Simon Perchik ----- Poetry

Simon Perchik is an attorney whose poems have appeared in Partisan Review, The Nation, Poetry, The New Yorker, and elsewhere. His most recent collection is Almost Rain, published by River Otter Press (2013).  For more information, free e-books and his essay titled “Magic, Illusion and Other Realities” please visit his website atwww.simonperchik.com.

Andrena Zawinski -------- Haibun (poetry)

Andrena Zawinski is a teacher of writing and is Features Editor at PoetryMagazine.com. She has authored two full collections and four chapbooks of poetry - her latest, Something About from Blue Light Press in San Francisco, was awarded  a PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award. She compiled and edited Turning a Train of Thought Upside Down: An Anthology of Women’s Poetry from Scarlet Tanager Books in Oakland, CA where she founded and runs a Women’s Poetry Salon. Her work appears widely at publications including Bloodroot, Blue Collar Review Journal of Progressive Working Class Literature, Haight Asbury Literary Journal, Pacific Review, Progressive Magazine, Psychological Perspectives Journal of Jungian Thought, with work widely anthologized. 

http://andrenazawinski.wordpress.com/category/poetry

Mary Lou Nielsen

Mary Lou Nielsen writes:

"Seattle is my spiritual home as both parents were born there and I had close ties with grandparents in West Seattle. My son was born there. I have always loved to travel, and at a late stage in my life joined the Peace Corps to teach English in Bulgaria. Before age nine lived in several States: Idaho, where I was born, Illinois, Washington, Indiana, New Jersey, Kentucky, and ultimately California. Currently working on a novel, a historical romance (or is it "an historical romance")? Always had an ambition to write but having to work to support myself and other obligations got in the way."

Maura Gage Cavell ----- three poems

Maura Gage Cavell is Professor of English and Director of the Honors Program at Louisiana State University Eunice.  She resides in Crowley with her family. She has recently  published poetry in California Quarterly, Poem, Louisiana Literature, Boulevard, and The Louisiana Review. 

Maura loves and appreciates the beauty she finds in nature, people, animals, and the world.  Her friends tell her she is a "positive person," one who slants all experiences to find for the best qualities in most moments and in people, staying upbeat and always smiling, riding out what's painful as best she can.

Poetry ---- Alison Mandaville

Bio: Alison Mandaville writes far more poetry than ever sees the light of day. She has published poetry in such venues as Skidrow Penthouse, Knock, Off the Coast, Chrysanthemum, and Fifth Wednesday. She lives in Fresno and Seattle and sometimes Azerbaijan and tries hard to remember where she is when she wakes up in the morning.

Donald Gasperson ----- poetry

   I am sixty one years old and happily retired.   I have an Masters degree in Clinical Psychology which has not hindered me as much as common wisdom would lead you to expect.  I have had the good fortune to work  in a number of counseling and therapeutic positions; they are out there.  I had a good education and am an insightful person.  I try  to use some of that in my poetry , without being narcisstic or self-involved.  I in no way attempt to write any thing as autobiographical.  I read my poetry  and I like it.  I can recognize it, as being particularly mine.   I hope some one else will like it too.

Dr. Ann Reitan

Dr. Ann Reitan was raised in Seattle area under the cloud-skies and senseless rain, where she learned to accept bad weather. She lived on Mercer Island from the age of six to twenty-one years, and her family deviated from outward appearances of respectability in that they had colored Christmas tree lights on a small maple tree outside of their house all year long.  Ann now lives with her three cats, Oskar, Bella and Emmy, in a quirky, small apartment near the Tower District in Fresno, California. This area of Fresno is culturally diverse and gathers to itself creative individuals, including musicians, artists and writers. Ann has published many essays and poems. She currently writes a blog for Psychology Today, and she has also written over thirty articles for the website, Brainblogger.com.  Ann Reitan has written and published a book entitled, Illuminating Schizophrenia, Insights into the Uncommon Mind.  This book is published under the name Dr. Ann Olson.  

Sparrow, a book of poems by Bethany Reid

Short Story ----- Sondra Kelly-Green

BIO – Sondra Kelly-Green

SONDRA KELLY-GREEN received her MFA in creative writing from Antioch in 1999. Her fiction has appeared in Peregrine’s 20^th Anniversary Issue, Pearl’s 2011 all-fiction issue, FLASHPOINT!, North Central Review, Spire, The Wilderness House Literary Review, and Margin; Exploring Modern Magical Realism .  Her literary awards include the Lorian Hemingway Competition, New Millennium Writings, Pearl’s 2011 Literary Awards, FLASHPOINT! and Writer’s Digest’s annual short story competition.

