Other

Burke, Vincent

Author Vincent "Vicenzo" Burke
Pseudonym
Vincenzo
Birth City
Newport News
Birth State
VA
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Regional Senior Librarian Associate
Biography

Vincent Burke III is a cultural anthropologist and fiction writer who specializes in queer storytelling. His degree in Cultural Anthropology comes from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, where he began writing short horror fiction in 2016. Soon after having published his first story, The Remains of Adrian Hewitt, Vincent began formulating a plan for Flesh and Bone, a sprawling series that would encompass his studies, his love of reading, and his own tumultuous past. Growing up in a divided house, Vincent's experiences with abuse and survival ultimately led him into the United States Army where he started developing an understanding of his own queerness and spirituality. After briefly serving as a combat engineer, Vincent moved back to Colorado where he began pursuing his degree in Anthropology at UCCS. Now living safely and comfortably with his boyfriend, best friend, and their cat, Orpheus, he spends the day reading, writing, playing lacrosse and thinking of the next best American novel.

Education/Training
BA in Cultural Anthropology, concentration in History and Memory
Published Works Book Jackets
Image
Awakening
Organizations
Member of the Pikes Peak Library District - National Archives (Citizens Archivist)
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Queer Storytelling, Embracing Gay Spirituality, Writing as Therapy, Fiction as Healing.

Harris, Antoinette

Author Antoinette Harris
Birth City
Stockton
Birth State
CA
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Phone (Public)
(720) 957-8183
Occupation(s)
Philosopher
Biography

Growing up biracial in America, this debut author has experienced her fair share of injustices and aims to leave the world better than the one she was born into. Antoinette currently resides in Colorado Springs where she is active in the BIPOC community. She aids in giving voice to the voiceless and opportunities to the less fortunate. She is involved in the Pikes Peak region getting more children reading and writing stories using their Own Voice. She spends her weekends hosting a philosophical discussion group and a creative writing group.

Education/Training
* Associate of Arts in Anthropology 2017, Georgia State University
* Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy 2019, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

Local Authors Genres
Organizations
Women's National Book Association
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Philosophy and creative writing

Washington, Durthy A.

Pseudonym
JoRayma C
Birth City
Nuernberg, Germany
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Writer - Journalist - English professor - Seminar leader
Biography

A writer, seminar leader, and former English professor, Durthy A. Washington has taught graduate, undergraduate, and adult education courses at several colleges and universities including The Colorado College, UCCS, and the US Air Force Academy. Durthy is the founder of LitUnlocked, which offers workshops and seminars dedicated to the art of mindful, culturally responsive reading. Each workshop centers on the LIST Paradigm, an innovative approach to critical reading that helps readers unlock the power of literature with four keys to culture: Language, Identity, Space, and Time.

Awards/Honors
English Language Specialist, St. Petersburg University, Russia (Feb.-Apr. 2015)
Cadet Escort, Olmsted Cultural Immersion Trip, Ghana, West Africa (2010)
Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program, Senegal, West Africa (2009)
NYU Faculty Research Network Seminars (2003, 2005, 2006, 2008)
Hurston-Wright Fouundation Writer's Workshop, Howard University, Washington, D.C. (July 2004)
U.S. Air Force Academy Outstanding Academy Educator Award (May 2001)
Keynote Speaker, U.S. Air Force Academy African American Heritage Luncheon (Feb. 2001)
U.S. Air Force Academy Literary Research Award (May 2000)
Pikes Peak Library District Board of Trustees (1997-1999)
Education/Training
MA English, San Jose State University - MS Education, University of Southern California, Los Angeles - BA English, San Diego State University
Published Works Book Jackets
Image
Culturally Responsive Reading by Durthy Washington
Organizations
The Toni Morrison Society - PILLAR Institute for Lifelong Learning - Pikes Peak Library District Adult Reading Program (Facilitator) - Friends of the Pikes Peak Library - Educating Children of Color Conference - African American Youth Leadership Conference
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Culturally Responsive Reading - Culturally Responsive Teaching - African American Literature - Approaches to Teaching Literature - Writing Memoir and Autobiography

Kimbrell, Judith

Author and photographer Judith Kimbrell
Birth City
Princeton
Birth State
NJ
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Photographer - Author
Biography

Judith has specialized in capturing breathtaking scenic and nature images for over 20 years. She shares her vast knowledge through private and group photo tours of Garden of the Gods as well as other Colorado locations. You can also join her for photographic seminars and workshops. Visit her website to view portfolio images and fine art prints, and to see free instructional videos at www.mothernaturephotography.com

