2024 Faculty: G through L
Judith Gaines
Judith Gaines is a producer and director with extensive experience creating media content for organizations such as the NHL, WUSA, and NASCAR Hall of Famers. She has worked on numerous local, regional, and national advertising campaigns, including projects with program directors at the NC Museum of Art, where she found the inspiration for "Wired," the first book in the Jade Weekes series. Additionally, her manuscript "Double Cross" is a 2024 Claymore finalist. Judith has also completed training in Non-Verbal Communications in Forensics led by former FBI agent Joe Navarro. She is a member of Sisters In Crime and the North Carolina Writers' Network, and she owns and serves as the executive editor of IndieWriterPro.com. You can learn more about her writing and workshop offerings at JudithGaines.com.
Debra Gaskill
Debra Gaskill is retired Ohio journalist and editor. She writes both romantic suspense and detective fiction. Her novel, Kissing Fitz received the Silver Falchion award for Best Suspense. Her 2023 book, Hunting Fitz was a Silver Falchion Top Pic and is a finalist for the 2024 Reader’s Choice Award.
Ronald Gerber
Ronald Gerber has been a literary agent at Lowenstein Associates since 2019. Recent titles from his clients include OLIVE BLACKWOOD TAKES ACTION! by Sonja Thomas (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, 2024) and FIRST TO THE FRONT by Lorissa Rinehart (St. Martin’s Press, 2023). Ronald is always on the lookout for cinematic stories with strong hooks and relatable characters. He lives in Queens, New York.
James Glass
James Glass retired from the United States Navy after 22 years of service. After retiring, he exchanged his rifle for a pen. He’s written five crime thrillers, one horror novel, and a novella. James is also President of the Panhandle Writer's Group.
Rick Glaze
Rick Glaze. I stepped up to embrace my heritage as a Southerner and a Southern Writer with the publication of Ralph & Murray, a tale of growing up in a small southern town in the late 1950s and narrated by my precocious dog, Ralph, and his feline friend, Murray. When I'm not whitewater rafting down the Grand Canyon or sailing around the Caribbean Islands, I live in Nashville, Tennessee where I paint portraits in my home studio and write and perform country music. I've released two albums, songs from which have been played and featured on Country Music Television (CMT), BBC Radio, as well as radio airplay. I attended the Stanford University Creative Writing Program and hold an MFA in studio Art from the Maryland Institute College of Art. My previous published work includes The Purple River, a novel set during a whitewater rafting trip, Spanish Pieces of Eight, a mystery set in the sailing world, and the humor and satire of Ralph & Murray, as well as a short story collection, and a weekly column in Silicon Valley.
Michelle Godard-Richer
Michelle Godard-Richer is the multi-award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of eight books, including Into The Fog and The Fatal Series. She has an Honours Degree in Criminology from the University of Ottawa and was named Best Canada Author of the Year by N.N. Light’s Book Heaven.
Bill Gormley
Bill Gormley is Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at Georgetown University. His former students include a big city mayor, a poet, the head of the Medicaid program, and the FBI’s chief environmental officer. His first mystery, Too Many Bridges, set in Pittsburgh, will be published by Level Best this summer.
Heywood Gould
Heywood Gould is the author of thirteen novels, including Cocktail, Fort Apache, The Bronx, Double Bang and Drafted. Nine screenplays, Cocktail, Fort Apache, the Bronx, Boys From Brazil, Rolling Thunder. His directorial features include One Good Cop, starring Michael Keaton, Trial By Jury with William Hurt, Mistrial starring Bill Pullman, Double Bang with William Baldwin. Read more about Heywood at www.heywoodgould.com and www.tolmitchpress.com.
Marni Graff
Marni Graff is the multi-award-winning author of the The Trudy Genova Manhattan Mysteries and The Nora Tierney English Mysteries, with short stories in anthologies that include the Anthony Award-winner Murder Most Edible. Managing Editor of Bridle Path Press, Graff is a crime book reviewer, blogs for Miss Demeanors, and is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mavens of Mayhem SinC, Triangle SinC, Mystery People UK, the NC Writers Network, and the International Association of Crime Writers. For seven years she worked as a medical consultant for a NY movie studio.
