Abigail Stewart is a fiction writer from the California desert. Originally from Houston, Texas, she studied Literature and Art History at Sam Houston State University, before going on to earn an M.Ed at Lamar University. She is the author of two novels, The Drowned Woman and Foundations, as well as a short story collection, Assemblage. Her new novel, Select Screen, is out now!

Antoinette Godin, a first-time novelist and an enrolled member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, combines her rich heritage and legal expertise in her debut novel, Native Brush Strokes. A UCLA graduate in Law, she has practiced tribal law for over three decades. Her work, inspired by the Native American experience during the Age of Aquarius, explores love, trauma, and resilience. Listed in Who’s Who in America and Women of Influence (2021), Godin currently resides in Washington State. Her commitment to social justice extends beyond her writing, contributing to organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Environmental Defense Fund.

Bethanie Finger is a writer, reader, and a librarian. In 2021 she graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a Master's in Library and Information Sciences and a Master's in Creative Writing. She has worked in public libraries and local bookshops and currently works as a school librarian. When she’s not writing she enjoys hiking, podcasting, and exploring the world. She happily lives in Nevada with her husband, their two dogs, Scamp and Beowulf, and an ever growing TBR collection.

Bri Gonzalez (they/them) is a Chicanx, queer writer from San Antonio, TX. They are the author of A Wellness Check (Game Over Books, 2024), a hybrid collection that investigates diagnosis by putting prescription pads and glitter pens in the hands of Gotham's dark knight. A graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder MFA program, Bri is wondering how exactly writing even works. Bri currently teaches at Front Range Community College in Longmont, CO and is diligently researching vampires.

Brian Townsley is an award-winning writer, as well as the Executive Editor for Starlite Pulp. He is the author of the crime fiction books A Trunk Full of Zeroes and Outlaw Ballads, as well as three books of poetry. His short fiction has appeared in various publications, including Mystery Tribune, Black Mask, Quarterly West, Frontier Tales, Connecticut Review, and many others, and had a story make the distinguished list in Best American Mystery Stories, 2019. He is a graduate of the Professional Writing Program at USC and is also an alum of the mighty California Golden Bears. He shares his time between the mountains and deserts of Southern California.

Bruce Craven teaches Leadership Through Fiction, a popular MBA/EMBA elective at Columbia Business School, and has been on the Executive Education faculty for 30 years, leading workshops on resilience, emotional intelligence, and flexible thinking. He co-runs Craven Leadership LLC with his wife, Sherelle. Bruce is the author of Fast Sofa, which was adapted into a feature film, and Win or Die: Leadership Secrets from Game of Thrones. He also published a poetry collection, Buene Suerte in Red Glitter. He studied politics and literature at UC Santa Cruz and earned his MFA from Columbia. He lives in California’s Coachella Valley.

Carole Marie is a Native American writer who co-authored the sci-fi book Global Warning – A Native Gaian Prophecy, which she has adapted into the current feature screenplay Gaia. She has also written three other screenplays: Klutz Attack from Outer Space (a humorous family sci-fi/fantasy adventure), Ahwahnee – Land of the Yosemite (a true story/historical adventure), and Star Spangled Rodeo Queen (a Native American adventure).

C von Hassett is a writer living in Pioneertown, CA. He is publisher and chief editor at Riot Material magazine. A onetime professor of literature, C von is also a decades-long practitioner of a radical if not revolutionary wisdom practice known as Dzogchen. His book Entering the Mind is a richly poetic exploration of that transformative meditation practice. Hassett’s post-world visionary tale, The Boundary Stone, is a narrative poem set in the embering afters of an apocalypse. His new work, Awakening in the End, can be found in the Desert General bookstore.

Carla Fernandez is a community strategist and facilitator focused on collective care and cultural change. She co-founded The Dinner Party, a national network for young adults navigating grief, featured in The New York Times, NPR, and Oprah Daily. Through her community design studio, she works on projects related to climate, democracy, and the arts. Carla is a senior fellow at USC’s Annenberg Innovation Lab and a Catherine B. Reynolds Scholar in Social Entrepreneurship at NYU. She splits her time between the Hudson Valley and Joshua Tree.

