President

Amanda Empey

Amanda is the author of White Crown Academy, the North Sky Hunt, the first novel in a YA Steampunk trilogy. She's also working on a cyberpunk standalone novel and a traditional fantasy.

Home | Author Amanda Empey (copperwingpub.com)

Past President

Joe Gordon

Joe has many years of experience in non-fiction, including academic and technical writing. He also works on mystery/thriller fiction and has authored a novel titled A Wisp of Smoke.

Membership

Marilyn Richardson

Marilyn's focus is on children's literature, including YA and MG. While she has written many books, she is most proud of Stars Around the Sun - the story of a maid of honor serving Princess Elizabeth the month prior to her becoming queen.

See her books here

Treasurer

Christopher Jones

Chris, writing as Topper Jones, pens action-packed detective fiction with a dash of romance. His Thad Hanlon & Bri de la Guerra Mystery Series has earned Readers’ Favorite Five Stars and the Literary Titan Gold Book Awards. Pismo Beach Sniper, Book Three in the series from The Wild Rose Press, hits the shelves on July 27, 2026.
Home – Topper Jones

Program Coordinator 

Sheena Blankenagel

As a lifelong enthusiast of all things mythoi, Sheena is writing a mythological fantasy trilogy. Her short stories have received recognition in multiple journals and contests, and her nose is usually buried in author craft books. 

sheenablankenagel.com

Marketing Chair and Social Media Manager

Ashley Bigbie (Jen)

Ashley writes horror and fantasy under 'Jen Ellwyn' and served on the board for The League of Utah Writers as the Volunteer Chair. She started AudioBee Productions, LLC with the goal of connecting performing artists to authors.
www.audiobeeproductions.com
www.jenellwyn.com

Grant Chair

Sara Flannery Murphy

Sara is the author of The Wonder State, Girl One, and The Possessions. Her shorter work have appeared in publications including The Guardian and LitHub.

Sara Flannery Murphy | writer

Recorder

Justin Cole

Justin Cole grew up in a house at the end of a spooky lane near a cemetery, so it comes as no surprise he now writes Gothic stories for young adults. 
Within the pages of his books you'll discover shadowy creatures, witches, and dead trees near ghost-ridden graves.
And, not only will you discover them ... you'll live among them while you read.

Member at Large

Gina Grissom

Gina Grissom writes poetry, short horror and LGBTQ erotica. Her first novel was just published and she's working on the rest of the series.

See her books here