General Nonfiction

Kincaide, LaNette

LaNette Kincaide
Birth Year (-Died Year)
1973
Birth City
Fort Worth
Birth State
TX
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Author, Writing Coach & CEO of I Write Writing Academy, LLC.
Biography

My name is LaNette and I’m a Christian author, Writing Coach, Certified Grief Specialist, Marine wife, and grandma who loves hot pink, polka dots, and glitter. My favorite hobbies are writing, meeting new people, and cooking. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas Wesleyan University and Associate of Arts Degree from Tarrant County College. During my years of college, I was selected to be a part of the Sigma Kappa Delta English Honor Society and Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Society. Over the years, I’ve self-published six books, one noted as a top-seller on Amazon in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. My love for writing and self-publishing led me to my genuine passion for helping others to write and develop their stories. I’m a Texas native currently enjoying the mountains and hiking trails in Colorado.

Awards/Honors
Recently featured on FOX, NBC, CBS, and Denver Voyage Magazine
Education/Training
Bachelors Degree (Texas Wesleyan University) - Associate's Degree, Tarrant County College
Organizations
Sigma Kappa Delta English Honor Society and Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Society
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Grief - Social Media (Meta & Instagram) - How To Self-Publish Your Story - How To Sell More Self-Published Books Online

Britton, Tanja

Book cover of Places & People of the Pikes Peak Region
Birth City
Worms, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Writer
Biography

After growing up in Germany, Tanja Britton came to Colorado Springs thanks to her husband Mike, whose family, like many, was transplanted to the Pikes Peak region because of their affiliation with the military. Her interest in medicine led her to explore the fascinating history of tuberculosis in the area, which catalyzed wider historical studies. Increasingly fond of nature, photography, and writing, she was inspired to combine her interests by starting a blog in 2016 and by writing her first book.

Education/Training
Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
Published Works Book Jackets
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Places and People of the Pikes Peak Region
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Colorado Springs parks - Colorado Springs history - Colorado's avifauna

Teale, Tamara

Birth City
San Diego
Birth State
CA
Current Location
Pueblo, CO
Occupation(s)
Scholar and Writer
Biography

Long time resident of Colorado Springs until 2018. Graduate William J. Palmer High School. Numerous instructor positions teaching English Rhetoric and Composition at CU-Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College, and CSU-Pueblo. Have taught British Literature 18th- to 20th-century, American literatures including Latino/Latina, Chicano/Chicana, Native American, and African American, and Introduction to Humanities.

Awards/Honors
Frank Waters Foundation, writing/research residency, Arroyo Seco, New Mexico, August 2004.
Helene Wurlitzer Foundation writing/research residency, Taos, New Mexico, July-August 2003.
Education/Training
Ph.D., “Comparative Literature,” Department of Comparative Studies, State University of New York at Stony Brook; full residency. Dissertation: “The Liberty-Genocide Paradox: American Indians in European and American Travel Writing, 1795-1991.” Degree awarded: 1996. -- M.A., “The Sociology of Literature,” Department of Literature, University of Essex, Colchester, England; full residency. Thesis: “The Concrete Human Subject,” on Georg Lukács’s concept of world history and heroism in American novels. Degree awarded: 1991. -- B.A., “English,” The University of Colorado, Colorado Springs; full residency. Includes Junior Year Abroad at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England. Degree awarded: 1988.
Organizations
The Rocky Mountain chapter of the Modern Language Association (meets in various locations from Albuquerque, NM, to Boulder, Colorado).
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
The Reverend Charles Kingsley (1819-1875), Canon of Westminster Abbey, visited Colorado Springs in the summer of 1874 with his daughter, Rose Georgina Kingsley. He was a Broad Church Anglican who promoted medical science, trade's unions, and individual improvement. He knew Palmer's English business partner, William A. Bell, when Bell was a student, and Kingsley gave history lectures at Cambridge University (1860 to 1869).

Rose Kingsley was the first to write about the infant town, Colorado Springs, in her book "South by West" (1874).

William A. Bell and William Henry Blackmore were General Palmer's English financial advisors. Bell was a graduate of Trinity Hall, Cambridge University; in contrast, Blackmore was the talented son of a highly successful tradesman from Salisbury, England.

Bowen, Barbara

Author Barbara Bowen
Pseudonym
B. J. Bowen
Birth City
Galveston
Birth State
TX
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Retired - Author
Biography

For 19 years, I played in the Colorado Springs Symphony. My current cozy mystery series is based on those experiences.

Awards/Honors
For "Letting Go with Grace": Finalist and Honorable Mention 2018 Eddie Awards
Education/Training
Bachelor's Degree in Music, Boston University, 1976
Published Works Book Jackets
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Ballistics at the Ballet
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Fireworks on the Fourth
Organizations
Sisters in Crime
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Music - Rookie Publishing

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
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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

McGuirt, Stephanie

McGuirt, Stephanie
Current Location
Fountain, CO
Occupation(s)
Writer
Biography

Stéphanie McGuirt is a homeschool mom and business owner living in beautiful Colorado with her husband, Bryan, and their 2 children. When she's not adventuring with her kids or working with clients in her business, she's working on a bountiful garden and little homestead, and, of course, playing. For resources and to learn more, visit her website, www.stephaniemcguirt.com.

