Summer Solstice 2016 - Contributors - Mused - the BellaOnline Literary Review Magazine

<%@ Language=VBScript %> Summer Solstice 2016 - Contributors - Mused - the BellaOnline Literary Review Magazine

MUSED

BellaOnline Literary Review

Summer 2016
Volume 10, Issue 2

Contributors

	Manijeh Badiozamani Manijeh Badiozamani is a literary non-fiction writer. She writes mostly about her experiences growing up in Tehran, Iran, where she was born. Her short stories and articles have been published in magazines, anthologies and on the Web. She is a retired professor of English, and is currently working on a collection of short stories: "Family Tales from Tehran", and a non-fiction, "A Year in Middle America, Letters to My Parents."

	Morgan Baker Morgan Baker teaches at Emerson College where she won the Stanzler Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2013. Her work has been published in The New York Times Magazine, Dead Housekeeping, The Boston Globe, Talking Writing, Brain Child, The Manifest-Station, the anthology Done Darkness, and in previous issues at Mused-BellaOnline Literary Review. She lives with her husband and two Portuguese Water Dogs in Cambridge, and is the mother of two grown daughters.

	Damian Balassone Damian Balassone’s poems have appeared in a variety of Australian and international publications and have been broadcast on ABC Radio. His second collection of poetry, Daniel Yammacoona, was recently published by Ginninderra Press and is available for purchase at Readings bookstores. Find him at: http://damianbalassone.wordpress.com/

	Mark Berkery Mark was born to itinerant Irish parents which set the scene for a restless life. Like the Gypsy, he couldn´t accept the moribund values of a soulless society, what passed for important or posed as spiritual. The resulting roller-coaster of experience and inner conflict eventually gave way to a love of the simple sense of nature that he now lives - the best he can - as a form of meditation. He expresses his ongoing exploration of nature´s spiritual value through his writing and pictures at www.beingmark.com

	Susan P. Blevins Susan P. Blevins, an ex-pat Brit, has traveled the world extensively, lived in Italy for 26 years, and has now settled in Houston, Texas, where she is enjoying writing stories and poems based on her travels and adventures. She had a weekly column on food in a European newspaper and has published various articles on gardens in US and European magazines. She is passionate about classical music, gardening, cats, reading and of course, writing.

	Cas Blomberg In a former life, Cas Blomberg wore a badge and wielded a gun. Now she wears whatever she wants and wields a pen. She lives in Stockholm, Sweden where she spends most of her time writing speculative fiction and poetry to forget about the freezing death waiting just outside the door. She is a member of the Stockholm Writers´ Group and is interested in literacy programs. Her work has been featured in Perihelion Science Fiction and other literary journals. Visit her at www.casblomberg.com.

	Deb Bonam Deb is an acrylics and mixed media artist. She is inspired to paint images usually of a spiritual nature. Digital photography and writing are two of Deb´s other loves. She has had paintings, photography, articles, poetry, prose and non-fiction short stories published. Deb is also a former Creativity Editor at Bellaonline.

	Mary J. Breen Mary is the author of two books about women´s health, and her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in national newspapers, essay collections, travel magazines, health journals, and literary magazines. She lives in Peterborough Ontario Canada where, among other things, she teaches memoir writing.

	Jeff Burt Jeff Burt has work in Atticus Review, The Nervous Breakdown, Amarillo Bay, and Across the Margins. He enjoys the delicious imbecility of conscious life.

	Christine Catalano Christine likes to take photographs and play with them on the computer. She dedicates her work to her muse and longtime friend, who passed away recently.

	Harry Craft Harry had been writing poetry since he was in grade school. He has also written short stories and non-fiction essays on many subjects. Other interests include reading, particularly science fiction and fantasy, calligraphy, and philosophy. As a math teacher, Harry believes in integrating science and art as parts of a rounded life. He lives in Kentucky with his wife, daughter, and three cats. He blogs at turmarion.wordpress.com.

	Jill Crainshaw Jill Crainshaw´s poetry celebrates life´s seasons and seasonings. Jill is a professor of worship at Wake Forest University School of Divinity in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and is a minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Jill´s poetry has been published in an anthology by Wicwas Press and by FIVE Poetry, Star 82 Review and New Verse News.

