The New Hampshire Writers’ Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit literary arts organization funded by its members, as well as organizations and businesses, who support our region’s writers and literary heritage. The organization is run by a volunteer Board of Trustees and committees of dedicated writers who believe in the power of the written word.
NHWP believes in the power of writing to inform, inspire, entertain, and transform both readers and writers. We are a welcoming community of writers from all genres and all levels, published and unpublished. We provide quality resources to develop and enhance craft, educate regarding publication and distribution, and foster an interactive group of creative individuals in New Hampshire and beyond.
NHWP believes that humanity benefits from the cornucopia of voices. To that end, we strive to foster a welcoming environment. We seek to ensure that NHWP is a place where diverse voices can be heard with respect and where all are treated with dignity in an atmosphere of encouragement and camaraderie. We extend a special, enthusiastic welcome to those voices that have historically been muted, ignored, or disparaged based on race, creed, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, religion or lack of it, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We will not tolerate any form of unlawful discrimination or harassment.
Members and non-members must respect common-sense rules for public behavior, common courtesy, respect for the rights and dignity of others, and compliance with all laws, including those regarding intellectual property such as copyright. To ensure equal access and equal opportunity, members and non-members shall not discriminate against any individual or group because of race, color, creed, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability (including intellectual disability), age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran/military status, genetic information, or on any other legally prohibited basis. If NHWP determines a violation of this policy has occurred, NHWP may take such action it deems appropriate ranging from warnings, membership revocation without refund, or permanent banning.
Professionally, Robert Wheeler is the author of Hemingway’s Paris: A Writer’s City in Words and Images (2015),
Hemingway’s Havana: A Reflection of the Writer’s Life in Cuba (2018), and The Boston Freedom Trail in Words and Pictures (2019). He has just completed a foreword for the 2022 re-release of Hemingway’s first novel, The Sun Also Rises. Robert’s agent is Peter Riva of International Transactions and his work is published by Skyhorse Publishing in New York City, distributed in the U.S. and internationally by Simon & Schuster. Robert has led academic groups to Paris and to Havana and has spoken at numerous bookstores, libraries, and at the Smithsonian in Washington DC.
Personally, Robert lives in New Castle, NH, near the sea with his wife, Meme, the Director of the Chase Home for Children; girls, Emma and Helen, both graduates of Sarah Lawrence College; and his dog, Thadeus.
To be an Honorary Board Member for the New Hampshire Writer’s Project is a privilege and a pleasure for Robert, and he is looking forward to sharing in many significant and lovely conversations on writing and publishing with its members.
James Patrick Kelly has won a Nebula, awarded by the Science Fiction Writers of America and two World Science Fiction Society’s Hugo Awards.
His most recent books The First Law of of Thermodynaics Plus (2021), a collection in PM Press’s Outspoken Author series edited by Terry Bisson, King Of The Dogs, Queen Of The Cats (2020), a novella from Subterranean Press, a collection, The Promise of Space (2018), from Prime Books, and a novel, Mother Go (2017), an audiobook original from Audible. In 2016 Centipede Press published a career retrospective Masters of Science Fiction: James Patrick Kelly. His fiction has been translated into eighteen languages.
Jim’s plays have had productions in New York, Chicago and Honolulu among other venues and his award-winning novelette, “Think Like A Dinosaur” was adapted for the television anthology series, Outer Limits. He has narrated fifty-two of his own stories for Audible.com as part of its StoryPod project. With John Kessel, he has co-edited five anthologies, including Rewired, the Post-Cyberpunk Anthology and Digital Rapture, the Singularity Anthology. He writes a column on the internet for Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine. Find him on the web at www.jimkelly.net.
Laura Knoy is one of New Hampshire’s most well-known journalists.
She was the founder and host of NHPR’s The Exchange.
She was founding host of New Hampshire Public Radio’s “The Exchange” which for 25 years was the state’s most widely recognized and respected radio program. The show had 100,000 listeners across New Hampshire and extending in Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts. She has worked at the national level as well; newscasting, hosting and reporting for NPR and other news outlets.
In mid-2021, Laura stepped down from the host’s chair to pursue other interests, including writing fiction. Her skills in interviewing, moderating and public speaking are frequently called upon. Laura recently joined the Rudman Center at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law as its Director of Community Engagement. She’s also a fitness instructor and lifeguard at her local YMCA. She’s the host of two podcasts; ReadLocalNH and Beyond Your Balance Sheet.
Laura graduated Phi Beta Kappa from George Washington University with a degree in International Affairs. She spends her free time reading or outdoors, while trying to avoid yard and household chores. She’s the mom of two young adult sons and two middle-aged cats and can be found online at lauraknoy.com.