Her novella, The Masque of Pierrot, has been produced as a two part podcast by the historical fiction audio magazine, Tales of Old.(http://www.talesofold.org/archives/689).  She is a contributor to Forever Families, the third book in the Forever Trilogy edited by Shelagh Watkins. (Mandinam Press, UK, 2012.)   Kelly-Green lives in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.  She is currently seeking representation for a novel, Between Lives, and a collection of short stories, Burning Mary.

David Fewster ---- poetry

It was 27 years ago this October that David Fewster moved to Pugetopolis, a place that in his mind runs from Olympia to Vancouver, BC. Hos work has appeared in the anthologies Seattle Poems by Seattle Poets (Poetry Around Press), Revival: Spoken Word from Lollapalooza 95 (Manic D Press), Thus Spake the Corpse: An Exquisite Corpse Reader Vol. 2 (Black Sparrow Press), and 20/20: Tacoma In Images and Verse (Peter Serko). His book of poetry, Diary of a Homeless Alcoholic Suicidal Maniac & other picture postcards, was published with a 2003-2004 TAIP grant from the Tacoma Arts Commission.

Matt Briggs ---- fiction

Matt Briggs is the author of three novels and five collections of short stories including The Remains of River Names. His first novel, Shoot the Buffalo was a finalist for the 2006 Washington State Book Award and won the 2006 American Book Award. Portland's The Publication Studio recently released Virility Rituals of North American Teenage Boys (stories), and a novel, The Double E.

Dr. Keith Holyoak, Ph.D. --- poetry

Keith Holyoak, poet, translator of classical Chinese poetry, and cognitive scientist, was raised on a dairy farm in British Columbia, Canada. Currently a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, he has been a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (see www.keithholyoak.com). A collection of Holyoak's translations, Facing the Moon: Poems of Li Bai and Du Fu appeared in 2007. He has also published a collection of his own poems, My Minotaur. His spoken-word CDs are available from Broken Electric Records (www.BrokenElectric.com).

Valerie Fox

Valerie Fox's books of poetry include "The Rorschach Factory" (Straw Gate Books) and "The Glass Book" (Texture Press). Originally from central Pennsylvania, she has travelled and lived throughout the world, and has taught writing and literature at numerous universities including Sophia University (Tokyo) and currently at Drexel University (Philadelphia). She has published work in many journals, including Hanging Loose, Arsenic Lobster, Juked, Apiary, Cordite Review, Ping Pong, West Branch, 5_Trope, Feminist Studies, and qarrtsiluni. Along with Arlene Ang, she cofounded and edited Press 1 for five years [www.leafscape.org/press1].

Warda Atroun --- three poems

• Works at Poets International : contemporary poetry from around the world and Warda al barbar

Ken Sparling  - Look for Ken on Facebook. Find his books through Amazon or Ken himself.

November 2010                                                          Dean Metcalf  

                                                                       P.O. Box 548

BIO                                                                  Joseph, OR 97846

                        3dmetcalf@gmail.com           

Born: January 23, 1943, Denver, CO.

Education: Grade schools in Pacific Northwest. Graduated Klamath Falls (OR) Union High School, 1961. 1 yr. engineering study, Oregon State University, 1961-62. Combined major in philosophy and political science, Colorado College, 1966-69. Graduated cum laude; Woodrow Wilson Fellow. Russian language study, Leningrad Polytechnical Institute, Leningrad, USSR, summer 1969. Graduate study in History of Consciousness, an interdisciplinary doctoral program in the humanities, University of California at Santa Cruz, 1969-71; 1972. Advanced to doctoral candidacy, 1972.

Military: United States Marine Corps (radio operator), 1962-66: California, Okinawa, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Japan, Gulf of Tonkin (I think), South China Sea, Vietnam 1965-66.

Marriage: 1983-95; February 2009 – present.

Work: Ranch work, vacuum cleaner repair, busboy, furniture mover, dishwasher. Graduate teaching assistant in political philosophy for Professor Sheldon Wolin, University of California at Santa Cruz, 1970-71. Commercial fisherman aboard albacore and yellowfin tuna boats Anna Marie, Dora B., Juliet from northern British Columbia to southern Baja California, 1971-72. California Building Contractor, 1976-2002. Freelance journalist, 1968: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos. 1982-92: Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico. 1991: Jordan, Israel, occupied West Bank, Gaza. Published in Denver Post, Cleveland Plain Dealer, San Jose (CA) Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, Village Voice, South Africa Weekly Mail, Oakland (CA) Tribune, Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Review of Books, and elsewhere. Articles distributed by Pacific News Service, San Francisco.

