Ruth Acers-Smith was born in Missouri, raised in Golden, CO, and now lives in Bakersfield, CA. In addition to being the mother of three and the grandmother of seven, she also is the great-grandmother of seven with the eighth due in January 2016. Bam Bam lived to be seventeen.
Mary Ellen Angelscribe is author of Expect Miracles and A Christmas Filled with Miracles, and an international pet columnist. Animal Planet’s Must Love Cats featured her cats doing the “kitty paddle!” Her stories and cat videos can be seen on Facebook under Angel Scribe and Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales. Learn more at www.AngelScribe.com.
Elizabeth Atwater started writing almost as soon as she was able to grasp a pencil in her hand. The only thing she is more passionate about is her terrific husband, Joe. She also finds joy in reading, gardening, and doing volunteer work through senior services and hospice. She lives in a very small town in North Carolina.
Anita Aurit is an entrepreneur, eclectic writer and speaker who has been published in magazines and book compilations. She is currently working on a novel and enjoys writing from a feline point of view in her blog, Feline Fine, at www.felineopines.wordpress.com.
Tori Bailey is the author of the Coming Home series. She is a contributing writer for Georgia Connector magazine and Georgia Home and Life blog. Her short stories have appeared on several blogs and in A Cup of Christmas. An avid cat lover, Tori shares her home with six rescue cats and her husband.
Catherine Barry was born in Dublin in 1963 and is a poet, short story writer, journalist, playwright and published author. Her first novel, The House That Jack Built, was published in 2001, her second, Null & Void, in 2002 and her third, Skin Deep, in 2004. Her fourth book, Charlie & Me, a factual story, was published in 2011.
Elizabeth Batman is a fourth year nursing student at UCLA with plans to become a geriatric RN. She will graduate in June 2016 and is very excited about the start of her career. Elizabeth enjoys reading, writing, embroidering, and spending time with friends. She plans to continue writing while working as a nurse.
Diane Ganzer Baum has been writing professionally since 2004, beginning with her book titled Patrick the Wayward Setter. She has since been writing fiction for all ages as well as nonfiction. It is her hope that over the years she will have written something that interests readers!
Garrett Bauman is the author of two college textbooks and stories in Yankee, The New York Times, Sierra, The Chronicle of Higher Education and a dozen Chicken Soup for the Soul books. He and his wife have adopted twenty strays over the years and will not run out of cat stories any time soon.
Valerie D. Benko writes creative nonfiction from her home in Pennsylvania. She has more than two-dozen essays and short stories published in the U.S. and Canada, encompassing themes such as kayaking, cats, health and family. Visit her online at www.valeriebenko.weebly.com.
Clara Blake, a writer and a self-defined Crazy Cat Lady, holds a degree in zoology and often works as an environmental consultant when she is not researching. She currently lives in New York City with her husband and their three adopted cats.
Laura Boldin-Fournier is a previous contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. She has degrees from Arizona State University and C.W. Post. Laura has worked as a teacher and a librarian in New York. Today she lives in Florida and enjoys reading, writing and traveling. Learn more at www.lauraboldin.com.
Books one and two of Jan Bono’s new cozy mystery series are now available! She’s also published five collections of humorous personal experiences, two poetry chapbooks, nine one-act plays, a dinner theater play, and has written for magazines ranging from Guideposts to Woman’s World. Learn more at www.JanBonoBooks.com.
Lois Bradley is an illustrator and author, graphic designer, and visual artist with a BFA in Studio Art from the University of New Mexico. Lois is a Published and Listed member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and loves writing for children. She is the proud kitty-mama to four fuzzy felines. Visit her at www.bobbycatandcompany.com.
Dylan Brody is a humorist and storyteller. He won the 2005 Stanley Drama Award for playwriting and opens for David Sedaris sometimes when he is on the West Coast. He has released five CDs through Stand Up! Records, and two full-length digital downloads through Rooftop Comedy. He feels frequent self-loathing.