Catherine Auman is a multiple-award winning author with four of her books maintaining bestseller status on Amazon. She writes about the potential of the human spirit, sexuality, and personal and spiritual growth. In her day job, Catherine is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice. She lives in Yucca Valley with her husband and their two cats and five turtles.

Chase Bradburn is a filmmaker from the PNW, living in Austin, TX and Mexico City with a film degree from Vancouver Film School in Canada. His poetry has been published in a small press book print from allpoetry.com. His first novel entitled, The Rooster without Shadow, (El Gallo Sin Sombra) is forthcoming. It is about a workaholic American detective who is forced to go on vacation and travels back to the Mexican town he was born in for relaxation and to reconnect with his roots. But his tranquility is disrupted by the local town rooster.

Christopher C. Gorham is a lawyer, educator, and acclaimed author of THE CONFIDANTE (a Goodreads Choice Award finalist in History/Biography) and MATISSE AT WAR (Citadel, Sept. 30, 2025). His writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Literary Hub, Paper Brigade, and elsewhere. He is a frequent speaker at conferences, literary events, classrooms, and book club gatherings around the country.

Cindy Rinne creates poetry, zines, and fiber art in San Bernardino, CA. Her poems have appeared in anthologies, art exhibits, and dance performances. Cindy is the author of several books: Dancing Through the Fire Door (Nauset Press), Today on Two Planets (Written by Veterans), The Feather Ladder (Picture Show Press) and more.

Damien Gossett received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1973 and a Masters in Multimedia from California State University East Bay in 2005. He has been involved in a variety of endeavors from including, painting, photography, poetry, graphics, furniture design, music, housing finance and development, crashing a business and planning a new career for his later years. His history confirms accomplishment, setback and continued evolution of idea. His ultimate goal is to unravel a few threads that have hung on to his sleeves over the past thirty years. He doesn't believe in scissors.

Daniel Pyne is a versatile storyteller who moves between prose fiction and screenwriting. He is the author of Twentynine Palms, A Hole in the Ground Owned by a Liar, Fifty Mice, Catalina Eddy, and Water Memory (2021). His film credits include Backstabbing for Beginners, The Manchurian Candidate remake, Pacific Heights, Any Given Sunday, and Fracture. He has written for Miami Vice and Amazon’s Bosch. A Stanford graduate and UCLA MFA, he taught screenwriting for 20 years. Raised in Colorado, Pyne lives in Los Angeles and Santa Fe with his wife, their dog Luna, and a grumpy box turtle.

Deanne Stillman is a critically acclaimed author known for her place-based literary nonfiction. Her latest book, Blood Brothers, about the alliance between Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill, received a starred Kirkus review and is under option. Desert Reckoning, based on her Rolling Stone piece, won the Spur and LA Press Club Awards. Twentynine Palms, an LA Times bestseller, explores a post-Gulf War double homicide and was praised by Hunter S. Thompson. Mustang won the California Book Award silver medal and helped rescue wild horses. Her work appears widely, and her plays have been produced and honored in festivals nationwide.

Dena Olayinka Broderick is the author of My Mother’s Land: Tales and Tastes of Liberia, a heartfelt and occasionally humorous travel memoir about family legacy, grief, and cultural reconnection through food. Born in Los Angeles to West African parents, she now lives in Twentynine Palms with her husband and two young children. Guided by a love of storytelling, shared meals, and an enduring curiosity about people and places, she believes food is a powerful and beautiful expression of who we are.

Dennis Tafoya lives near Philadelphia and is the author of three crime novels set in and around the city, including Dope Thief, developed for Apple TV by Peter Craig and Ridley Scott. His short stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies such as Philadelphia Noir and Best American Mystery Stories. His work has been nominated for multiple awards and optioned for film and television.

Derrick Davis grew up in Southern California's vast desert landscape. The endless terrain allowed his imagination to paint on its blank canvas. This evolved into a deep passion for films, music, and vivid stories with complex characters. Among Derrick's projects, he has provided vital consultation work on several products, including Insight Edition's Jurassic Park: The Official Script Book and Criterion's home media release of the classic film Journey to the Beginning of Time. Invertiverse is his debut science fiction novel. When Derrick isn't creating various media, he enjoys theme parks, nature hikes, and the wonder of what mysteries lie beyond.

