THE SEVEN

Seven souls. One final chance for humanity.

In a divine test that will determine mankind's fate, seven individuals from across the globe are chosen to represent humanity. Their judges? Not God, not angels, but the creatures who have served mankind since the dawn of civilization - horses. These majestic beings have carried humans through history, and now they must decide if humanity deserves to continue its journey.

This profound tale explores the deep connection between humans and animals, the choices that define us, and the ultimate question: Has humanity strayed too far from its purpose to be saved? "The Seven" is a powerful story of redemption, second chances, and the extraordinary bond between humans and the creatures who know our hearts better than we know ourselves.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alison Gieschen is an award-winning author, lifelong sailor, and horsewoman whose life story is as epic as the novels she writes. A former schoolteacher and graduate of the University of North Carolina Charlotte, Alison spent 30 years running an internationally successful equestrian program on her family farm in New Jersey. After raising three children with her husband Dan—whom she met during a sailboat race—they sold everything they owned to pursue their shared dream of circumnavigating the globe aboard their 43-foot sailboat.

To date, Alison and Dan have traveled to 46 countries and recently crossed the Panama Canal, setting their course for the remote islands of French Polynesia. Her time at sea and her deep connection with both horses and people across cultures have inspired a powerful body of work spanning children’s literature, memoir, and adult fiction. Her books include the Rising Star Award-winning novel Blue Ridge, the magical children’s stories The Legend of Altor and Julia’s Vaulting Dream, and the nonfiction sailing memoir Riding the Waves of Reality: Tales of Turmoil and Triumph—with a sequel on the way.

Her latest release, The Seven, is a sweeping and soul-stirring novel that blends fantasy with deeply rooted real-world experience. The story follows seven humans and seven horses in a tale that spans continents and cultures, asking one pivotal question: Can the hearts of a few determine the fate of all humanity?

Alison is also preparing to release her newest children’s fantasy, Seanna: A Mermaid’s Tale—a story especially close to her heart. As someone who has always felt a magical connection to the sea and its mythical creatures, Alison brings the underwater world to life in this early reader chapter book. The story is being brought to even greater life through the artwork of seven-time international award-winning illustrator Barbara Owczarek, whose stunning illustrations add an extra layer of magic and wonder.

Through it all, Alison remains deeply connected to the world around her—from the sea life off her bow to the ancient cultures in the world’s most remote places. Her journey is far from over, and with every mile sailed, a new story is waiting to be told.

Learn more at https://alisongieschen.com.

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

Origins of the Story – The Seven was inspired by a vivid dream involving horses that Alison couldn’t shake.

Role of Horses as Moral Judges – Horses serve as spiritual mirrors and judges because of their innate ability to sense authenticity and emotion.

Character Development and Diversity – Each character is based on real-life experiences and represents different cultures, showing humanity’s shared struggles.

Emotional and Ethical Complexity – The book explores gray areas of morality, where judgment isn't black and white, especially in the human-horse confrontations.

Themes of Disconnection and Hope – The story critiques modern disconnection while offering a message of hope, transformation, and reconnection with what truly matters.

CONNECT WITH ALISON GIESCHEN!

Author website: https://alisongieschen.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sailmates.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailmates_on_equus/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-gieschen-24455429/

Walt Walls wants nothing more than to graduate from Credence University, start a family, and live a simple life with the one he loves. He only has two semesters to go. He is unaware of the cabal that exists underground, controlling and influencing not only the island but also his small Christian college. Nor does he know that his great-grandfather was once a ranking member in that very same group, and they want Walt’s abilities and his DNA safely back in the fold.

An innocuous research project with the dean’s daughter and a cryptic 62 word chapel presentation brings the young man to a decision point. Has he heard and understood the boy’s cry for justice from below, or the two little girls in his technology-induced dream?

This novel will shake you to your core and cause you to rethink what you thought was reality. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

George Saint Georges is a contemporary author known for exploring the intersections of identity, society, and the human psyche in his work. His passion is to challenge readers to think critically about the world around them.

Learn more and connect with George Saint Georges at https://GeorgeSaintGeorges.com.