Jill Burns lives in the mountains of West Virginia with her wonderful family. She’s a retired piano teacher and performer. She enjoys writing, music, gardening, nature, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Dan C. is a freelance writer and aspiring author with degrees in sociology and art. He has many interests, including writing, reading, social science, art, philosophy, bike rides, and learning new facts. He cherishes his family and Frankie, a spunky female Terrier he adopted at a local pet shelter.
Emily Canning-Dean graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Akron. She is a reporter for The Post Newspapers and lives in Ohio with her husband Eric and their fur babies.
Eva Carter enjoys writing, photography and travel. She has worked in finance and has created greeting cards for Hallmark. She and her husband Larry live in Dallas, TX with a kitten named Ollie, who hopes to be featured in a future Chicken Soup for the Soul story — as soon as he does something noteworthy. E-mail her at evacarter@sbcglobal.net.
Founded in the UK, but representing artists all over the world, CartoonStock is a searchable database of over 500,000 humorous and political cartoons, cartoon pictures and illustrations by more than 1,000 of the world’s top cartoonists, all available for instant licensing and download.
Paige Cerulli is a freelance writer who specializes in writing on pet and equestrian topics. She lives in the Berkshires with her two cats, Dylan and Cara, and her Thoroughbred mare, Whisper. Paige loves to write poetry and fiction, and hopes to one day publish a novel.
Award-winning author Lynette Chambers enjoys touching hearts with her stories. She and her husband Jim live on top of a small mountain in the Ozarks, near where she grew up. When not traveling, they enjoy visits from their children and grandchildren. Learn more at www.lynettechambers.com.
Radio and television guest Kitty Chappell is an international speaker and award-winning nonfiction author of articles, poetry and three books. Her latest release is Friendship: When It’s Easy and When It’s Not. Kitty welcomes your comments at www.kittychappell.com.
As a minister Wanda Christy-Shaner has been honing her writing skills all her life. As an avid reader and collector of Chicken Soup for the Soul books, she is honored to be a part of this wonderful publication. E-mail Pastor Wanda Christy-Shaner at seekingtruth65@yahoo.com.
Connie Cook is a Registered Nurse. She spent ten years of her forty-year career working in mental health and thought she had a good handle on behaviors. But then she met George. Bottom line, the story is all true.
Harriet Cooper writes essays, humor, creative nonfiction and health articles for newspapers, newsletters, anthologies and magazines. She’s a frequent contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. She writes about family, relationships, health, food, cats, writing and daily life. E-mail her at shewrites@live.ca.
By day Sean V. Cronin is a manager with several veterinary practices near D.C., but by night he’s a father, husband, and writer. Sean is working on a series of fantasy novels and is a contributor to a new podcast called Nerd Turtle. You can check out some of his work at nerdturtleblog.wordpress.com or e-mail him at seanvcronin@gmail.com.
Jill Davis lives with her husband Gary in Florida.
Beth DiCola self-published Homeseekers: Flight to the Mountain under her maiden name, S.B. Broshar. She is sixty-eight years old and discovering a different life through writing. She is currently working on the continuing story in her second novel and is a member of a local writers’ group. E-mail her at diuncola@gmail.com.
Kevin Dobson received his B.A., with honors, and B.Ed. degrees from Queen’s University and his Master’s of Education, in the Arts, from U of T. He then went on to have an extremely rewarding thirty-year career in education, as both a teacher and an administrator. He is now in the next phase of his journey, looking for new challenges.
Rhonda Dragomir is a pastor’s wife, Bible teacher, and professional communicator. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, from Asbury University. Actively involved in ministry for more than thirty-five years, Rhonda is a flutist, artist, writer, and speaker with a special passion for encouraging women.
Rita Durrett teaches in northern Oklahoma. She is a mother of two sons and grandmother to four boys and a girl. She belonged to the now deceased cat, Mousey, described in her story, and two big attack dogs that might lick an intruder to death but, she admits, wouldn’t bite unless someone came between them and their food.
Tanya Estes is a writer, blogger, photographer and mother. She graduated from The University of Texas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History and a Master of Science in Library and Information Science. After many years as a librarian, she decided to write in the hopes of one day leaving a literary legacy for her son.
