Taos Writers Directory
Tom Banks
Poet
Just released poetry collection, “Jazz Music: Poems in the Rhythm of Life,” Sunstone Press, Santa Fe, NM (Release date, July 1, 2013), ISBN 978-0865349568.
Tom’s poems come from the (jazz) music he hears, rendered into language. He could be classed as a modern “Beat.”
Cherie Burns
Writer
Cherie Burns is the author of four non-fiction books. The latest, Diving for Starfish–The Actress, The Heiress and One of the World’s Most Alluring Pieces of Jewelry, was published by St. Martin’s Press in 2018. Her previous book, Searching for Beauty: The Life of Millicent Rogers came out in 2011. Cherie has been a feature journalist since 1975.
Peter Callan
Writer
Peter Callan is the author of Prepare to Die!!! and Other Stuff Nobody Told You.
Julia Daye
Poet
Julia Daye is known for her use of sound and language. Her most recent poetry collection, The Edge of Waking, was released in 2017. Her writings have appeared in numerous publications including The Huffington Post, HOWL, onebillionrising.org, and A Fistful of Words. She is the author of the online series Investigating Reality, and has toured with Poets For Peace.
Veronica Golos
Editor
An expert editor for poetry, poetry manuscripts, memoir and non fiction. With years of experience, and depth of perception.
Cisco Guevara
Storyteller
Owner of Los Rios River Runners, New Mexico’s oldest and largest rafting company, Cisco honed his storytelling skills around the campfire. A regular at the Taos Storytelling Festival, Cisco has told his tales to audiences as far afield as London and Paris, as well as to groups in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
Thomas Hollingsworth
Writer
Thomas is a naturalist, philosopher and writer. He has written extensively on leadership, criminal justice, and technology as a state agency trainer. He currently contributes to a master naturalist newsletter and is writing a non-fiction on the principles of character. Thomas teaches yoga in Taos as a service to contribute to the Taos Medical Debt Relief Program.
Scott Archer Jones
Writer
Scott is currently working on his sixth novel. He lives in northern New Mexico, after stints in the Netherlands, Scotland and Norway, plus less exotic locations. . He’s worked for a power company, a lumberyard, an energy company, and a winery. He has three books out, through Southern Yellow Pine and Fomite.
Christian Leahy
Writer, Editor
Christian Leahy is a story midwife, developmental editor, and writer of mythic nonfiction. From groundbreaking bestsellers to award-winning documentaries and transformative TED Talks, Christian collaborates with people and projects committed to the power of story and narrative change to heal our connection to ourselves, the earth and each other.
Anne MacNaughton
Writer
Anne is a writer, poet, editor, visual artist and educator. A founder of both S.O.M.O.S. and the World Poetry Bout Association, she produced the famed Taos Poetry Circus from 1982 to 2005. She created the first competitive poetry contest for teenagers as well as the earliest teen competitive poetry team. She has taught creative writing and public speaking at UNM-Taos.
Kelly Madrone
Writer, Editor
Kelly Madrone is the award-winning author of two non-fiction books for and about teens, and more than 100 articles and guest blogs. She is a seasoned writer, editor, and writing coach with experience working in the traditional publishing industry and with self-publishing.
Ana McCracken
Writer
Ana’s writing is published in The California Writers Club Literary Review, the anthology Nothing But The Truth So Help Me God, Telepoem Booth® Iowa, and other publications. She splits her time between Angel Fire, and Ames, Iowa, and is writing a memoir while completing her MFA and teaching creative nonfiction for OLLI at Iowa State University. As an Amherst Writers & Artists Affiliate, Ana also leads writing workshops. www.anamccracken.com or www.anamccrackenworkshops.com.
Carrie Nassif
Writer, Poet, Editor
Carrie Nassif is a queer poet, clinical psychologist and life coach/creativity catalyst recently moved to the Taos area from the rural Midwest. Her poetry chapbook, “lithopadion” is available now. She hosts a Haiku-a-Week Facebook group for anyone interested.