Desiree Wetz (Juaneño/Luiseño/Cahuilla) lives on the Pechanga Reservation with her family. She spends most of her time with her family and community on the reservation―volunteering to help educate Indigenous children on traditional practices, plant uses, gathering of native materials, and basket weaving. Oral history is an important part of her culture, and she uses writing to carry on this tradition. Desiree aspires to encourage positive self-reflection among the youth in her community, and through her writing, show all children positive examples of Indigenous peoples in an effort to create a more accepting and informed society.

Crime novelist, editor, and essayist Domenic Stansberry is known for innovative noir fiction that delves into the criminal mind. His forthcoming novel, The Lizard (2025), follows award-winning works including The White Devil—winner of the Hammett Prize—and The Confession, an Edgar Award–winning neo-noir classic. His North Beach Mystery Series, featuring investigator Dante Mancuso, earned praise for its vivid portrayal of San Francisco’s ethnic and political subcultures, with The Ancient Rain named by Booklist as one of the decade’s best crime novels. Translated worldwide, Stansberry lives north of San Francisco with his wife, poet Gillian Conoley, and their daughter, Gillis.

Meet Dr. Oolong, the unconventional wordsmith whose life is as diverse as their storytelling. From living on a boat to roaming deserts, their eclectic experiences fuel their work, spanning sci-fi, comedy, and beyond. With a resume including directing plays, working in special effects for major films, and even chauffeuring bands to iconic concerts, Dr. Oolong's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Inspired by encounters with the Integratron and Giant Rock, their acclaimed book, Bedtime Stories for Robots, is a testament to a life lived outside the lines.

Duncan Birmingham is a writer and filmmaker in Los Angeles. The feature film he wrote and directed, Who Invited Them, was named one of the best horror films of 2022 by The Hollywood Reporter. He's written on various TV shows including as an executive producer and writer on Maron (starring Marc Maron) on IFC and co-executive producer and writer on Blunt Talk on Starz. His screenplay Swingles was featured on The Black List and his short films have premiered at festivals including Sundance and AFI. His first book of short stories, The Cult in My Garage, (Maudlin House), came out in August 2021.

Esinam Bediako is a Ghanaian American writer from Detroit. She is the author of the Ann Petry Award–winning novel Blood on the Brain (Red Hen Press, 2024) and the essay/poetry chapbook Self-Talk (Porkbelly Press, 2025). Her recent work appears in Porter House Review, Cathexis Northwest, Great River Review, North American Review, and Southern Humanities Review. She has worked as a high school English teacher and administrator, and currently writes and edits for the Spondylitis Association of America. Esinam lives in Southern California with her family.

Francene Kaplan is a native Californian and desert lover, enjoys writing poems and short stories when not playing household percussion or creating weird mixed–media art. She loves all things animal, vegetable, and mineral, reading / watching Sci Fi, and organic gardening. Attaining far too much formal education, she thus shares tidbits of this knowledge to alternative high school students. She teaches science, psychology, sociology, health, and foods. Teaching composting workshops to communities in Southern California, has earned her the moniker of the "Priestess of Rot".

G.A. Lawrence, a native of Mamaroneck, NY, ventured from a background in theater to a prolific career in animation design in California. Influenced by Edward Gorey and Edgar Allan Poe, she created the eerie world of Zomvoos. Her series “Recycle Your Souls” gained acclaim at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival’s TRASHed campaign, winning first place consecutively in 2009 and 2010. In 2023 she unveiled Ghostly Trees, a chilling fusion of haunting drawings and poignant poems. Collaborating with Valerio Ventura in the horror tale, Pale Witch, they explore the supernatural in a novella, showcasing her enduring talent in crafting unsettling narratives.

Gene Rosow is a writer, filmmaker, historian, and photographer whose career spans books, articles, television, film and music. A former UC Berkeley history professor, he’s written, directed, and produced award-winning documentaries and feature films on topics ranging from gangster films (Born to Lose) to Jewish-Muslim coexistence (Routes of Exile), Afro-Cuban music (Roots of Rhythm), medieval knights (Les Chevaliers) and soil preservation (DIRT The Movie). His credits among others also include Doctora, Laurel and Hardy: A Tribute to the Boys, Silent Tongue, Zeus and Roxanne, and a new project, Joshua Tree Dance Party (2025).

