Shelly’s short fiction has appeared in the GW Review, Epiphany, the Dos Pasos Review, the Coe Review, and other magazines and literary journals. She is the author of the novel The Moment of Everything (Grand Central Publishing/Hachette) which has been translated to a dozen languages around the world. She has taught numerous workshops and classes for the California Writers Club, Cabrillo College, and other private organizations. She is the co-founder (along with Juliet Meredith) of the Rogue Writers Collective where she teaches classes and workshops on many different aspects of fiction. 

A native of San Diego with family roots in New England, Mike has called Oregon home since 1995. Photography and writing feed his soul, but he also loves great food and drink, the company of family and friends, and pizza from New Haven. His career in journalism began with stints as a photo lab technician at the San Diego Union-Tribune, and  Los Angeles Times. He moved to Portland and eventually became The Oregonian’s Photo and Video Manager. He left his journalism career in 2022 and resides with his wife in Southern Oregon. He is thankful that his spouse is a good writer whose criticism sometimes annoys him until he realizes she’s correct and is helping him become a better writer.

Colene Milligan (a.k.a “Sweet Colene”) grew up along the East Coast and was recognized for her artistic talents through awards, commissions, investors, collectors, and scholarships. Her first curated exhibit at the age of 18 was at the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, FL. Being classically trained in many forms of visual arts, her style depicts a playful mastery over her chosen hues, emotions, and themes. She has exhibited at numerous venues: locally, nationwide, internationally, and online. Sweet Colene is featured in many music videos Live Painting on stage as the Premier Visual Artist. Her artworks have been published in numerous articles, popular magazines, album covers and discussed on podcasts. Colene brings her experience with building a nonprofit to the Rogue Writers Collective board of directors as Secretary. She lives in Grants Pass with her partner, Joshua, and their new son, Venture.

Jamey is a writer of micro fiction dedicated to finding the humor and grace in daily moments, even the hard ones. A lifelong learner with a passion for beginning projects but an abhorrence to finishing anything, micro fiction is the perfect format for Jamey to explore the writing craft. Jamey brings her years of experience as a business owner and active nonprofit member to our board. 

Scout Cox is a local freelance manuscript editor and sole proprietor of Sunflower Scout Editing Services. Prior to launching their own business, Scout worked as an editor for Blackstone Publishing in Ashland, Oregon. They hold an MA in English from Arizona State University. Outside of writing and editing, you can likely find Scout curled up in a sunny spot crocheting, reading, or playing ukulele with their beloved cat, Willow, by their side.