Stacey Graham
Stacey Graham loves working with writers at all stages of their careers, representing talented authors and illustrators from around the globe in picture books, middle grade, romance, graphic novels, thrillers, and nonfiction. She is currently looking to add to her list with projects in: romance, mystery, spooky fiction, YA, and graphic novels.
Angela Greenman
Angela Greenman’s career as a communications professional has included the International Atomic Energy Agency, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Chicago’s civil rights department. Her debut book, The Child Riddler, was a Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award Winner last year for Best Action Adventure. https://www.angelagreenman.com/
Candace Grissom
Dr. Candace Ursula Grissom is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Composition at the University of Cincinnati. She writes fiction under the pen name Vivian Catfield. Her education includes a PhD from MTSU and an MFA from Sewanee. She lives in Cincinnati with her partner, Andrew, and her cat, Jim.
Ashley Hagen
Ashley Sargeant Hagan writes traditional mysteries with a large dose of romance. In her Backstage Mystery series a British actor plays a detective on television yet finds himself solving actual crimes. A long-time resident of Nashville, Ashley is also a professional editor and publishing consultant and the immediate past president of Sisters in Crime Middle Tennessee. When not writing, she is in her vintage and new shop or supporting other authors through The Dangerous Pen Society.
Mark Hannon
Mark Hannon is the author of three novels, Every Man for Himself, The Vultures (a finalist for the Silver Falchion Award) and Dunleavy (a finalist for the Claymore Award). He has also written a history, The Fire Laddies, about firefighting in the early twentieth century. A retired firefighter, he and his family live in Baltimore.
Steven Harms
Steven C. Harms has authored two mystery thrillers. Give Place to Wrath and The Counsel of the Cunning, earning two national book awards. A third book is in process. He’s a contributing writer for Killer Nashville Magazine. Steven had a career as an executive in the sports business and now resides in west Michigan.
Bradley Harper
Bradley Harper MD is a retired US Army pathologist with real-world forensic exeprience. His writing credits include his debut novel, A Knife in the Fog, an Edgar’s Finalist, Silver Falchion winner, and Recommended Read by the Doyle estate. His sequel, Queen’s Gambit, was a 2020 Silver Falchion winner for Best Suspense and Book of the Year. Knife is currently being pitched in the UK and Hollywood for a possible adaptation. https://www.BHarperAuthor.com
Cheré Harper
Cheré Harper became Mrs. Claus, an editor, and most recently a producer and script supervisor, all for her husband Bradley, but she always loved books and reading. Sharing and helping to birth them is a passion.
Peter Harris
Peter Harris retired in January 2021 after a 31-year career in The Los Angeles Police Department. The bulk of that time was in black and white; however, he spent eight of those years investigating criminal cases at Internal Affairs.
Elle Hartford
Elle Hartford writes the award-winning Alchemical Tales series, blending mystery and fantasy. As a writing and publishing coach, she believes in the value of stories as a mirror for complicated realities. Find stories and book information at ellehartford.com, or check out Elle's blog about indie publishing at ellehartford.substack.com.
Millie Naylor Hast
Millie Naylor Hast combines her passions for journalism and politics by writing action-filled thrillers exploring important themes of today. Last year she was a Finalist for the Claymore Award. Her manuscripts have won two other national awards. When not writing she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and gathering with friends.
M Hendrix
M Hendrix is the Pushcart-Prize nominated author of The Chaperone, which earned a Booklist starred review and was a Parnassus bestseller. M holds an M.A. from Miami University and a Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati. She now makes her home in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Learn more at mhendrixwrites.com
Chrissy Hicks
Chrissy's writing has been featured in Killer Nashville Magazine and The Broadkill Review, among others. Winner of the 2024 Thomas Mabry Creative Writing Award, Claymore Top Pick (2024) and Suspense Finalist (2022), she’s a Southern transplant residing in Tennessee with her family, a talkative Husky, and frenetic cat.