George Bixley held a string of jobs, from parking attendant to night desk clerk, before finding his groove in Los Angeles, settling into the seedy underbelly of the metropolis and trying to keep ahead of the wave of gentrification. Bixley sells his soul by day and dredges the bottom by night.

Greg Gilbert is a retired English Professor and the current Board President at Copper Mountain College in Joshua Tree, CA. His book, Butchy’s Rainbow, is the story of a three-generation household in post-war Los Angeles and the horrific events that necessitated their move into the political and social maelstrom that was San Bernardino in the mid-1950’s.

J.D. O'Brien is the author of the novel Zig Zag, a 2023 Southwest Book Of The Year, which is partly set in the High Desert. His writing has appeared in Starlite Pulp, Maggot Brain, Crimereads, The Lowbrow Reader, and elsewhere. His story “Outlaw Country” was selected for The Best American Mystery And Suspense 2025, edited by Don Winslow. He lives in western Massachusetts.

Jade Fassbinder is a poet, filmmaker, editor, organiser and proud mother & daughter. A Filipina-American from California, she has lived in New York, Puerto Rico, México, Canada, Portugal and the Philippines. She has been producing underground films, helping run autonomous cultural festivals and events and producing music & art since childhood. XXXV is her first book.

Jamie Evans, aka The Herb Somm, is a four-time author, certified sommelier, and founder of a cannabis lifestyle brand focused on infused food, wine, and wellness. Her work bridges the culinary and cannabis worlds through books, events, and educational content. She’s the author of The Ultimate Guide to CBD, Cannabis Drinks, Let’s Get Baked! and the forthcoming High Times Cannabis Cocktails (2024). Named a Top 40 Under 40 Tastemaker by Wine Enthusiast, Jamie has been featured in High Times, POPSUGAR, and Wine Enthusiast, and co-edited GoldLeaf’s Cooking Journal. She lives and works in California.

Janet Tucker, author of How to be a High Desert Minimalist Gardener, has been the custodian of her 1.5-acre High Desert "Park" for 25 years. She dreamed of a small house in a large garden, transforming her vision into reality through innovative watering techniques and creative space use. Janet's High Desert Minimalist Garden style celebrates the desert's unique beauty while being water-efficient, becoming a hallmark for residents. Her approach involves space-consciousness and water-efficient methods, transforming outdoor areas into living extensions of homes. Through her work, Janet provides invaluable insights into creating thriving gardens in the challenging High Desert environment.

Jardine Libaire is the co-editor of PO Box Outer Space, a new zine series of "open letters to the beyond," alongside Jennifer Prediger and designer Beth Middleworth. She lives in the High Desert and is captivated, confused, and enchanted by both the seen and unseen. Jardine is the author of Here Kitty Kitty, White Fur, and You're An Animal (Hogarth); co-writer of The Sober Lush (Tarcher Perigee); and has created two collaborations for Neotext: GoldTwinz with Neil Krug and A Lesson in Murder Ballads with Denise Prince. She also co-wrote the film Endings, Beginnings with Drake Doremus.

Jay Jones is the author of A Bilagáana Boy among the Navajo, a true story about his four years living on the Navajo Reservation in Window Rock, Arizona. Born in Japan to Air Force veterans, Jay had a turbulent childhood and joined the Marine Corps at 17. His career path included roles from cook and DJ to financial advisor, ultimately retiring after 33 years as a Chartered Financial Consultant. He earned a Business Management degree while working full-time. Now living near Tucson, Jay enjoys golfing, traveling, cooking, and soaking up the Arizona sun with a good book and a strong cocktail.

Jennifer is a writer exploring the power, freedom, and mystery of the crone years. At 61, she brings a blend of wisdom, irreverence, and deep reverence for nature, spirituality, and feminine transformation. She is a contributing author to La Clínica del Pueblo de Río Arriba: The First 50 Years (2024), and a member of both the Desert Writers’ Guild and Mojave Sage Writers. Through storytelling and reflection, she celebrates the wild, shadowy, and radiant aspects of aging womanhood—inviting others to join her in embracing this vibrant phase of life.