Local Authors Genres
Published Works Book Jackets
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
The value of play for all ages and simple, affordable ways to play without needing a big budget or fully-stocked craft cabinet.

Rodwell, Eric

Rodwell, Eric
Birth City
Richmond
Birth State
VA
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Retired Military
Biography

Having reaped the benefits of pedagogical academia, Eric J. Rodwell is an alumnus of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). He has lived in the Pikes Peak Region since 1996. He is a retired military veteran with over twenty-one years of honorable and distinguished service. Ten of those years, being a paratrooper in the elite 82nd Airborne Division; and, he was ordained as a minister of the Gospel in 1983. He has been married to his beautiful wife, Tina, for over thirty-nine years and the proud father of two sons, one daughter, one son-in-law, six grandkids, and one on the way in January 2021.

Awards/Honors
Writing accolades from WSTS Radio Station in Fayetteville, NC - Sweetheart Contest Winner
Military: Meritorious Service Medal - Army Commendation Medal - Army Achievement Medal - Expert Infantryman Badge - Senior Parachutist Badge with Combat Distinction - Bronze Service Star - Air Assault Badge - Expert Marksman Badge
Recipient of the Commanding General's Gold Recruiter's Badge
Education/Training
Civilian: Alumnus of UCCS Letters and Arts; Executive Director of the METH Taskforce for El Paso and Teller Counties; Ordained Minister of the Gospel since 1983.

Military: Logistics Automation Specialist, Airborne Jump Master School Graduate, Environmental Compliance Officer Certification Training.
Published Works Book Jackets
Organizations
I am a member of the 82nd Airborne All American Guard of Honor Group, and The Paratrooper H-MINUS Group.
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
My book, which happens to be my memoir - My Christian faith, inspired poetry, short narratives with heartfelt and patriotic sentiments, to include hilarious anecdotes.

Laslie, Dr. Brian

Author Dr. Brian Laslie
Birth City
Kennesaw
Birth State
GA
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Local Historian
Biography

Dr. Brian D. Laslie is Command Historian, U.S. Air Force Academy. A historian of air power and space studies, Dr. Laslie received his Bachelor’s degree in history from The Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina in 2001, his Master’s from Auburn University Montgomery in 2006, and his Doctorate in history from Kansas State University in 2013.

Published Works Book Jackets
Organizations
Rocky Mountain Military Affairs Society
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Local military history including Ent Air Force Base, history of NORAD, and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station

McKamie, Rebekah Tyne

Author Rebekah Tyne McKamie
Birth City
Colorado Springs
Birth State
CO
Current Location
Calhan, CO
Occupation(s)
Christian Author
Biography

Rebekah Tyne McKamie is a Christian Author residing in Calhan, Colorado. She has lived in Colorado her entire life, only leaving the Colorado Springs area for three years to attend Adams State College (University) in Alamosa. Rebekah has been gathering up truth and adapting it into books for over a decade. Mrs. McKamie is a Pastor’s wife and homeschool mother of three. She sings on the worship team and ministers to the youth of her community through her church, Rocky Mountain Calvary – Ellicott Campus. Above all, she is thankful to serve a loving, gracious God.

Education/Training
Bachelor of Arts in Music, Adams State University (2007)
Master of Arts in Composition and Rhetoric, Liberty University (2021)
Published Works Book Jackets
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Book cover for Marriage Education: God's Lesson Plan for Love by Rebekah Tyne McKamie
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Book cover for The Snow Fence by Rebekah Tyne McKamie
Speaker Availability
No

MavaJoyce

Author MavaJoyce
Pseudonym
MavaJoyce
Birth City
Clay Center
Birth State
KS
Current Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Occupation(s)
Retired - Volunteer with Finding Our Voices
Biography

Joyce Aubrey has been in Colorado Springs since 1995; an avid reader she has actively engaged PPLD. As a survivor of incest and family sharing, she advocated in the community using healing paintings to speak to various groups including military, faith, mental health, domestic violence/sexual assault and service clubs about the aftershocks of sexual abuse. In October 2019 she published a memoir of hope and inspiration, Beyond Aftershocks, under the author name MavaJoyce. As founder of the non-profit Finding Our Voices, she continues to serve survivors of sexual violence through creative art events and supportive activities.

Awards/Honors
Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) - Excellence in Advocacy Award
Leadership Pikes Peak - Leading the Way in Community Service
Institute for Conflict Resolution & Creative Leadership - Servant Leader Award
First Congregation Micah 6 Award - Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly
Education/Training
Kansas State University - Bachelor's and Master's degrees
Local Authors Genres
Published Works Book Jackets
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Book cover for Beyond Aftershocks: Reclaiming Self After Sexual Trauma by MavaJoyce
Organizations
Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault - American Association of University Women - Finding Our Voices
Speaker Availability
Yes
Speaker Topics
Beyond Aftershocks: Resilience after Trauma - Navigating Post Traumatic Growth - Self-Compassion as a Doorway to Service