Tournament of Writers

Steve studied art in Detroit and Germany where his essay collection Glänze, Gespenst! was published in 2014. He is the author of two poetry collections, Trample & Sew and News of Need. His writing has appeared in Witness, Dummy Magazine, DIAGRAM, and elsewhere, and received two Pushcart Prize nominations. He has staged exhibitions internationally, been awarded residencies at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology and elsewhere, and received grants from the Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation, among others. Since 2016 Brown has been co-founding and leading a charitable foundation.

Jennifer Goldstein is the 6-12 Disciplinary Literacy Consultant. Jennifer has a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Michigan State University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Michigan State University. During her 25 year career in education, Jennifer has taught English and French, has supported teachers in all subjects as an Instructional Coach, and has served as an Elementary Principal as well as a High School Assistant Principal. As a secondary literacy consultant, Jennifer works to support the implementation of the General Education Leadership Network (GELN) Literacy Essential Practices in 6-12 classrooms.

Thimgan (pronounced “Timmian”) is a lifelong creative, one foot firmly in the visual arts and the other in writing and general bookishness.
In addition to painting professionally (Angel Academy of Art, Florence, Italy), she works as an assistant librarian at the Parchment Community Library, is a member of Michigan Romance Writers, the Jane Austen Society, the Georgette Heyer Society, and has written and self-published a historical romance series under the pen name Charlotte Brothers. She credits opportunities like Tournament of Writers for the encouragement it gives not simply to write, but to bravely share it with others.
She has experience writing short form non-fiction, and to a lesser extent, poetry.  Thimgan has served as a romance fiction contest judge and was delighted afterwards when authors sent thanks for her kind and constructive feedback.

Susan recently retired as Youth Services Librarian at Vicksburg District Library, coordinating the infant through Grade 12 resources and services. Susan’s notable focus was building collaboration throughout the local schools and communities.  For over twenty-two years, Susan previously worked as a certified PreK to eight-grade educator in Portage Public Schools, specializing in language arts instruction, coaching students to edit and improve their writing skills.  Additionally, Susan earned National Board Certification, which recognizes accomplished educators who meet high, rigorous standards, ultimately improving student learning and strengthening the profession. Susan participates in numerous writing workshops, including the Collin’s Writing Program, where she cultivates instruction to teach and assess students while building essential writing skills.

After a successful lifetime career in media and advertising, Heidi McCrary started embracing her second love––writing. With the publication of her first novel, Chasing North Star, McCrary is now knee-deep in her third endeavor as she awaits the release of her second novel, I’m Your Person, with a release date of January 2027. McCrary lives with her husband in Kalamazoo, where she is likely to be found on the golf course, working on her goal of reaching mediocrity.