Joel Tomfohr is a writer living in the Bay Area. He is the author of the chapbook, A Blue Hour ​(Bottlecap Press). His short stories can be found in Short Beasts, Bending Genres, Joyland, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, X-R-A-Y, BULL, Hobart, and others. He teaches English to immigrants from around the world at Fremont High School in Oakland, CA. 

John Sierpinski lives in Yucca Valley, California. His two poetry collections: "Sucker Hole" and "Vacancy/No Vacancy" were published by Cholla Needles Arts and Literary Library.

Josh Jackson is a writer, photographer, speaker, and leading voice for public lands managed by the BLM. Through his evocative Forgotten Lands Project, Josh employs immersive storytelling and striking visual narratives to inspire appreciation and engagement with our least understood, least protected, and largely unknown landscapes. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children.

Julia Martel is a Laguna Beach-based author who writes YA fiction packed with daring adventures, quirky characters, and heartfelt themes. By day, she’s a full-time Corporate Career Girlieᵀᴹ; by night (and weekend), she squeezes writing into every spare moment. Julia is open about living with anxiety, depression, and ADHD, and her stories reflect her commitment to honest mental health representation. She thrives on sunshine, community, and a little chaos, infusing her work with joy and vulnerability. Whether on the page or IRL, Julia strives to care deeply for herself, her people, and sometimes, her delightfully complicated characters.

Kate Spencer is a mental health professional with a passion for poetry. Writing under the pen name Joella Muncel, she began sharing her poetry on Substack earlier this year. She released her first collection of narrative poetry, Desert Fairy Tales—a whimsical journey of magical stories inspired by the enchanting and mystical Mojave Desert—and is working on a second volume. Kate is a student of that which lies beyond the limitations of human perception. Her second work, The Book of RA, is a distillation of the RA Material, channeled in the late 80's from an entity named RA. The book contains all of the guidance RA offered to show humanity how to live a life in Love & Light.

Katie Nartonis is a writer, curator and documentary filmmaker. She will debut two new books at this year's festival. The first is a reissue of Jack Rogers Hopkins: California Design Maverick and Volume 2 of California Desert Artists. Her next book, Chasing Eudorah: Adventures in California Design Art History includes essays on influential mid-Century California artists and makers is slated for early 2026. Her exhibition, Crafting the Counterculture: Garry Knox Bennett and Nicki Marx is now open at the Maloof Foundation. She serves as Gallery Director for the HDA: Hi Desert Art Center in Yucca Valley, California.

Kelli Shapiro, PhD, is a public historian, historic preservationist, and local history author from Southern California. She holds degrees from Pomona College, Texas State University, and Brown University. She has written two books for Arcadia Publishing's Images of America series: 2024's "Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley Movie Theatres" and 2018's "Historic Movie Theatres of West Virginia" (the latter done as the Preservation Alliance of WV's Program Associate). She has also authored successful state landmark nominations in California and Texas; academic journal articles; and entries for several encyclopedias.

Kenneth Nowling is a best-selling author, producer, and veteran television executive with over 30 years of experience in film and TV production. He began his career in 1992 as a production assistant and rose through the ranks to bring major stories to life on screen. Now a full-time writer, Kenneth brings his cinematic instincts to the page, captivating readers with acclaimed Young Adult fiction and gripping Crime & Suspense novels. His debut, Havana Nights, blends high-stakes drama with atmospheric storytelling. Across every medium, Kenneth crafts immersive stories that entertain, challenge, and leave a lasting impression.

Kent Wilson is a writer whose work has appeared in literary magazines like Cholla Needles and Howl. He discovered fiction and poetry later in life, crafting short stories that capture the subtle moments of everyday life. Kent’s goal is to create characters with a sense of familiarity and authenticity. With family roots in the Morongo Valley—his father having attended 29 Palms High School—he brings a deep connection to the desert in his writing. 

