About Fitz-James O'Brien
Fitz James O’Brien (1828–1862) was an Irish writer, some of whose work is often considered a forerunner of today’s science fiction.
About Lettice Galbraith
Lettice Galbraith is as mysterious as the stories she wrote. She appeared on the literary scene in 1893 with a rash of short stories and one novel, published another story four years later, and then disappeared without trace. Yet despite the brevity of her presence on the literary stage, her supernatural stories have remained popular to this day.
About A. M. Burrage
Alfred McLelland Burrage (1889–1956) was a British writer, mainly known for his horror fiction. He served in the First World War and published a memoir of his experiences, War Is War, which became a bestseller. His humorous novel, Poor Dear Esme was described by Jack Adrian as a “comic classic”.
About Elizabeth Gaskell
Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-65) wrote her first novel, MARY BARTON, in 1848 as a distraction from her sorrow at the death of her only son in infancy. It won the attention of Dickens and was followed by 5 other full-length novels as well as numerous short stories and novellas.
About Edith Nesbit
Edith Nesbit, the daughter of John Collis Nesbit, a schoolmaster, was born on August 19, 1858. Her father died when Edith was only six years old. Despite money problems, Edith's mother managed to educate her daughter in France.
At the age of nineteen, Edith met Hubert Bland, a young writer with radical political opinions. In 1879, Edith discovered she was pregnant; she married Hubert on April 22, 1880, and the baby was born two months later.
Edith and Hubert were both socialists, and on October 24, 1883, they decided to form a debating group with their Quaker friend Edward Pease, Havelock Ellis, and Frank Podmore. They decided to call themselves the Fabian Society and were later joined by other socialists. Edith and Hubert became joint editors of the society's journal, Today.
Edith was a regular lecturer and writer on socialism throughout the 1880s. However, she gave less time to these activities after she become a successful children's writer. Her most famous novels include The Story of the Treasure Seekers, The Wouldbegoods, Five Children and It, The Phoenix and the Carpet, The Railway Children, and The Enchanted Castle. A collection of her political poetry, Ballads and Lyrics of Socialism, was published in 1908.
After the death of her husband in 1914, Edith married Thomas Tucker, an engineer. Edith continued to write children's books and had published forty-four novels before her death on May 4, 1924.
About Algernon Blackwood
Algernon Blackwood (1869–1951) led a
rich and varied life. Storyteller, mystic, adventurer, and radio and television
personality, he is best remembered for his two superlative horror stories, “The
Willows” and “The Wendigo.” But in his lifetime he wrote over 150 stories, at
least a dozen novels, two plays, and quite a few children’s books as well. By
the time of his death, he had become one of the greatest writers of
supernatural fiction in the twentieth century.
About Stacy Carolan
Stacy Carolan has been a professional performer for over three decades-as an audiobook narrator, trumpet player, singer, humorist, and emcee. He holds a master's degree in trumpet performance from the Eastman School of Music, has worked with a variety of artists from Alan Menken to Rene Fleming to Foreigner, and has performed on NBC's Today Show. In addition to being a proud husband, father, and dog owner, he enjoys astronomy, magic tricks, philosophy, hiking, cooking, good movies, bad movies, billiards, bratwurst, accents, poker, and anything written by Aaron Sorkin. His past occupations include baseball mascot, roofer, casino dealer, knife salesman, music arranger, internet copywriter, Elvis impersonator, furniture assembler, street musician, comedy writer, and human rhythm section. He loves learning new things, experiencing the breath-stopping beauty of the natural world, and discovering a well-crafted turn of phrase. Also pie.
About Jennifer Pickens
Jennifer Pickens has been a storyteller since childhood, when she could often be found acting out the adventures of the characters that she created. Now, in front of the mic, she uses her smooth tone and confident grasp of character and pacing to connect listeners to an author's story, bringing their words to life. She lives in Oregon, and is often found reading, drinking tea, metalsmithing, quilting, or playing the mountain dulcimer.
About Ann Sprinkle
As a seasoned performer, singer, voice actor, and narrator, Ann Sprinkle's voice has been described as warm, clear, friendly, fun, engaging, soulful, uplifting, and "sunshine in a voice." Her years of training as an opera singer, voice teacher, yoga instructor, speech language pathologist, and in medical education, along with her love of comedy, psychology, biographies, and personal growth and development, make her the perfect fit for nonfiction, self-help/personal development, health and wellness, mystery/thriller, comedy, fiction, or children's books.
Ann received a Master of Music degree in voice from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Science in speech language pathology. Her storytelling credits include narration of multiple audiobooks, VO, film, and leading and supportive roles in opera, musical theater, and theater in venues across the United States. Her background has given her a breadth of experience, knowledge, and a variety of characters and styles that contribute to her audiobook narration skills. She is most at home with comedic characters, playing the evil villain, teaching new skills, or when providing a voice of inspiration to others in the personal growth genre.
Ann is also the owner and founder of Viable Voice & Speech, LLC. She provides voice and speech therapy services, including transgender and gender affirming voice services, professional speaking and coaching services, speech sound disorders (articulation and phonology), fluency/stuttering therapy, accent modification/English pronunciation services, and more to clients in Nevada and California. More information is available at viablevoice.com.
When not in her home audio recording booth narrating or working with clients to help them to find their own, unique voice, you might find her hiking, listening to music, doing yoga, or puzzling.
About Emily Pike Stewart
Emily Pike Stewart is a formally trained actor and SAG-AFTRA narrator who records books in multiple genres. She currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky.
