TalkWithME

A multi-media artist living near Washington, DC, Jeff Bagato produces poetry and prose as well as electronic music and glitch video. Some of his poetry and visuals have appeared in Chiron Review, Synchronized Chaos, Miscreant, Outlaw Poetry, and Midnight Lane Boutique. Some short fiction has appeared in Gobbet and Horror Sleaze Trash. He has published nineteen books, all available by ordering at your local indie bookseller (or if you must, from the usual online markets) including Savage Magic (poetry) and The Toothpick Fairy (fiction). A blog about his writing and publishing efforts can be found at http://jeffbagato.com

A multi-media artist living near Washington, DC, Jeff Bagato produces poetry and prose as well as electronic music and glitch video. Some of his poetry and visuals have appeared in Chiron Review, Synchronized Chaos, Miscreant, Outlaw Poetry, and Midnight Lane Boutique. Some short fiction has appeared in Gobbet and Horror Sleaze Trash. He has published nineteen books, all available by ordering at your local indie bookseller (or if you must, from the usual online markets) including Savage Magic (poetry) and The Toothpick Fairy (fiction). A blog about his writing and publishing efforts can be found at http://jeffbagato.com

Crystal Boson writes short, dense poems that lay bare the complicated geographies of the United States and the lives of the Black, queer, and marginalized bodies that dwell within its boundaries. The poems are dark matter, heavy and small, and will rip everything you know apart. She currently writes about, and resides in the midwest.

Macey Webb was born in 1981 and adopted by a family in Stilwell, KS, composed of an educator and a jack-of-all-trades.  She has inevitably been writing since she has known how, although there was a brief slackening when all her favorite children's literary magazines refused to publish her 12-year-old musings on how enjoyable farm chores can be.  In the whirlwind of the last three years, Macey has used poetry to process mental illness, grief, joy, kitties, interconnectedness, and survival.  Her involvement with the Percolator Lawrence art space in her home town of Lawrence, KS has led to Macey hosting a variety of wildly unsuccessful Open Mic Words And Poetry events that do little more than annoy local patrons of corporate hotels and restaurants.  Truly, she never asked for anything more.

Denise Low, past Poet Laureate of Kansas, is the award-winning author of over 35 books of poetry, memoir, and more.  Currently based in Lawrence, KS, she is a 5th generation Kansan with British Isles, German, Delaware (Lenape / Munsee) and other heritages.

April Roller is the founder of the innovative, artistic, suicide prevention organization, Cosplay for Hope, based in Warrensburg, MO. April's life changed on August 4, 2013 when Jeremy, her beloved husband and father of their three children, died by suicide. Jeremy secretly struggled with severe depression and anxiety throughout his 32 years. Yet he also experienced the joys of falling in love with April, and with each of their three young children. In honor of Jeremy, April and their sons became advocates for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. April's advocacy included founding the student chapter of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at U. of Central MO, as well as Cosplay For Hope.

Learn more at www.facebook.com/pg/CosplayForHope

Lindsey Doolittle is a speaker, children’s book author, artist, and suicide loss survivor. After her late husband, Sgt. Brett Doolittle of the KC, KS PD, ended his life in 2015 she became a suicide prevention advocate through public speaking and art.  Her children’s book "Goodnight Mr. Vincent van Gogh" offers a gentle way of explaining a loved one’s suicide without sweeping it under the rug. August & September 2018 in Kansas City. she  her traveling art exhibit "Faces After Suicide" debuts. It features ink drawings, suicide prevention resources and letters written by loss survivors.