Check out this sample of our members’ published titles – follow the links to purchase.
Will Wright – (also writing as Headley Hauser and Stanley MacFarland). Christmas is a time for love, laughter, and wonder. A Christmas Sampler: Sweet, Funny, and Strange Holiday Tales, is a compilation of twenty-three Christmas stories commissioned by the Bethlehem Writers Group to capture all of Christmas’s myriad possibilities, four of them by Will Wright. These heartwarming, hope-filled, and hilarious tales will delight readers of any age.
Jennifer Bower – Animal Adventures in North Carolina. Directs readers to 70 opportunities — aviaries, aquariums, farms, sanctuaries, rehabilitation centers, zoos and seasonal events — to meet new species, observe how injured and orphaned animals are cared for, discover where food products come from, and learn how to champion the cause of animals. Available from John F. Blair or from Amazon.
Theresa Crater – in Beneath The Hallowed Hill, Anne Le Clair travels to Glastonbury with her fiancée, Egyptologist and mystic Michael Levy, to investigate a house she has inherited from a mysterious aunt…only to find trouble waiting. One of Avalon’s sacred twin springs is failing. Together, Anne and Michael try to restore the water flow, but discover there is much more at stake: the Illuminati master Alexander Cagliostro has activated an ancient crystal tower, tearing a hole in time…
Beverly Hamel – Bethania The Village by the Black Walnut Bottom. Founded in 1759, Bethania was the first planned Moravian settlement in North Carolina, situated favorably on the Great Wagon Road of the colonial era. Bethania’s narrative weaves together 250 years of history and memory, with voices from the town’s white and black heritage speaking through autobiographical accounts, diaries, letters, oral histories, photographs and archival research. More than 60 original images by 19th Century photographer J.L. Kapp and modern day images by Bowman Gray IV.
Helen Losse - Better With Friends is a book of poetry that explores the intersections of memory (factual and embellished), dreams (daydreams and night dreams), reverie, and prayer, so that all of one’s thoughts can be envisioned as prayer. Although the book has strong spiritual overtones, it is not a religious book nor a book of poetic devotions. The events that serve as story in the poems make possible a life in which one can “pray without ceasing” (II Thessalonians 5:17) through the bad and the good. Available from Rank Stranger Press and Amazon.
Karen Fritz – Blind Vision. The Serial Killer: The Predator sits on the edge of a filthy mattress in a dilapidated house. He holds a jar filled with a milky liquid–dark orbs bob inside. The room is silent with the exception of… The Blind Psychic: Peter Cole, in search of his independence, comes to live in a boarding house on the wrong side of town. That’s when visions of women being mutilated and murdered start haunting his dreams. The Detective: Detective Joe Carson was an agent with the FBI assigned to a special task force on serial killers. To save his marriage he left the FBI to become a homicide detective in a small southern town. When a serial killer moves in, he’s forced to make an unlikely partnership…
Nick Barry – Chase of the Mummies: An Ethan Sparks Adventure. The moment Ethan Sparks gets off the plane in Cairo, his trusty gut warns him he’s landed in danger Big Time! The thirteen-year-old investigative journalist for The Young Explorer magazine is covering one of the biggest archaeological events of the year. Three hundred and eighty-one of the world’s most prominent archaeologists are in Egypt for their International Symposium. Ethan’s father, Dr. Sparks, is this year’s keynote speaker. Upon arriving at the airport, Ethan observes a blond giant following his dad. So with his new friend, Hakim, they put the giant (Code Name: Hercules) under surveillance.Employing cool new spy technology, the junior spies…
Will Wright - Cinder despises humans. That’s not uncommon among dragons. But someone is killing the dragons. Why? How? Cinder doesn’t know, and she saw her parents slain. Now Cinder, the wizard Tig, his apprentice Alex, along with willing and unwilling allies, must find a way to save dragon-kind. And Cinder has to become a human girl to do it.
