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Clever Contributors: A thru C


Maryetta Ackenbom
Timmie Sue Akerson
George Allingham
Jane Al Salem
Felipe Alvarez
John T. Baker
Tom Beall
Stacy Beard

Justine Blank
Jed Block
Roy Blokker
Gerald Bosacker
Bob Boston

David Breitkopf
Carole R. Brier
Jackie Brooks
Daniel Burke


Maggie Butt
Arthur Carey
Earl Carrender
Barbara Carrington
Jared Carter
Yvonne Chism-Peace
Madonna Dries Christensen
Carrol Chrys
Brittany Clark
Terri Coffman
Jackie Cooper
Michael Cornelius
Patricia Crandall


Maryetta Ackenbom
Flash Fiction:
Goddess of The Hearth

Biography: I've been writing short fiction for several years, usually the light-hearted kind, but I hope that the reader of my stories can find something valuable in them. I also mentor an on-line creative writing class. My favorite quote is, "I like myself best when I'm writing."

Timmie Sue Akerson
Travel essay:
Boating on the Volga, Israel, the enduring land, My Travel Obsession
Biography: Timmie says: A bio! I read some of your others. Everyone seems to have done very interesting things in their lives. So I am not sure how to make homemaking a passion. I have had and still do have a great life. I didn't like school, I would never have finished college. I like life lessons when I have figured out they are lessons. My Siberian Huskies, next to the grand kids, are my joy.

George Allingham
Essay:
My Aviation Period
Biography:
In my retirement years I've taken to writing about some the times I had as a an army brat during the 50's and 60's.

Jane Al Salem
Travel essay:
South Dakota Adventure, A Pilgrim's Journey: walking Spain's El Camino
Biography: Jane Al Salem, psychologist-writer, resides in the California Bay Area when she isn't traveling the world.

Felipe Alvarez
Essay:
Poetry of Nature: Good-bye to Viola
Biography:
Felipe was born in Spain, immigrated to Brazil where he studied architecture and then came to the US in 1964. Singing, writing, painting are only a few of his many avocations. His latest book "A Hummingbird's Quest" is due by the end of this year. It's a parable of retired people and their quest to live their last days in peace, beauty and dignity, illustrated with hummingbird's pictures by the renowned Brazilian nature photographer Jose Francisco Haydu.

John T. Baker
Travel essays: Morocco Bound, Driving in Italy
Poetry:
Nice Mice, My Gal Sal, Teacher's Pet, A Dastardly Deed, Vintage Ham, Home Cooking
Biography: Poet and writer, John T. Baker, is a former businessman, teacher, member of the FBI, and lecturer. He lives and writes in Colorado and is a highly esteemed honorary member of the Writers Exchange, WREX.

Thomas Beall
Travel essay:
Trying out the new Truck, Mountain Ghosts
Traveling in Spain & France, Jakarta!
Fiction: Fire!
Essay: Fishing with Dad
Biography: Tom Beall is a manager in the computer and telecommunications industry. He has spent many years in the Pacific Rim for business and pleasure. During his travels he has recorded some of the interesting sights and experiences from that area, some of which will be shared in Clever. He currently lives with his wife and two Rhodesian Ridgebacks in the mountains of Colorado and works for MCI.

Stacy Beard
Photo essays:
Salisbury, England, New Zealand

Scott Beavin
Photo essay:
The Lions of Florence
Biography: Drawing inspiration from daily life, Scott’s photographs focus on what others may miss. His eclectic vision has led to the creation of an introspective body of work that observes the randomness as well as the order of the world around him. Scott’s photographs, although varied in subject matter, all share similar qualities. They exude quiet elegance. They are sensuous and peaceful. They are deeply considered observations emphasizing the ever present beauty of daily existence.

Justine Blank
Essay:
I am a Writer

Biography: My name is Justine, and I am a writer in the good company of so many others who write for love and hope for validation. 

Roy Blokker
Essay:
I Love Airports,
Biography: Roy was born in the Netherlands. His parents immigrated when he was two.  He and his wife have raised four children to adulthood. He is author of a definitive book on Dmitri Shostakovich and numerous articles, poems and stories. His novel, AMBER WAVES, is available on Amazon Kindle. Roy and Diane live in Lakeside, Montana.

Kevin Boekhoff
Essay:
A Tall Hunting Tale
Biography:
I am 54 years old, married 32 years to the same wonderful lady. We have just become empty nesters, as well. I have done many things in my life from auto body repairman to Baptist pastor. I have always loved writing, but haven't had the time until Parkinson's Disease came along. I currently write a column "Wanderings through my Ponderings" at the PASD newsletter (parkinsonsd.org). The Motor Market Magazine published "My First Car" in their December issue (themotormarket.com). I have compiled my best ventriloquist skit into book form, but it is not quite done yet.

Gerald Bosacker
Poem:
Now I am Broke, Amusing poetry
Biography:
Send any pertinent love letters or employment offers to Gerald Bosacker  

Bob Boston
Poem:
Stir Crazy
Biography: Bob Boston is a writer living on the East Coast. While he doesn't have an extensive publication history, Bob recently had poetry accepted for publication by The Verse Marauder and Word Riot. He has been writing poetry for many years, but has only recently begun seeking homes for his poems.

