Current News from the Kansas Authors Club

Welcome Todd Fertig to the Topeka Area Group!

10/6/2025

After surviving a recent complete rebuild of his website https://toddfertigwrites.com/,Todd sends us this introduction:

I grew up in Ellinwood, Kansas, where I was the beneficiary of a tremendous high school journalism program. I realized at that time that I had a passion for writing and went to Kansas State University to develop that skill. I majored in journalism and English and worked for several semesters on the KSU Collegian staff. Upon graduation, my first job was with the Manhattan Mercury.

What started out as a straight path suddenly zigged and zagged for a couple of decades during which I got involved in government, then youth ministry, gained a certificate to teach high school English and journalism, and earned a master’s degree in education administration.
I married my wife, Kim, in 2002 and gained two amazing stepchildren in the process. After a seven-year stint in Missouri, we settled in Topeka, where my work became focused on government communications.

In 2019, the “powers that be” nudged me out of my full-time communications role. I wondered at that time if I could turn my freelance writing gigs into a full-time job. Since then, I’ve been blessed with opportunities to work for so many outlets, I’ve lost count. Newspapers, magazines, websites, books…the journey has taken me in many directions and taught me many lessons. I can honestly say I enjoy almost everything I do, and I wake up every day eager to pull out the laptop and go to work!
I am involved in my church and community and am devoted to my wife and children, Peyton and Carter. My interests include sports, travel and Spanish, all of which I am eager to involve in my writing work whenever possible.

Welcome to Jayasri and William Hart, attached to the Wichita Area Group

10/6/2025

William "Bill" Hart (amazon.com/author/williamjhart) was a Kansas transplant to the West Coast. For 30 years he taught college writing courses in Los Angeles, but his formative years were spent in Wichita, KS. His poetry and fiction appeared in several hundred literary journals, commercial magazines, newspapers, and anthologies. His fourteen books include a memoir of his teenage years, Roller Rink Starlight, available in Wichita bookstores and public libraries. He also wrote documentaries with his filmmaker wife Jayasri (Joyce) Hart (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3688546/), two of which aired nationally on PBS, won awards, and have been archived at the Library of Congress.
Bill always acknowledged that the seed of his creativity germinated at KU Lawrence and Wichita State, but was nurtured by his years on the assembly line at Cessna Aircraft and atop grain elevators in Wichita. The people he knew, both locals and journeymen, form the core of his Creative Non-fiction collection of published and unpublished work Better Pack A Lunch: Wichita Stories. This is what he was working on when he passed away.
Jayasri would like to complete that task and then collect all of Bill's work to continue distribution from one platform.

Though she is based in California, I'm sure the KAC membership will support her in honoring Bill's memory as a Kansas-bred writer. Welcome, Joyce!

Welcome, Aaron Saoirse!

9/27/2025

Aaron lives in El Dorado, and and writes neurodivergent protagonist speculative fiction (paranormal, small town fantasy, science fiction) romance.

They write stories that they want to read where marginalized people find joy, love, and family in their own way and on their own terms. They've studied abroad in Spain for an academic year, is fluent in Spanish, and creates photographs of nature and abstract subjects. They're an animal person with a house of dog and cat furkids and their partner.

Welcome, Aaron! We're glad to have you.

Welcome to S. Portico Bowman, new member from Prairie Village

8/27/2025

S. Portico Bowman was born in Brandon, Manitoba and grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. She has lived for various reasons in a variety of places such as Knoxville, Tennessee; Waimea, Hawai’I; and San Diego, California. For two decades Bowman taught in the Department of Art at Pittsburg State University and is now Professor Emerita. She has transferred her educational attention to shorter people and is currently a Faculty Assistant at a Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City, MO.

Bowman earned a BFA in printmaking and drawing, followed by an MFA Outstanding Graduate degree in sculptural ceramics and a post-graduate degree in Creative Writing from the Humber School for Writers. Her first novel Cashmere Comes From Goats was published by Stonehouse Publishing in 2022.

Bowman has published over forty essays about artists in national and international publications such as Sculpture Magazine, Art Papers, Studio Potter and Ceramics: Art & Perception. Bowman recently was a resident at the Studio Kura International Residency in Itoshima Japan, where she began work on her third book Madonna’s Tuxedo. She is a regular contributor to the Saskatchewan Writers Guild and was chosen by the Literary Press Group of Canada to present at the Indie Reading Room in St. Johns, Newfoundland.

Bowman’s Would You Give Up Arms For Wings? A story inspired by the visionary life & writings of Paulus Berensohn was a finalist for the 2024 AWP (Association of Writers & Writing Programs) Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction. Alison Pick, Booker Prize nominee, was the writing mentor throughout the creation of the story. The book is forthcoming with Pete’s Press in 2026.