Will Wright writing as Stanley W. McFarland – In clean, easy-to-read free verse, Confessions of a Protestant relates a journey of question and faith that brings smiles and challenges the heart and mind. From recollections of simple childhood thoughts, through a doubting adolescence, a gung-ho early adulthood, crisis, and uneasy resolution, there is both the familiar and surprising.
Michael Wilson – Death of a Politician: Dedicated to a life serving others, this story documents one man’s journey, highlighting his dream to become elected to the Congress of the United States. But, this is more than a mere documentary chronicling random events of a political process. It is a story of Dr. Michael Wilson’s personal fortitude, a display of character and commitment to a vision to succeed even when the cards were clearly stacked against him. The strength of this story is how it moves seamlessly from one God-inspired moment to another until his true destiny was realized. Never, ever giving up, the real prize was in discovering how faith in the power of God inspired him to greatness. 
Chris Roerden – Don’t Murder Your Mystery: “A valuable reference work.” –Sara Paretsky, the V.I.Warshawski mysteries, founder of Sisters in Crime. “Every thoughtful writer will find at least a half-dozen tips that will directly apply to his or her own work. I certainly did!” –Margaret Maron, award-winning Judge Deborah Knott series; past president, Mystery Writers of America. This book is the winner of the Agatha Award for Best Nonfiction Book; finalist for Anthony and Macavity awards; Writer’s Digest Book Club. Learn to spot the clues to average writing–and how to find and fix them in your own work. It’s why 90% of fiction manuscripts are rejected quickly, long before your characters and plot are read. 
Chris Roerden – Don’t Sabotage Your Submission: “A must for anyone who seeks to become a published author.” –Midwest Book Review. “Best book of its kind by far. Required for my college level students. Recommended for all aspiring writers.” –Reed Farrel Coleman, Edgar nominee; Shamus, Barry, and Anthony award winner. This book is the winner of the 2009 Benjamin Franklin Award for Literary Criticism; Florida Writers Assn. Best Educational-Instructional Book and best-of-show Royal Palm Book of the Year; and finalist for ForeWord Review’s Best Writing Book of the Year. This is the expanded version for writers in all genres of the original Agatha-winning DON’T MURDER YOUR MYSTERY.
Nick Barry – Escape of the Terra-Cotta Soldiers: An Ethan Sparks Adventure. Ethan Sparks is psyched when he lands an assignment as a photojournalist with The Young Explorer Magazine. He’s covering his dad’s latest archaeological dig in China. While his dad excavates a Terra-Cotta Soldier, Ethan looks for ways to keep his article exciting. But excitement finds him instead. While on a tour of the Great Wall, a sniper attempts to assassinate his father. Ethan barely catches his breath before more trouble comes his way. He encounters a wacko with bloody tear ducts who has a sinister way of controlling people. Then there’s an international conspiracy with double agents who switch teams so often that Ethan has to crack a code…
Beth Fain - Good Grief: A Care Map for the Grief Journey: The loss of a loved one is never easy. In Good Grief author Elizabeth Fain shares her story of great loss and triumph as the Lord challenged her to both live and thrive during on of the most difficult seasons of her life. In this heartfelt and moving story of victory over adversity, Elizabeth shows us that good grief is possible. Also available from Amazon.
Jack Fincham - Health Policy and Ethics: Dr. Fincham provides comprehensive yet concise coverage of international health policy and ethics. It promotes understanding of health policy and its influencers, and explains how policy directly affects health and health care. An in-depth review of pertinent background concepts, current issues, future needs and assessments is provided. Coverage includes: health care systems, policies, impacts and influencers; health care quality concerns; justice and access to care; social and cultural issues; regulatory actions; global public health problems.
