to her roots and honoring her true essence by dedicating herself to writing. Since writing books seemed like the most logical step to disseminate the spiritual knowledge she has acquired on her journey, Alessandrina has decided to embrace her new path with love, dedication, and the greatest hope for the future.
The Essence of Love is available at: www.publishamerica.net/product85724.html Spiritual Enlightenment in the Age of Cybersex is available at: https://www.createspace.com/3411394
Alessandrina
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Marilyn A. White *Staff Position*
Marilyn@mylittleprettiesmaw.com
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Marilyn has survived two forms of cancer and a heart attack.
Marilyn has an Associates Degree in Theology and will bring her heart
and spirit into her review.
Marilyn keeps an online journal talking about her experience with surviving cancer. It can be found at - www.poetstageforum.com Under Online Journals.
Please visit her Website:
www.mylittlepretties.8m.com
for more information on custom made
Greeting Cards and Prayer Frames.
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Jeremy Smiley *Staff Position*
jeremy_smiley@hotmail.com |
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Rebecca Guild *Staff Position* Information Coming My Space Information Coming |
I find myself examining people and things all the time wondering how things work. I think I have always had a questions about everything and the older I get the more questions I tend to have. I plan on visiting Italy soon to celebrate my turning forty and getting my college degree. I love to read and share what I have learned and with others and am thankful for all the opportunities I have been given... even if some are because I have a famous big brother like Martin White.
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Aretha Renia *Staff Position* Websites |
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Aretha Renia is a thirty-four year old Mississippi Native. She
was born in the small town of Houston, Mississippi to Paul and
Mattie Isbell on February 11, 1975. One of her greatest joys in
life is her family which consists of her parents, her four
children, her brother and his wife, her eight nieces and
nephews, and her one great nephew. was born in the small town
of Houston, Mississippi to Paul and Mattie Isbell on February
11, 1975. One of her greatest joys in life is her family which
consists of her parents, her four children, her brother and his
wife, her eight nieces and nephews, and her one great nephew. It has been a life long dream of hers to become a published author. She was a young student in the Houston Public School system in Houston, Mississippi when she began writing. Her love for literature showed in all that she did. She found that she had a love the romance genre of writing when she was in the fourth grade. That was when I first read “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare. By the time she reached high school, she was writing short stories to entertain her classmates, and as her stories became more and more popular among the students, several teachers and other staff members were joining the list of readers. Aretha Renia did not pursue a career as a professional writer at that time, but now that she is older, she has been given a second chance to follow her dreams. She contacted Publish America, LLLP in the later part of 2008 by sending them a rough draft of her manuscript. It was quickly accepted for publication, and Aretha Renia's road to becoming a published author began to be paved. In her personal life, Aretha Renia tends to be a little timid and reserved. She spends most of her time in the presence of family and a small circle of friends. The rest of her time is spent at her computer working. She takes her writing seriously. Feeling that she almost missed the chance to chase this dream when she was younger, she feels that it is important to now dedicate all that she can to make it a success. After all, it is not everyday that a person gets a second chance to find their first love. The official release date for her first book, "Love for Kenya", is March 12, 2009. This is a special day for her as it is the day that her dream became an official reality. She is currently working on her second book, "Soothing Raiyne"and hopes to see it published before the Christmas holidays roll again. It has been a life long dream of hers to become a published author. She was a young student in the Houston Public School system in Houston, Mississippi when she began writing. Her love for literature showed in all that she did. She found that she had a love the romance genre of writing when she was in the fourth grade. That was when I first read “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare. By the time she reached high school, she was writing short stories to entertain her classmates, and as her stories became more and more popular among the students, several teachers and other staff members were joining the list of readers. |