She currently resides in Prairie Village, Kansas (Kansas City area) with her husband Tom and otherworldly cat Florence. Visit her at https://www.s-portico-bowman.com/basic-01.

Welcome, Catherine and Anthony Menefee of Wichita!

7/14/2025

Catherine Menefee has a Master's of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Wichita State University. She specializes in poetry, but also loves to write fiction and creative non-fiction. Catherine believes in the power of literature to positively change the world, and she's spent more than a decade sharing her love of writing with students in high school, college, and homeschool co-op classrooms. She lives in Wichita with her husband and two children. Her debut poetry book, "Witness: One American Year," is releasing on July 29, 2025.

Catherine adds: "It's an exciting time for me to join KAC; thanks to the newsletter several days ago, I was able to register for a table at the Wichita Public Library Local Author event. I'm so excited to be there with my newly released book! I can be found on Instagram and TikTok @arspoeticat, and I would love to get connected with other Kansas authors on social media."

Welcome, Jamie Bosse of Manhattan, KS

7/14/2025

Jamie Bosse, CFP®, RFC, CCFC, is a Financial Planner, author, and mother of four with a passion for helping families build strong financial foundations. She writes to educate and empower both children and adults, making financial topics approachable, engaging, and fun.

Jamie is the author of Money Boss Mom: Helping Young Parents Be the “Boss” of Their Financial Future and the Milton the Money Savvy Pup children’s book series, which introduces young readers to important money concepts in a kid-friendly way. Her goal is to help families develop lifelong financial skills—starting at an early age.

In her role at CGN Advisors, Jamie helps clients navigate life’s transitions, organize their finances, and move confidently toward their goals. In 2020, she was named to the national InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 list and is a graduate of Leadership Manhattan’s Class of 2020.

Her writing and financial expertise have been featured in The Kansas City Star, KC Parent, The Journal of Financial Planning, Investment Advisor Magazine, and on Kansas City PBS. Jamie is also a proud graduate of Kansas State University’s Personal Financial Planning program.

Welcome New Member, Cheryl Savage!

6/22/2025

Cheryl Seely Savage is a professional musician, poet, graduate student, and mother of eight children. She has been published in Exponent II, Inscape, Manhattan Neighbors Magazine, and was shortlisted for the 2022 Lascaux Prize in Poetry. In addition, Cheryl has been the inspiration for several musical compositions, most notably by Dr. Alyssa Morris. She has four poetry publications: Give Me a Fragment, Carve a Place for Me, We Have Time, and Shadowing. Shadowing was recently published in January. It’s available online or at The Dusty Bookshelf in Manhattan.

When she isn’t writing, Cheryl can be found walking at sunrise, voraciously reading, traveling with her family, practicing the piano, and finding new ways to incorporate beauty into her life. She currently lives with her family in the Flint Hills of Kansas and is pursuing her Master of Music degree at Kansas State University.

Welcome to Susan Zuber-Chall of District 1!

4/27/2025

Susan is a retired professor who taught anthropology, sociology and criminal justice studies at Washburn University and Emporia State University. She is the author of two books; The Aquarian Goddess is a book about women and our image. The second book, Sex, Sinners and Hippies, is a memoir based on Susan's life as a hippie in the 60's and 70's.

Susan's interests are varied and she is fascinated by many different things. She has authored several short stories, three of which are featured in an anthology, and she has recently finished a fantasy novel. Additionally, she has had a paper published about the library at Haskell Indian Nation's University and has submitted a paper about serial killers to a criminal justice journal.

Currently, she is a chaplain for the Topeka Police Department, writes book reviews for Choice magazine, and teaches a free yoga class for seniors, as well as a free class about peoples of the ancient world. She may be a frustrated teacher, but channels it as a willing volunteer!

Welcome to New Member Cynthia Mines

4/18/2025

After working for decades as a journalist and editor, Cindy Mines joined the Kansas Authors Club to help expand her writing horizons to fiction. She has also had two nonfiction articles published in 105 Meadowlark Reader and won third place for memoir in the 2024 KAC contest.

She began publishing The Wichita Times and Travel Kansas magazine in 1993 after writing/editing positions at Wichita State University and the Wichita Business Journal. She continues to publish Travel Kansas as an annual magazine.

Freelance projects have included three published books on Kansas history (one was named a Kansas Notable Book) and travel writing for a variety of publications. She loves to research though admits that being overly thorough can be just an excuse to procrastinate writing – except, of course, the time it was absolutely necessary to criss-cross the state to consume 13 complete fried-chicken dinners as preparation to write an article on Kansas fried chicken for the Los Angeles Times Magazine.