Keith Jones- In Due Time: In 2036, America has just shaken off the shackles of a one world government. Led by a modern day George Washington named Alexander Birch, our country is rising from the ashes; but Birch has a problem. Prompted by a mysterious stranger he reaches out to a famous writer and patriot named Howard Spence. The stranger is a time traveler named Joshua Lance who has sacrificed a life of favor serving his international masters to save the one man who could bring America back from the ashes; Birch. Spence tells how Lance had traded the security and wealth he had carefully crafted for a larger cause and more importantly why. 
Bonnie J. Doerr- Island Sting: Kenzie trades New York streets for Keys pollution cleanup, and now, instead of hailing cabs, she’s tracking down a poacher of tiny endangered Florida Key deer. Her new home does have some benefits—mainly Angelo, an island native, who teams up with her to nab the culprit. Kenzie needs a life jacket and Dramamine in this up and down world, especially when the killer turns from stalking deer to hunting humans. (Age 10 and up)
Craig Greenlee – The story of the 1970 Marshall University football plane crash is well-known and forever fascinating. November Ever After tells the complete story, by those who were there. For example: * Ed Carter, a former MU player who missed the fatal trip, started an evangelical ministry – still going strong today – as a result of him not being on that plane. * Dickie Carter (no relation to Ed) was one of Marshall’s star running backs. DC, though, quit the team a few weeks before the crash. He’s been forgotten about; some might say deliberately overlooked. For the first time, Dickie opens up and speaks his piece. * The plane crash more than likely averted what could have been a full-scale race riot on the MU campus. Available from Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
Steve Mitchell - Press 53 Spotlight: The 2011 Press 53 Spotlight showcases five short story authors and three poets earning recognition through publication and awards. Authors and poets include: Clare L. Martin, Maureen Sherbondy, Kate Waldman, Okla Elliott, Jen McConnell, Steve Mitchell, Anne Leigh Parrish, and Jubal Tiner.
Nick Barry – Revenge of Poseidon’s Trident: An Ethan Sparks Adventure. From the moment Ethan Sparks lands on the Greek Island of Santorini, he thinks his assignment for The Young Explorer Magazine is a bad joke. The thirteen-year-old reporter is covering his dad’s latest archaeological dig—-and it’s a weird one. A modern-day oracle in Delphi has uttered that Poseidon’s Trident really exists. Now Ethan’s father believes the Trident is buried in a volcanic ledge under the Aegean Sea. Dr. Sparks wants to use the latest underwater archaeology equipment to find the Trident, but his usual backers refuse to fund such a ridiculous expedition. When Spiros, a wacko billionaire, comes up with the cash, Ethan wants to know why. In his investigation with his new friend Nico…
Oma Boyd – Round This Mountain: The voices of the Appalachians speak strong and rich in this delightful book, a collection of short stories drawn from an old woman’s life in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Therein, the scent of sassafras, the cry of a redtail hawk, and the green of a well-tended garden salute the blooms of redbud and blackberry, the tables groaning with home-prepared food for hard-working families, and the quirky, sharp humor of the people. Magical memories vie with modern awareness as one works through the tales…only to bring forth the wish to preserve those simpler times.
Will Wright - Salt for the Journey: (Humor, Tragedy, Acts of Bravery). A chapbook of short stories, including: Fall of Brother Moon – Two moons once orbited the earth-–till one dreamed of greatness. Shingebiss – From an Ojibwa tale. The North Wind bullies everyone. But a brown duck isn’t afraid. Noble Myra and her squadron just try to help. Will they save a murderous brute? The Sleeper – King Eduardo worked hard sorting the mail. Till he took a nap that lasted 10,000 years.
Helen Losse –
In Seriously Dangerous, a violent undercurrent lurks—always ready to strike—beneath nature’s raw, God-fearing beauty. Or is it the other way around? Maybe beauty truly is the truth that awaits us and will come forth when we least expect it. Maybe hope is hiding behind our dark, violent culture. Maybe a stern warning will change us this time. Our past and our present are seriously dangerous. We must face this fact, if we want to become whole. Available from Main Street Rag and Amazon.
