2018 SPRING SPEAKERS

Lev Raphael has published twenty-five books in many genres: memoir, mystery, advice for writers, essays, literary fiction, historical fiction, supernatural fiction, short story collections, psychology, biography, and self-help for adults and children. His fiction and creative non-fiction have been taught at colleges and universities coast-to-coast and he’s had stories and essays appear in several dozen anthologies in the U.S. and England. Lev’s books have been translated into fifteen languages and he’s done hundreds of invited readings and talks on three continents, at venues that include the Library of Congress and Oxford University. Visit his website www.LevRaphael.com.

Christine Rhein is the author of Wild Flight, a prize-winning collection of poems from Texas Tech University Press. Her poems have appeared widely in literary journals, including The Gettysburg Review and The Southern Review, and have won awards from Michigan Quarterly Review and Green Mountains Review. Her work has also been selected for many anthologies, including Best New Poets 2007 and The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2017. A former automotive engineer, Christine lives in Brighton, Michigan www.ChristineRhein.com.

Cyle Young is a multiple-genre award-winning author and literary agent with Hartline Literary Agency. Winner of over twenty writing awards, he considers himself a “binge writer” and routinely scribes 30,000 words in a weekend. His book Belly Buttons and Broken Hearts was released with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas in 2013. Cyle finds great joy in writing and loves to bounce between crafting epic high fantasy tales, helpful non-fiction parenting books, and getting lost in the melodic rhythm of children’s poetry. Learn more about Cyle by visiting his website at www.cyleyoung.com.

Bethany Morehead is a young, enthusiastic, award-winning author and Jr. Agent of Cyle Young at Hartline Literary Agency. She fell in love with writing at a young age, even plotting out stories on napkins and the corners of her notebooks in school. She enjoys both writing and reading fiction books, especially romance. Bethany, a child at heart who enjoys working with children, also has a heart for children’s literature and a soft spot for fairy tales.

 

Maria Dismondy is an award-winning author who inspires lives through her poignant stories about topics challenging today’s modern child. Maria’s background in early education and commitment to teach the importance of character building enables her to touch lives the world over while touring as a public speaker in schools, community forums, and at national conferences. When Maria isn’t writing, she can be found embarking on adventures throughout southeast Michigan and beyond, where she lives with her husband and three book-loving children. Visit www.MariaDismondy.com.

R.J. Fox is the award-winning writer of several short stories, plays, poems, a memoir, and 15 feature length screenplays. Two of his screenplays have been optioned to Hollywood. His first book – a memoir entitled Love & Vodka: My Surreal Adventures in Ukraine was previously published by Fish Out of Water Books. His most recent publication was a collection of essays entitled Tales From the Dork Side. His forthcoming novel Awaiting Identification arrives in May 2018.

Attendees will be able to choose one presentation per session time at the conference. Schedule could change without notice – Rochester Writers reserves the right to add, subtract, or substitute any of the presentations and speakers. Thank you.

Please Note: All events take place in the Oakland Center of Oakland University (2200 N Squirrel Road, Rochester, MI 48309). Use parking lot 2 (P2) and walk south (opposite the pond) for the shortest distance into the Oakland Center. In addition, use parking lot 1 off Squirrel Road (P1) and walk east toward the building. The Oakland Center is positioned between the lots and the Clock Tower. Look for Bright Yellow Signs. The Oakland Center is #13 on the printable version Campus Map.