Trish Featherstone is a retired RN living in the Interior of British Columbia. Her nom de plume is an acknowledgement to her mother, who gave her the gift of loving books.
After more than twenty years working in the Hennepin County court system, David Fingerman now spends his days writing and bowing to the whims of his cat, KC.
Ligaya Flor grew up in a large, loving family whose practical jokes continue to inspire much of her writing. She is currently writing a young adult fantasy novel and fighting writer’s block by training for the San Francisco Marathon.
Jennifer Froelich is the author of two novels, Dream of Me and A Place Between Breaths, and is currently writing a trilogy for young adults. She graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and now lives in Idaho with her husband, two children and cat, Katniss.
Heidi Gaul’s writing appears in several Chicken Soup for the Soul books. In addition to her love for cats, she is an avid traveler, be it around the block or the world. Visit her at www.HeidiGaul.com or reach her via e-mail at dhgaul@aol.com.
Jessica Goody writes for SunSations magazine and The Bluffton Sun. Her work has appeared in more than two-dozen magazines and anthologies. She was awarded second place in the 2015 Reader’s Digest Poetry Contest. Her poetry collection Defense Mechanisms will be published by Autonomous Press in 2016.
Kristine Groskaufmanis has been writing in her journal since she was eleven years old. She lives in Toronto with her husband and their dog Bella, who they are convinced is half Muppet. She is a big fan of staying at home in her pajamas and watching too much TV.
Leslie Gulvas is a mild mannered high school science teacher, freelance writer, and former scientific researcher. She travels whenever possible and writes novels. When not wandering, she lives on a farm in Ohio with the world’s cutest donkey and a very confused pig.
Rachel Lajunen Harnett is a teacher with a passion for writing short stories. She runs (often chasing her husband, two kids and Great Dane!), bikes and plays Ultimate Frisbee. Rachel is a graduate from Carleton University’s journalism program. She lives in Toronto.
A freelance writer, piano teacher, mother of three and grandmother of two, Wendy Hobday Haugh lives in upstate New York with her husband Chuck and her two cats: Hector and Mousy.
Christy Heitger-Ewing is a freelance writer living in Avon, IN with her husband and two sons. She is a columnist for Cabin Living magazine and writes regularly for Christian magazines. Her book Cabin Glory (www.cabinglory.com) was a grand prize winner. Visit her website at www.christyheitger-ewing.com.
Eileen Melia Hession is a former teacher and publisher’s representative whose writing has appeared in various publications. She has one daughter and enjoys running, yoga and ceramics. She believes there is a need for more levity in life and her writing reflects that belief.
Mary Hickey is a backgammon champion and teacher, and has co-authored a book on middle game strategy for that game. She is the author of Arise and Call Her Blessed, about Mary the mother of Jesus as we know her from the Bible, and is currently writing a book about the experience of moving from the city to the country.
David Hull is a retired teacher who shares his home with several rescue cats. He enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with his nieces and nephews. David writes every day — he has found it’s cheaper than therapy! He has had stories published in other Chicken Soup for the Soul books and numerous magazines.
May Hutchings received her Associate of Arts degree, with honors, in 2009. She has one son and works as a freelance copywriter and editor. May enjoys animals of all types, the great outdoors, and traveling with her young son. She has won several awards for her creative fiction stories and plans to write young adult fiction books.
Cindy Hval is the author of War Bonds: Love Stories from the Greatest Generation. Fully illustrated with original photos, War Bonds tells the stories of thirty-six couples who met/married during or shortly after WWII. Her work has been included in seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She’s mom to four sons and is owned by two cats. E-mail her at dchval@juno.com.
Emily Johnsen is a freelance writer, blogger, social media marketer, entrepreneur, wildlife rehabilitator, animal lover, wife, and mom… in no particular order. She currently resides in historic Fort Worth, TX with her husband and two inspiring tween-aged sons. Visit her at www.eljohnsen515.com.
Kay Johnson-Gentile received both her Ph.D. and master’s degree in Education from the University at Buffalo. Family, teaching, music and writing are the loves of her life. She is now retired and writes short stories from the heart, as well as a weekly blog at www.drkayjg.com. E-mail her at kjohnsonge@gmail.com.