Kerri is a community organizer, wellness activist and author of the forthcoming book American Detox: The Myth of Wellness and How We Can Truly Heal. She is the founder of CTZNWELL, a movement that is democratizing wellbeing for all. A descendant of generations of firemen and first responders, Kerri has dedicated her life to kicking down doors and fighting for justice. She’s been teaching yoga for over 20 years and is known for making waves in the wellness industry by challenging norms, disrupting systems and mobilizing people to act.

Kristina Ten is a speculative fiction writer and the author of Tell Me Yours, I’ll Tell You Mine (Stillhouse Press, Oct. 2025). Her stories appear in McSweeney's, Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy, Lightspeed, Nightmare, and more. She has won the Stephen Dixon Award, the Subjective Chaos Kind of Award, and the F(r)iction Writing Contest, and has been a finalist for the Shirley Jackson, Locus, and WSFA Small Press Awards. A Clarion West and University of Colorado MFA graduate, Kristina has lived all over—with mischievous dogs, melodramatic plants, and bookshelves full of scary stories.

Larry Fike is a former tenured department chair who holds degrees in philosophy from UCLA and Columbia University. He now teaches critical thinking, logic, and ethics at community colleges and writes from his home in Joshua Tree. He is working on a sequel to the memoir Piker: A Memoir of Child Abuse, Academic Disillusionment, and Familial Redemption, and is the author of Obstinate Air: Poems on Beating the Wind and Unheard Tick of Time: Poems in the Healing Mode. His lyrics have been included in songs that have aired on "The Young and the Restless," "General Hospital," and "Summerland."

Laurie Kaye is the author of Confessions of a Rock N Roll Name Dropper: My Life Leading Up to John Lennon’s Last Interview, a gripping memoir that recounts her 1980 interview with Lennon—his final one before his tragic death hours later. The book also explores her turbulent early years in LA and rise through the music industry, interviewing legends like Paul McCartney, David Bowie, and Mick Jagger. Laurie began her career at KFRC-AM San Francisco, later writing for RKO and Dick Clark. She now works in television and film as a writer, producer, and casting director.

Lex Neale is an independent Integral Theorist and a member of the Integral Research Center. After taking a B.Sc. in Zoology at London University he became involved in consciousness studies, traveling the world to develop his thesis that the origin of Life is Consciousness. In India he became a practitioner of Prem Rawat's "Knowledge of the Self," and enjoys an ongoing affiliation with The Prem Rawat Foundation, www.tprf.org. As well as a scientist and inventor, he is also an artist and musician. He lives with his family in the beautiful redwood forests of northern California.

Lisa Schyck is the creator of Glimpses of the Joshua Tree Dream, a book series celebrating the authentic lives and creative spirit of Hi-Desert residents. The first volume launched in August 2024, with a second set for March 2026 during Women’s History Month, spotlighting modern-day women pioneers of the region. A former organizational development executive with over 20 years of experience at top Detroit firms, Lisa holds a Master’s in Administration and has studied design at the Interior Design Institute and OTIS. She is also a student of Judaic, Chassidic, and mystical teachings and donates book proceeds to local cultural projects.

As an author, Maxfield's voice is fierce, funny and focused on women's issues. Her upcoming memoir JewGirl uses flashpoints from lived experience to explore what it means to be Jewish and female at a time when women's rights are at risk and antisemitism is on the rise. She lives in Southern California.

A poet and longtime visitor to Joshua Tree, Megan Haugh is a member of the Mojave Sage Writers group and former writing instructor at UC San Diego. Their work has appeared in Cholla Needles, The Courtship of Winds, and Thuya Poetry Review. They are currently submitting a chapbook titled desert poems and live in San Diego.

Michael A. Delitala is a Thousand Oaks–based author with four published works in his Revisionist series, which explore family dynamics, coming of age, the shifting stories we tell ourselves over time, and the search for authenticity through reflections on past loves. His forthcoming book, The Surplus of Love, tackles the taboo subject of sex work with empathy and candor, aiming to show that sex workers are, like everyone else, human beings striving to make ends meet. Michael’s books are available on all major platforms.

