Just Write Chapter
Writing Bios for some of our Members
Ann Gordon, Chapter President
Ann has been president of the Just Write chapter for over twelve years. She likes to write ghost stories, flash fiction, and spec fiction. She's published both fiction and nonfiction and has won writing contest awards in short story, creative nonfiction, media article, poetry, and book trailer. Ann has co-authored four historical novels and has edited and published books for several authors. Each year she serves as a judge in fiction and nonfiction writing contests. She mostly writes short stories, which have been published in newspapers, magazines, and anthologies, including the LUW anthology At First Glance. She taught in both K-12 and junior colleges before working for over 20 years in the corporate world as a technical writer, instructional designer, and copy editor.
Ann grew up in Utah where she earned a B.A. in English, German and Secondary Ed. Later she earned a Master's degree in Computer Information Systems. She's an active member of LUW, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and STC (Society of Technical Communication). She recently retired from tech writing and instructional design, hoping to finish her creative writing projects.
Nancy Roe, newsletter editor
When Nancy was twelve, she wrote an autobiography for a sixth grade English assignment. In the last chapter, Nancy wrote that she wanted to be an author. Dreams do come true!
Nancy writes and publishes both fiction and nonfiction. She has self-published eight books and is currently working on her ninth (her sixth mystery novel). She's a Midwest farm girl at heart and lives in Utah with her husband and their four-legged children, Max and Addison.
Website: www.NancyRoeAuthor.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NancyRoeAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/NancyRoeAuthor
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/NancyRoeAuthor
BookBub: BookBub.com/profile/Nancy-Roe
Lisa Vickers Forsyth, past V.P.
I write novels about magical doorways, stones, and masks for young audiences. So far I’ve penned seven novels with many other books in the works. Some of my books have been published. I’ll be working toward the goal of publishing my latest YA books in 2023.
My inspiration has come from the likes of C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, and H.P. Lovecraft.
David Alan Armstrong, website assistant
Originally a native of California, David has been a resident of Kaysville, Utah, for thirty years and has no desire to leave. Non-fiction indie publishing credits include Searching Isaiah (Gold Quill 2020), Flooding My Life with the Book of Mormon (Gold Quill 2021), A Walk with the Master (Gold Quill 2023). Fiction indie publications include In the Days of Lachoneus, The Porch (Silver Quill 2019), I Will Always Love You.
Works-in-progress include a re-envisioning of the story of Lachoneus with new characters, subplots, dangers, suspense, and conflicts.
He earned a B.A. in Elementary Education at BYU and a M.S. in Instructional Technology at USC. He retired in 2020 from a 40-year career in software development and project management.
Learn more about his books here: https://davidalanarmstrong.com
Linda Smith
Linda F. Smith has had a career as an attorney and a law professor. At the U of Utah College of Law she has been overseeing the Clinical Program—where students engage in actual practice—for over 35 years. Linda has recently retired and hopes to devote a lot of time to writing short stories.
Her stories typically deal with conflicts like those she has encountered as a lawyer, especially in the area of criminal or family law. Some day she hopes her stories will be published! That's the goal, anyway.
Shawn Pollock
Shawn Pollock caught the writing bug early and published his first short story at 18 when he won The New Era magazine's Fiction contest. He has since published a novel, The Road to Freedom, and four more short stories. Mystery is his favorite genre, specifically the “Holmes on the Range” series by Steve Hockensmith. He also likes writing mysteries (describing it as either "lots of fun" or "maddening," depending on the day's writing session), but has dipped his toes in Westerns, fantasy, sci-fi, and, romance.
Shawn writes at night and has several mystery novels and short stories in various stages of completion. You can follow Shawn on Facebook at @authorshawnpollock and you can checkout some of his writing on http://mybookcave.com.
Linda Allison
After forty years in finance, Linda Allison is enjoying a second life as a writer, photographer, and explorer. Her micro and flash creative nonfiction essays have appeared in Bright Flash Literary Review, McQueen’s Quinterly, Star 82 Review, Dark Winter Lit, and others.
Her photography has been included in Burningword Literary Journal and is forthcoming in Persimmon Tree Literary Journal.
Mary Jensen
Mary writes fantasy and poetry. She enjoys the fantastic and creating new worlds, creatures, and magics. She lives in Utah with her husband and son. When growing up, Mary was the middle of nine children; she escaped the loudness of reality by immersing herself in books and poetry. From chaos comes creation.
Follow Mary on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryWJensenFanPage
Visit her website: https://marywjensen.weebly.com/
Lorraine Jeffrey
After living and working in Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, Georgia and Oregon, Lorraine delights in her closeup view of the Utah mountains. She earned a Master’s degree in Library Science and managed public libraries for over twenty years, all while she and her husband raised their ten children (eight adopted and two biological). Lorraine has published a lot of prose and poetry.
Her prose has appeared in many publications, including Persimmon Tree, Focus on the Family, Elsewhere, Ocotillo, Utah Senior Review, and Mature Years. Her first novel, Death is Always a Resident, was published in 2015 by Cedar Fort Press. In addition, she has published over 200 poems in journals and anthologies, including the LUW anthologies: Shadowed Hourglass, Chasing Tomorrow, At First Glance, and Volatile When Mixed. Recently she published two books of wisdom and poetry: When the Universe Brings Us Back and Tethers. Her latest book, Saltwater Soul, will be published by Kelsay Books in 2024.