Ann Joseph received a B.A. degree in English and M.A. degree in Communication prior to a career in various medical research and administrative positions. As her children and career matured, she also started to write, publishing her first book, an allegory entitled Across the Stream. She plans to write much more in the years to come.
Steven M. Kaufman received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Journalism, magna cum laude, from Long Island University–C.W. Post in 2002. He currently works in office administration for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Steven lives in the Washington, D.C. suburbs and enjoys karaoke, traveling, and motivational speaking.
Ann Kenna is a poet and memoirist. Her work appears in anthologies, online journals, newspapers and magazines. This Long Island mother and former flower child draws inspiration from her family, friends, and her salty island life experiences. She is currently creating a new world in an ambitious work of fiction.
Deborah Kerr is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast with a B.A. degree, with honors, in English and Theology. She is married to Gareth and they have two small children. Deborah loves books, trying new recipes and going on adventures with her family. She writes (and drinks more tea than is good for her) on a daily basis.
Kathryn Kingsbury is a writer and editor living in the Upper Midwest. Having grown up with dogs, it took her a while to get used to the mysterious ways of cats. She blogs about food, thrift, and felines at www.seasonofplenty.com. Learn more at kathrynkingsbury.com.
Following his graduation from the Professional Writing program at Grant MacEwan University (Edmonton, AB), Rick Lauber has pursued freelance writing and has authored Caregiver’s Guide for Canadians and The Successful Caregiver’s Guide. Rick enjoys hiking, watching movies, listening to music, and playing pool. Learn more at www.ricklauber.com.
Mark Leiren-Young won the Leacock Medal for Humour for his memoir, Never Shoot a Stampede Queen. His latest comic memoir is Free Magic Secrets Revealed. Learn more at www.leiren-young.com or contact him via Twitter @leirenyoung.
Brenda Leppington currently works as an Information Manager within the health care system. Brenda enjoys traveling, riding horses, and sharing stories about the many animals that have been a part of her life.
Keri Lindenmuth is currently a college senior studying toward her English degree with a writing certification. Her nonfiction essays have won statewide and national awards and her poetry has appeared in several literary magazines. She resides in eastern Pennsylvania with her family.
Irene Maran, a mother of four and grandmother of five, is a retired high school administrator living at the Jersey Shore with her three cats and turtles. She writes two newspaper columns and is a professional storyteller. Irene shares her humorous stories with children and adults.
Joshua J. Mark is an editor/director and writer for the free online history site Ancient History Encyclopedia. His nonfiction has also appeared in Celtic Guide and Timeless Travels and his short fiction in Litro and Writes for All among others. He lives with his wife Betsy and daughter Emily in upstate New York.
Tim Martin is an opinion columnist for Times-Standard, and the author of Rez Rock, Somewhere Down the Line: The Legend of Boomer Jack and Summer With Dad. Tim has completed nine screenplays and is a contributing author to almost two-dozen Chicken Soup for the Soul books. E-mail him at tmartin@sitestar.net.
Tina Wagner Mattern is a Portland, OR writer. She and her husband have had many wonderful cats over the years, but Sam Hill was the best. Not a day goes by that they don’t miss him. E-mail her at tinamattern@earthlink.net.
Most of the time you’ll find Beverly Stowe McClure in front of her computer, typing stories that little voices whisper in her ear. To relax, she plays the piano. Her cats don’t appreciate good music and hide when she tickles the ivories. Beverly has twelve novels for children and teens published.
Kelly L. McKenzie delights in blogging about her decidedly eccentric life. Widowed when her two children were mere tots, this quirk magnet is awash with material. Now that they’re adults, she’s run out of excuses and is finally writing a memoir about the decade she and her mother survived working together, selling antiques.
Lynn Maddalena Menna’s young adult novel, Piece of My Heart, was Seventeen magazine’s recommended book for summer 2013. Her song “(You Have) No Soul” is available on YouTube. She is a frequent contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Lynn and Prospero live in New Jersey. E-mail her at prolynn@aol.com.