CJ Howell
CJ Howell is the author of THE SALT CUTTER, THE LAST OF THE SMOKING BARTENDERS, and THE HUNDRED MILE VIEW. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder’s Creative Writing Program and the University of Arizona College of Law. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Nate Hoffelder
Nate has been helping people fix broken tech since 2010. He turns broken down Wordpress sites into sites which convert visitors into superfans, also builds sites from scratch, and helps authors with their social media and newsletters. Nate is on the board of the Florida Writers Foundation, and works with SF conventions as a webmaster. When he is not volunteering, he writes bad jokes on Facebook.
Leigh Hull
Leigh Hull is the co-host and web producer for the Writing Roots podcast and author of two nerdy murder mysteries. She uses her experience as an editor, journalist, and graphic designer to help aspiring authors navigate their own journey of writing and publishing.
Christine Husom
Christine Husom is a best-selling author from Minnesota. She served with the Wright County Sheriff and trained with the St. Paul MN Police Department where she gained firsthand experience. She pens the suspenseful police procedural Winnebago County Mysteries, and the cozy, but not too cozy, Snow Globe Shop Mysteries where bad guys demonstrate not everyone is “Minnesota Nice.” Her latest titles are Deputy #714 Is Down and Cold Way To Go. www.christinehusom.com.
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes is an editor, author, speaker, podcaster, and educational consultant. She’s a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 board and the 540 Writer’s Community board and is an art instructor for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future in Guatemala. Katherine hosts the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She contributes regularly to several magazines, blogs, and newsletters. She authored a Bible study for women, a collaborative anthology of devotions, and is currently working on the sequels of her first general market thriller novel. Her thriller A Fifth of the Story debuted in February 2024 through Endgame Press.
Kate B Jackson
Kate B Jackson is an Anthony Award finalist, a 2x Silver Falchion Finalist, and an Agatha Award winning author of mysteries for grownups and mystery/adventures for kids. Based in the Pacific NW, when she’s not writing about murder and Sasquatch, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four grown children.
Tilia Klebenov Jacobs
Tilia Klebenov Jacobs is the author of two crime novels and a middle-grade fantasy book. Her short fiction appears in the anthologies When a Stranger Comes to Town and Deadly Nightshade: Best New England Crime Stories 2022. She serves on the board of Mystery Writers of America-New England.
Elle Jauffret
Elle Jauffret is a French-born American lawyer, writer, and former criminal attorney for the California Attorney General's Office. She is a graduate of Université Côte d’Azur Law School (France) and the George Washington University School of Law (USA). She writes speculative short stories, mystery novels, and thrillers. https://ellejauffret.com
Bruce Johnson
After working in and writing about computer technology for four decades, Bruce Johnson pivoted to psychological thrillers. His first short story, Deja Vu, was published in the Invasive Species anthology earlier this year. He is currently polishing his first novel, The Farm, until it glistens.
Ida Mae Jones
After a successful 40-year career as a college professor teaching business law, Ida Mae Jones has transitioned to writing in a genre she first read at age 11. She's been inspired by numerous mystery authors who’ve produced tantalizing plots, clues to thought-provoking puzzles, and characters who seem like friends.
Russell Jones
Russell Jones is an award-winning criminal defense attorney in Wisconsin, with over two decades of experience as a trial lawyer. His handling of high-profile cases has garnered state and national accolades, with his work featured in true crime documentaries and on MSNBC, A&E, and Fox News.
Mary Jumbelic, M.D.
Mary Jumbelic, M.D., is an author and former chief medical examiner. She has performed thousands of autopsies during her 25-year career. Her first book, Here, Where Death Delights, a Literary Memoir, is a journey in demystifying death. Her motto is “I speak for the dead. They speak for me.”
Sierra Kay
Sierra Kay combines her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, master’s degree in Writing, and certificates in E-Business Strategy and Business Applications of Artificial Intelligence with her professional achievements for consulting and speaking engagements across various industries. She is a member of Sisters of Crime, Chicago Writer’s Association and the Independent Book Publishers Association. https://www.vegaunleashed.com/
Donna Kathryn Kelly
Donna Kathryn Kelly [@donnakathrynkelly.com] has practiced law for three decades, primarily in the Illinois criminal justice system. Early in her legal career, she served as an assistant appellate defender. She subsequently worked as a felony prosecutor. Kelly is the author of the crime thriller trilogy, The Cheney Manning Series.
