Jim Hanson
is a sociologist and retired Senior Researcher at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale who has taught sociology and community development.
Sheila Elliott
writes both poetry and prose, and is the author of Memory Coin (2025), a Pushcart Prize nominee.
Victoria Schimbatori
a poet and author whose work explores themes of spirituality, emotional transformation, and self-awareness.
René Parks
Poet, educator, and visual artist focused on themes central to ecofeminism, healing with nature, and folk stories.
Wilda Morris
a Past President of both the Illinois State Poetry Society and Poets & Patrons of Chicago.
Paul Buchheit
is an author of books, poems, progressive essays, and scientific journal articles.
Monica Kay Allen
Parent. Caregiver. Advocate. Amplifier. Pianist. Singer. Covid Bereaved Daughter. Breast Cancer Survivor. Connector.
Mardelle Fortier
has nearly 200 poems in print, as well as two poetry collections through Finishing Line Press: WHITE FIRE and MOON FIRE.
Patty Dickson Pieczka
most recent book, Gathering Sunlight, is a collaborative effort with poet Silvia Scheibli.
Maggie Kennedy
Maggie Kennedy’s poems have appeared in Epiphany, Meat for Tea, Cloudbank, Atticus Review, and other publications.
Karen Fullett-Christensen
was born and raised in Chicago and a 1968 graduate of Mather High School, and a 1972 graduate of Northern Illinois University.
Judith MK Kaufman
a poet and memoirist, Judith MK Kaufman, began writing creatively in mid-life.
David W. Berner
is author of several books of award-winning personal narrative and fiction.
Judy SooHoo
started writing in her retirement years. She has been published in anthologies including The Write City Review (2023) and TallGrass Writers Guild Play (2022).