Signe Nichols
Publisher, Editor
Over 10 Years’ Experience Working with Authors and Publishers
PUBLISHING SERVICES OFFERED
Interior Book Design and Formatting, Print on Demand Formatting, Ebook Design and Conversion; Ebook Fixes and Updates; Ebook uploading
MARKETING
Special Projects; Social Media Promoting; Consulting; Information
Quality Service Guaranteed, Local to Taos
Signe Nichols
firebirdmediamanagement@gmail.com
(575) 770 4617
Rita O’Connell
Writer, Editor
Rita O’Connell is an editor, writer, performer, and organizer. Based in Taos, she works with writers and activists around the world. From manuscripts to manifestos, Rita is here to make your words shine. She holds a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing from Emerson College, and an MA in Public Advocacy and Activism from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Clients have called her “one of the best independent copy editors I have ever worked with” and also “good at words but terrible at shuffleboard”. Free consultations.
Jane Odin
Writer
Jane is a former professor at New York University School of the Arts where she taught performance techniques and was chairman of the voice department. Her recently published books Napoleon’s Bathtub and Mousie: Diary of A Coon Cat Family are listed on Amazon.com.
Dru Philippou
Writer, Poet, Editor
Award-winning prose poetry writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from Naropa University, Colorado, offers copy editing, and private consultations. She is also the author of A Place to Land, available on Amazon.
Email: druphilippou@aol.com
Phone: 505 717 7054.
Adrienne Pond
Writer, Editor
Adrienne Pond is an editor, English teacher, writer, and photographer. She loves coaching, developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading fiction and nonfiction. Writers are mavericks who dare themselves and readers to be adventurers, to take changes, to better themselves through language and stories. Adrienne’s love for words and those who wield them makes being an editor a pleasure. Free consultations.
apond.lostartediting@gmail.com
Kat Pruitt
Writer
Kat Pruitt, writer, painter, and former high school English teacher, has written two children’s books entitled, Si’ Si’ the Circus Cat and Si’ Si’ and the Enchanted Circle both published by Pruggus Publishing. Kat and her husband moved to Taos, their hearts’ home, in 2009. Si’ Si’ and her creator are both on Facebook.
Hannah Rappaport
Writer, Poet
Hannah Rappaport is a writer, poet, and sometime blogger. Her memoir Love on the Brink of History tells of her 20-year initiation in Western Perennial Wisdom culminating with ordination to the priesthood in the Gnostic Tradition. She hosts small meditation/writing groups focusing on non-resistance – exposing the habits that keep us from realizing our life’s mission.
Cisco Guevara
Storyteller
Owner of Los Rios River Runners, New Mexico’s oldest and largest rafting company, Cisco honed his storytelling skills around the campfire. A regular at the Taos Storytelling Festival, Cisco has told his tales to audiences as far afield as London and Paris, as well as to groups in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
Signe Nichols
Publisher, Editor
Over 10 Years’ Experience Working with Authors and Publishers
PUBLISHING SERVICES OFFERED
Interior Book Design and Formatting, Print on Demand Formatting, Ebook Design and Conversion; Ebook Fixes and Updates; Ebook uploading
MARKETING
Special Projects; Social Media Promoting; Consulting; Information
Quality Service Guaranteed, Local to Taos
Signe Nichols
firebirdmediamanagement@gmail.com
(575) 770 4617
Carol Terry
Publisher
I will format the text of your book to prepare it for publication including help with cover design. I lay out and proof text files to be compiled in Kindle (ebook) or pdf (paper book) formats. You can then publish as an ebook to sell on Amazon and elsewhere. Or publish as a print-on-demand paper book to sell online, or print multiple copies and sell your book wherever you choose.
Contact Carol Terry: carol0126_2000@yahoo.com or 575-741-1786
Cherie Burns
Writer
Cherie Burns is the author of four non-fiction books. The latest, Diving for Starfish–The Actress, The Heiress and One of the World’s Most Alluring Pieces of Jewelry, was published by St. Martin’s Press in 2018. Her previous book, Searching for Beauty: The Life of Millicent Rogers came out in 2011. Cherie has been a feature journalist since 1975.
Peter Callan
Writer
Peter Callan is the author of Prepare to Die!!! and Other Stuff Nobody Told You.