Carol Roan – Public speaking becomes possible for all of us when we learn how to control and use our stage fright. The audiences that we face in our business and social lives become less formidable when we understand what they want and need from us. A performer herself from the age of eighteen, WSW Board member Carol Roan has developed stage presence techniques that will work for anyone who wants to speak up with confidence. Available from Press 53 and Amazon.
Bonnie J. Doerr- Stakeout: A surreal encounter with an ancient sea turtle at the New York City aquarium propels Kenzie into peril in the Florida Keys—a place with its share of dark secrets. Sea turtle eggs feed a mysterious superstition, and poachers lurk on sandy shores with money and murder on their mind. It’s up to three determined teens to save an ancient population from extinction. (Age 10 and up)
Theresa Crater – A short story (Bringing the Waters) in The Aether Age: Helios. Millennia ago, Greece, Egypt and other ancient civilizations underwent industrial revolutions beneath a sky that, in a blink of history, burgeoned into life and mystery. Nebit, priestess of Hathor, in her yearly reunion with Horus, must discover what has happened in the heavens.
Keith Jones - The Boys of Diamond Hill is a biography about a family of soldiers from Abbeville County, South Carolina. The events of the 1860s swept them from their farms to distant battlefields, but they left behind an extensive collection of letters detailing their experiences. The book follows brothers who served in the Seventh South Carolina Infantry, the First South Carolina Rifles, the Nineteenth South Carolina Infantry and the Sixth South Carolina Cavalry; and tracks their participation in Northern Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee and the Charleston coastal defense, as well as with Johnston’s Army of Tennessee in the Carolina’s Campaign up until the surrender at Bennett Place near Durham, North Carolina.
Al Perry - The Lanyard is a mystery/thriller in which the strands of a woven rope worn by a murder victim unravel to reveal secrets that lead an ex-cop and an illegal alien into deadly conflict with gangsters and the FBI as well as with each other.
Theresa Crater – Under The Stone Paw. Anne Le Clair, a successful, young attorney, has always managed to remain free from her family’s gothic past—until now. When she inherits her eccentric aunt’s antique necklace though, she finds no escape from its secrets. Anne is immersed in a crash course of forbidden wisdom, secret societies, and her family’s own legacy. She soon discovers that her aunt’s necklace is one of just six powerful “keys” that, when combined with the other five at the appointed time, unlocks the legendary Hall of Records. However, another group, the shadowy Illuminati, is working behind the scenes…
Carol Kenny – Whispers from St. Mary’s Well is a fictional family saga steeped in mystery and mysticism. It chronicles the life of a little girl who was born in 1851 in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. She was born beneath the veil, predicting episodes of clairvoyance, and she witnesses painful family losses. She also witnesses her mother’s descent into deep depression and a brutal murder that incites decades of racial violence. Virtually orphaned, she must struggle to raise herself with help from spiritual allies and a supportive community.
Jennifer Bower – Winston & Salem: Tales of Murder, Mystery and Mayhem received the Willie Parker Peace History Book Award in 2008. A young man charged with murder is marched through the streets of Winston and Salem and hanged on the outskirts of town… A tragic event carries several citizens into a raging river and to their deaths… An eccentric with a fascination for chemicals blows himself up at the Salem Hotel…. Through the use of primary documents, Winston and Salem’s past is vividly brought to life. Jennifer Bean Bower has spent many years collecting accounts of the extraordinary historic events that have occurred in her hometown of Winston-Salem. Available from The History Press and from Amazon.
Will Wright – Without a Tear, a short story chapbook. Without a Tear includes: Rama and the Camel – Young Rama needs a present for her father’s birthday. Maybe a genie can help. The Isle of Figgamaroo – A cabin boy on his first voyage to the land of Trifoggles and Furboggles. Splashing Far From Home – Young pebbles love to skip. But how will they find their way home? Sam’s Last Game – Samantha can’t stand baseball. Now everyone is depending on her!