	Amy Crosby From an early age, Amy has always had a pen in hand and, despite a loving and perfectly regular childhood, she managed to develop a fascination for the macabre, which often ´bleeds´ into her work. Picking up a diploma in criminal psychology along the way, she has won local competitions for her work, as well as being invited to give readings at local events. She is currently living on the south coast of England with her family who remain remarkably unconcerned by her penchant for the strange.

	Joanne Cucinello Joanne Cucinello is a poet and writer who to date has published three books of poetry and an illustrated Children´s Fairytale. Her works include lyric essays and free form poetry, often visionary and insightful. Joanne is a member of the Academy of American Poets and the Society of Children´s Book Writers and Illustrators. She has been published in "Shadows Ink Selected Poems 2008" and "A Splash of Verse 2008" with an Award of Excellence. http://icthebridge-moonspirit.blogspot.com/

	T. A. Cullen T. A. Cullen lives and works in Madison Wisconsin and is a member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets. He has a BS from Cardinal Stritch University and a MBA from University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Tom’s work has appeared in Mused, the Wisconsin Poets´ Calendar, Verse Wisconsin Online and Gutter Eloquence.

	Elizabeth Daigle Elizabeth is just starting out on her photographic journey. With hopes of finishing up her certification in photography by the end of the year, she is currently going to school for business and hopes to start her own studio.

	Carol Dandrade Carol became interested in photography in retirement and is primarily self-taught. Viewing life through a lens has allowed her to see light, people, places and objects with fresh eyes. She is especially drawn to capture waterscapes and foggy landscapes. Her photos have been displayed and awarded in local art shows and published in the New England Wildflower Magazine, two Blackstone River Valley Corridor calendars, and the Metrowest Daily News. Carol´s website is CarolDandradePhoto.smugmug.com

	Ruth Z. Deming Ruth Z. Deming, winner of a Leeway Grant for Creative Nonfiction, has been published in Creative Nonfiction, Haggard and Halloo, Ray’s Road Review and other venues. A mental health advocate, she runs New Directions Support Group for people and families affected by depression and bipolar disorder. She lives in Willow Grove, PA, suburban Philadelphia.

	Ken Allan Dronsfield Ken Allan Dronsfield is a Published Poet and Author originally from New Hampshire, now residing in Oklahoma. He loves thunderstorms, walking in the woods at night, the outdoors, playing guitar and spending time with his cats Merlin and Willa. He is the Co-Editor of the new Poetry Anthology titled, "Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze" available at Amazon.com. Ken´s published work can be found in Journals, Magazines, Reviews and Blogs online or in print venues.

	Amanda J. Evans Amanda J Evans is a freelance writer, poet, and author. She has work forthcoming in Wildflower Muse, and is the author of Surviving Suicide: A Memoir from Those Death Left Behind. When she is not writing content for her business clients, she’s most likely reading the magazines and sharing snippets from her latest manuscripts with her husband and their two children. Amanda also teaches a children’s writing group in the village where she lives. Visit her website www.amandajevans.com

	Deirdre Fagan Deirdre Fagan is a widow, newlywed, mother of two, and assistant professor at Ferris State University. She writes poetry, stories, and memoir during life´s pauses. Her recent work has been published by Melancholy Hyperbole, Mothers Always Write, and Words Apart, among others. To find out more, please visit www.pw.org/content/deirdre_fagan or her personal website or Facebook page.

	Jes Friday Jes Friday is a Charlotte native that recently graduated from North Carolina State University with her M.Ed in Adult Education. Her passion for community engagement drives her in her position as Volunteer Services Coordinator at Durham Tech Community College. She lives in Raleigh with her boyfriend, cat,and two chinchillas. Her head is filled with characters and their stories, and when she has free time she enjoys putting them down on paper.