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-imagination/id1526743863

SIDE QUEST: STORIES is the award-winning short story collection by Jalyn Renae Fiske that collects 14 speculative short stories and 1 poem that explore characters who yearn for a different life or a second chance amid magical curses, missing persons, dragon attacks, mad scientists, alien planets, human sacrifices, the undead, and silent gods. Fiske's wide range in writing style and subject matter makes for stories that are captivating and immersive for all types of readers. There's horror, there's adventure, there's whimsy, and there's tragedy. SIDE QUEST: STORIES is for anyone who wishes to step into the fantastical shoes of another and experience different perceptions, struggles, and dreams. Are you ready to begin?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jalyn Renae Fiske is an author, editor, educator, and librarian. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College in 2017. That same year, she began her tenure as Fiction Editor for James Gunn’s Ad Astra magazine and also served as Editor-in-Chief for The Pitkin Review and editor for Clockhouse.

Jalyn writes blends of science fiction, fantasy, and horror that are at times unsettling, strange, or whimsical. She likes to explore themes of identity and transformation, as well as create different social constructs and systems in her worldbuilding that encourages the reader to ask–Why is it that way? Could it be different? Should it be? Jalyn’s short stories, poems, and essays have appeared in The Science Fiction Tarot anthology, Allegory, Wyldblood, Mythaxis, Fabled Planet, and Sword and Sorceries Vol. 7, among others, and her debut short story collection, Side Quest: Stories, was released in November 2024.

Learn more about Jalyn Renae Fiske and her work at: http://www.jrenaewriter.com/ 

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

Transformation and Identity

Blending Genres and Tone

Power, Sacrifice, and Social Commentary

Crafting Stories and Structure

Challenging Genre Expectations

CONNECT WITH AUTHOR JALYN RENAE FISKE:

Three levels below a street in New York City lies the world’s largest securities vault. For 40 years, Andy Russo has been its devoted steward. But after decades of mistreatment, Andy reaches a breaking point. Leading his disgruntled team of employees, he devises an audacious plan to steal $100 million in bearer bonds—an inside job no one ever expected.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stuart Z. Goldstein is a former high-profile Wall Street PR executive with a decades-long career at institutions like DTCC and American Express. Now an award-winning author, he’s known for his deeply personal memoir Moe Fields and his latest financial thriller The Vault, which blends real-world events with compelling fiction. With a background in public affairs and a passion for storytelling, Stuart brings both authenticity and heart to his work—drawing on his insider knowledge of the financial world to craft stories that are as emotionally resonant as they are suspenseful.

Learn more about Stuart Goldstein and his work at www.stuartzgoldsteinbooks.com 

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

CONNECT WITH STUART Z. GOLDSTEIN!

Website: www.stuartzgoldsteinbooks.com 

ARCHIPELAGO

Following a tragic event, The Herb Society, along with Lukas and Taylor are unwittingly pulled into Baptiste’s twisted plan to not only find a lost continent but unlock the secrets to a precious material that is only found near an archipelago he believes to be the remainder of this sunken world. Baptiste knows this material is more precious than all the gold in the world and he has big plans for it. When The Herb Society discovers Pierre Baptiste’s nefarious agenda, they unlock a global conspiracy led by the world’s rich and powerful that would completely alter civilization to their advantage for generations to come. Now The Herb Society ladies, Lukas, Taylor, Tory and her boyfriend, Pepe are thrust into the plot and must fight the forces of nature and evil to save mankind from an unimaginable future. But will they be able to stop Pierre and his clever friends from initiating the countdown to an apocalypse?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

E. William Podojil is an author, strategic advisor, and international business executive. He studied screenwriting at UCLA and has published both thrillers and mysteries, including The Tenth Man and The Poseidon Project. Archipelago is the second book in The Herb Society Mysteries. Podojil lives in Northeast Ohio with his husband and three sons.

Website: www.ewpodojil.com

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

Thematic Depth of Archipelago

The central theme of "beauty concealing darkness" and the exploration of dualities like discovery vs. destruction and good vs. evil.

The broader metaphor of surface vs. substance (both in nature and people).

Character Development and Interpersonal Dynamics

Molly Halloran’s growth and emotional layers, especially her strength and vulnerability.

The evolving relationship between Lucas and Taylor as they face aging, temptation, and life transitions.

Pierre Baptiste as a complex antagonist driven by vanity, aging, and a hunger for power and love.

Real-World Technology and Futuristic Elements

The role of cutting-edge (but real) technology in the story, such as AI, augmented reality, and satellite systems.

