Writer
of the Year Award:
Each December, Mortimer Literary names one of their
clients the recipient of the “Writer of the Year” award, and sends a plaque to
said winner. Traits Kelly looks for are: determination,
drive, ability to learn self-editing, exemplary writing skills or increased
level of writing skills, serving the writing community, and/or unbridled nerve.
Recipients:
2009: Kelly Ann Riley
2008: Robin Caroll
2007: Raz Steel
2006: Robin Caroll
CLIENTS
CEO and Veteran – Nonfiction/Leadership
E. Matthew Buckley, a former TOPGUN Navy fighter pilot who earned the call sign “Whiz,” is the Chief Strategy Officer for the Options University, a financial education company, and a columnist for TheStreet.com. He rose from the position of Managing Director of Strategy for PEAK6 Investments, L.P., a leading proprietary equity options trading firm; to Chief Executive Officer in one year, at the age of 38. He’s also a pundit for CBS radio’s The Political Chick. He’s launching a groundbreaking financial training system called TOP GUN OPTIONS, which takes the discipline and risk management methodologies he learned flying fighters, and successfully applies them to his career on Wall Street.
Whiz has combined his unprecedented
experiences in the military and corporate America in writing From Sea
Level to C-Level: A Fighter Pilot’s Journey from the Front Lines to the
Front Office.
Contemporary
Paranormal Young Adult
Laura
Byrne captures the teen voice to perfection in her contemporary, paranormal
manuscripts. But takedowns and touchdowns aren’t the only goals for Laura’s
heroes. Laura explores love with the locker-room crowd amidst the drama of high
school. Her manuscripts, Another Will Die, and No Pain; No
Gain, have won numerous contests.
Matthew
Dickens
Publisher
Author - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Matthew
Dickens has been writing novels and newspaper articles for sixteen years.
Matthew’s current work, Musterion, follows 2,000-year-old Magnus
Musterion—who’s not a hero, nor a villain. He’s not an angel, nor a demon…. He's
something else.
Mysterion is the first book in the I Am
trilogy—a supernatural thriller that mixes Elizabeth Kostova's
The Historian; with Carlos Ruiz Zafron’s, The Angel’s Game.
Matthew’s
debut offering, Wayfarer, appeared on
Amazon's Top-25 Religious Sci-fi Bestsellers List. Matthew has traveled
from San Francisco to Israel to conduct research for his books. Matthew also
loves photography, and USA
Today published
two of his photos from Israel on their Web site.
Caroline
(Cee) Dunsheath
Dark
Paranormal/Romantic Suspense
Caroline
(Cee) Dunsheath writes "devilishly dark"
paranormals and edgy romantic suspense. Her stories teem with demons,
ghosts, ghouls, and the occasional mobster (any resemblance to actual
persons—living, dead, or related—is entirely coincidental), but Caroline aims
to find the humanity in all of them, offering hope to balance the wicked
thrills on the way to a happy ending. Her manuscript, The
Devil’s Fields (formerly SEEDS),
won the coveted Daphne du Maurier contest. Several
RWA Chapter contests including the Daphne, the Maggie, and NJRW, have
recognized her work featuring characters who are far
from perfect. Her YA manuscript, Last
Wishes, is a finalist in the Paranormal category of RWA
Mystery/Suspense Chapter's Daphne du Maurier Contest
in 2010.
Born
and raised in New Jersey, Caroline comes by her sarcasm naturally; the writing
she's honed over the years drafting ad copy and personal essays, and
mining public opinion at her 'day job' working in a library.
Robin
Haseltine
Historical
Young Adult Fantasy/Paranormal
Robin Haseltine’s latest article, “Searching for the Romance in Speculative Fiction,” addresses her
dissatisfaction with the lack of romance in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy
genre. Anxious to pen an equitable blend of fantasy and romance, she
joined RWA in 2006. She’s also written award-winning columns on gifted children
featured on Moms Online, Oxygen.com, Oprah.com, and
parenting newsletters around the country. Robin’s works in progress are a Young
Adult Fantasy Romance trilogy, beginning with The Magic of
the Dance, and a time travel/urban fantasy set in
Heartsong Presents: Mysteries! Multi-Published Author –
Inspirational
Romantic Suspense/Historical Romance
Cynthia
Hickey writes fun, inspirational cozy romantic mysteries, and riveting
inspirational romantic suspense. Her manuscript, Fudge-Laced Felonies,
the first book in her Summer Meadow's
Mystery Series was a June 2008 release from Barbour's Heartsong Presents: Mysteries! and
the second book, Candy-Coated Secrets appeared in January 2009.
Cynthia’s written a third book in the series: Chocolate-Covered Crime, due out in 2012.
Cynthia's
heard voices inside her head since she was a child. She hit the big 4-0 before
doing anything about it!
Frank
(Zak) Iszak
Hero
Extraordinaire – Nonfiction/Memoir
Frank
Iszak was born in
He
immigrated to the
Frank
says the gift of his true and real life started on his “second birthday,” July 13,
1956, the day the Stars and Stripes greeted him on the runway of a NATO air
force base. The Sun Rises West - Memoirs
of a Hijacker: The Spectacular Escape from Tyranny to
Freedom, tells of the
harrowing experience of his flight, and subsequent escape, from an oppressive
government.
