Lauren Gibbons Paul is a Boston-area writer. She worked as a freelance business/technology journalist for more than 30 years. Her pivot to fiction coincided with taking up ballroom dance lessons seven years ago. Lauren was immediately fascinated by the glamorous world -especially the instructors - most of whom come here from other countries. This world is a perfect backdrop within which to explore themes of wanting to belong, wanting to be seen, making one's way in America. Credits: Lauren Gibbons Paul; Clippings.Me.

Andrew Robinson is a veteran writer who crafts stories through blending his life experiences and curiosity to explore the unknown. Andrew's storytelling has garnered attention from audiences spanning across multiple genres within the fiction and non-fiction realm. These publications include children's books, young adult sci-fi series, murder mysteries, memoirs, comedies, screenplays, short stories, television pilot series, comic books and the list keeps growing! Also as a former owner of a publishing company, he dispenses technical guidance and wisdom to enlighten flourishing writers among the audiences. Writers discover his favorite punctuation as Andrew humbly shares how his work attracts new writing opportunities from clients worldwide. This conversation navigates through tales that exemplify the purpose of writing - to bring people together to share their experiences. Credit: Andrew Robinson.

Julian Morris-Haaker is a self-published author who has been in the business of telling tales regarding war and conflict on a fantastical scale for nearly 10 years. He primarily writes fiction, a hybrid of science fiction and fantasy ,where he challenges peoples' perceptions of conflict to reveal there is so much more that goes on beneath the surface. Telling stories and writing poetry has been a coping mechanism since Julian's parents passed away. He applied his personal experience of pain and grief to begin his journey of becoming an author. This outlet has granted him an opportunity to tell fantastical tales exhibiting defiant hope and rage against the inevitable. The four books of the series are as follows - Airborne: The Defiant Crusade, Landfall, Vigilance, and Galvanic Eruption. Credit: Julian Morris-Haaker.

Frank holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Providence College, his Doctorate from New York Chiropractic College, and a Master of Science degree from Troy State University. Born and raised in Rhode Island, he grew up in the restaurant business. This engendered a strong work ethic and a love of food, which helped him develop his perseverance, determination, and faith to be adventurous and driven. As a published author, keynote speaker, and artist, he shares his journey. Teaching others through presentations, workshops on resilience, and keynote speeches about the healing power of positive language, and to help others shift the influence of negative words and learned behavior. *To Be and To Be With…The Yin and Yang of Emotional Prosperity*, his most recent work, offers perspectives on shifting negative emotion within the context of Chinese philosophy. Credit: Frank DiMaio; Emotional Prosperity Network.

Dr. Monika Schott is an Australian based writer and researcher. Life’s intricacies and curiosities inspire her to write and give voice to stories that haven’t been heard. She’s particularly interested in lost industrial communities and communities that have been isolated or segregated, and interpreting these stories of past communities before they’re lost forever. She once practiced as a metal artist and painter and as such, writes like an artist creating texture on metal or canvas. She wrote the social history of Melbourne’s first sewerage farm community as part of her PhD research into sewerage ghost towns and how these communities flourish in their abject margins. Her novel, ‘The Faraway Land of the House and Two Cows’, and song, ‘A Land Faraway’, were released in July 2022.
Her latest book, ‘My Dad built me the best and wackiest cubby ever’ is a timely and compassionate story about a child and father navigating the dad’s mental health struggles, and is inspired by Monika’s own lived experience. The heart-warming chapter book is a gentle interpretation of what Monika observed within her own family, and is ideal for children aged 5-12 years. Credit: Dr. Monika Schott.

Meet Damon! Multifaceted, passionate, and skilled all describe Damon “DaRil” Nailer. With over 1 million views on the popular advice site Quora, 1K speaking engagements, and many published works under his belt, Damon is known as a “Renaissance Man”, “Inspirational Communicator” and “Gift Guru”, who provides direction, inspiration, and education to any audience. Mr. Nailer is the owner of Kitril Consultancy, where he serves as an author, speaker, content creator, and consultant, specializing in personal development, communication, leadership, entrepreneurship, spirituality, and parenting. As a result of his experience and expertise, he has been featured 200+ times in various media outlets, including The Huffington Post, Reader’s Digest, Thrive Global, Goalcast, MSN, Yahoo, Yahoo Finance, Redbook, Insider, podcasts, radio/TV shows, magazines, newspapers, etc. Credit: Damon Nailer.

Dr. Simon Craig has written a book 'From Hurting To Healing: Delivering Love to Medicine and Healthcare' where he outlines ways to improve the health system in Australia, but it is also relevant everywhere. The Senior Obstetrics and Gynecology clinician holds more than 30 years of experience in the public and private systems. He says healthcare has reached a crisis point and positive change is urgently needed. Dr Craig's book has been endorsed by fellow senior medical practitioners, administrators and university professors including Royal Children’s Hospital Professor Catherine Crock AM and University of Melbourne's Professor Dr. Susan Walker – who says Dr. Craig’s “voice ought to be heard” and his book “should be mandatory reading for everyone involved in providing care, from medical students to policymakers”. Dr. Craig left the health system last year to concentrate on cultural change. He is now a Chief Executive of PosMed, a private company which promotes coaching an organizational culture change in hospitals. Credit: Dr. Simon Craig; PosMed.

Sonia Palleck was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. One of five children, she was an avid athlete and excelled in school. She studied at Western University in London, Ontario and graduated from Dentistry in '93 and Orthodontics in '99. She became a clinical instructor and taught residents for ten years at the Graduate Department of Orthodontics. After marrying her dental school sweetheart, Sonia moved to Dorchester and welcomed her child, Djuka, to the world. In 2018, following her divorce and the death of her parents, Sonia searched for healing to bring meaning and peace to her life. In 2020, Sonia wrote a series of four books called “Leave the Little Light On,” a fictional memoir based on her life, with each volume named after the four cities where she has lived and worked. The series is her contribution to the world; a new modern love story for humanity to heal. Sonia designed and painted each cover of the books. She is an advocate for love. Credit: Sonia Palleck.