Thomas Hollingsworth
Writer
Thomas is a naturalist, philosopher and writer. He has written extensively on leadership, criminal justice, and technology as a state agency trainer. He currently contributes to a master naturalist newsletter and is writing a non-fiction on the principles of character. Thomas teaches yoga in Taos as a service to contribute to the Taos Medical Debt Relief Program.
Scott Archer Jones
Writer
Scott is currently working on his sixth novel. He lives in northern New Mexico, after stints in the Netherlands, Scotland and Norway, plus less exotic locations. . He’s worked for a power company, a lumberyard, an energy company, and a winery. He has three books out, through Southern Yellow Pine and Fomite.
Christian Leahy
Writer, Editor
Christian Leahy is a story midwife, developmental editor, and writer of mythic nonfiction. From groundbreaking bestsellers to award-winning documentaries and transformative TED Talks, Christian collaborates with people and projects committed to the power of story and narrative change to heal our connection to ourselves, the earth and each other.
Anne MacNaughton
Writer
Anne is a writer, poet, editor, visual artist and educator. A founder of both S.O.M.O.S. and the World Poetry Bout Association, she produced the famed Taos Poetry Circus from 1982 to 2005. She created the first competitive poetry contest for teenagers as well as the earliest teen competitive poetry team. She has taught creative writing and public speaking at UNM-Taos.
Kelly Madrone
Writer, Editor
Kelly Madrone is the award-winning author of two non-fiction books for and about teens, and more than 100 articles and guest blogs. She is a seasoned writer, editor, and writing coach with experience working in the traditional publishing industry and with self-publishing.
Ana McCracken
Writer
Ana’s writing is published in The California Writers Club Literary Review, the anthology Nothing But The Truth So Help Me God, Telepoem Booth® Iowa, and other publications. She splits her time between Angel Fire, and Ames, Iowa, and is writing a memoir while completing her MFA and teaching creative nonfiction for OLLI at Iowa State University. As an Amherst Writers & Artists Affiliate, Ana also leads writing workshops. www.anamccracken.com or www.anamccrackenworkshops.com.
Carrie Nassif
Writer, Poet, Editor
Carrie Nassif is a queer poet, clinical psychologist and life coach/creativity catalyst recently moved to the Taos area from the rural Midwest. Her poetry chapbook, “lithopadion” is available now. She hosts a Haiku-a-Week Facebook group for anyone interested.
Rita O’Connell
Writer, Editor
Rita O’Connell is an editor, writer, performer, and organizer. Based in Taos, she works with writers and activists around the world. From manuscripts to manifestos, Rita is here to make your words shine. She holds a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing from Emerson College, and an MA in Public Advocacy and Activism from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Clients have called her “one of the best independent copy editors I have ever worked with” and also “good at words but terrible at shuffleboard”. Free consultations.
Jane Odin
Writer
Jane is a former professor at New York University School of the Arts where she taught performance techniques and was chairman of the voice department. Her recently published books Napoleon’s Bathtub and Mousie: Diary of A Coon Cat Family are listed on Amazon.com.
Dru Philippou
Writer, Poet, Editor
Award-winning prose poetry writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from Naropa University, Colorado, offers copy editing, and private consultations. She is also the author of A Place to Land, available on Amazon.
Email: druphilippou@aol.com
Phone: 505 717 7054.
Adrienne Pond
Writer, Editor
Adrienne Pond is an editor, English teacher, writer, and photographer. She loves coaching, developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading fiction and nonfiction. Writers are mavericks who dare themselves and readers to be adventurers, to take changes, to better themselves through language and stories. Adrienne’s love for words and those who wield them makes being an editor a pleasure. Free consultations.
apond.lostartediting@gmail.com
Kat Pruitt
Writer
Kat Pruitt, writer, painter, and former high school English teacher, has written two children’s books entitled, Si’ Si’ the Circus Cat and Si’ Si’ and the Enchanted Circle both published by Pruggus Publishing. Kat and her husband moved to Taos, their hearts’ home, in 2009. Si’ Si’ and her creator are both on Facebook.
Hannah Rappaport
Writer, Poet
Hannah Rappaport is a writer, poet, and sometime blogger. Her memoir Love on the Brink of History tells of her 20-year initiation in Western Perennial Wisdom culminating with ordination to the priesthood in the Gnostic Tradition. She hosts small meditation/writing groups focusing on non-resistance – exposing the habits that keep us from realizing our life’s mission.