“The
true and sole purpose of my book is to bring the tragic story of the nameless,
faceless millions of an oppressed era to the minds of the American public, who
consider freedom a birthright.” Frank believes this birthright is the most
important ingredient of what
Rachel
Jeraffi
Celebrity
Photographer – Nonfiction/Art
Rachel Jeraffi is a famed
During
her successful career, Rachel’s discovered maternity photography, not fashion,
reflects true feminine beauty.
Paula
Jones
Conservative
Champion – Nonfiction/Biography
Paula
Jones looks
forward to learning all there is to know about co-writing her book, Paula
Jones: Making History, with Kelly Mortimer. Paula is married, and
currently a stay-at-home mom raising three great boys. Her eldest son is
seventeen; her middle son, thirteen; and her youngest is
six. She loves outdoor activities, especially nature walks and gardening. Her
ultimate goal is to be a wonderful wife and mother, and for her family to know
they’re the most important part of her life.
Kevin
Kahn, the "
Media
Executive/Entrepreneur – Nonfiction: Instructional/Humor
Kevin Kahn is a
Kevin
has contributed in various capacities (from PA to Director to VP) on projects
for ABC, Fox, NBC, and others. He's hung out of a
helicopter for a shoot on the East Coast, and researched subjects and locations
in
A
client recently referred to Kevin as her own Personal Search Engine. "If
you need to know something about media, then ask Kevin. He knows someone,
somewhere, who fits the bill, and is in the position to help."
The
Sensei is a dog, booze, and gun lover (Great combo, we know). During his
career, Kevin found that offering sensible, direct advice was easy, but
was a hard-to-find service in
Kevin
is currently working on his book, 150 Ultimate, Merciless Combat-Moves to
Position, Market,
and Win in Entertainment: Wise Words from the Hollywood Sensei.
Emery
Lee
Sourcebooks
Multi-Published Author – Historical Fiction
Emery
Lee is a member of Romance Writers of America, a life-long equestrienne, a
history buff, and a romantic by nature. Combine these and you have the essence
of her debut Historical Fiction Novel, The Highest Stakes, a
sweeping, epic story of love, war, betrayal, treachery, vengeance, and horse
racing in the mid-eighteenth century. The Highest Stakes was a
Sourcebooks April 2010 release. The sequel, Fortune’s Son, will be a
2011 release.
Clay Moyle
Published Author –
Nonfiction/Sports
Clay is
a member of the International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO), created in
1982 for the purpose of establishing an accurate
history of boxing and compiling complete and accurate boxing records. He’s also
a passionate collector of boxing books—with over 3,500 titles in his personal
collection—many dating back to the
1800’s.
Clay
Moyle’s debut book was Sam Langford: Boxing's
Greatest Uncrowned Champion (
He
currently resides in
Carrie Stuart Parks
Multi-Published Author/Illustrator –
Nonfiction
“Forensic” Fiction
An
internationally known forensic artist and instructor, Carrie brings over
twenty-five years experience in her field to her fictional writing. Mentored by
Frank Peretti, the “Dean of Christian Fiction,” she has developed a
mystery/thriller series based on her numerous criminal cases, starting with The
Quasimodo Effect. Carrie’s an award-winning fine artist and Signature
Member of the Idaho Watercolor Society, and has written numerous best-selling
drawing books for North Light Publishers. She’s a popular platform speaker in a
variety of subjects from crime, to creativity.
When
not traveling to law enforcement agencies to team-teach with her artist
husband, Carrie
is an American Kennel Club dog show judge, and exhibits her Great Pyrenees
dogs.
Erin Pryor
Paranormal/Historical
Romance
Erin Pryor loves working with words. She recently discovered a passion
for writing novels, and dreams of becoming a published author. Erin writes
paranormal and historical romance novels that are edgy and dark, but clean. “There’s
something to be said about a book that calls us to dig deep emotionally,
dragging its characters through the mud and putting them through tests
none believe they can survive. I strive to hit this mark while not compromising
my beliefs.”
When she’s not pounding away at a keyboard, Erin, a pastor’s wife, stays
busy as a mother to two young children. She and her family reside in Yorba
Linda, California.
Steeple
Hill Love Inspired Romantic Suspense Published Author
Guideposts
Multi-Published Author – Inspirational Mystery
Kelly
Ann Riley’s manuscript, Firestorm (formerly Kitty’s
Fire), won the inspirational category of the Romance Writers of
America’s (RWA) Golden Heart contest, and is a Steeple Hill 2010 release.
Kelly Ann will also be writing for Guideposts Patchwork Mystery Series
– Book #5, and #11.
Kelly
Ann loves to write inspirational tales of dark, thrilling suspense; and
humorous books brimming with mystery and intrigue. Tread Softly: A Want
Ad Mystery,
was a finalist in RWA’s Golden Heart contest, won the inspirational category of
the Daphne du Maurier contest, and the Sheila Contest.