	Carol Frieswick I have painted for a long while, learning with every painting. One would think I would know what to do by now. But anyone who paints knows it is not an easy pastime. I have used many mediums but my current favorites are oil and pastel. http://bvaa.org/galleries/gallery-carol-frieswick/

	Paulo Guimaraes Since his beginnings in 2010, Paulo discovered he needed an new outlet to purge the dark emotions that muddled up his inner being. Walking into the local arts and crafts store was the discovery of a lifetime, and the path to therapy he was looking for. Starting with pastels, he moved onto acrylics, then to oils, each time stretching the bounds of his imagination. Soon, with the advent of smartphones, Paulo added digital art and photography to his mode of creation. Paulo-guimaraes.pixels.com

	Deborah Guzzi Deborah Guzzi is a healing facilitator. She writes for Massage and Aromatherapy Magazines. She travels to expand her knowledge of healing and to seek writing inspiration. She has walked the Great Wall of China, seen Nepal (during the civil war), Japan, Egypt (just before ‘Arab Spring’), Peru, and France during December’s terrorist attacks. Her poetry is published in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, China,and Greece. Her new book The Hurricane is available now through Prolific Press & Amazon.

	Sarah Henry Sarah Henry studied under two U.S. Poet Laureates at the University of Virginia. She came home to the Pittsburgh area, where she was employed by the Tribune Review. Her poems have been published both locally and farther afield in a variety of journals, including humor magazines. Humor is very important to her.

	Leslie E. Hoffman Leslie E. Hoffman is an independent editor of fiction and non-fiction who moonlights as a poet. Her poems have appeared in Mused, Caesura, Writer’s Bloc, Nevada State College’s 300 Days of Sun, The Mountain Astrologer, The CWC Literary Review, and the international anthologies of Poets with Voices Strong. Leslie is an active member of California Writers Club, Poetry Center San Jose’s Cæsura Editorial Team, and Henderson Writers’ Group, sponsor of the Las Vegas Writer’s Conference.

	Vanessa J. Horn Vanessa J. Horn lives in Havant, Hampshire and has been writing since 2012, when she took a sabbatical year out from her teaching career. She has been published in literary magazines and has won several short story competitions. In July 2015, Vanessa was thrilled to have her first book – a collection of short stories called Eclectic Moments – published. Much of the inspiration for these stories come from everyday situations and scenarios, often with a twist.

	A. J. Huffman A.J. Huffman has published twelve solo chapbooks and one joint chapbook through various small presses. Her latest poetry collection, A Bizarre Burning of Bees (Transcendent Zero Press), is to be released December 2015. She is a Pushcart Prize nominee, a Best of Net nominee, and has published over 2400 poems in various journals, including Labletter, The James Dickey Review, and Bone Orchard. She is the founding editor of Kind of a Hurricane Press. www.kindofahurricanepress.com.

	Jake Isaacson Jake grew up on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. He inherited his mother´s love of literature, and his fathers love of adventure. The inspiration to write poetry was compelling and surprising. Jake is thrilled to make his debut as a poet on "Mused", as he loves the publication´s positivity and creativity.

	Kristen Kauffman Kristen Kauffman graduated from Goddard College in 2012 and is an instructor of creative writing at Yavapai College. Her Steampunk story called "The Steamstress´s Daughter" was the feature piece in the September 2014 issue of The Rejected Writer. She was also a creative nonfiction contributor in the Bookshop Book, she has had poetry published in The Pitkin Review and Threshold Magazine, and has two novels published: Just Pretend (2007) and Breakable Rules (2008).

	Eva Kendrick Eva Kendrick is a 4th generation artist. Because her dad is both an art conservator, and an artist she has been around all kinds of art from a very young age. Eva´s style is a mix of impressionism and expressionism. Also to create her work she has invented a collage process uniquely her own. Eva Kendrick´s art can be found in the online art gallery, Saatchi Art. http://www.saatchiart.com/account/artworks/768768

	Martha Landman South African born Martha Landman now lives and writes in South Australia. She likes to write about both her home of birth and home of the heart. Her work has appeared in various online journals and in anthologies.

	Sharon Larsen Sharon Larsen honed her writing skills as a journalist, earning a number of regional and statewide honors for her news writing and editorials. She is now semi-retired and enjoying the freedom to return to her first writing "love" -- poetry. She grew up on a dairy farm, and still makes her home in rural Western New York.