Dami Roelse
Writer
Dami Roelse was born and raised in Holland. She has traveled the world extensively, lived on different continents and studied with different spiritual teachers. Dami has used her passion for long distance hiking as a means to deepen her connection with nature and the universe. Her books are an expression of how her inner journey evolved alongside her outer journey.
Helen Rynaski
Writer, Editor
Whether you want to explain scientific jargon or tell a good yarn, Helen will make your prose shine. Her nonfiction articles have appeared in newspapers, magazines, and professional journals, and her original plays have won competitions. Her editing credits include memoirs; novels; professional, educational, and business publications; and technical manuals. Visit her website and enjoy a free sample edit.
Greg Sagemiller
Writer
Author of Southwest mystery WALKING EARTH, self published in 2011. Newest novel in Sci-fy & Fantasy genre is titled SKELETON MESA, scheduled for release Winter 2019. Mr. Sagemiller has begun writing the sequel to SKELETON MESA. He’s made his home at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains north of Taos for thirty-two years.
Katherine E. Standefer
Writer
Writer, Trauma Writing Specialist
Katherine E. Standefer’s writing appeared in Best American Essays 2016. Her debut book Lightning Flowers was shortlisted for Columbia School of Journalism’s 2018 Lukas Work-in-Progress Prize. She earned her MFA at University of Arizona, teaches at Ashland Low-Res MFA, and hosts intimate, electric classes across the country that help people write about trauma, illness, and sexuality.
www.KatherineStandefer.com
Tom Banks
Poet
Just released poetry collection, “Jazz Music: Poems in the Rhythm of Life,” Sunstone Press, Santa Fe, NM (Release date, July 1, 2013), ISBN 978-0865349568.
Tom’s poems come from the (jazz) music he hears, rendered into language. He could be classed as a modern “Beat.”
Julia Daye
Poet
Julia Daye is known for her use of sound and language. Her most recent poetry collection, The Edge of Waking, was released in 2017. Her writings have appeared in numerous publications including The Huffington Post, HOWL, onebillionrising.org, and A Fistful of Words. She is the author of the online series Investigating Reality, and has toured with Poets For Peace.
Carrie Nassif
Writer, Poet, Editor
Carrie Nassif is a queer poet, clinical psychologist and life coach/creativity catalyst recently moved to the Taos area from the rural Midwest. Her poetry chapbook, “lithopadion” is available now. She hosts a Haiku-a-Week Facebook group for anyone interested.
Dru Philippou
Writer, Poet, Editor
Award-winning prose poetry writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from Naropa University, Colorado, offers copy editing, and private consultations. She is also the author of A Place to Land, available on Amazon.
Email: druphilippou@aol.com
Phone: 505 717 7054.
Hannah Rappaport
Writer, Poet
Hannah Rappaport is a writer, poet, and sometime blogger. Her memoir Love on the Brink of History tells of her 20-year initiation in Western Perennial Wisdom culminating with ordination to the priesthood in the Gnostic Tradition. She hosts small meditation/writing groups focusing on non-resistance – exposing the habits that keep us from realizing our life’s mission.
Julian James Spalding
Poet
Julian retired to Ashland, Oregon in 2009 after publishing Albuquerque Arts magazine for ten years. He writes poetry and essays, many of which were published in Ashland Daily Tidings. He moved to Arroyo Seco with his husband August 2018. He is exploring the mystery of Taos Mountain.
Catherine Strisik
Poet, Editor
Catherine Strisik, award-winning poet, author of The Mistress (New Mexico/AZ Book Award for Poetry 2017); Thousand-Cricket Song; & chapbook, Insectum Gravitis (forthcoming Main Street Rag). Co-founder/ co-editor Taos Journal of International Poetry & Art. Active in Taos poetry community for over 36 years, teaches group and private poetry workshops, provides editing consultation for poetry manuscripts.
Veronica Golos
Editor
An expert editor for poetry, poetry manuscripts, memoir and non fiction. With years of experience, and depth of perception.