Michael G. Vail is a novelist, short-story author and poet. His most recent book, High Desert Elegy: Stories & Poems, and his novel, The Salvation of San Juan Cajon, are available at several locations in the Morongo Basin and on Amazon. A California native, Michael divides his time between San Clemente and a former homestead cabin in Twentynine Palms.

Michael “Aibo” Juarez is an A.I. software patent holder and sci-fi author whose writing is heavily influenced by an extensive philosophy, journalism, and business background. Before starting his career as a writer, Aibo owned a retail business in San Francisco, employing local teens from at-risk communities. Now, Aibo’s work often explores themes of disadvantage, violence, spirituality, and the desire to break free from oppressive systems. When he isn’t writing, Aibo enjoys reading, cooking, working, and watching anime, TV, and movies.

Mike Stillman first traveled on Route 66 as an infant in his parents' Rambler during the summer of 1960. He may be the only person who remembers the layout of the gold mine that his father invested in (and received little in return). In his early 20's, Stillman wrote fiction and poetry that appeared in Mendocino Review, Permafrost, Metrosphere, and Wordeater. For decades, he worked in Chicago as a Software Engineer and I.T. Specialist, but was always thinking of the desert and visiting on vacations. In 2016, he retired and moved to the Joshua Tree area, where he wrote the historical novel In The Joshua Sea over seven years.

Author of six non-fiction works, Nancy boldly unveils transformative narratives that feature thriving through authenticity. This latest endeavor intertwines her father's manuscript, filmed interview, and poignant visuals, with reverence for his final wish to disseminate his inspiring memoir, echoing his legacy through captivating story-telling.

Nevada McPherson is the author of the Eucalyptus Lane novels (Poser, Cracker, and Baller), a neo-noir series blending romance and crime fiction from Outcast Press. A graduate of LSU’s MFA Creative Writing Program, she has also written award-winning screenplays, four graphic novels, and numerous short stories and essays. Her work appears in Deep South Magazine, Noir City, Twisted Pulp Magazine, and Starlite Pulp Review. Based in Georgia, Nevada enjoys reading, cooking, yoga, and porch-sitting with her husband and chihuahua. A devoted gardener, she jokes that she’s just one or two houseplants away from full-blown “crazy plant lady” status.

Nico Slate is a historian and author whose work explores race, democracy, and social change in the United States and India. Raised in California’s Mojave Desert, he was inspired by his mother, a public school teacher, and driven by personal experiences, including his brother’s tragic death. A Rhodes Scholar and Harvard Ph.D., Nico is the author of Brothers and several acclaimed books, including Colored Cosmopolitanism and Gandhi’s Search for the Perfect Diet. He teaches at Carnegie Mellon University, where he also co-founded LEAP and the Bajaj Lab for Rural Development. His writing blends scholarship with a deeply personal lens on justice.

Nikki Rawnsley is an award-winning author, marketing leader, and creative force whose work blends soulful depth with whimsical imagination. A British-born Australian living in California, she draws inspiration from her travels, global connections, and spiritual practice. With an empathetic heart and curious spirit, Nikki channels her inner fairy, nymph, or ninja to craft poetry that stirs emotion and awakens the soul. Her writing aims to radiate transformative energy—teasing the mind, drawing readers in, and cracking open the heart. A seeker and high-vibe traveler, she lives each day in love for the highest good of all, guided by creativity and connection.

Nolan Knight is the author of Gallows Dome, The Neon Lights Are Veins, and Beneath the Black Palms. He is a fourth generation Angeleno and former staff writer for Los Angeles’ Biggest Music Publication, the L.A. Record. His short fiction has been featured in various publications including Akashic Books, Thuglit, Shotgun Honey, Starlite Pulp, and Action, Spectacle. His work has been met with praise by luminaries such as Barry Gifford, James Sallis, Allison Anders, and Lydia Lunch. His latest novel, The Gorgon of Los Feliz, is out now from Down & Out Books.

Rose Baldwin is a Midwesterner by birth and a storyteller by instinct—plainspoken, occasionally thickheaded, and often unexpectedly insightful. A lifelong joker, daydreamer, and scribbler, she spent years working in banking, teaching finance, and serving in government, where her supervisors frequently noted she might be happier elsewhere. They were right. In 2014, she moved to California and now lives in Yucca Valley with her two cats. Her works include The Claire Stories (2016), Mike's Magic Burgers (2017), Claire Streaking Through the Autumn of Her Life (2021), and Claire Still Kicking (2023). She's still writing—and still kicking.