 Oregon Building contractor, 1996-2009. Logging work; log house construction, martial arts instructor. Wildland firefighter, 2002.

Other interests: Long distance mountain trail running: awarded four silver buckles for finishing Western States 100 mile trail run (Squaw Valley to Auburn, CA) in less than 24 hours. Martial arts: trained under Master Timothy Dunphy, Watsonville Tae Kwon Do Academy, since October, 1988. First degree black belt, 1992. Second degree black belt, 1999. Founder/instructor, Wallowa County Taekwondo Academy, 1997 – present. Third degree black belt, April 2007. Self defense instructor, Safe Harbors Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services Program, Wallowa County, Oregon. Reading, especially history, literature, poetry. Music: a lot of listening, a little playing (guitar). Archery; bowhunting for elk, bear, deer, wild pigs. Writing: nonfiction, fiction, poetry.

AUTHOR: RATTLESNAKE DREAMS: An American Warrior’s Story (memoir)

Poetry, memoir ---- Dean Metcalf

DEAN METCALF BIO 2014

BORN: January 23, 1943, Denver, Colorado

Education: Grade schools in Pacific Northwest. Graduated Klamath Falls (OR) Union High School, 1961. 1 yr. engineering study, Oregon State University, 1961-62. Combined major in philosophy and political science, Colorado College, 1966-69. Graduated cum laude; Woodrow Wilson Fellow. Advanced Russian language study, Leningrad Polytechnical Institute, Leningrad, USSR, summer 1969. Graduate study in History of Consciousness, an interdisciplinary doctoral program in the humanities, University of California at Santa Cruz, 1969-71; 1972. Advanced to doctoral candidacy, 1972.

MILITARY: United States Marine Corps (radio operator), 1962-66: California, Okinawa, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Japan, Gulf of Tonkin, South China Sea. Vietnam 1965-66.

MARRIAGE: 1983-95; February 2009 – present.

WORK: Ranch work, vacuum cleaner repair, busboy, furniture mover, dishwasher. Graduate teaching assistant in Political Philosophy for Professor Sheldon Wolin, University of California at Santa Cruz, 1970-71. Commercial fisherman aboard albacore and yellowfin tuna boats Anna Marie, Dora B., Juliet from northern British Columbia to southern Baja California, 1971-72. California Building Contractor, 1976-2002. Freelance journalist, 1968: California, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos. 1982-92: California, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico. 1991: Jordan, Israel, occupied West Bank, Gaza. Published in Denver Post, ClevelandPlain Dealer, San Jose (CA) Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, Village Voice, South Africa Weekly Mail, Oakland (CA)Tribune, Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Review of Books, and elsewhere. Articles distributed by Pacific News Service, San Francisco.

Oregon Building contractor, 1996-2009. Logging work; log house construction, martial arts instructor. Wildland firefighter, 2002.

OTHER INTERESTS: Long distance mountain trail running: Western States 100 mile trail run (Squaw Valley to Auburn, CA) in less than 24 hours, 4X. Martial arts: trained under Master Timothy Dunphy, Watsonville Tae Kwon Do Academy, since October, 1988. Founder/instructor, Wallowa County Taekwondo Academy, 1997 – present. Third degree black belt, April 2007. Self defense instructor, Safe Harbors Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services Program, Wallowa County, Oregon. Reading, especially history, literature, poetry. Archery; bowhunting. Writing: poetry, memoir, fiction.

AUTHOR: RATTLESNAKE DREAMS: An American Warrior’s Story (memoir), 2011.

Poetry ---- James Bertolino

James Bertolino’s poetry has been appearing internationally in books, magazines and anthologies for over 40 years. His first book was published in 1968, and Every Wound Has A Rhythm was published in 2012 by World Enough Writers. His 12th volume,Ravenous Bliss: New and Selected Love Poems, is forthcoming in 2014 from MoonPath Press.

Bertolino’s poetry has been recognized nationally by the Book-of-the-Month Club Poetry Fellowship, the Discovery Award, a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, two Quarterly Review of Literature book publication awards and the Jeanne Lohmann Poetry Prize for Washington State Poets. He earned his MFA at Cornell University, and has taught at Cornell, University of Cincinnati and Western  Washington University. He retired in 2006 from a position as Writer in Residence and Chair of Creative Writing at Willamette University in Oregon, and lives on five rural acres with his wife Anita K. Boyle near Bellingham, Washington

poetry -- koon woon

Koon Woon is the publisher of Goldfish Press in Seattle, where he works as a literary consultant. His latest book is Water Chasing Water, 2013 from Kaya Press.