Courtney Mroch is the Ambassador of Dark and Paranormal Tourism for Haunt Jaunts, a travel site she created while battling cancer. She also writes fiction. Her latest novel is The Ghost of Laurie Floyd. When she’s not writing or traveling, it’s likely she’s on a tennis court somewhere. She lives in Nashville, TN.
Allison Nastoff received her bachelor’s of science degree in Communication from Carroll University. She is currently a case manager at a law firm, but enjoys writing as a hobby. In 2014, she self-published a book called Paws that Changed My Life: A Diary About Training With My First Guide Dog.
Leigh Ann Northcutt lives on a farm in Kentucky where she reared five children and one husband. Her family has shared their home with myriad animals, including Pete the barn cat. Leigh Ann spent many years gathering material for her family stories and now writes them in newspapers, magazines and at www.lanorthcutt.com.
Andrea Arthur Owan is still looking for another feline to capture her heart. Her work has appeared in Guideposts, Chicken Soup for the Soul books, love story anthologies, magazines, and newspapers. Her inspirational blog, Broken Hearts, Redeemed, helps families navigate grief and restore their joy following the loss of a baby.
PJ’s sixty-eight years old, married to a great guy and mother to four girls: two engineers, one of whom is also a doctor, one ecologist and one Jane of All Trades. PJ writes a little, likes to create things and do a little household engineering, and plays Scrabble online to try to hang onto the old brainpower as long as possible.
Mark Parisi’s “Off the Mark” comic panel appears in over 100 newspapers worldwide and is distributed by Universal Press Syndicate. Visit www.offthemark.com to view over 8,000 cartoons. Mark’s cartoon feature has won best newspaper cartoon twice and best greeting card once by the National Cartoonists Society. Lynn, his wife/business partner, and their daughter, Jen, contribute with inspiration (as do four cats and a dog).
Denice Penrose has an MSc degree and is a freelance writer. She is cat mad, and owned by four furry tyrants: a pedigree Somali named Raider, Terri the Bengal and two moggy babies KC and Sooty. She has a lovely tolerant husband who puts up with the cats and the writing!
Elizabeth A. Pickart is a pediatric physical therapist at several schools in Wisconsin. She and her husband Bill enjoy their three children and three cats. Elizabeth loves reading, running and family time, and is currently writing a children’s book. E-mail comments about “Worst Cat Ever” to pickart.liz@gmail.com.
Loral Lee Portenier, Ph.D., is a psychologist, depth coach, painter, and writer who currently lives in Kansas caring for her mother, two geriatric cats, and the feral cats across the street. She recently decided to start learning French.
Connie Kaseweter Pullen lives in rural Sandy, OR near her five children and several grandchildren. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Portland in 2006, with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. Connie enjoys writing, photography and exploring nature. E-mail her at MyGrandmaPullen@aol.com.
Yolanda Ridge is the author of Trouble in the Trees (Orca Book Publishers, 2011), Road Block (Orca Book Publishers, 2012) and Inside Hudson Pickle (Kids Can Press, 2017). When she’s not writing books for young children, Yolanda likes to hike, bike and ski with her family in their small mountain town of Rossland, BC, Canada.
April Riser is an Instructional Coach who taught middle and high school for nineteen years in the U.S. and abroad. She loves to read, is passionate about animals, hiking and being outside, and yearns to wander the world whenever possible. She is currently working on a series of children’s books.
Bruce Robinson is an award-winning internationally published cartoonist whose work has appeared in many magazines, including National Enquirer, The Saturday Evening Post, and Woman’s World. He is also the author of the cartoon books Good Medicine and Bow Wows & Meows. Visit him at www.BowWowsAndMeows.net or e-mail him at CartoonsByBruceRobinson@hotmail.com.
Kassie Rubico’s work has appeared in Guide to Kulchur Creative Journal, InSight: Rivier Academic Journal, and River Muse: Tales of Lowell & the Merrimack Valley. She holds an MFA degree in Creative Nonfiction from Solstice at Pine Manor College and teaches writing at Northern Essex Community College. She lives with her three daughters and loves to run.
