Meet Us
Linda E. Williams, a registered nurse with specialties in pediatrics and child psychology, taught creative writing for over twenty years. Published books include WERFUL AND THE CAPTAIN, LEFTY, THE RIGHT BOOT, A CHILD'S KEEPSAKE, and a 300 page cookbook MELLENNIUM BRIDE (Cooking with Cassie). Her memoir of young widowhood is being considered by an agent. Current works include COLOR ME HAPPY, a compilation of short stories for young children, and AM I GONE? a non-fiction account of special needs children. Her stories have been included in HORIZONS 2008, an anthology of short stories, and PRIMETIME magazine. She has been awarded fiction and non-fiction prizes in Florida's Library Association and the Florida Writers Association contests. While traveling for book-signings, she taught creative writing classes aboard NCL's cruise ship, Norwegian Majesty. Linda was awarded a United States patent for a children's bedspread featured in an inventors' convention held in the Science Museum in Boston. She carries literary memberships in SCBWI, Cape Cod Children's Writers, The Pen Women, Children's Authors' Team, Florida Writers Association, and is an annual participant in the Cape Cod Writers' Conference, In her spare time she golfs and is an avid fan of pro football games. Linda and her husband, Jack, reside in Falmouth, MA.
Award winning poet, Christina Laurie, has written hundreds of poems that have been published since 1976. A "master at haiku", as one reviewer acclaimed, her poems have appeared in magazines and periodicals in the US, Canada, England and Japan. Born in Worcester, she raised a family in the Boston area and is retired to Cape Cod, where she swims, golfs, bikes, kayaks and writes. She is a retired minister and is the chaplain of the National League of American Pen Women, Inc. (NLAPW), a group of professional women artists, writers and musicians. She is the author of three children's books, a memoir, a YA ghost story, two biblical profile books and is presently working on a murder mystery. Her first book of haiku, SEASONS RISING, was published in January 2010. She is a past president of both the Wellesley and Cape Cod branches of NLAPW.
Joan is the leader of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) critique group in West Falmouth, MA. She is the founder of the Cape Cod Children’s Writers, and the Cape Cod Children’s Writer Retreats. Joan is a member of the Cape Cod Writers’ Center (CCWC), and she participates in conferences on a regional and national level. She has been writing for children since 2004. Joan is a former elementary and special needs educator. Joan has seven picture books in the submission process. She is currently writing an interactive picture book series, and a YA Novel.
Karen taught reading for 22 years to children with learning disabilities. In 2007, Karen’s non-fiction author study was published by Heinemann in NONFICTION AUTHOR STUDIES in the ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM, edited by C.B. Jenkins and D.J.D White. When Karen retired, she plunged into the world of writing children’s books with the same passion she had for teaching. She joined SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators), CBI (Children’s Book Insider), CCWC (Cape Cod Writers’ Center) and attends their conferences and workshops. Karen has five picture books in the submission process, and one chapter book completed, for which she has been seeking an agent. Severely asthmatic as a child, Karen couldn’t have any pets. Since marrying her husband, a veterinarian, she has been happily surrounded by pets for 36 years! Currently, she has a fluffy fat cat, a blind yellow lab, and a mischievous French bulldog. Karen has two grown children, and two young grandchildren. Karen’s pets and her grandchildren have been the catalyst for most of her stories. When she isn’t writing, Karen enjoys getting together with her family and friends, traveling, reading, walking, water aerobics and kayaking. She lives in Hanover, Massachusetts. For more about Karen, visit her on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Mary discovered one of her hidden passions in her late twenties during a children’s literature class in college. She has since written three picture books which are in the submission process. She is currently working on her first YA novel. Mary grew up in southeastern Massachusetts and loves living on Cape Cod. She enjoys uncovering the treasures of inspiration within Cape Cod along with her husband, Jason, and three children. Mary strives to create characters who are deep thinkers and individually spirited in a world cluttered by preconceived notions, social pressures, and adult restrictions. Mary earned her BA in Psychology from Curry College in 2008 and is blessed to teach independent living skills at a private school in East Sandwich, Ma.
Jeanne Stewart wears many hats; one for writing and illustrating children’s books, one as an artist, and one as a teacher. Wearing many hats comes naturally to one who grew up in many far off places, speaking many languages and accumulating many stamps in her passport. Her focus is to journey with children through delightful places, whether real or found in one’s imagination, and to celebrate all the many things that make everyone special. With this in mind she has two books, which are being submitted for publishing. She always has a few new ones bubbling under her hat. Her art is showcased in New York, Connecticut, and a local Cape Cod gallery. She also designed the Cape Cod Children’s Writers logo as seen on this website. Her many hats demand many outlets, whether it is exploring wild places with her husband, pedaling her bike, diving into books or whipping up culinary delights.
Susan is an avid reader and children’s book writer. As a teenager she was urged by her 11th grade English teacher to consider a career as a writer, but she pursued other paths instead. Recently Susan is happily writing for children, blogging on the Cape Cod Children’s Writers website, and attending professional writer’s conferences. When not writing, she adores creating multi-media collages, angel/fairy jewelry, soul collage cards and more. Susan also enjoys singing, songwriting and playing her guitar. Other favorite activities include being out in nature, walking the dog, kayaking and snorkeling. Susan lives in Kingston, Massachusetts with her husband and extended family.
Melinda Lancaster is a children's author and a poet. Her books ("Tyler and the Spider" and "Grandma, Tell me If You Can) are published through Wiggles Press and her poem "Echoes" hangs in the Hyannis JFK Museum. After studying Russian Studies and Biology at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY she enlisted in the US Navy. Her experiences in the Navy brought a deeper appreciation for the Freedom and advantages available in America and she is an avid volunteer-local veteran's center, library, and reading for the blind, and through "Wish Upon a Wedding". She began writing in her mid-thirties and is inspired by her experiences as a single mother, a parent of a disabled child, a step-mother and a grandmother to reach out to children. She is currently working on promoting her custom poetry through DKS Verse and starting the process for establishing a non-profit organization that provides terminally ill and disabled children with their own story book-where they are the hero! It is her hope to eventually be able to provide art supplies, writing supplies, books and equipment to facilitate writing, reading and drawing to these children. She is a member of the Cape Cod Writer's Center, Cape Cod Children's Writers and SCBWI. She has several works in progress and hopes to branch out from picture books into Middle Age and Young Adult arenas and is available for readings/crafts at schools, libraries and charity functions. In her free time she enjoys reading, knitting and going to the movies.