	Lynda Kirby Lynda has been writing since she could hold a pen. Her first win was a school essay competition, receiving five Cadbury Creme Eggs as a prize. Since then she has written poetry printed in anthologies; a prize short story; and several stage plays. She writes everything from poetry to memoir to novels. Three novels are awaiting publication. She has an MA Writing and runs various writing courses. Find her at www.lyndakirby.com

	Marylou Mansfield Marylou Mansfield is a full time resident of Cape Cod. She currently shares in two writing groups located in Orleans, Ma, Dune Hollow Writers, and COA Writers. Marylou contributed to the e-book anthology, SHADOW & LIGHT, published by Provincetown Public Press in 2013, compiled by the Women of Dune Hollow Writers. She has read pieces from the anthology in Provincetown and Chatham. Marylou has enjoyed reading her poetry on Senior View, a program highlighted on HCAM-TV in Hopkinton Ma.

	Kathleen Medvidofsky Kathy discovered a passion for writing at age seven when she penned her first poem, an ode to the family cats. She now shares an almost empty nest with her husband and dog and still loves the process of weaving words into stories and poems. When she is not doing this, she tutors special needs preschoolers and tends Among the Elms Writing Group. Her work has appeared in a local NH paper and in a 2008 holiday story collection. She thanks the Mused editors for including her poetry in this issue.

	Suchoon Mo Suchoon Mo is a retired academic living in the semiarid part of Colorado. His poems and music compositions appeared in a number of publications. His chap book, Frog Mantra, has been published by Accents Publishing of Lexington, Kentucky. His most recent poems appeared in Aji Magazine.

	Alena Orrison Alena Orrison is an author and editor for numerous publications. Some of her work includes writing for the ezine "Elemental Magick," and being the content editor for "Tor Stone" published by Ninth Wave Press. Alena treasures every moment to further her education and involvement in the literary movement. She has traveled extensively across the United States which fuels her creative energy to write. She is now settled into her homestead in North Idaho and enjoys spending time with her family.

	Toni K. Pacini Southern Gothic Author, Toni has completed her memoir, Alabama Blue. Ran an Open-Mic. Won honors for submissions to the Federation of Women writer’s comp. Published in Kings River Life Mag & Sanger Herald News & had several pieces published in Mused Magazine. Published in 4-anthologies. Toni returned to college at sixty to acquire a degree in Creative Writing. Member & treasurer of a Las Vegas writer´s group., She works with her group in hosting the yearly Las Vegas Writer´s Conference.

	Amy V. Rubin Amy is a writer and entrepreneur living in Indianapolis. She writes blogs, nonfiction essays, poetry and is working on developing a creative non-fiction style. Her writing has been featured in OpenDemocracy.net, Huffington Post, and shortlisted for New Philosopher´s writer´s award. Her entrepreneurial efforts are focused on launching a sustainable apparel company http://www.polymathapparel.com

	Alexander Russo Alexander Russo contributed the work High Fives.

	Richard Schnap Richard Schnap is a poet, songwriter and collagist living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His poems have most recently appeared locally, nationally and overseas in a variety of print and online publications.

	Andrew R. Sciandra Andrew is a retired Alternative High School Art Teacher.

	Donna Sciandra Donna has always been adventurous and loved to travel. She spent two years in Jamaica (as a teacher trainer in Kingston) and five years in the Solomon Islands on Guadalcanal (as a Community Developer in a rain forest living in a leaf house) with the Peace Corps. Donna is now a retired elementary school teacher who is enjoying her “free” time traveling and photographing North America.

	Bob See Bob See has been actively interested in photography for many years. He enjoys taking images of wildlife and landscapes. Bob can be reached at his golfing site at http://enjoyma.com/golf/.

	Sunil Sharma Author-bio: Mumbai-based, Sunil Sharma is a widely-published Indian writer. He has already published three collections of poetry, one collection of short fiction, one novel and co-edited five books so far. He is a recipient of the UK-based Destiny Poets’ inaugural Poet of the Year award---2012. Recently his poems were published in the UN project: Happiness: The Delight-Tree-2015.