Linda Sabourin makes her home in the Arkansas River Valley, where she lives with her brother Mike and their cats. She enjoys going to auctions and often lists her treasures on eBay. She loves writing stories about her life (and submitting them to Chicken Soup for the Soul!) and hopes to someday have her own cat rescue.
Lori Sciame received her B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, and an MFA degree from Bowling Green State University. She writes for PeKu Publications, and is a Senior Lecturer of English and a student advisor. She has had essays published in Angels on Earth and Guideposts. Lori has three children in college.
Laura Snell, her husband Dave and their dog Gus Gusterson live in Wasaga Beach, ON, where they operate their business GBSelect.com. Her son Ryan lives in Melbourne, Australia. E-mail her at laura@gbselect.com.
Cheryll Snow is a wife, mother, grandmother, author, and RN. This is her fifth piece published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. She and her husband live just north of Chattanooga, TN in beautiful Sequatchie Valley. Besides writing, her other passions include gardening and travel. Contact her via her website at www.cheryllsnow.com.
Diane Stark is a wife and mother of five. She is a frequent contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. She loves to write about the important things in life: her family and her faith. E-mail her at DianeStark19@yahoo.com.
John Stevens has a restless soul that has visited many parts of the world. He has worked in TV, as TD of Softball Canada, ED of the Canadian Association of Journalists, a computer instructor and supply teacher. He now teaches ESL and runs a B&B with his wife, cat and two dogs in St. Marys, ON. E-mail him at john.stevens@rogers.com.
Shirley K. Stevenson earned her B.Ed. from University of Alberta. She is a retired teacher and widow with two grown children. She is very active as a volunteer with seniors in care and in teaching and helping at senior centers in Edmonton, AB. Shirley enjoys writing up her own memories and helping others do so.
Deborah Sturgill and her husband Mike share a home with five beloved fat cats: Pippy, Little Kitty, Teddy, Benji, and Minnie. She’s a small business owner with a passion for nature photography and writing. She’s been published in three Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and is working on publishing Christian books. E-mail her at deborahsturgill1@gmail.com.
Stephen Taylor is a writer and graphic artist. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his cat Maxi, volunteers at a local animal shelter, and does catsitting for several feline friends. His story “The Marks of a Lasting Love” appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cat Did What? For more info, e-mail him at malchats@yahoo.com.
Carol Teed enjoys writing about her life’s work as a veterinarian. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband, four children, two dogs and three cats. This is her second story published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series and she has also published a book entitled Learning the Secret Language of Cats: A Vet’s Translation.
Stevie Trujillo is a writer and nomad slow-traveling the world with her family of three. They’ve driven through eighteen countries and counting! Follow her blog at www.nomadlyinlove.com where she writes about her travels, alternative-living, and personal transformation. She aims to make you laugh, cry, and live inspired.
Carol Weeks is a Christian humorist, author, speaker, Certified Laughter Leader and award-winning poet. She blogs each week at Carol Weeks Speaks! (www.CarolWeeks.blogspot.com). She and her husband are retired and love to go camping.
Kevin Wetmore is a writer, actor, director and comedian originally from Connecticut but now calling Los Angeles, CA home. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books and several dozen short stories, and a Professor at Loyola Marymount University. Learn more at www.somethingwetmorethiswaycomes.com.
Erika Whitmore started writing in the womb. Or not long thereafter. She developed an early love and respect for all animals, and has a uniquely “twisted” imagination. She graduated, with honors, from SFSU and was writing and directing TV spots by age nineteen. She now resides in Portland, OR with her beloved Snowshoe cat, Penelope.
Mary Z. Whitney has contributed stories to over twenty-five Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She also writes for Angels on Earth and Guideposts. Her children’s book Max’s Morning Watch is available through Amazon. com as well as Life’s A Symphony, an adult inspirational fiction. Mary and husband John reside in Leavittsburg, OH.
Jeanne Zornes, of Washington State, has written hundreds of articles and seven books, including When I Prayed for Patience… God Let Me Have It! She has contributed to five other titles in the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. She and her husband, a retired teacher, have two grown children. She writes weekly at www.jeannezornes.blogspot.com.