David Moloney is the author of the novel Barker House (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020). His writing has appeared in The Yale Review, AGNI, Guernica, Literary Hub, Salamander, Joyland, and elsewhere. He teaches creative writing at Southern New Hampshire University and lives in Amherst, N.H. Find David online at davidrmoloney.com.
The New Hampshire Writers’ Project Board of Trustees is a working board of highly skilled volunteers who oversee the scope and mission of the organization, while also establishing the strategic direction and fiscal oversight. The board works to develop appropriate policies and procedures, secures the organization’s financial health, and monitors the programs and overall performance of the organization in its effort to fulfill its mission.
Masheri Chappelle is a Smith Scholar graduate of Smith College, where she received her B.A. for Theater and Writing. She is a Data Analyst by day and a novelist, playwright, and intuitive consultant by night. She utilizes her profound spiritual experiences in the telling of her stories and plays.
Dan Pouliot’s first novel, Super Human is YA supernatural fantasy/magical realism and combines three of his passions: positive psychology, supernatural, and UFOs. A New Hampshire native, he got his B.F.A. in oil painting from UNH, and his digital works are in UNH and SNHU permanent collections. Dan has spent his professional career in marketing and web development.
After a career as a corporate lawyer in California, Julie Schappals and her husband retired to New Hampshire, where she fell in love with local history. She has published several articles on business law topics which, in addition to exploring arcane legal issues, also cure insomnia. She’s been drafting an historical novel for the past few years.
Kathy McKenna volunteers for the NH Writers Project because she believes in the magic of storytelling. A storyteller herself she currently writes Gothic paranormal horror; her earlier works are fantasy and erotic fantasy fiction. A practicing occultist, Kathy enjoys spending time in nature and stargazing. Kathy worked for many years in local government where she assisted in developing and adhering to annual budgets as well as overseeing various state reporting requirements. She is also a member of the New York State Bar.
Claudia Decker is a world language teacher and aspiring writer. She has been the moderator for the WNO in Nashua for three years and recently joined the NHWP board of trustees. Claudia enjoys teaching and writing about all aspects of language and culture as well as travelling, scuba diving and bicycling in exotic places.
Ron Stokes received an M.F.A. in fiction writing from the University of Massachusetts and worked thirty plus years in the high-tech industry. Since retiring, he has returned to writing fiction, including a novel, novellas, short stories, and five children’s books as gifts for his grandchildren. Ron also has a passion for music, particularly jazz, and plays saxophone and clarinet.
Beverly Stoddart is an author, writer, and speaker. She has published her essays in NH’s largest newspaper, the Union Leader, and the Senior Beacon, and has a monthly column in the Windham Independent. Stoddart worked for newspapers for over 40 years, including the Boston Herald and the Union Leader. Her new book is Stories from the Rolodex, published in December 2020. She and her husband own Effective Fitness, a personal training fitness facility in Londonderry, NH. She has been married for 44 years to her husband, Michael, and has one son and two rescue dogs.
Traci Bisson has over 30 years’ experience in marketing, branding, and public relations. Ms. Bisson started her professional journey managing the images of authors and entrepreneurs. In 2004, she joined NH Writer’s Project and spoke on Book Promotion and Publicity for Writers at their annual conference. She has created and managed events from book signings and speaking engagements for authors to large scale celebrations for corporations and nonprofit organizations. As a published author, Ms. Bisson’s work can be found in dozens of newspapers and magazines. Today, she runs an online community and membership for dog lovers, creating fun and unique experiences for dogs and their people at Golden Dog Adventure Co.
Keera Lopusiewicz is a college student pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and creative writing at Southern New Hampshire University. In pursuit of her degree, she works as a part-time bookseller, and she has experience in novel/poetry writing, proofreading, and editing. Much of her work falls within the genres of literary fiction, Gothic/urban fantasy, dark romance, and erotic poetry.
Lea Camille Smith is a writer, editor, and freelance marketing specialist, helping nonprofits, small businesses, and individuals tell their stories through engaging written content, design, and social media. She is an MFA candidate in creative writing at Stonecoast, and the executive editor for The Stonecoast Review. Her work can be found or is forthcoming in The Tiger Moth Review, MOF&G, Mt. Washington Valley Vibe, Island Ink, Om Yoga Magazine, and The Conway Daily Sun. Outside the literary world, Lea works in food systems, helping to strengthen access to healthy food for all in New England.
Reggie Bourn is a librarian and writer from Merrimack who assists with the NHWP website. He enjoys tinkering with his many work-in-progress stories and previously had some short stories published in anthologies through Z Publishing House. In his free time, Reggie is an avid reader and film lover and enjoys discussing both forms of media!
The New Hampshire Writers’ Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit literary arts organization funded by its members, as well as organizations and businesses, who support our region’s writers and literary heritage. The organization is run by a dedicated board of passionate volunteers.
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