Biography

Author Affiliate Member, Horror Writers Association; Member, Writers Guild.  

Anna Maria Manalo is the first Filipina American author in the genre of horror thrillers.  A former screenwriter, her books based on true events have earned her a writing residency in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France.  Her two screenplays, Uncharted Darkness and Under Tango Road were optioned in Burbank, California.  She has placed in several screenwriting competitions such as Big Break and Creative World Awards.

She is scheduled to release her ninth novel, The Isolationist, in the fall of 2026.  

Topics

- The art of creative nonfiction based on the narrative style of Truman Capote.

- How to write novels based on true eyewitness experiences. 

- How to write suspenseful scenes that lead readers to the next chapter and the next.

Biography

Sherry V. Ostroff is the author of five books: The Lucky One, A Memoir of Life, Loss and Survival in Eastern Europe; Caledonia, A Novel; Mannahatta, The Sequel; Expulsion, A Novel of the Spanish Inquisition; and The Wall at the Sugar Factory.

Ostroff's work has won numerous awards: Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA), Indie Diamond Book Awards, IndieB.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. Her work has been reviewed by Kirkus, Midwest Book Reviews, Literary Titan, and SPR Reviews, and her books can be found in libraries around the world including the Library of Congress, National Library of Scotland, and National Library of Israel.

Sherry V. Ostroff's historical novels stand out for their exploration of forgotten moments in history - events that once had profound impact but have since been overlooked or lost to time. The author invites readers to discover the people and events that she writes about that have been mostly erased from the collective memory. Ostroff is currently working on her 6th historical novel, Remember Me Not, A Novel of Medieval England. 

Topics

1. A Family's Flight From Fear to Freedom - The Lucky One and The Wall at the Sugar Factory

Author Sherry V. Ostroff brings to life the powerful true story of her mother, Ita Pogrebiski, a young girl whose life was shattered by early 20th century pogroms in Ukraine. Amid chaos and violence, Ita embarks on a perilous journey to escape persecution. But the road to freedom is fraught with danger. Where can she turn? Will she survive? And will America's restrictive immigration laws shut the door on her dreams of safety? A PowerPoint presentation.

2.Where Sparks Become Stories: Exploring the Craft of Writing - Caledonia 

Author Sherry V. Ostroff takes you on a behind-the-scenes journey in the world of fiction writing. In her PowerPoint presentation, Sherry reveals how a fleeting idea - an image, a question, a moment - can ignite the creative spark that becomes the heart of a novel. Follow her step-by-step through the evolution of a story, from its earliest inspiration to a fully formed narrative that captivates readers from the first first page. Aspiring writers and book lovers alike will gain insight into the mysterious, rewarding, and often surprising path of the creative process. 

3. Terror in the Name of God: The Spanish Inquisition and the Edict of Expulsion, 1492 - Expulsion

Movies, musicals, and comedians have long satirized the Inquisition, turning it into a cultural punchline. But for those who lived through it, the Inquisition was not funny. What do we really know about this dark time in history - designed to root out heresy and preserve the Catholic Church? Is it a thing of the past or do its echoes still exist today? In this presentation, author and historian Sherry V. Ostroff explores the myths and realities of the Inquisition, separating sensationalized fiction from historical fact. A PowerPoint presentation.

4. The Historical Novel - Origins, Evolution, and Modern Appeal - Mannahatta

What exactly is an historical novel, and how did this timeless genre come to be? Author Sherry V. Ostroff's engaging PowerPoint presentation traces the rich history of historical fiction - from its early roots to its rise as a beloved literary form. Discover the key figures who shaped and popularized the genre and gain insight into how Sherry wove history in her own novel, Mannahatta. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or history enthusiast, this talk offers a captivating journey through the past and stories inspired by it. 

Biography

Ann and Ruth Littner formed Gemini Wordsmiths LLC in 2011 and Celestial Echo Press in 2019. As a small press, Ann has published four novels and six anthologies. She is a frequent panelist at conferences.