The yacht Juventus as both a character and a symbol—luxurious, high-tech, and emotionally isolating.

Philosophical and Generational Reflections

Insights on aging, legacy, and the fleeting nature of time.

Reflections on how different generations handle global anxiety, technological disruption, and personal purpose.

Series Structure and Storytelling Approach

How Archipelago fits within the Herb Society Mysteries series (second book following The Poseidon Project).

Writing process—balancing plotting with character-driven storytelling.

Hints at the third book (Chameleon), and the possible continuation of the series through new perspectives.

MAVERICK AND THE BIG GAME

Maverick has played in many hockey games, but today is different—it’s the championship game! As he laces up his skates, Maverick feels excited, but also a little nervous. What if he misses a shot? What if he lets his team down?

Follow Maverick as he faces one of his biggest challenges yet and learns that being brave doesn’t mean not being scared—it means playing your best, no matter what!

Will Maverick help his team win the championship?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gina Usufzy is a passionate storyteller and youth hockey advocate dedicated to inspiring young readers through engaging and meaningful stories. As the creator of The Adventures of Maverick the Hockey Player series, Gina combines her love for hockey with her commitment to fostering resilience, teamwork, and perseverance in children. With years of experience running youth hockey programs, Gina has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of sports in shaping character and life skills. Her books, including Maverick and the Big Game, aim to entertain while imparting valuable lessons about dedication, sportsmanship, and believing in oneself. Gina’s work has resonated with young athletes, parents, and educators alike, making her a strong advocate for literacy and youth development. When she’s not writing, she’s actively involved in the hockey community, helping young players reach their full potential on and off the ice.

Learn more about Gina Usufzy and connect with her at www.maverickshockeyadventures.com. And learn more about the Hockey for Kids Scholarship Program here: www.hockeyforkids.org. 

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:

The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Maverick

Themes of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, and Life Lessons

Hockey as a Lifestyle and Community Mission

Writing for Relatability and Emotional Connection

Expanding the Maverick Brand

ANTUMBRA

Welcome to the ÜberCube! It’s the perfect society where everyone enjoys fun social gatherings every night; where everyone enjoys tasty, expertly balanced nutritious food; where everybody has a job and a home of their own, complete with the latest model EMILY personal helper to manage all those parts of life you don’t need to; where you can buy the latest must-have items and have them delivered immediately to your personal Cube the very second they are announced by the NewsFeeds!

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul L Merryfellow is a British-Irish author and software engineer based in London, UK. His love of science fiction stems from authors such as Ray Bradbury, Philip K Dick, and Douglas Adams, and he further enjoys a variety of authors in other genres, such as P G Wodehouse, Franz Kafka, and James Herbert.

Paul is a keen (though lousy) archer, and he spends much time examining the nuances of communication and societal norms through language and culture. He is a Licenced Lay Minister under the Church of England, a puppeteer, and plays the guitar, ukulele, and banjo (in various degrees of "terrible").

Paul is at his happiest when discovering something new and bizarre to investigate!

CONNECT WITH PAUL MERRYFELLOW!

https://linktr.ee/PaulMerryfellow

THE LAST SINGLE COUPLE IN AMERICA

A wasp infestation. An impending 30th birthday. These are minor catastrophes for Jude, a 29-year-old gay man and Francine, his 30-ish, straight best friend, especially after Jude unknowingly sleeps with the same man Francine also slept with and was hoping to begin a relationship with causing a breach in their friendship. Then, losing his job, Jude decides to visit a childhood friend in San Francisco, possibly starting a new life there. He gets embroiled in some bizarre misadventures, including a misconstrued interview with a gay porn production company, and involvement with a whip-wielding professor into bondage and worst of all to Jude - a foot fetish. After several months of attempting to get a job, and learning of his father's ill health, Jude returns to upstate New York. Once home, Jude meets and falls in love for the first time with Chase Allgood, a handsome gay bar owner. When Jude's father dies, he is reunited with Francine. She informs Jude about Douglas de Chambeau, a debonaire, wealthy jewelry store owner she is involved with. They bask in the glow of their rekindled friendship and mutual happiness, but will Chase's quest for financial security his ex can offer end Jude's happily-ever-after? And will a long-kept secret Douglas hides sabotage Francine's chance for love rendering Jude and Francine the last single couple in America?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Martin Sacchetti received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in film and creative writing. While living in New York City, he attended the Gotham Writer's Workshop. He is an avid reader, has been to all 50 states and 25 countries (and counting), and is a staunch supporter of animal advocacy. He lives in upstate New York with his partner, David, and the spirit of their two Italian Greyhounds, Caesar and Dante. 