She earned a master’s degree in English from Wichita State University and resides with her husband and dog south of Lindsborg.

2025 issue of Travel Kansas

Welcome, Rick Christiansen of District 5

4/6/2025

Rick Christiansen is a former corporate executive, stand-up comedian, actor and director. His work can be found in MacQueen’s Quinterly, Oddball Magazine, Stone Poetry Journal, The Rye Whiskey Review, As It Ought to Be Magazine, Trailer Park Quarterly and other publications. His first full length poetry volume, BONE FRAGMENTS, was published last year by Spartan Press. He has been nominated for a Spirit Award and a Touchstone Award for his work. He is an advisory member of The Writer’s Place and a member of The St. Louis Writers Guild. He lives in Missouri with his wife Kim and dog “B.”

Visit him at https://rickchristiansen.com/.

Welcome, Kate Siska of District 1

4/6/2025

Kate Siska grew up on the southwest side of Chicago
and knew from an early age that she was meant to
write, keeping a journal long before anyone told her
what one was. Her mother freaked out when Kate
proudly read her first poem aloud – about dying –
while still in elementary school.

After earning a Master’s Degree in English, Kate
taught college writing. In 1992, she moved to Kansas
City to pursue a career in pharmaceutical sales.
Eventually, Kate found her way to her current life’s
work as a Mitigation Specialist, advocating for life
versus death sentences for clients facing capital murder charges. Mitigation is storytelling – understanding the world intricately from the client’s perspective and finding creative ways to frame that story to influence decision makers.

Kate is currently writing a thriller/mystery novel, trying to find a publisher for her children’s picture book poem, is working on various poems, and is considering writing a memoir.

Welcome, Kris Cain of District 4

4/4/2025

Kris Cain is a retired detective and SWAT Sniper who then spent almost two decades as a telecommunications fraud investigator.

He began his law-enforcement career on patrol and later transitioned to detective, working in various bureaus, including property crimes, white-collar crimes, narcotics, and vice. As a SWAT team member, some of his experiences included high-hazard search and arrest warrants, barricaded suspect situations, maritime interdiction, and close-in protection of a national public figure targeted by terrorists for assignation post Desert Storm. He attended SWAT schools conducted by the
FBI and DoD.

As a telecommunications fraud investigator, he worked with local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes and fraud committed against his employer. He was his company’s representative working with Federal law enforcement in the immediate post-9/11 investigation of the terrorists.

Now retired, Kris has taken his love of reading to the next level: writing. His transition from investigations to the world of novels has been a fascinating journey. His goal is to blend his knowledge, experiences, real-world events, and imagination into the Chase Thompson novels that readers will enjoy.

He went the self-published route via Kindle Direct Publishing and submitted his book, Random (sometimes it isn't), in late November 2024. He is in the process of preparing to release his second Chase Thompson novel.

Kris and his wife have chosen to make their home in the heart of the Midwest, a place that holds a special significance in their lives.

Welcome, Debra Cole!

3/2/2025

Debra A. Cole is a playwright from Lawrence, Kansas. Her plays have been seen by audiences around the world. Debra was a selected playwright for the William Inge Theatre Festival - New Play Lab 2023 and 2025. Debra’s 20-play collection titled "The Wrinkle Ranch and Other Short Plays About Growing Old" is available through Next Stage Press, as well as additional plays with Drama Notebook, Off The Walls Plays, and Heuer Publishing. Debra is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, a member of Honor Roll!, an advocacy group of women+ playwrights over 40, and 2023-24 and 2024-25 Kansas City Public Theatre's Playwright’s Roundtable cohort.

Visit her at https://debraacolescripts.com

Welcome to new member Bill Isley, District 1

1/31/2025

Bill Isley, a native of Indiana, lives in Topeka and is recently retired from teaching philosophy, history, and biblical studies at Cair Paravel Latin School. He has a Ph.D. in theological and religious studies and has lived and taught in the Caribbean (home of his wonderful wife), Portugal, and Costa Rica.

Last year he published his first novel, The Likeness of Sinful Flesh, which is the story of an ambitious young West Indian woman who longs to escape the confines of her small island and dysfunctional family. However, her own choices lead her into an abusive relationship and causes harm to someone she loves. Feeling guilty and trapped, she questions God’s goodness.

Bill is currently working on a second novel, Chasing the Wind, about the struggles of three unlikely friends as they face the consequences of their own beliefs and values. His fiction and the short essays he writes for his blog focus on philosophical, theological, and cultural issues and their implications for living. When Bill is not writing or working on his YouTube channel, “Thinking Wisely with Dr. Isley,” he enjoys reading literature, history, theology and philosophy, watching movies, conversing with friends, and relishing his wife’s excellent cooking.

