The Penmen Review: Gold IPPY Winner Cynthia A. Graham

by Rebecca LeBoeuf Author Cynthia A. Graham is anticipating the release of her third book, “Beulah’s House of Prayer,” on the shelves this July. An avid writer of historical fiction, Graham has explored eras including The Great Depression and World War II in her writing. “Beneath Still Waters,” Graham’s debut novel, achieved a Midwest…

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The Penmen Profile: Contemporary Southern Writer Dixon Hearne

by Rebecca LeBoeuf Louisiana native Dixon Hearne uses his Southern roots as an influence in his writing. The author of “Delta Flats: Stories in the Keys of Blues and Hope” (2016), a collection of short stories, tends to incorporate Southern imagery and themes into his work. Hearne writes short stories, novellas, poetry…

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The Penmen Profile: Versatile Writer Peter Grandbois

by Rebecca LeBoeuf Peter Grandbois is an author that does it all. From writing fiction, nonfiction, poetry and plays, Grandbois has two novels, one book of short stories, a memoir and a collection of three novellas published. His Etruscan Press novel, “Nahoonkara,” was a finalist in the 2011 Foreword Review Book of…

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The Penmen Profile: YA and Historical Fiction Author Han Nolan

by Rebecca LeBoeuf Han Nolan is the author of nine young adult fiction and historical fiction novels. Her first novel, “If I Should Die Before I Wake,” published in 2003, achieved the International Reading Association/​Children’s Book Council Book Award. In this book, Nolan unites the present with a dark part of history,…

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The Penmen Profile: Debut Novelist Hirsh Sawhney

by Rebecca LeBoeuf Author Hirsh Sawhney‘s first novel, “South Haven,” has been named as a Barnes & Noble Summer 2016 Discover Great New Writers selection, and was published in early May. Sawhney’s writing has been published in many magazines and newspapers, including the New York Times Book Review, the Guardian and the Times Literary Supplement….

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The Penmen Profile: Indian Novelist and Editor Avtar Singh

by Rebecca LeBoeuf Indian author Avtar Singh is anticipating the release of his second novel, “Necropolis” (Akashic Books), which releases in June 2016. Set in Delhi, “Necropolis” mixes crime with fantasy as it follows around the main character, a detective. His first book, “The Beauty of These Present Things,” was published in…

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Fall Fiction Competition Winner Syche Phillips

by Rebecca LeBoeuf Syche Phillips’ short story, “Genesis,” was selected as the winner of SNHU’s 2015 Fall Fiction Short Story Competition. A writer of fiction, creative nonfiction and plays, Phillips is pursuing her online Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing with a concentration in Fiction with Southern New…

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The Penmen Profile: Northern New England Author Merle Drown

by Rebecca LeBoeuf Merle Drown is the author of three novels and numerous flash fiction stories. “Lighting the World” (2015), Drown’s most recent book, pulled upon events that happened in his life and garnered praise from his peers, including best-selling authors Wiley Cash and John Searles. “The Suburbs Of Heaven”…

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The Penmen Profile: Highly Praised Author Ann Garvin

by Rebecca LeBoeuf Ann Garvin has been praised for the seamless humor and compassion found in her novels, “On Maggie’s Watch” (2010) and “The Dog Year” (2014). A third novel, “I Like You Just Fine When You’re Not Around,” will be released in June. “On Maggie’s Watch” achieved positive reviews from New York Times bestselling authors Jacquelyn Mitchard…

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The Penmen Profile: Award-Winning YA Novelist Jo Knowles

by Rebecca LeBoeuf Jo Knowles is an award-winning author of young adult and middle grade fiction novels. Her first novel, “Lessons From a Dead Girl” (2007), was presented with The Pen New England Children’s Book Discovery Award and named A New York Library Book for the Teen Age. Knowles’ middle grade fiction novel,…

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