Martin is now an award-winning author with The Last Single Couple in America, being a Storytrade finalist for LGBTQ+ Book of the Year and receiving the Literary Titan Book Award.

Follow Martin Sacchetti on Facebook, X, and Instagram:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008265436442

https://www.instagram.com/sacmar1025/

https://x.com/MartinSacc94992

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

Book Overview and Inspiration – Discussion of The Last Single Couple in America, its premise, and the inspiration behind it, including personal experiences and influences like Carrie Fisher.

Themes of Friendship and Singlehood – Exploration of the central friendship between Jude and Francine, the significance of singlehood, and the bittersweet nature of relationships.

Setting and Nostalgia – The novel’s setting in 1990s Albany and San Francisco, the role of nostalgia, and the importance of accurate cultural and geographic details.

Character Development and Writing Process – Insights into Jude’s personality, supporting characters, humor vs. drama balance, and the author's freeform approach to storytelling.

Future Projects and Recognition – Discussion of awards, reader feedback, and upcoming writing projects, including a new book and a one-act play adaptation.

TOO MUCH is the gripping true story of a woman driven to the brink, sacrificing everything—love, loyalty, and sanity—in the name of retribution.

I wonder if it all started with a single impulsive decision: joining the U.S. Army for "free" medical school. But the reality of military medicine was far different. I found myself trapped in a system that values hierarchy, patriarchy, and conformity over compassion and care. My mental health deteriorated. Addictive habits became my crutch.

TOO MUCH is the story of my battle to reclaim my sanity and my voice. It's a raw and honest look at the dark side of medicine and the challenges of mental illness. It’s a story that will remind you how a brighter future is possible, even when it feels like everything is broken.

This is my story.  But maybe it’s your story, too.

Dr. Cindy Lee Neighbors is a retired US Army physician and writer whose work centers on mental health advocacy. Her debut memoir, TOO MUCH, chronicles her experiences navigating mental health challenges and a toxic work environment within military medicine. She's also a passionate children's book author, with her debut title, Benji and Briana Become Booger Doctors, and the creator of the coloring book series, "Adventures in Surgeryland." Cindy's mission is to inspire others to overcome adversity and find their voice through storytelling.

You can learn more about Cindy and her work at https://www.cindyleeneighbors.com

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

The Inspiration and Purpose Behind Too Much – Cindy Neighbors discusses why she wrote her memoir, emphasizing her struggles with mental health during her surgical residency and her desire to break the stigma surrounding these challenges.

The Role of the Ocean as a Symbol in the Memoir – Cindy explains why she opened the book with a scene on a Hawaiian beach and how the ocean serves as a recurring motif representing transformation, reflection, and healing.

The Challenges of Writing a Memoir – Cindy talks about working with her developmental editor, making difficult decisions about what to include and exclude, and the emotional difficulty of revisiting traumatic experiences.

Her Journey Through Mental Health Struggles and Addiction – She details her experiences with substance use, the breaking point that led her to seek help, and how rehabilitation ultimately set her on a different path.

What’s Next: Fiction Writing and Children’s Books – Cindy shares her plans to write fiction, her recent children’s book (Benji and Brianna Become Booker Doctors), and her efforts to remain engaged in the community through creative projects.

THE UNFORGETTING

Ten years ago, Reagan’s friend died in a tragic accident.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bonnie Traymore is the Amazon charts bestselling author of eight domestic/psychological thrillers. Her thrillers feature strong but relatable female protagonists who peel back the layers of suburban American life and give readers a peek inside. The plots explore difficult topics such as jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders, but she also includes bits of romance and humor to lighten the mood from time to time. 

Bonnie loves Hitchcock movies, psychological thriller novels, coffee, and dark chocolate, not necessarily in that order and sometimes simultaneously. She has a doctorate in United States history and resides in Honolulu with her family. She's an active member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America.

Learn more about Bonnie Traymore and her work at: http://www.bonnietraymore.com/ 

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION