Randolph B. Schiffer has lived many lives—Marine, physician, psychotherapist, professor—and now, storyteller.

A graduate of Yale College and the University of Michigan Medical School, Dr. Schiffer’s career spanned both battlefield and brain. He served as a Marine infantry officer during the Vietnam War, led departments in prestigious medical institutions, and co-founded the American Neuropsychiatric Association. At one time, he was the only physician listed in Best Doctors in America for both adult neurology and psychiatry.

In 2010, he stepped away from medicine to write. His literary voice—measured, unflinching, and strangely tender—blends memory with myth, and mortality with mischief. From their cedar cabin in Bois Blanc Lake, Michigan, he writes in view of the lake that has shaped so many of his stories.

He also resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his wife, Dr. Lynn S. Bickley, closer to his sons and family in Dallas.

Albert Chubak, a dedicated bee enthusiast and beekeeper since 1999, is a valuable and trusted resource to the beekeeping community. His passion for teaching and his comprehensive knowledge of bee behavior have made him an indispensable guide for both novice and experienced beekeepers alike. Albert’s exploration of the intriguing world of honey bees includes his involvement in the American Beekeeping Federation, where he has contributed articles for new beekeepers. In 2013, he created the Mini Urban Beehive (MUB), a small hive dedicated to nurturing young honey bee colonies. Through this hands-on experience, he acquired a profound understanding of hive dynamics, allowing him to instruct both budding beekeepers and young learners.

In 2017, Albert’s dedication and innovation were recognized with the prestigious P. F. Thurber Award for Inventiveness by the Western Apicultural Society, in honor of his groundbreaking Eco Bee Box and his publication, Mini Urban Beehive. Albert is an active member of the American Beekeeping Federation, the Western Apicultural Society, Eastern Apicultural Society, and Saskatoon Bee Club. In 2017, Albert’s writings led to an invitation to teach beekeeping throughout Jordan.

Albert Chubak is a father of three and resides in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with his wife, Camellea, and their tabby cat, Tiggar. Apart from his involvement in beekeeping, Albert’s pursuits extend to teaching, traveling, woodwork, restoring early Volkswagen Beetles, gardening, and finding humor in life’s moments.

Dr. Maurice Turmel, affectionately known as Dr. Moe, is a seasoned Spiritual Psychologist, acclaimed author, and performing songwriter whose journey spans over eight decades of personal growth, academic achievement, and creative exploration. Holding a PhD in Counselling Psychology, along with a Master’s and an Honours BA in Psychology, Dr. Turmel spent more than 25 years in clinical practice, counselling individuals, families, and organizations. His professional career is rooted in helping others navigate the deep waters of self-discovery, grief, emotional healing, and spiritual awakening.

But Dr. Moe’s path wasn’t a straight one—it was hard-won. Emerging from a childhood marked by emotional trauma, religious repression, and self-doubt, he forged a transformative journey of healing and self-emancipation. His life’s work is a testament to the power of the human spirit to rise. Over the decades, he broke free from harmful early programming and came to embrace a simple, liberating truth: we are all spiritual beings on a human journey. This message pulses through his writing, music, and teachings.

Dr. Turmel has authored numerous books including Breaking the Spell of Religion & Healing the Trauma, The Voice: A Spiritual Sci-Fi Adventure, Conscious Evolution: Mythology in Action, and When Angels Call: Coping with Grief and Loss. His most recent work offers readers a front-row seat on his own Hero’s Journey—a deeply personal exploration of trauma recovery, spiritual liberation, and emotional resilience.

A frequent guest on radio, television, and podcasts, Dr. Moe speaks with candour and wisdom about healing trauma, reclaiming personal power, and living from the heart. His seminars span topics like Creativity, Purpose, Grief & Loss, and Spiritual Awakening, always grounded in the lived experience of someone who has walked the path.

In addition to his writing and therapeutic work, Dr. Moe is a passionate performing songwriter, with over 120 original compositions and four inspirational CDs to his name. Whether through lyrics or prose, his message remains the same: healing is possible, creativity is sacred, and the heart is the truest compass.

Now in his 80s, Dr. Maurice Turmel continues to write, sing, and inspire—with a message that’s more relevant than ever: “Home is where the Heart is—Always.”

Ramona Baillie is a seasoned writer and creative professional with a sharp eye for life’s grittier edges. Born in Westmount and raised in Pointe-Aux-Trembles — then one of Montreal’s roughest neighbourhoods — her childhood played out against a backdrop of gangs, BB guns, and street-level crime. By age nine, she was navigating dangers most adults never face, from attempted abductions to daily fights. Even the first — and only — bike she and her brother owned was stolen the day after they got it. Those early experiences gave her a crash course in resilience, street smarts, and human complexity — all of which now shape her distinctive narrative voice.

Her work is unapologetically honest, often exploring the messier, more off-centre parts of life. As one colleague put it, Ramona has “a distinct affinity for the messy and off-kilter,” and she’s not afraid to go there. While happy endings sometimes find their way in, her writing lives firmly in the real world.

Professionally, Ramona has built an impressive 30-year career in the staffing and HR industry, earning an Honorary Life Award from the Human Resources Professionals Association for her outstanding contributions. She has served on corporate and non-profit boards and brings a strong leadership mindset to her creative projects.

As a playwright, screenwriter, and producer, Ramona has had six of her plays performed across Canada, and her film scripts have garnered awards internationally, with productions in Canada, Europe, and the U.S. She’s also spent time in the vibrant arts scene of South Beach, Florida, before settling in Toronto where she now lives with her husband.

Ramona continues to explore the shadows of human experience through story — where the darkest green often hides the richest truths. Ramona’s debut book, The Darkest Green, is as unfiltered and grounded as the life that shaped it.

After setting aside his dreams of becoming an artist in favor of what his mother called “a proper job,” Phillip spent the next 30 years in various administrative and management roles. However, his creative spirit was never far from the surface. Over the years, he earned qualifications in both art and creative writing, allowing him to pursue his true passions.

Phillip has since been published in magazines and has written and illustrated children’s books. He now resides in the quaint village of Mistley, Essex, with a beautiful view of the River Stour. In his spare time, Phillip enjoys nurturing his imagination and spending cherished moments with his greatest loves—his children.

Karen Goslin has her Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto and has been practising psychotherapy for over three decades. She is the founder of KG & Associates which opened its doors in 1998. Goslin has passionately pursued evidence-based treatment, creating leading-edge programs and tools that form KG K&G Associates’ accountable therapy model. She is passionate about providing deep, meaningful spaces that invite her clients to explore and reframe their experiences, leading them to achieve healing change and growth. Goslin invites readers to accept the same invitation to explore, reframe, heal and grow.

Annie Mack had an innate gift for spinning tales from the moment she could talk, and she imagined that her stories would one day find a place in the world of literature.

Fascinated with the intricacies of life, Annie earned a BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Guelph University. At the same time, she cultivated her love of books, specializing in English Children’s Literature. With a finesse for blending the scientific and the literary, Annie’s distinct writing style and voice resonate throughout her stories.

Diverse executive roles took Annie continent hopping: travelling European landscapes, embracing the vibrant cultures of Trinidad & Tobago, and crisscrossing the United States and Canada. Each place was a source of inspiration and understanding of the histories and cultures that shape some of her characters.