My Writing Journey

From Darkness to Self-Discovery

Embracing Life's Highs and Lows

My life has been marked by periods of darkness that pushed me to the brink of survival, contrasted with extraordinary adventures around the globe. Each stage of emotional turmoil throughout my journey has taught me valuable lessons. These experiences culminated in my first memoir, A Grip on Reality, which emerged after I painstakingly pieced together the struggles, sadness, and moments of joy from my first fifty years.

The Spark That Ignited My Passion for Writing

My journey as a writer began in Dubai in 2014, during the annual Literary Festival. There, I had the opportunity to meet numerous international authors, and these encounters broadened my understanding of the writing world. Among the individuals I met was a friend who was not only a screenwriter and poet, but also a senior lecturer at Manchester University. She inspired me to explore the art of creative writing.

Mentorship and Growth

Upon my return, I attended several writing courses led by an accomplished author and lecturer in creative writing in Boston and New York. Her guidance and mentorship were instrumental in setting me on this exciting path. After numerous courses and workshops, I published my memoir, A Grip on Reality, in January 2023.

Publications

My short stories have been published in several Anthologies, as well as receiving recognition from the Marj Willke Short Story Award, an annual Society of Women Writers Qld competition.

I continue to enjoy my pursuit of excellence, writing and submitting to international competitions and anthologies.

Charley Brindley is an award-winning author, whose novels span adventure, science fiction, historical fiction, and nonfiction, blending sweeping ideas with deeply human stories.

Drawing on a background in the military and decades of international experience, Brindley has lived and worked in Europe, Southeast Asia, the Amazon Basin, and Alaska. A licensed pilot and former bush pilot in Alaska, as well as a deckhand on an Amazon riverboat, he brings firsthand knowledge of remote landscapes, geopolitical tension, and frontier survival to his fiction.

In addition to his writing career, Brindley founded and later sold a successful computer company in Houston, Texas.

He is the author of twenty-seven novels and three nonfiction books, with translations published in twenty-two languages worldwide.

Brindley now lives in the Ozark Mountains of southwest Missouri, where he continues to write and create detailed original digital artwork.

E.N. Writes romantic suspense, romantic horror, paranormal horror, and romantasy, including steamy romance and why choose.

Join her newsletter on the homepage of her website for a free download of Origin of Violet. The origin story of how she becomes a serial killer. www.enchantingauthor.com

Liv is an educator, she is a Secondary school teacher and a College lecturer in humanities. She has dedicated her career to guiding, inspiring, and understanding young people aged 11 to 20. Spending two and a half decades in the trenches - watching how their world has shifted and seeing firsthand where the real gaps are - inspired How to human. That front-row seat and deep insight into how young people think, learn, and grow form the heartbeat of this book, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world survival ( covering everything from boiling an egg and surviving a festival to passing a driving test). When she isn't working, you can find her in the sea, reading, or enjoying the outdoors. 

Craig W. Van Sickle has lived the kind of life that usually only exists between the covers of a bestselling novel. From his humble roots as a farm boy—where he learned early on that grit and self-reliance are the ultimate currencies—he went on to build a multi-faceted career as a global entrepreneur, producer, author, and acclaimed audiobook narrator.

Craig’s relentless curiosity has taken him across the globe, leading to deep cross-cultural friendships, high-stakes business ventures, and rare private encounters with world leaders and heads of state in developing nations. With a lifetime’s worth of extraordinary experiences packed into his story, he bridges the gap between rugged practicality and high-level wisdom.

Today, Craig channels his colorful journey into the written and spoken word. Whether he is penning actionable guides on self-sufficiency and mindset, producing immersive audio, or bringing powerful narratives to life behind the microphone, his goal remains singular: to equip, inspire, and challenge readers to live courageously and build a legacy that outlasts them.

When he isn't writing or in the recording booth, Craig continues to pursue new horizons, remaining dedicated to lifelong learning, family, and the ultimate adventure of living life to its fullest.

Born in Manchester in 1968, Paul Sefton-Stewart has been fascinated by storytelling, imagination and fantasy worlds for as long as he can remember.

The original vision for The Witches Gate Universe first came to him during the 1990s. Ideas for magical realms, ancient mysteries, powerful witches and the legendary Crystal Tree began to take shape, but life took the story in a different direction. The concept remained quietly in the background for many years, waiting for the right time to be told.

It wasn't until 2026 that everything finally came together. The inspiration that had been building for decades suddenly began to flow, and the world of The Witches Gate expanded into a full series of interconnected novels.

The Witches Gate: A Mystical Journey is the first children's novel in a planned five-book fantasy series that follows the adventures, mysteries and magical discoveries hidden beyond the legendary Gate. The series explores courage, friendship, destiny and the power of imagination, taking readers on an unforgettable journey through a world shaped by the Crystal Tree and the forces that surround it.

For Paul, writing has become more than a hobby; it has become a passion and a new chapter in life.

"They say there is a book in everybody. With me, there are a few. I cannot stop writing now, and I will continue to write books for children and young adults for many years to come."

Today, Paul continues to develop The Witches Gate Universe, bringing new stories, characters and adventures to readers while expanding a fantasy world that has been more than thirty years in the making.

K. Joseph is a Haitian‑American author based in New York City, writing under Katiana Writes | A Kat’s Tale.Her debut novel, FOUND (2026), begins the sweeping Kat Novels franchise — a five‑book journey unfolding through 2038. Known for weaving faith, love, desire, and the complexities of family life, her work blends emotional honesty with spiritual depth.

Beyond her novels, Katiana extends storytelling through Katstale.com, a family‑run creative venture where readers co‑design T‑shirts, mugs, and other meaningful pieces. Trilingual in English, Haitian Creole, and French, she celebrates her heritage while navigating everyday chaos with her daughters. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys retail therapy at TJ Maxx and grounding walks through Queens. 

Poet/writer Andy Casey has had two volumes of poetry published together with a semi-autobiographical book featuring his beloved dog Olly. In complete contrast he has now produced a fast-paced pyscological thriller entitled 'Traitors' which has been met with rave reviews from everyone who has read it.

Mandy Jo Squires is a multi genre author who believes a good story should take readers somewhere, whether that means falling in love, traveling through time, stepping into another world, or uncovering a mystery.

Her writing spans romance, fantasy, time travel, historical fiction, mystery, paranormal fiction, women’s fiction, and more. Rather than staying within a single genre, Mandy Jo follows the stories and characters that capture her imagination and refuses to make her bookshelf choose sides.

Beyond writing her own books, Mandy Jo is the founder of Creative Slingers of Ink, a community dedicated to connecting writers, authors, and readers while creating resources and opportunities that support authors throughout their journeys.

Originally from Michigan, Mandy Jo now lives in South Carolina with her husband, Rick. When she isn’t writing or working on her latest Creative Slingers of Ink project, she enjoys traveling, photography, genealogy, cooking, discovering new restaurants and food trucks, and watching entirely too many Hallmark movies.

She and Rick especially enjoy exploring new places together, although there’s a pretty good chance their adventures will eventually involve finding somewhere good to eat.