Topics

• Editing

• Publishing methods and practices

Biography

Sia Dempster Willie is a first-grade teacher and children’s picture book author. Born in Liberia, Sia now lives in the United States with her husband and three boys. She draws inspiration from the captivating art of oral and written storytelling, shaped by the wisdom and love of her grandmothers. Her stories exude warmth and heart, inviting young minds on meaningful adventures.

When she’s not crafting tales or teaching, Sia delights in cooking with her family and dancing to a variety of beats, infusing her creations with cultural exploration and culinary education. Her debut book, Liberian Rice Bread, is the winner of the International Impact Book Award. Sia was also recognized as one of Delaware’s Top Ten Teachers of 2021.

Regardless of the grade levels she has taught, food has always been a great connector. 

Originally from Liberia, West Africa, Sia introduces her students to the rich similarities and differences between cultures through food and storytelling. She believes that food exploration naturally weaves together academic concepts, allowing real-world learning to unfold right before students’ eyes. Being able to engage in acts of service and to teach her students how to care for and uplift their community, fills her with purpose and joy.

Topics

• The Power of Storytelling: From Oral Tradition to Children’s Literature

• Teaching Through Food: Using Culture and Cuisine to Build Curiosity

• The Journey of Liberian Rice Bread

• SEL Through Story and Service

• Honoring Heritage: Bringing Culture Into Classrooms

• Raising Confident Young Chefs: Kids in the Kitchen at School and at Home

• Planting Seeds

Biography

Nicole M. Wolverton is a fear enthusiast and Pushcart-nominated writer of 50-plus works of short fiction, creative nonfiction, and essays, as well as three novels (MEAT SWEATS is upcoming in August 2026 from Horrorsmith Publishing). She served as Editor of BODIES FULL OF BURNING (2021, Sliced Up Press), the first-ever short fiction anthology that centers horror through the lens of menopause. She lives in the Philadelphia area and earned a masters in horror and storytelling from the University of Pennsylvania; she is currently pursuing a masters of philosophy with a concentration in gastrohorror. 

Nicole has presented on the psychosocial benefits of reading and watching horror for teen audiences at the 2025 American Library Association annual conference; on the benefits of reading/watching horror for adult mental health at the 2025 StokerCon; and horror more generally on discussion panels at various bookstores and book festivals, including the Baltimore Book Festival, IcelandNoir, Kelly Writers House, and the Easton Book Festival. She writes a monthly column on gastrohorror for Macabre Daily (www.macabredaily.com/) 

Topics

Horror as a Young Reader’s Resilience Trainer: Fright That Fortifies, Not Fractures

Horror writer and horror scholar Nicole M. Wolverton invites audiences into the developmental power of scary stories, revealing how age-appropriate horror helps young readers build emotional fluency and critical thinking. Drawing on decades of horror scholarship and writing practice, Nicole demystifies the genre’s role in healthy coping: from controlled exposure to fear, to narrative rehearsal for real-world stress, to the empowering thrill of mastering the monster. Audiences walk away with a deeper, research-backed understanding of how horror can be a meaningful, measurable force for growth in the lives of young readers.

Horror as a Lifelong Resilience Engine: Fear That Strengthens and Sustains

Horror writer and horror scholar Nicole M. Wolverton guides audiences through the universal psychological power of horror, illustrating how the genre supports emotional regulation, self-discovery, and adaptive coping at every stage of life. From young readers learning to name their fears to adults navigating stress, uncertainty, and complex identities, Nicole reveals how scary stories offer a safe laboratory for rehearsing and building resilience. Drawing on deep horror scholarship and narrative craft, Nicole uncovers the genre’s unique ability to transform dread into insight and vulnerability into agency. Attendees leave with a renewed understanding of horror not as escapism, but as a lifelong tool for mental flexibility, meaning-making, and personal empowerment.