Ryanna Hammond is the founder of All With Heart, where creative writing, mental health, and spirituality meet. After overcoming years of anxiety, disordered eating, and self-doubt, she found healing through therapy, journaling, and spiritual awakening. Ryanna holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing. She now creates books, workshops, and services to help others expand their mindset, reconnect with their authentic selves, and transform their lives. Through poetry, education, and deep inner work, Ryanna empowers others to share their stories and heal from within—always, and only, with heart.

S. Jayne Brennan is a successful executive with a powerful story of resilience. A survivor of childhood abuse and poverty, she rose through the ranks of the automotive industry and Silicon Valley while battling deep struggles with self-worth. Her memoir, Still Standing, shares her journey from pain to purpose, inspiring others, especially young women and underserved communities, to believe in the art of the possible. Passionate about giving back, she devotes her life to helping others heal and grow. A proud mother of two daughters, she currently splits her time between Los Angeles and Montana, embracing each day as a gift.

DTed is a desert-based artist, curator, and patient advocate known for his project Scarred for Life: Monoprints of Human Scars, which chronicles the stories of individuals who have survived accidents and health crises. A lifelong patient with Gaucher Disease, Ted uses his art to improve patient-physician communication and explore life with illness. His work has been featured by NPR and The New York Times, and he serves as Artist in Residence at USC Keck School of Medicine. His latest book, The Room Sinatra Died In, and Other Medically Adjacent Stories, will be released in September 2024.

Terence Latimer is a creative technologist and founder of Black Cactus Co-Working in Twentynine Palms. With 12+ years of experience in tech, marketing, and business strategy, he’s developed tools like the ORCA Method to help organizations grow. His work explores identity, place, and transformation in the high desert, where he hosts creative workshops and public events that spotlight local voices.

Vanda Krefft is the author of Expect Great Things!, a social history of the Katharine Gibbs School and its pioneering role in expanding workplace opportunities for women. The book, which explores the unlikely story of Katharine Gibbs and her school's trailblazing graduates, will be published by Algonquin Books in March 2025. Vanda is also the author of The Man Who Made the Movies (HarperCollins, 2017), the first full biography of Twentieth Century Fox founder William Fox. A former journalist, her writing has appeared in Elle, Redbook, Woman’s Day, and the Los Angeles Times. She holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.

Valerio Ventura is a multi-award-winning artist, copywriter, and 2014 Emmy recipient for design at Walt Disney Studios. Born in Rome’s gritty Quadraro neighborhood near Cinecittà, he moved to California to pursue a creative career. With over 30 years in the film industry, Valerio has art-directed animated shows and directed TV commercials and music videos. Writing professionally since 2001, he now turns to fiction. His debut novel in the Akira series blends razor-sharp action, dark humor, and urban poetry in a world of assassins. Valerio is now a U.S. citizen and continues to explore storytelling through visual and written mediums.

Virginia Mekkelson is a playwright, novelist, and lyricist for musical theatre. A former Peace Corps volunteer in Eritrea, she has been a longtime member of the Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop and the Academy for New Musical Theatre in Los Angeles. Her work includes the musicals Condor and Don Quixote in Las Vegas, as well as the novel The Sunset Bar (Black Rose Writing). She has also self-published The Christmas Contest and Musical Theatre: Secrets of the Great Shows. Based in Yucca Valley, she is currently working on a screenplay.

Yasmine Golchan, raised in France and the U.S., studied theater and film at USC and UCLA. She produced plays in Paris before founding the French Theater at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, where she produced, directed, and acted in French comedies. Her short film Next Stop, Eternity won Best Short at the first Internet Festival and earned international nominations. As VP of Production for Oscar-winning producer Bob Yari, she co-produced the Golden Globe–winning The Painted Veil. Now collaborating with Magenta Light Studios, Golchan has authored The Adventures of Yasmine, a children’s book celebrating multicultural journeys and timeless, tech-free storytelling.