You can find Lorraine's books and the mentioned LUW anthologies here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Lorraine+Jeffery
Alissa Holyoak
Alissa’s writing journey began in second grade when her story about a soccer-loving Easter bunny won an award. After that, she kept writing – secretly at first – until her tales could no longer be contained. She has sold several stories to children’s magazines and her debut novel, The Questfields: A Summer in Yosemite, was released in May 2023.
With the support of her incredible husband and their four rambunctious children, Alissa dabbles in a wide range of genres from picture books to science fiction. When she’s not writing, Alissa enjoys spending time with her family, baking, traveling, attending the theater, and reading. The library is one of her favorite places and she is proud to say that her children feel the same way.
You can find Alissa online at: www.alissaholyoak.com
Her debut novel is on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Questfields-Summer-Yosemite-Alissa-Holyoak/dp/B0C5GQT8XD
Nicole Dvorak
Nicole Klunder, originally from Long Island, New York, decided to head west in 2007 with her husband of 18 years to embark on a sunny west coast adventure.
If she is not working as a hairdresser, freelancing as a makeup artist, getting lost in the mountains with her husband, or participating in her many other interests, she’s falling in love with her new passion: writing.
Some of Nicole's poems have been published in anthologies. Nine of her blog posts are listed on Instagram and Linktree -- you can read them here: https://linktr.ee/klunder
Kathy Brown
My life is centered on the Lord and my family. I have eight children, thirty-seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. I was married for 36 years and have been single since 2008. I'm loving my life as it is now.
In 2007 I had an astonishing dream in which I felt the Lord was pushing me to write. Knowing nothing about writing I embarked on an amazing journey to gain knowledge and skill. The Just Write Chapter has been a great help in this endeavor.
I’m a slow learner but I look forward to the day I will be published. Currently, I'm working on two books. One is a Latter-day saint novel and the other is a memoir about living with a blind husband.
D. Reed Whittaker
I'm a retired engineer who’s now constructing worlds and friends I would like to have. My primary genre is Seasoned Romance and my main characters are 66. After writing and publishing eight books, these characters are only a few months older.
Time did not stop for me. I'm trying to shine a positive, optimistic light on modern maturity. Now and then I jump genres -- rural family, Western, and spy/thriller. I also jump modes -- writing plays and poems, and turning poems to songs. It's still fun.
Check out my website: https://www.dreedwhittaker.com/
Haley Cavanagh
Haley loves musical theater, and likes to read poetry, classical literature, and Stephen King. She started publishing her writing in 2015. Her sci-fi novel, Astraeus, was published in October 2018 by Covey Publishing. Her novel won the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer's Choice Award.
See: https://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/review-astraeus-haley-cavanagh/ Astraeus is also available as an audiobook. Haley is currently working on a sequel.
Writing with an acronym, Haley also pens award-winning romance novel. Haley graduated from Columbia College; she is a military veteran, wife, and mother. She lives in Utah and enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and furry pets. Learn more about her and her books on her website: https://haleycavanaghbooks.com/
Erica Richardson
Lover of both fantasy and reality, Erica Richardson can’t seem to get enough of dragons or good, clean romance. She is a wife and a mother, and loves creatures of all kinds. She can be found in her home in Utah, snugging young children, caring for pets, and sitting with her nose in a book or her fingers on the keyboard.
Erica was awarded the Olive Woolley Burt Honorable Mention Award for her poem "Chains of Compulsion." This poem was also published in Utah's Best Poetry and Prose 2023. In the 2023 LUW Quills writing contest, her novel, Dragonbreath and Prejudice, received a "Recommended Read" award.
Website: www.ericarichardsonauthor.com
Instagram: EricaRichardsonAuthor
Facebook: Erica Richardson Author
Stanley Klemetson, chapter delegate
Before retirement, Stanley L. Klemetson, Ph.D., was Associate Dean of the College of Technology and Computing at Utah Valley University in Orem. Currently he is a civil engineering consultant. He has published numerous technical articles and has authored or co-authored several technical books and manuals. His literary works have included chapters in these anthologies: My Love to you Always (OakTara Publishers, LLC, 2012), Writing After Retirement: Tips by Successful Retired Writers (Scarecrow Press, 2013), and Library Outreach to Writers and Poets: Interviews and Case Studies of Cooperation (McFarland, 2017).
Stan has finished a YA fantasy book, "Ghosts of Emeryville Mine," and he has started on a second book in the series. Periodically he writes short stories, family histories and poetry. He looks forward to publishing his manuscripts.
Steven McDonald
I’m excited to be part of Just Write! I live in West Valley City with my wife (a pharmacist) and three children. In 2007 I earned a BS in Creative Writing from Weber State. One of my stories was published in their literary journal, but over the next 12 years I found little time to write because I was teaching full-time.
Currently, I’m a stay-at-home dad and writing as much as possible. I am also narrating audiobooks (two are on Audible with a third on the way). In 2024, I completed the draft of my first novel, which I’m now revising. This novel is categorized as literary speculative and environmental fiction; the story was inspired by Dr. Seuss’ book, The Lorax. I mostly write speculative fiction, but also write YA fiction, horror, fantasy, and poetry.
Sharman Ober-Reynolds
Sharman Ober-Reynolds was born in Los Angeles. She completed a master’s in fine arts at Arizona State University and is the primary author of The FRIEND Program for Creating Supportive Peer Networks for Students with Social Challenges, including Autism. For over thirty years, Sharman worked as a family nurse practitioner, primarily in autism research. In 2023, she received First Place in the League’s Olive Woolley Bert writing contest. She lives and writes in an old house in Salt Lake City with her family and their Cadoodle, Lizzie.