Inspirational/Self-Help

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.

Ashley is the Managing Member/CEO of Koalatative Guided Solutions, LLC. She lives in Colorado where she enjoys spending a large amount of her budget on lotions and oils to battle with the dry climate. With over 10 years of experience educating, mentoring, and providing information to adults concerning the path to self-wellness, Ashley Jelks-Fragier has earned a reputation as a “compassionate leader and guide."

Jamarr Holland is a new author who lives in Colorado Springs. As a teenager, he became interested in writing poetry after viewing the 1989 film Dead Poets Society. He has a wide range of interests, which includes pseudoscience, different belief systems, current events and everything in between. He is also a huge X-files fan and comic book geek.

My childhood was spent traveling the United States with my family, until I found beautiful Colorado and made it my permanent home in 2007. I have been teaching in Colorado Springs for ten years, and my favorite part is when children discover (and develop a love of) the world of books. I live with my husband, daughter, dog, ducks, rabbit, and parakeets. I love animals, nature, traveling, and epic board games. My wish for the world is that everyone can find their own version of happiness and realize just how connected we all are to each other and our earth.

Khadija Grant is a proud mother of three little girls and the author of two amazing books. She has published The Influenced, an inspirational book that encourages the reader to look beyond their current situation and to take control of their destiny, as well as an entrepreneurial book for children called You Can Start One Too!

Her passion for writing realistic fiction started after she sent stories to her husband while he was deployed in Iraq. After hearing how it impacted his tour, each book she wrote was written to entertain, yet inspire her readers. Khadija is from Cleveland, Ohio, and when she is not writing, you can find her creating doll shows with her children or watching a TED Talks episode. Her dream is to touch as many lives as possible, especially those who come from unfortunate circumstances and help to build them up to become bold enough to fight for their dreams.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Linsey Baldwin is the third child and second daughter in a military family. Linsey and her husband Tom traveled for many years, finally settling down in southern Colorado in 2000. Linsey and Tom have three grown children and one grandchild.

In her debut novel, Mom's Summer, Linsey provides a fresh, heartwarming perspective to handling the illness and loss of a dear loved one.

Michelle is a powerful speaker who brings her vivacity, personal anecdotes and genuine passion to empower those in her audience to improve their productivity both at home and in their business. She and her family have retired in the Pikes Peak region after 20 years of traveling the world with the Air Force, she and her husband decided Colorado was the perfect place to raise children. The past eleven years have flown by and they look forward to many more in our beautiful state.

Royce Gomez has a heart for women from high school through adulthood. After earning five certifications in at-risk populations, Royce wrote a curriculum of 8 modules helping females: recognize self-worth, create healthy boundaries in relationships, and establish effective communication patterns. She spent over 5 years facilitating workshops on these topics.

Royce was married for 23-years and encourages women to go from a life of survival to thriving and living out their dreams. She has encouraged women for more than 15 years, mentoring and discipling them as they faced difficulties.

Today Royce Gomez is an author and speaker. She has written and published: Freedom Trails, an 8-module curriculum for women and teens; 7 Beautiful Weeks, The Love Affair That Wasn’t Meant to Last; The Spontaneous Journey; and co-authored the international best seller, Discover Your Destiny, Live Your Dreams, Love Your Life. She offers keynotes and complete workshops.

Her kids spent 9 of their formative years in the Front Range and Royce had the opportunity to return in 2016 after a 6 year hiatus. This is home.

Living in the Colorado mountains serves as Elizabeth's inspiration for writing poetry and other inspirational works. She has been writing, speaking, singing, and inspiring people since the age of 8. She is now raising her grandson due to drug addiction and her daughter, and speaks out as often as possible encouraging all to "Not even try it one time!". Her heart's desire is to impact young and old alike to be their very best.

The Pikes Peak Library District shows such total support for local writers that Elizabeth is inspired to reach out and touch those in the district whose lives have been altered by drug abuse or any other factors, and who are in need of encouragement. Elizabeth can be reached for speaking engagements at church groups, schools, or social groups by calling (303) 745-0430, or email her at abalancedsole@live.com

The author has lived in Colorado Springs since 1977.