Welcome, Ashley Donegan of District 2

1/25/2025

Ashley is an indie author who has written two children's books, Adventures of Snuggs and Pirate Chickens Under Attackkkkk!!!. Pirate Chickens was co-written and illustrated by her 9 year old daughter and is coming out hopefully by the end of February. Ashley and her daughter have joined together to create fun and unique stories inspired by their real-life experiences, many of which include several pets on their family farm in Paola, Kansas. The creative duo hope others enjoy their stories as much as they do, as they have plenty more ideas for the future!

Welcome to Sherry Krehbiel of District 4

1/25/2025

If you are trying to find Sherry Krehbiel on a spring, summer, or fall day, she’ll be at her lakehouse on King’s River in Missouri, about 5 miles from the Arkansas border. She’ll be tending, but at the same time exploring, her butterfly garden consisting of four varieties of milkweed, plus a sundry of wildflowers. Her fascination for butterflies takes her many directions. This past year she wrote a nonfiction story for young children sharing the journey of the monarch as discovered by her eight year old granddaughter, Isla.
As a retired Montessori facilitator, nonfiction stories come readily from the research she conducted over the years of presenting learning in story form. She still enjoys enticing early learners into situations that excite their senses and heighten their awareness of the world around them.
If you are wondering where Sherry is during the winter months try Salina, Kansas, where she raised three children. Her spouse Mark supports her love for Montessori and butterflies, plays pickleball, fishes, hikes, and waterskies with her. Their nine grandchildren are often a part of the fun.
Learn more about Sherry on her website sherrykrehbielchildrensbooks.com. Look for her next picture book coming out in 2025!

Welcome, Mary-Lane Kamberg - District 2

12/5/2024

Mary-Lane Kamberg is a professional writer / editor / speaker and co-leader of the Kansas City Writers Group. Her books include The "I Don't Know How to Cook" Book and more than thirty nonfiction books for middle school and high school libraries. Her books for young writers include The I Love to Write Book, The I Love to Write Stories Book, and The I Love to Write Poetry Book and are available on Amazon. Her work has also appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Better Homes and Gardens, The Christian Science Monitor, Kansas City Star, and more. She graduated from KU and roots for the Jayhawks during March Madness and football season. She has swum with dolphins, ridden an elephant, and been kissed by a camel.

Welcome, new District 2 member Elmer Fuller

10/29/2024

Elmer Fuller began writing freelance articles in 1984 during a ministry career. He self-published a short, non-fiction book in 2000. His writing paused during a career change in 2001. After adventures in the corporate training and IT worlds, Elmer returned to writing in retirement, but changed his focus to historical fiction. He stays active writing, speaking, and volunteering. Elmer resides in Overland Park and enjoys family, faith, travel, and watching the St. Louis Cardinals baseball and Kansas City Chiefs football teams. More information is available at www.elmerfuller.com.

Welcome, Elmer - glad to have you!

Welcome, Catherine Robertson from District 1

10/14/2024

Catherine Robertson (Cathy) lives in Topeka, Kansas with her dog, Chewy. She was a freelance court reporter for 24 years in Wichita and Topeka. She has grown children: one lives in Emporia and the other one has just moved to Germany for duty in the United States Army. She loves to travel, tent camp, and kayak.

In the last three years, Cathy has had five short stories and two books published – and she is also a published photographer. The short stories are a mix of fiction and speculative fiction. The two books are are the start of a four-book speculative fiction series. She has "finished" the third book -- it's ruminating -- and is currently writing the fourth book. She has also finished a memoir and has begun looking for a publisher.

She is looking forward to meeting other authors and gaining a lot of knowledge. She attended the KAC Writers' Conference at Rock Springs. It was informative, fun and relaxing!

Welcome, Andrea Rome of District 2

10/8/2024

Andrea Rome is an indie fantasy author who works as a healthcare actuary during the week to fund her writing habit. She can regularly be found scribbling away on her lunch break or at any number of coffee shops in the KC Metro Area. Her debut novel, The Standard Book of Anything, was released in January 2024 and has been named a finalist in the Sci-Fi Fantasy category of the Kindle Book awards. Andrea intends to make this initial story into a trilogy and is at work revising her draft of book two. Andrea is a native Kansan who resides in Overland Park with her extrovert husband of seven years, Jay, and their two tabby cat overlords.

Look for Andrea on:
Instagram (@andreahrome)
Goodreads(https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/47749461.Andrea_H_Rome)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/people/Andrea-H-Rome-Author/61555439201293/?_rdr)
or on her website (https://andreahrome.com/)

Welcome to KAC, Andrea! We're glad to have you and any feline overlords join us.

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