Our Authors

Award-winning author Lois Winston is not a doctor, nor does she play one on TV. Instead, she writes humorous, cross-genre contemporary novels, often drawing upon her extensive experience as a consumer crafts designer for much of her source material. Her first book, Talk Gertie to Me, a combination chick-lit/hen-lit/romantic comedy with a touch of the paranormal, was released in 2006. She follows that up in 2007 with Love, Lies, and a Double Shot of Deception, a mom-lit romantic suspense. When not writing or designing, Lois can be found trudging through stacks of manuscripts as she hunts for diamonds in the slush piles for the Ashley Grayson Literary Agency. Visit Lois at www.loiswinston.com.

A Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of Boston College with a degree in history, Jill Winters has taught women’s studies as well as numerous workshops for aspiring writers. She is the author of five novels, including Lime Ricky, Just Peachy, Raspberry Crush and Blushing Pink. Her books have topped the Barnes & Noble Bestseller Lists and Book Sense’s Top Ten and her debut novel, Plum Girl, was a finalist for the Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence. Jill has also contributed essays to the anthologies Flirting with Pride and Prejudice, Welcome to Wisteria Lane and Coffee at Luke’s.

Michael Wolff, Ph.D., is currently a faculty member in the psychology department at Penn State University, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate psychology courses and is a staff psychologist at the Penn State Psychological Clinic. He received his B.S. from Penn State University, his master’s in counseling psychology from Antioch New England Graduate School and his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Penn State University. His research interests include psychotherapy processes (alliance, relationship, therapist factors, etc.) and their impact on outcomes.

Brad Wolgast (who received his Ph.D. from Temple University) learned the basics of group dynamics under the stress of the outdoors as a backpacking guide in New Mexico, and later across the country. He thought he had struck research gold when an adviser recommended he use a survival analysis for a research project. Not knowing this statistical method, he said, “No problem, I analyze that show every week. But how do we use that for a research project?” Well, now we know. Brad would like to thank the hardworking Daniel Strunk, Ph.D., without whom this wouldn’t have been written, and his two favorite “Survivor” fans, Henry and Claire.

Naomi Wood was born and raised in Congo (formerly Zaire). After years of feeling apologetic about her taste in books, she suddenly has been caught up in the popular-culture vanguard, which astonishes her. She teaches children’s and adolescent literature and Victorian studies at Kansas State University, where she is an associate professor of English. She has published articles on a range of fantasy and magic realist authors including George MacDonald, Lucy Lane Clifford, Charles Kingsley, C. S. Lewis, Philip Pullman, Virginia Hamilton and others.

James Wood holds a Doctorate of business Administration and is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute. He is a leadership consultant and coach based in both Denver, Colorado, and Honolulu, Hawaii. He has more than 25 years of diverse leadership experience with project management, software development, engineering, operations, and training organizations. He is deeply passionate about utilizing brain-based, results-focused techniques to consult with and coach individuals and organizations to realize greatness. To that end, he is ardently driven toward teaching, inspiring, and guiding others in discovering methods that lead to fulfilling and enriched personal and professional lives.