Judith says, "Showing up at a location and photographing nature by literally recording the moment is different from capturing nature as an artist feels it should be viewed; using light, weather, equipment, and an artistic interpretation to show Mother Nature’s beauty and power. Both methods are useful in photography, but each has a distinct time and place. My goal is always to make each image intentional, represent my artistic vision, and create a piece of art that will be loved for a lifetime. I have spent the majority of my life in Colorado Springs, moving here as a child. I remember my joy while climbing on the rocks of Garden of the Gods early in my life. Though I moved to Michigan for ten years, Colorado always echoed in my heart. Now that I have returned to 'The Springs,' I often frequent Garden of the Gods, spending much time hiking and photographing this breathtaking open space with my loving husband and children."

Education/Training
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art, Hillsdale College - Addition studies in photography at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI - Staff Photographer for R.J. Michael's, Inc. (an advertising agency in Jackson, MI) - Studio Manager and Second Shooter for Don Jones Photography (a commercial photography studio in Colorado Springs, CO) - Twelve years as both an art and photography faculty member and head of the Professional Photography department at Pikes Peak Community College.
Published Works Book Jackets
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
* General landscape and nature photography tips and techniques
* Best practices to learn and study photography, and start a photography business
* Local landmarks and parks including favorite photography site locations around the city and tips to make amazing photos in each place
* The history of Garden of the Gods
* Issues pertaining to the preservation of the land and wildlife

Gould, Peg

Birth City
Olean
Birth State
NY
Current Location
Manitou Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Journalist, author, chaplain, massage therapist, spiritual advisor
Biography

Author Peg Gould, MBA, RScP, LMT, a career writer/editor from upstate New York, moved west to Colorado, then Alaska, where she renewed her love of nature and photography on the stunning Kenai Peninsula. She is licensed both as a massage therapist and a spiritual advisor. Peg and her husband Todd raised a family with a diversity of pets in Manitou Springs, CO; they also enjoy working on their log home near Homer, AK.  Her work appeared daily for decades in newspapers in New York and Colorado, and later for years in Alaska Business Monthly. She also has freelanced for Vocational Biographies, American News Service, Colorado Springs Health, Springs Magazine, Women’s Edition, Compassion International, Convergent Performance, and for other businesses and nonprofits.

Awards/Honors
Mark Hellinger Award, Journalism
Sigma Delta Chi Outstanding Graduate, Journalism
First HS Journalism Award
Well Dones, Colorado Springs Gazette
Education/Training
* MBA, University of Colorado
* BA Journalism, Cum Laude, St. Bonaventure University
* Alaska's oral history
Published Works Book Jackets
Organizations
Member, AMTA (Message Therapy)
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
* Grief
* Bereavement
* Interviewing
* Self-publishing
* Travel
* Parenting
* Nature and Animals
* Outdoors

Cramer, Chad

Cramer, Chad
Birth Year (-Died Year)
1976
Birth City
Mt. Clemens
Birth State
MI
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Author, Speaker, Software professional
Biography

Chad Cramer has a business degree from Cornerstone University and makes his full time profession in the software market. Ever since he was an early teen, he dreamed of one day having children and leaving a legacy for them. After years of writing down ideas and then beginning a family, Chad knew that his experiences would teach well beyond his household.

When his children began to struggle with the fear of the dark, writing a book came naturally for him. The process of researching this fear, studying God’s word and even helping his boys overcome this fear was such a wonderful time of growth.

He lives with his wife and four boys in Colorado Springs. When he is not stopping his boys from search and destroy missions, he enjoys hiking in the Rockies, snowboarding, writing and entertaining friends and family.

Education/Training
Business degree from Cornerstone University
Local Authors Genres
Published Works Book Jackets
Organizations
Woodmen Valley Chapel
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Fear - Fear of the dark - Parenting

Bentley, Nancy

Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Writer, librarian, educator
Biography

I came to Colorado in 1973 because of the beauty of the land and the promise of the future.

Awards/Honors
For I've Got Your Nose!: 1993 Junior Library Guild Award
For The Making of a Storybook: 1992 Recognition at the Chicago Children's International Film Festival
For The Case of the Garden Monster: 2004 Colorado Authors' League Award
Education/Training
Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy, Lake Erie College, Ohio, 1968 - Master of Education, Educational Communications, University of Hawaii, 1972 - M. A. L. S., Library Science, University of Denver, 1974 - University of Denver Publishing Institute, 1981 - Stanford University, Publishing Course, 1983
Published Works Book Jackets
Organizations
The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - Colorado Authors League - Authors Guild - Colorado Association of Libraries
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Contact author for speaker topics and availability