	Lisa Shea Born in Maryland, Lisa Shea has been contentedly nestled in the rolling hills and mossy forests of central Massachusetts since 1995. She is drawn to the ocean and cherishes quiet evenings as the orange glow of sunset glistens across wooden docks. Lisa relishes the challenge of conveying meaning and memorable characters in a measured bounding of time and space. Her stories, poems, and images celebrate natural beauty and serenity. Enjoy thousands of her photos at http://www.lisashea.com

	J. Scott Shields Years ago, Scott left the Midwest for the deserts of Arizona. Music, literature, and writing are his passions, and he strives to share his love of the written word with his high school English students each day. Scott’s writing has appeared in the English Journal, Mused, 101 Words, Serials and Short Stories, Canyon Echo, and Treoir magazine (an international publication that promotes traditional Irish music and culture). He is also a contributor to the blog, Writing Is Cake.

	Beate Sigriddaughter Beate Sigriddaughter grew up in post-WWII Germany and moved to the United States in her teens. Four times a Pushcart Prize nominee, she has published prose and poetry in many literary magazines and ezines. Her novel Audrey: A Book of Love was published in 2015 by ELJ Publications. Please visit her website at www.sigriddaughter.com.

	Dennis Smith Dennis creates images of life and nature to fulfill his need to experience, share, and preserve what he finds beautiful. He learned the basics of photography, composition, and technique on his Dad´s Rolleiflex. As a teen, Dennis developed film, and made prints in a darkroom he built in his basement. He favors Pictorialism over Modernism and reflects that in both his photography and painting. Dennis lives in Uxbridge Massachusetts and his works can be seen at www.densmith.com

	Harriet Squier Despite her love of stories, or perhaps because of it, Harriet became a family medicine physician 30 years ago. Since trying to fit writing into a full time medical practice is a futile enterprise, she is now an MFA student at Spalding University where she tries to make sense of her own stories as well as those of her patients.

	Sandra Staas Sandra grew up in Scotland, then later moved to Spain where she resided for many years. She taught Spanish as adjunct faculty for several years in Pennsylvania. She has self-published three memoirs and one collection of short stories on Amazon Kindle. www.sandrastaas.wordpress.com

	Craig W. Steele When not writing poetry, Craig W. Steele is a professor of biology at Edinboro University in northwestern Pennsylvania. In his quest to become a widely-published unknown poet, his poems have appeared in numerous anthologies, literary journals and magazines, most recently in The Lyric, Form Quarterly, Jellyfish Whispers and Mused: the BellaOnline Literary Review, amongst others, and he continues to write monthly poetry as “The Writer’s Poet” for Extra Innings, online.

	Myroslava Stefaniuk Myroslava Stefaniuk is a writer, artist and teacher. Her workshops in Creative Journaling Expressive Arts combine writing and drawing with visualization, music, and movement. A retired university earth science instructor, she now teaches the geography of the heart and spirit. Published works include prose and poetry, translations of contemporary Ukrainian literature and feature articles on arts and creativity. She also "writes and draws with fire", using pyrography on wood and gourds.

	Christine Tsen Christine Tsen is a published cellist and poet. Her symphonic experiences are rich with poetic inspiration, and her poetry has put the muse back in her music. Her poetry book "Cellography" is published by Vine Leaves Press. More: www.ChristineThomasTsen.com.

	April Vazquez April Vazquez contributed the works My Grandmother's Last Birthday and The Will.

	Ann Waller Making her first ocean voyage at the age of five, Ann is an inveterate traveler. Her wanderlust has taken her to various parts of the U.S., Canada, both coasts of Mexico, the islands of the Caribbean, England, France, Portugal, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Monaco, Croatia, Montenegro, China, Hong Kong, and Ukraine. She has a particular fondness for Italy and has returned at least a dozen times to explore the country from the tip of the Alps to the southern shores of Sicily.

	Patricia Williams Patricia Williams taught art and design for 35 years. Art, design, poetry and creative prose, she feels, are natural partners, their work being the creative examination of life and living. Her poetry appears online and in print journals and anthologies in the U.S. and U.K. and was nominated for a 2014 Best of the Net in poetry. She belongs to the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets and also writes memoir/essay pieces.

