Pub Rants

Alison Hammer

by Angie Hodapp

Alison Hammer has been spinning words to tell stories since she learned how to talk. A graduate of the University of Florida and the Creative Circus in Atlanta, she lived in 9 cities before settling down in Chicago. During the day, Alison is a VP Creative Director at FCB Chicago, but on nights and weekends you can find her writing upmarket women’s fiction. Her claims to fame include starring in an :08 clip on America’s Funniest People, sailing on all 18 Rock Boats and winning 2nd place in a Fantasy Football league.

John Galligan

by Angie Hodapp

John Galligan’s debut novel, Red Sky, Red Dragonfly (2000), set in Japan, impressed critics as “one of the best first novels and one of the most authentic fictional evocations of this country and its people [this reviewer has] ever read” (The Daily Yomiuri) and a “humorous and original tale spanning two continents…a winner” (Japan Times). His series of mysteries includes The Nail Knot (2003), “a real treat” (Library Journal); The Blood Knot, a “superbly told tale” (Kirkus) and a Crime Spree Magazine 2005 Book of the Year; The Clinch Knot (2008), a “stunning excursion into the wilds of human frailty” (Starred Review, Publisher’s Weekly); and The Wind Knot(2011) “Galligan’s  anti-hero – and this novel – is easy to love” (Wisconsin State Journal). He lives and teaches college writing in Madison, Wisconsin.

Jonathan Messinger

by Angie Hodapp

Jonathan Messinger is an award-winning author and journalist. Messinger was a founding editor of Time Out Chicago, where he edited its books section and then went on to be the web editor for Time Out Chicago Kids. He has been named one of the Top 50 literary figures in Chicago five times by NewCity, and was named one of Chicago’s “Top 30 under 30” by UR Chicago, though he has since aged and balded his way out of qualification for that award. His 2007 book of stories, Hiding Out, was named a Best Book of the Year by The Omaha World-Herald, and was an Alex Awards nominee. Following the success of The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian, he co-founded Gen-Z Kids, a podcast production company that has created some of the most popular podcasts for kids. He currently serves as executive producer and lives in Chicago with his wife and two sons.

Meghan Scott Molin

by Angie Hodapp

Meghan comes to writing by way of a Masters in Architecture, a minor in Opera, a professional career as a barn manager, and two years crash course as a mother. She currently resides in Colorado with her fellow zookeeper (husband), son, two horses, cat, and dog. She is an avid lover of everything nerdy from Wars to Trek, Hobbits, Who, and beyond. When she’s not writing, she’s cooking, dreaming of travel, coveting more corgis, and listening to audiobooks while hanging out at the barn.

Sierra Kincade

by Angie Hodapp

Sierra Kincade lives in the Midwest with her husband and son. When she’s not writing naughty books, she loves eating chocolate cupcakes, binge-watching cable series, and singing loudly in the car. She wholeheartedly believes that love stories are real, and you should never choose a partner who doesn’t make you laugh.

Shana Galen

by NLA_Admin

Shana Galen is three-time Rita award nominee and the bestselling author of passionate Regency romps, including the RT Reviewers’ Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Kirkus says of her books, “The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun,” and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching.” She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston’s inner city. Now she writes full time. She’s happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making.

Kristen Simmons

by NLA_Admin

Kristen Simmons is the author of the ARTICLE 5 series, THE GLASS ARROW, and METALTOWN. She has worked with survivors of abuse and trauma as a mental health therapist, taught Jazzercise in five states, and is forever in search of the next best cupcake. Currently she lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, where she spends her days supporting the caffeine industry and chasing her delightfully rambunctious son.