Lawrence Kelter
Lawrence Kelter is the bestselling author of thirty mystery and thriller novels including the Stephanie Chalice Mystery Series that has topped worldwide bestseller lists. Early in his writing career, he received direction from literary icon, Nelson DeMille. Well before he said, "Lawrence Kelter is an exciting new novelist, who reminds me of an early Robert Ludlum," he said, "Kid, your work needs editing, but that's a hell of a lot better than not having talent. Keep it up!"
Dana Killion
Dana Killion is the author of the Andrea Kellner series. The series is a journey through Chicago corruption, countered by a journalist's ability to confront deceit. Dana’s recent memoir, Where the Shadows Dance, weaves a thread between fiction and reality with her deeply personal story of love, lies, and leaving.
Kathlyn J. Kirkwood
Kathlyn J. Kirkwood's debut, Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round, is an illustrated memoir-in-verse that tells the story of her involvement in the civil rights movement and struggle to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a federal holiday. Kathlyn is also CEO and President of Better B LLC, a nonprofit literacy organization focused on Nashville’s youth.
Ellen Kirschman
Ellen Kirschman is an award-winning police psychologist. She is the author of three non-fiction books plus the semi-autobiographical five-book mystery series featuring police psychologist, Dr. Dot Meyerhoff. Embedded in a police department that isn’t sure it wants her there, Dot is too dedicated for her own good, takes orders from no one including her chief, and solves crimes when she should be counseling cops. Ellen lives in Redwood City, California with her husband whose life she has plagarized for the character of Dot’s romantic interest, Frank. She writes an occasional newsletter. You can sign up at her website, www.ellenkirschman.com.
Dan Klefstad
Dan Klefstad’s latest book, DIY Book Promo, helps his fellow authors find readers without spending money. It’s based on lessons from the campaign for his novel, Fiona’s Guardians. Highlights from that campaign include getting his novel adapted by Artists’ Ensemble Theater for their Mysterious Journey podcast. Dan lives in Kentucky.
Aimee Kluck
Aimee Kluck writes about female crime busters. Her short stories appears in Murder Most International, Shotgun Honey, Punk Noir, and Inkd Publishing: Noncorporeal. She has completed a murder mystery novel, The Last Cut. Member of MWA, SinC, WFWA & SFMS. Catch her dancing in the streets or at: www.aimeekluck.com
Dean Krystek
After retiring from a long military career, Dean put away his uniform and decided to follow his passion for books. He is an alumnus of the University of Maryland and the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in English. He’s a published novelist and short story writer. He currently resides in Pennsylvania with his wife Lynda. Dean is looking for authors with distinctive voices whose narratives invoke a strong sense of time and place and whose stories create a memorable reading experience. He’d like to see paranormal; crime (police procedural); mysteries (whodunit, cozy); sci-fi (space opera, dystopian, alternate history, time travel); psychological suspense; thrillers (looking for small town America setting vs international in scale); military fiction (character-driven pieces; favoring post-WWII. **Vietnam**). In YA and middle-grade fiction he would like to see mysteries, paranormal, sci-fi, coming of age, and suspense with writing that stirs the imagination and caters to the young reader’s sense of wonder and adventure. Dean is also looking for film & television projects to develop in his areas of interest either as original works or adaptations of an author’s work (published or unpublished). https://www.wordlink.us/agents
Elizabeth Kuehne
Author of three self published novels and a library of WIPs, Elizabeth Kuehne is a hearty mix of puttering, pantsing, plotting, and plodding. Her next book, Stinkbug, is a crime novel that clearly defines her willingness to roll with it, because her character keeps taking the wheel.
Greg Laird
Greg Laird is a practicing attorney in Oklahoma. He has represented numerous defendants in every stage of death penalty jurisprudence, including two victories at the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals thereby saving his clients from the Oklahoma death chamber. He wrote this book so readers could experience the twists, turns and inner turmoil that comes from representing people on death row.
