After working his way through SFSU-English Literature (almost ‘minors’ in math, engineering, and economics), he worked a decade in freight, as a longshoreman, with a jack hammer, and as a welder. After Law School (Law Review, Best Paper Corp. Tax, California Supreme Court internship), he was a C.E.B. Editorial Assistant and practiced law in his Sacramento office for twenty years. Then he was a high school teacher and administrator. He’s led discussions on memoir, hosted open readings, and has been story-telling. He is Secretary of CWC-Sacramento. He’s served on a few non-profit boards. He is writing a memoir.

Dr. Roger Carey is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has extensive experience
in stress management and prevention. Until recently, he had been working for the
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), in addition to
having his own thriving practice in Tracy, CA. Dr. Carey has treated patients with
a variety of mental illnesses, including Bipolar Disorders, Schizophrenia,
Addictions, Depression, PTSD and more. With his work over the past few
decades, he has seen too many people fall victim to the “stress monster,” and he
has created a series of techniques to help alleviate the pressure and anxiety
associated with stress. For more information, please visit www.drrogercarey.com.

Lynda Smith Hoggan has been a professional gift shop duster, bra strap counter, playground instructor, army base secretary, garment district house model, barmaid, go-go dancer, English teacher in the ‘hood, health teacher in the barrio, and technical writer, as well as an amateur martini taster.

Lynda is currently Professor Emeritus at Mt. San Antonio College, where she has taught Health and Human Sexuality for over twenty years. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Health from UCLA. Although she published some poems and articles in her 20’s, Lynda put writing on the back burner while she focused on her teaching career. Now returning to creative writing, she has published in the Los Angeles Times, the arts journal Westwind, and the online journal Cultural Weekly, and won first place in a small conference writing contest. Her recently completed memoir will be published by She Writes Press in 2022.

Lynda says, “Besides writing, I love reading an amazing book that I immediately want to start over; shaking my booty in a funky R&B club; morning coffee; evening bubble baths; and falling asleep by a campfire. Among other things.”

Lynda is a recent transplant from SoCal and looks forward to exploring Sacramento.

Before reporting news for the Las Vegas Daily Optic in New Mexico, Susan Dlugach earned a journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She also taught English in New Mexico and California while scribbling stories and poetry for herself. Writing retreats and workshops are among her vacation destinations as she continues to hone her craft. She’s published in California Update and participates in poetry readings and a critique group. Not to be a one-trick pony, she also enjoys music, dancing, yoga, hiking and studies Spanish with hopes of someday conversing easily and reading novels in that beautiful language.

Richard Vestnys, D.D., M.C.S., M.C., S.S.C.W. – poet, composer, theologian, master carpenter, chaplain and chorister (retired). Richard has held memberships in several poetry, music, woodworking and theological societies, domestic and abroad. Published works include: “No Greater Love”, small volume of poetry, Abbey Book Bindery (2014); “Everything and Nothing”, poem, “The Best of The Foliate Oak”, University of Arkansas, Monticello School of Arts & Humanities (2006); “Mountain of God”, theology/devotion, Laud Hall Seminary Press (1998)