	Ali Znaidi Ali Znaidi (b.1977) lives in Redeyef, Tunisia. He is the author of several chapbooks, including Experimental Ruminations (Fowlpox Press, 2012), Moon’s Cloth Embroidered with Poems (Origami Poems Project, 2012), Bye, Donna Summer! (Fowlpox Press, 2014), Taste of the Edge (Kind of a Hurricane Press, 2014), and Mathemaku x5 (Spacecraft Press, 2015). For more, visit aliznaidi.blogspot.com.

Danetta Barney

Danetta Barney is a poet, published author, playwright and screenplay writer. She has published two poetry books: "Sticks and Stones & Butterflies" and "Whispers from the Sky" (a combination of poems and short skits.) She has also published a children’s book, The Best of Joy, all which can be purchased on Amazon.

Linda Barrett

Linda Barrett is a prolific poet, short story writer and an award winner of the Montgomery County Community College Writer´s Contest for three years running. She wrote her first work at eight years old and her second work at the age of 13. She contributes to the Compass, Mad Swirl, Idea Gems, and Night to Dawn magazine. Linda has lived in Abington, Pa. for 51 years in the same house on the same street. This is her first contribution to Mused magazine.

Denise Boehler

Denise Boehler submitted the work Stalking John.

Alan Britt

Alan Britt submitted the work Strolling with Students at the Glen Arboretum, Towson University.

Ida Duplantier

Ida Duplantier submitted the work We Are.

Marchell Dyon

Marchell Dyon is a published disabled poet. She believes her disability has inspired her creative spark. Her most recent poems have been published in Silver Blade Magazine, Torrid Literature Journal, Dead Snakes Magazine and Abyss and Apex Magazine. This is her second time to be published in Mused Bella Online, Her first poems were Still Life and From Water I draw you still. She is from Chicago IL.

David Edwards

David Edwards was born, and continues to live, in Muncie, Indiana.

James C. Engberg

Jim loves being out in nature and capturing images for his own pleasure and to share with others. http://jamescengberg.zenfolio.com

John Grey

John Grey is an Australian born poet. Recently published in Oyez Review, Rockhurst Review and Spindrift with work upcoming in New Plains Review, Big Muddy Review, Willow Review and Louisiana Literature.

Laurie Kolp

Laurie Kolp is an avid runner, lover of nature, mother of three, and wife to former Marine who enjoys living life one day at a time in Southeast Texas. She is the author of Upon the Blue Couch (Winter Goose Publishing, 2014) and Hello It’s Your Mother (Finishing Line Press, October 2015). You can find out more about Laurie on her website, http://lauriekolp.com.

Marylou Mansfield

Marylou Mansfield submitted the work Zipper.

Martina R Reisz Newberry

Newberry’s books are WHERE IT GOES (Deerbrook Editions), LEARNING BY ROTE (Deerbrook Editions), NOT UNTRUE & NOT UNKIND (Arabesques Press), RUNNING LIKE A WOMAN WITH HER HAIR ON FIRE (Red Hen Press), LIMA BEANS AND CITY CHICKEN: MEMORIES OF THE OPEN HEARTH (E.P. Dutton &Co) Her work has been anthologized and widely published in the U.S. and abroad. She lives in her beloved Los Angles with her husband, Brian a media Creative and their fur-baby, Charlie T. Cat. Website: martinanewberry.com

Rich Persoff

Rich Persoff contributed the work Climate Change: 1450.

James G. Piatt

Dr. Piatt´s poems have been nominated for Pushcart and Best of Web awards, and he had poems published in The 100 Best Poems of 2015 & 2014 Anthologies. He was the featured poet in many magazines and has won poetry contests in the past. He has published 2 poetry books: “The Silent Pond” (2012) and “Ancient Rhythms” (2014), over 660 poems, 3 novels, 35 short stories and 7 essays. His third poetry book is scheduled for release in December. His books are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Kelli Schmidt-Bultena

Kelli Schmidt-Bultena submitted the work My Home, The Dirt and Unsaid.

Ophelia Sikes

Ophelia Sikes finds that the more she travels, the more she realizes how much we are all alike. We have the same needs, dreams, heartaches, despairs, and hopes. She hopes her images share the beauty that lies all around us. Ophelia’s novels are at OpheliaSikes.com.

P. J. Wren

P. J. Wren contributed the work entitled Wood Thrush.