Ernest Lancaster
Ernest Lancaster retired as a captain from the Memphis Police Department, after serving for thirty-three years as a cop. He writes of real-life exploits and tragedies, bending the truth in a noir melody of hard-boiled tales, designed to lead readers down a winding road of dark adventure.
Kathryn Lane
Kathryn Lane is the author of the Nikki Garcia Mystery Series. Her debut novel, Waking Up in Medellin, won Killer Nashville’s “Best Fiction Book of the Year-2017”. Like a Hollywood scout, Kathryn visits every foreign location she uses in her stories.
Avram Lavinsky
Avram Lavinsky’s short fiction has appeared in a wide range of periodicals and anthologies including Deadly Nightshade: Best New England Crime Stories 2022, and The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2023. He’s also earned starred reviews from the nation’s toughest critics, his three teenage sons, although not often.
Lynessa Layne
Lynessa Layne, an unsigned independent author, hails from Plantersville, Texas, and now calls Prattville, Alabama home with her husband and five children. She's a 2-time Silver Falchion Award Winner, including the 2023 Book of the Year, and Best Suspense Novel (4-time Silver Falchion Award Finalist). She's also the host/organizer of the three TropiCon [TM] Book Expo & Writing Conventions in Saint Augustine, Florida, Pensacola Beach, Florida, and Branson, Missouri.
Denise Lee
Denise Lee has enjoyed a lifetime of creativity and has recently turned those skills toward mystery and murder. June 2024 saw her first novel published and it joined several books on marketing strategies, and a self-help journal. Currently Denise is working on her 2nd novel in the Bloodstone Series.
Jane B. Lee
Jane B. Lee is a multi-novel author with 7 novels and more to come. She is a playwright, a poet, short story author, painter, and sculpturer. She holds two patents for environmental monitoring equipment. A world traveler having visited 62 countries. Her travel adventures provide inspiration for her novels.
Janet K. Lee
Janet K Lee is a New-York-Times-bestselling, Eisner-Award-winning illustrator and author. Published by companies ranging from Andrews McMeel to Marvel, to Viking Press, she is currently working on a graphic novel for Roaring Brook Press. A graduate of Vanderbilt, Janet lives in Nashville with her family and four bad cats.
James L’Etoile
James L’Etoile uses twenty-nine years behind bars to influence his award-winning crime fiction. He is a former associate warden in a maximum-security prison, a hostage negotiator, and director of California’s parole system. His novels have been shortlisted or awarded the Lefty, Anthony, Silver Falchion, and the Public Safety Writers Award. https://jamesletoile.com/
Cass Lewis
Cass Lewis’ forthcoming memoir about mass incarceration, The Biting Kind, was shortlisted for the SFWP Literary Awards. She studied Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, worked with system-impacted people, and is a Writing Mentor for PEN America’s Prison and Justice Writing Program. www.CassLewis.com
Michael Ludden
Michael Ludden is a former Deputy Managing Editor at the Orlando Sentinel, where he directed an investigation that won a Pulitzer Prize. He’s written for magazines, marketing and advertising firms, edited books and is the author of three novels and a collection of short stories. https://www.michaelludden.com
D.P. Lyle
D. P. Lyle is the Amazon #1 Bestselling; Macavity and Benjamin Franklin Award-winning; and Edgar(2), Agatha, Anthony, Shamus, Scribe, and USA Today Best Book(2) nominated author of 25 books. He has worked with the writers of the TV’s Law & Order, CSI: Miami, Monk, House, and other shows. He is also a former Guest of Honor at Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference. https://www.dplylemd.com Outliers Writing University: https://www.outlierswritinguniversity.com
Meredith Lyons
Meredith Lyons grew up in New Orleans, collecting two degrees from Louisiana State University before running away to Chicago to be an actor. In between plays, she got her black belt and made martial arts and yoga her full-time day job. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters In Crime. Ghost Tamer is her first novel with A Dagger of Lightning coming in 2025. She lives in Nashville.