Poetry --- Katherine Grace Bond

Katherine Grace Bond

Author, THE SUMMER OF NO REGRETS, A YA Novel, and its companion book, LUKE’S JOURNAL

Author, LEGEND OF THE VALENTINE, a story of the Civil Rights Movement

Director, TEENWrite workshops. ACT. WRITE. EPIC.

Founding Director, EpicWrite, a non-profit organization

Creator, Teenage Novelist series at Bellevue College

Writing Instructor, Sky Valley Education Center

Poetry ---- Kevin Minh Allen

Kevin Minh Allen was born Nguyễn Đức Minh on December 5, 1973 near Sài Gòn, Vietnam to a Vietnamese mother and American father who remain unknown to him. He was adopted by a couple from Rochester, NY and grew up in Webster, NY with his two younger sisters. In 2000, he moved to Seattle, WA to pursue a life less ordinary. He enjoys travel and photography when he’s not writing. Kevin has had his poetry published in numerous print and online publications, such as Eye To The Telescope, Meniscus Magazine, AsianAmericanPoetry.com, and Chrysanthemum.  These five poems come from his first book of poetry, My Proud Sacrifice, to be published by Goldfish Press.

Poetry --- James Eret

James Eret is a poet and artist.  He was born and raised in Indiana and now lives in San Diego, California.  James co-founded Another Chicago Magazine.  He is a Vietnam veteran.  He has had poems published in Spillway, Canary, Avocet, Blue Collar Review, Iodine, Del Sol Review, and many others.  James has taught poetry and taught teachers of poetry.  James is married and has three, grown sons.

James Eret is a poet and artist.  He was born and raised in Indiana and now lives in San Diego, California.  James co-founded Another Chicago Magazine.  He is a Vietnam veteran.  He has had poems published in Spillway, Canary, Avocet, Blue Collar Review, Iodine, Del Sol Review, and many others.  James has taught poetry and taught teachers of poetry.  James is married and has three, grown sons.

Poetry --- James Eret

James Eret is a poet and artist.  He was born and raised in Indiana and now lives in San Diego, California.  James co-founded Another Chicago Magazine.  He is a Vietnam veteran.  He has had poems published in Spillway, Canary, Avocet, Blue Collar Review, Iodine, Del Sol Review, and many others.  James has taught poetry and taught teachers of poetry.  James is married and has three, grown sons.

Poetry --- Mary Jo Bastreri

Short Bio: Mary Jo has two books of poetry, Joy in the Morning, and gathering the harvest published by Bellowing Ark Press. A chapbook, Best Brothers is due this May by Tiger's Eye Press. Please visit me at my website,maryjobalistreripoet.com  

Poetry -- Karma Tenzing Wangchuk

Karma Tenzing Wangchuk Born South-Central Los Angeles, 1946. College San Diego State. U. S. Army sergeant, Vietnam. War resister during and since. Career in editing, free-lance writing. Moved around a lot: New Mexico, Greece, Mexico, Arizona, northern California, now Port Townsend, Washington. A former buddhist monk. Several small collections of haiku and tanka, the most recent one Frog Stone Buddha and Moon (bottle rockets press, 2013).

Julie A. Dickson

Julie A. Dickson is a member of the Poetry Society of New Hampshire, attending several monthly events and workshops. Her work appears in The Poet's Touchstone, The Avocet Nature Journal, Page & Spine, The Harvard Press and Seacoast Random Acts of Poetry.

George Held

A six-time Pushcart Prize nominee, George Held publishes online and in print, in such places as I-70 REVIEW, PLAINSONGS, NOTRE DAME REVIEW, and CONFRONTATION. His forthcoming book is CULLING: NEW & SELECTED NATURE POEMS (Poets Wear Prada).

Centell T. Jackson

An Alabama native, has been writing poetry and song lyrics since high school, and once placed second place in a poetry writing contest in the 11th. grade. Believing that everyone has a gift, writing is my true gift from God. I write about anything, and everything. I just write! Writing is my  purpose, and my path. I seek to be efficient in all styles of poetry writing, if I had a clue to what all the styles are:). I seek inspiration from any and all things, to include: people, and past memories mostly.