Christian Leahy
Writer, Editor
Christian Leahy is a story midwife, developmental editor, and writer of mythic nonfiction. From groundbreaking bestsellers to award-winning documentaries and transformative TED Talks, Christian collaborates with people and projects committed to the power of story and narrative change to heal our connection to ourselves, the earth and each other.
Kelly Madrone
Writer, Editor
Kelly Madrone is the award-winning author of two non-fiction books for and about teens, and more than 100 articles and guest blogs. She is a seasoned writer, editor, and writing coach with experience working in the traditional publishing industry and with self-publishing.
Carrie Nassif
Writer, Poet, Editor
Carrie Nassif is a queer poet, clinical psychologist and life coach/creativity catalyst recently moved to the Taos area from the rural Midwest. Her poetry chapbook, “lithopadion” is available now. She hosts a Haiku-a-Week Facebook group for anyone interested.
Signe Nichols
Publisher, Editor
Over 10 Years’ Experience Working with Authors and Publishers
PUBLISHING SERVICES OFFERED
Interior Book Design and Formatting, Print on Demand Formatting, Ebook Design and Conversion; Ebook Fixes and Updates; Ebook uploading
MARKETING
Special Projects; Social Media Promoting; Consulting; Information
Quality Service Guaranteed, Local to Taos
Signe Nichols
firebirdmediamanagement@gmail.com
(575) 770 4617
Rita O’Connell
Writer, Editor
Rita O’Connell is an editor, writer, performer, and organizer. Based in Taos, she works with writers and activists around the world. From manuscripts to manifestos, Rita is here to make your words shine. She holds a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing from Emerson College, and an MA in Public Advocacy and Activism from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Clients have called her “one of the best independent copy editors I have ever worked with” and also “good at words but terrible at shuffleboard”. Free consultations.
Dru Philippou
Writer, Poet, Editor
Award-winning prose poetry writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from Naropa University, Colorado, offers copy editing, and private consultations. She is also the author of A Place to Land, available on Amazon.
Email: druphilippou@aol.com
Phone: 505 717 7054.
Adrienne Pond
Writer, Editor
Adrienne Pond is an editor, English teacher, writer, and photographer. She loves coaching, developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading fiction and nonfiction. Writers are mavericks who dare themselves and readers to be adventurers, to take changes, to better themselves through language and stories. Adrienne’s love for words and those who wield them makes being an editor a pleasure. Free consultations.
apond.lostartediting@gmail.com
Diana Rico
Editor
Diana Rico offers 30+ years’ experience editing award-winning nonfiction and fiction for established publishers and independent authors. She specializes in memoir/biography, the arts, spirituality, and Latinx subjects. Regular clients include Sounds True, Shambhala, Museum of New Mexico Press, University of Arizona Press, and University of New Mexico Press.
Contact: dianarico@earthlink.net for rates/edited books list. Visit website below for more info.
Helen Rynaski
Writer, Editor
Whether you want to explain scientific jargon or tell a good yarn, Helen will make your prose shine. Her nonfiction articles have appeared in newspapers, magazines, and professional journals, and her original plays have won competitions. Her editing credits include memoirs; novels; professional, educational, and business publications; and technical manuals. Visit her website and enjoy a free sample edit.
Catherine Strisik
Poet, Editor
Catherine Strisik, award-winning poet, author of The Mistress (New Mexico/AZ Book Award for Poetry 2017); Thousand-Cricket Song; & chapbook, Insectum Gravitis (forthcoming Main Street Rag). Co-founder/ co-editor Taos Journal of International Poetry & Art. Active in Taos poetry community for over 36 years, teaches group and private poetry workshops, provides editing consultation for poetry manuscripts.
Open Tues-Sat 12pm-4pm 575.758.0081 108 Civic Plaza Drive
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3225, Taos, NM 87571
THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS
SOMOS programs are made possible in part by these organizations: New Mexico Arts, a Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts • Taos Community Foundation • The McCune Foundation • The National Endowment For The Arts • The Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation • Taos County Lodgers Tax • TaosNetLLC for high speed internet service • LANL (Los Alamos National Labs) • New Mexico Humanities Council • Nusenda Foundation • Witter Bynner Foundation • Amazon Literary Partnership • Literary Emergency Fund