The Authors Porch

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I moved a lot as a kid. As a result, I attended seven different elementary schools. Books became my coping mechanism. They replaced the awkwardness associated with starting a new school, walking into a new classroom, and making new friends. Books didn’t judge, they didn’t bully, and they didn’t exclude me from whatever activities were going on. Not once did I ever pick up a book and feel rejected.

I was methodical in my reading habits. Before middle school, I stuck to nonfiction. History, geography, and zoology. I would pick a section of the library and check out all the books on a given subject. I covered a multitude of topics; the Revolutionary war, the Serengeti, the Great Depression, Manifest Destiny, pirates, you get the picture. I distinctly remember one weekend checking out three separate books on World War II fighter pilots. Needless to say, the librarians knew me by name. I was voracious and would finish a dozen books a week. I rushed through in-class work so I could read and escape from the world.

When I reached middle school, I discovered fiction. It started with the first book I ever bought, Tarzan of the Apes. I was enthralled. So much so that I rode my bike to different malls, collecting the entire series in paperback (24 books in all). I read each one twice and several three times or more. I branched off into their works by Edgar Rice Burroughs, specifically the Barsoom series (otherwise known as John Carter of Mars). Finding more books to read was like pulling the thread on the tapestry. Jules Verne, Tolkien, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Larry Niven, Terry Brooks, Harry Turtledove, Clive Cussler, and the list goes on. And of course, who can forget the time someone challenged me to read Dhalgren (at a tender 14 years old). Thanks, Ken.

Finally, my attention turned to more sophisticated fiction and non-fiction. My good friend Matt introduced me to Barbara Tuchman, an excellent historian, and several Russian classics by Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky. English and American classics also found their place.

Somewhere along the line, my thoughts shifted from reading to writing. A long conversation with my high school friend Dustan probably inspired me. In my late twenties, a story began to form that would take 20+ years to complete, a story I am ready to share with the world.

I’ve had incredible support, from my beautiful wife Sonya to my amazing kids, Chris and McKenna. All my friends and family (you all know who you are, but if you need to be called out, let me know). I am forever grateful for their steady praise, honest feedback, harsh criticism, and above all, endless encouragement. Any success I have as a writer will always be erected upon the foundation of their enthusiasm.

www.bkgreenwood.com

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Jeff Lucas graduated from Stanford and did grad work at Columbia.

He coached a high school volleyball team to a state championship, the first in the history of the school in any sport. He also taught poetry at a community college and at the University of Washington.

Jeff did extensive research and consulted with a marine biologist for the facts and accuracy of The Lost Ship.

A portion of the book's proceeds will be donated to The Nature Conservancy, whose mission is to conserve the lands and waters throughout the world.

www.jefflucasauthor.com

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“Writing comes within my soul while the words flow out of me.”

As a certified disability advocate, CP gal, and author of beautiful and heartfelt novels, Amanda Forry/Fino understands the struggles disabled people go through.

Under her pen name Sasha Fino, she strives to bring her novels to life. In spite of Cerebral Palsy, Sasha published all different types of books under this name.

Your perception of her disability is not accurate; she can write romance as well as anyone else. There are six of her novels: Omerta: Journey to the Past, Kingpin, My Vegas Confessions, Sedona's Heart, and Blue Bell; a Dark Academy Romance. One is featured in the limited-time anthology Witchy Wonders.

Amanda is a part of the DC Author’s Dinner Group that’s included some of the most significant bestselling authors of our time.

When Amanda isn’t writing, she is a disability rights advocate, active Alumni, Leader, and Presenter with the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, Training Alumni Association (TAA), and Public Speaker.

Amanda lives with her family in Williamsburg, Virginia. While Amanda enjoys books, walking, and wine, she also enjoys blogging on her website cpgal.com in her spare time.

cpgal.com

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Dr. Thomas Jordan, who has helped thousands of individuals and couples enjoy more fulfilling relationships and experience more satisfying, longer-lasting love lives as a psychotherapist for the past 33 years, is the author of a breakthrough book Learn To Love: Guide to Healing Your Disappointing Love Life.

Dr. Jordan, who specializes in the treatment of chronic love life problems, founded the educational resource Love Life Learning Center in 2012. In 2017 he launched the Healthy Love Life Seminar, leading love life educational seminars with his wife, a psychotherapist, Victoria Jordan, LCSW.

He is a graduate of the New York University’s Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology, and a faculty member of the post-doctoral program. He earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in clinical psychology from New School for Social Research. He received a B.A. with honors in psychology from University of Massachusetts.

Early in his career he served three years as a senior psychologist and disability consultant to the NYC Department of Correction. He also served four years as the clinic director of Long Island Consultation Center, a large psychiatric clinic. Since 1991 he has served as a psychological disability consultant for Verizon, Communication Workers Association, New York Police Department, Con Edison, United Nations, and Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

Dr. Jordan is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including American Psychological Association, American Board of Professional Disability Consultants, Association for Psychological Science, and Psychoanalytic Society at NYU. He resides and practices in the Upper West Side of New York City.

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Richard Cirulli is an author, playwright and founder of the Demitasse Players, a 501 (c ) (3) charity. Founded on the mission to write and produce plays to bring awareness to mental health, the Demitasse Players aim to remove the many taboos of mental illness.

They teach people about mental disorders, and how these illnesses impact caregivers, friends, and family. For more information, please visit: https://demitasseplayers.com/.

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Born in Colorado Harrison Taylor author of the breakout novel Those Who Hunt Wolves found his love for literature in the oddest of places, movies.

Having a deep love for cinema, Harrison started his writing career writing screenplays for low budget shorts. After being told to tone down his stories due to budget and resource restraints, he realized that one’s imagination has no boundaries. From there he switched to becoming a novelist, shortly after writing his first tale The Pharmacy.

As an avid lover of cinema and literature, Harrison crafted his writing into a style that melds both worlds together making it Avant Garde and engaging. Harrison continues to practice his craft in his hometown of Raleigh North Carolina where he continues to enjoy movies, books, and skateboarding with his wife and two children.

www.metalroosterpublishing.com

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Sarah Humphreys lives in Lehi, Utah, and is a die-hard fantasy nerd that can’t stop talking about dragons and anime.

She is trying to get through high school by creating her own worlds and characters and has written six novel-length books.

Sarah does make friends, but only with people who can stand her habit of constantly talking during movies to critique the plot, her memorization of the How to Train your Dragon Wikipedia page, and a monologue explaining why Doctor Strange is obviously the best avenger.

www.SarahHumpherys.com

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I was born in Phillipsburg, NJ, we moved to Maryland in 1979 and bought a Poultry farm.  In 1985 I joined the US Air Force, married my wife Sherry and started a family, our daughter Melissa and son Timothy, retired after 20 years in the Military in 2006.  Had my first book published in 2020 after being turned down about 3 times and finished my second Sept of this year.

www.jasper-n-friends.com

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Jennifer Hobbs is an Army Veteran whose compassion and humor reaches far and wide through her drive to connect with and support others. She has dedicated over a decade of teaching in education and serving Veteran nonprofit organizations. Jennifer is empowered by the personal growth that comes with struggle, and she inspires others to embrace their journeys as well. When she's not working on her business, BUFF & HOBBS IMPACT LLC, or sharing other people’s powerful stories, she is immersed in her love of writing, she's spending time with her Veteran husband, three kids, and two dogs.

www.thejenniferhobbs.com

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Author Vito Altavilla has a background as an industrial researcher and has participated in many technological breakthroughs. Now retired, he lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. And is currently working on a screen adaptation for his book, It Began In Brooklyn!