Her historical romantic suspense, The Promise, garnered
third-place in the inspirational category of Daphne du Maurier
contest.
When
Kelly an isn't writing or attending conferences, she enjoys volunteering
for her church's youth club, playing with her many pets on her 15 acres in
rural Alabama, and traveling cross-country with her family. She is also
Mortimer Literary’s “Writer of the Year,” 2009.
Dr. Beverly Rose
Multi-Published Author –
Nonfiction/Memoir, Inspirational, Self-Help
Dr. Beverly J. Rose, author of Mothers Never Die (Thomas
Nelson), So Close, I Can Feel God's Breath (Tyndale House), and Both
Feet Off the Ground: The Secret to Being Powerfully Alive (iUniverse), has appeared nationally on radio and
television, inspiring thousands of people with her story.
BJ is a Harvard-trained clinical psychologist. She holds a D.Min. in
Stricken with a form of muscular dystrophy in the prime of
her life, BJ now finds herself dancing with joy from
the confines of her wheelchair; peaceful, and brimming with hope. People who
experience her amazing vitality and sparkling eyes comment they wish they had
what she has. She insists everyone can--if they allow the Lord to enliven their
hearts. She writes, "It's not me they see. It's Him in me."
She resides in
Glenn Scott
Musician – Nonfiction/Memoir
Glenn
Scott’s first encounter with a national recording group came when he filled a
vacancy with the world renowned Del
Vikings, who produced 4 million-selling records from 1957-1963:
"Come go with me," "Whispering Bells," "Cool
Shake," and "True Love." From there, Glenn joined The Tokens, who produced 3 million-selling
records in the early 1960's: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Tonight
I Fell In Love," and “She Lets Her Hair
Down." The group later became “The Happenings," who produced the
mega-hit "See You In September." That led to a position with The Beach Boys. Glenn worked as the
group’s tour manager, also performing with them on several occasions. Glenn’s
appeared on numerous television and radio programs throughout the United States
and the world.
Today, Glenn
is a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ; speaking,
singing, and sharing his life experiences. Glenn's story is captivating,
riveting, and revealing. He weaves his music throughout the fabric of the story
about how he survived the entertainment industry, and came to know Jesus. His
journey is a fascinating testimony entitled, Today, I Look
Up.
Scott “Scooter” Sorensen
Running Press Published Author -
Humor
After
spending many years staring across mahogany tables at Michael Eisner
look-alikes, Scott finally turned his nose up to Corporate America (and The
Mouse) and headed back to his roots. His first book, Scooter's Original Fart Dictionary - #1 Bathroom Book in
Scott
resides happily and lazily on
Eric Sperling
CBS Sportscaster – Nonfiction/Memoir
Sports
Anchor Eric Sperling got his first job in television as a news producer while
attending the
Eric
left the
Eric
and his wife Malia don’t have any kids yet, but their two dogs and kitten: Simba, Lily, and Nalla, take up
most of their spare time.
Raz
Steel’s paranormal romantic suspense, Love Without
Blood, was a Dorchester release. Raz also writes romantic comedy. He's
the first man to be a Romantic Times/Dorchester American Title finalist
with Pass the Kryptonite. Raz thought about writing the next book
for the Harry Potter series, but: (A) Raz prefers writing comedy, and Harry
Potter isn't funny enough (B) A 12.2 million copy first-run seems ecologically
unsound for the trees, and, (C) The money would've been a burden, what with the
taxes and all.
Raz was
Mortimer Literary’s “Writer of the Year,” 2007.
Mike
Stouffer
Teen Advocate/Citizen Journalist/Inspirational Speaker – Nonfiction/Memoir
At the
age of nine, Mike was taken out of his home and placed into a
state mental institution. He had no home for the next thirty years. His
book, Road to Redemption: Journey
from the Shadows into Forgiveness, shares with readers what
happens to a completely broken and shattered child. It also shows his
triumph after God sent him to his knees, totally defeated.
Mike’s
book took over fifteen years to write. It shines the light onto some of
Mike’s
writing has reached millions of people. The Associated
Press interviewed him after the President of the United States [Mr. Obama]
sent Mike a letter noting how much Mike inspired him; CNN News released a
feature story on Christmas Day of 2009, and the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel also ran an article about Mike’s incredible life.
When
Mike isn’t writing, he mentors teen offenders through a local restorative
justice program (MCRJP), or he’s out taking pictures. Mikes lives with his wife
Bobbi in
Marc
Weingarten
Mystery
Writer/Comedy Writer/Comedian
Marc
Weingarten has just completed his life-long dream: authoring his first novel:
At 26,
Marc became the youngest comedy club owner in
Other comedic credits include opening for Kenny Loggins,
Michael McDonald, the Little River Band, and Count Basie and his Orchestra;
regular appearances on NBC's Wacky World of Sports, and as a staff
writer and talent coordinator for ABC's Into The Night starring Brad
Garrett.
Whether Marc is performing live, writing, or producing, the thread that links
all of these talents together, is laughter.