Susan Friedland

Susan Friedland is an author and horsewoman who still believes in the magic of a great childhood book. Her memoir Marguerite, Misty and Me explores the life and literary legacy of former Wayne, Illinois resident Marguerite Henry and the lasting cultural impact of her beloved horse story, Misty of Chincoteague. A former educator, Susan now visits schools with author programs that spark curiosity, creativity, and a love of storytelling. She also writes for the equine industry and co-hosts the Barn Banter podcast. Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram @saddleseekshorse or on susanfriedlandauthor.com.

Susan Ward Trestrail

Susan Ward Trestrail is a photographer, poet, and English professor from Sleepy Hollow, Illinois. She holds an M.F.A. in creative writing with an emphasis in poetry, as well as an M.A. in English literature. In addition, Susan earned an M.S.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education and a B.A. in Sociology from Northern Illinois University. She teaches college composition courses at The College of DuPage, where she regularly contributes to their literary journal, The Prairie Light Review.

Susan is the author of three published books. Her works include a children’s book titled Tiny Bird, as well as two poetry collections, All Earthly Colors and Gather the Days, both of which feature her own photography alongside her poems.

Currently, Susan’s artistic focus is on photography, particularly in the realm of creative portraiture. Her photographic work has been featured in exhibitions such as The Aurora First Friday display and, most recently, at Limestone Coffee and Tea at the Batavia Public Library.

Susan grew up in Batavia, Illinois, just two blocks from the scenic Fox River. The natural beauty of Northern Illinois, which enriched her childhood experiences, serves as inspiration for many of her poems. Raised by parents who were both writers and artists. Susan is especially passionate
about art, education, and her family.

Richard Holinger

Richard Holinger’s poetry, fiction, and nonfiction appear in Chautauqua, Chicago Quarterly Review, The Southern Review, Witness, and elsewhere. Nominations include the Pushcart Prize (seven), Best of the Net, Best Small Fictions, and appears in Best Microfiction 2025. Books include North of Crivitz (poetry), Kangaroo Rabbits and Galvanized Fences (essays), and Down from the Sycamores (poetry chapbook). His short fiction collection, Unimaginable Things and Other Stories, and Manure Dreams and Other Essays, have an April 2026 release. He holds a doctorate in English from UIC, has taught English and creative writing for forty years. He lives in rural northern Illinois with his wife and first editor, Tia, and where his two children visit and occasionally read what he writes.

Michael Wettengel

Michael Wettengel is an author, a painter, and a sometimes boxer. He got a couple of Master’s Degrees from Iowa State University a few years ago, and now he teaches at North Central College and Benedictine University. He loves Kurt Vonnegut and Earl Grey tea. But none of that’s important right now. Right now, he’s just happy to be here, reading for you.

Leslie A. Lindsay

Leslie Lindsay (she/her) is a memoirist, poet, & visual artist. She is the author of SPEAKING OF APRAXIA in audio with Penguin Random House, & contributor to BECOMING REAL: Women Reclaim the Power of the Imagined Through Speculative Nonfiction, an anthology. Her work has appeared in various literary journals, including DIAGRAM, LiteraryHub, On the Seawall, The Millions, Allium, The Rumpus, and others. Her writing was nominated for the Best American Short Fiction in 2022. She is an active member of Off-Campus Writer’s Workshop. Leslie is on the masthead at Hippocampus Magazine and contributes reviews and interviews frequently. Her work has been supported by The Ragdale Foundation and Vermont Studio Center and attended Kenyon Writer’s Workshop with Victoria Chang. Leslie resides in Greater Chicago and is at work on a memoir excavating ancestral legacy, art, & sense of place. She is obsessed with all things vintage. You can find her on Instagram @this.iswherewelive and www.leslielindsay.com.

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