Eight authors from the Beaver Valley showcased in Ambridge event

AMBRIDGE ― A local author's showcase will take place Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Laughlin Memorial Library.

The featured writers:

Alicia Stankay, a writer and nature photographer from Ambridge, writes fiction ranging from two short story anthologies to mysteries to two young teen time travel stories set in Old Economy Village.

Marjorie DeAngelis, a member of the Laughlin Memorial Library’s Writers & Poets Workshop, has appeared in Loyalhanna Review, Western PA Poetry Review 2024 and other publications. In 2020, she published "Cameos of Kenya, Treasured Memories of My Life in Kenya 1974–1990."

Sally Witt is a sister of St. Joseph of Baden who lives in Ambridge. Her chapbook, "Claiming Light and Darkness," was published by Finishing Line Press in spring 2024. She has also written histories of three congregations of women religious, including the Sisters of the Holy Spirit of Pittsburgh. Her poetry has appeared in: Christian Century, U.S. Catholic, Bearings Online, Spirituality, Loyalhanna Review, and other publications.

Denise Marie Lupinacci, an Ambridge resident since childhood, is a two-time award-winning historical romance author. Recently, one of her books was displayed on the NASDAQ board in Times Square with other BookFest award-winning authors. She has been fascinated with the Scottish Highlands since she first heard bagpipes and Celtic music. She loves to travel and recently went on a trip to Scotland where all her books take place. Denise hopes to transport her readers to a place of beauty, magic, and dreams, if only for a few hours.

Rita Wilson is an award-winning artist, writer, and retired teacher from Moon Township who has been published in Rune and Riverspeak Literary Magazines, wolfmatters.org , Voices from the Attic, the 100 Lives Anthology, and Wisdom of the Crone. Her first book, "Greek Lessons: A Cultural Odyssey," includes photos of several of her paintings, including "Better Times," the painting of her mother and grandmother which graces the cover of her book. Wilson earned her MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Carlow University. Wilson has held writing workshops in both creative and professional writing and has taught adjunct at the university level. She also serves as a non-fiction editor for the Northern Appalachia Review and is a co-director of the Writing Conference of Northern Appalachia.

Karen Malena has written a heartfelt, inspirational blog and several fiction novels, one which closely follows many of the conversations she and her mother shared through the years: "Reflections From my Mother’s Kitchen: A Journey of Healing and Hope," written when her mother began showing signs of Alzheimer’s-type dementia. Several of her stories were chosen by Guideposts’ sister magazines for publication. “The Earrings” appeared in Mysterious Ways magazine.

Bill Pate is a retired musician whose career has included performing, composing, arranging and teaching music, as well as owning and operating successful retail music stores. He also developed DRUMTRAIL, an award-winning educational program that he presented over 1,500 times throughout a five-state region. His career culminated with the design and implementation of a music therapy program for one of the country's leading drug and alcohol rehab centers, enabling him to assist hundreds of patients find their spiritual path to 12-step recovery. Most recently, he was invited by the New Brighton (PA) Historical Society to serve as a conductor for its Underground Railroad Walking Tours. "Across a Border" is Bill's debut novel.

Anthony Todd Carlisle is an associate professor in the Department of English, Philosophy, and Modern Languages at PennWest University, California campus. He is starting year 22 at PennWest where he teaches journalism, composition, and literature. Carlisle is also a freelance journalist with his work appearing in U.S. News & World Report, G.I. Jobs, New Pittsburgh Courier and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Prior to teaching, Carlisle was a full-time reporter for 11 years, working for the New Pittsburgh Courier, Daily News, Pittsburgh Business Times, Beaver County Times and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. As a reporter, he won several awards, including the Robert L. Vann Award for feature writing and investigative reporting and the Keystone State Spotlight Award for a first-place business story. Carlisle became a published author in 2021 with his novel, "The Souls of Clayhatchee: A Southern Tale." The book has since been a winner in the African American Fiction category for the National Excellence in Indie Literature and Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and a Bronze Medalist for Regional Fiction in the Independent Book Awards.

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This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Eight authors from the Beaver Valley showcased in Ambridge event