Carole R. Brier
Essay:
Ode to Soup
Biography:
Carole's work has recently appeared in The Shine Journal, Ranfurly-Review and is currently running in Cynic Magazine Online. 

David Breitkopf
Fiction:
Reform School
Biography:
David recently had short stories published in The Cynic and in Metazen. 

Jackie Brooks
Essay:
Trixie, Caruso's Amazing Adventure
Biography: I have always wanted to write, ever since I was a child. It is only in recent months, now that I am retired, that I have started writing in earnest, poetry, short stories and articles. I had a story called 'King of the Road' about a persian cat, Caruso, who travelled across the USA with my husband and I, published some years ago in a UK cat magazine. This Fall one of my poems is to be published in an Anthology called 'Eternal Portraits' by Poetry.com  I am also working on two novels at present.

Daniel Burke
Fiction:
The Killer and the Angel
Biography:
Daniel is a resident of Cumming, Georgia. He's a project manager for a large transportation company, and he writes as a hobby.

Maggie Butt
Poems:
Tsunami, On my 85th Birthday, Little Flag, Graduation, Evolution, A Curse
Biography: She is married with two teenage daughters. She knows her last name is very silly to Americans, but it's an old English West-country name connected with archery, and hey, you remember it don't you?" Maggie has returned to poetry after a long absence caused by working as a journalist and TV producer, and then getting embroiled in a long novel. She runs the Writing & Media degree programme at Middlesex University in London, England.

David Calleja
Essay:
I Like my English Grilled,Coconuts, Coffee and Close Calls on the Mekong Delta

Biography: David is an Australian-based freelance writer for Foreign Policy Journal. He has a Bachelor of Social Science (International Relations) and Master of Social Science (International Development) from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, and has taught English in China, Thailand, South Korea, Cambodia and to Internally Displaced Persons fleeing the genocide in Burma.

Earl Carrender
Fiction:
4th Arrondissement, Petals, Freddie
Biography:
Earl is currently a graduate student in the M.F.A. program at Butler University in Indianapolis. His work has appeared in The Fioretti, BENt and on the Bilerico Project.

Arthur Carey
Essay:
In Defense of Deceit
Biography: Arthur is a former newspaper reporter and journalism instructor who lives in the San Francisco Bay area. He is a member of the California Writers Club. His fiction has appeared in print and Internet publications, including Funny Times, Future Mysteries Anthology Magazine, Writers’ Journal, Golden Visions Magazine and Still Crazy. He is the author of “The Gender War,” a humor novel.

Barbara A. Carrington
Essay:
PT (Post-Technology)
Biography: Barbara has put down her scientific pen after a long, diversified career in nursing for a creative writing pen. She hopes to become a late bloomer in the literary world. She lives in Houston, Texas where she is enjoying this transition.

Jared Carter
Garden Essay:
The Neighbor 
Essay: A Scrap of Butcher's Paper
Fiction: A Present for Hiram
Biography: Jared’s stories appear online at Bohème Magazine, Melic Review, Aurora Review, Poetic Diversity, and Animal Liberation Front, and also on his web site at Jared Carter Poetry. His most recent collection of poems, *Cross this Bridge at a Walk,* is available from Wind Publications in Kentucky. He lives in Indianapolis.

Yvonne Chism-Peace
Short Fiction:
Traffic Control, Public Eye
Biography: Yvonne writes short fiction and poetry and has been published in many journals, including The Key, Moxie, Aftertaste, In Posse Review, and Saint Anne's Review, to name a few. She was the poetry editor at MS. magazine from 1974 to 1987.


Madonna Dries Christensen
Essay:
Underneath it all, Something Rotten in Norway, Oh, Auntie Em, The Fame of the Name, It's Good for You

Biography: Madonna is Editor of Doorways Memoirs; Contributing Editor to Yesterday's Magazette and The Perspiring Writer; and a columnist for Extra Innings. Her published books are: Swinging Sisters; Masquerade: The Swindler Who Conned J. Edgar Hoover; The Quiet WarriorDolls Remembered, and Toys Remembered (Dec 2010). Also, e-books: Rogue Writers, Reprise: An Update To Swinging Sisters, and co-author of A Mix Of Holiday Memories, and Here's Looking At You, Kid.

Carrol Chrys
Travel Essay:
Tanzania Journal, Greek Lion Statues
Biography: Carrol travels extensively, reads widely and occasionally contributes articles and reviews for Clever. She took all the accompanying photos for the Tanzania article. She makes her home in the California Bay Area with her husband, Chrys.

Brittany Clark
Fiction:
I had no Idea
Biography: I'm an undergraduate student at Western Michigan University studying creative writing and hoping to graduate soon.

Terri Coffman
Essay:
House-sitting, Invasion, Mr. Keen's Magic Chickens
, A Mother's Woes
My Name is Shining Moon Bear, Rainforests: friend not foe, You met Where?, Igor, Stubborn,
The Big 4-0,The Deadly Ds, Look out little fishes, Cornflakes Christmas, Belizean Fare, My wish for the Earth
Biography: With over 15 years writing experience, I was a columnist for almost two years for The Auburndale Sun, a hometown newspaper, and am proud to say I had a faithful following who enjoyed my articles on relationships, family life, women’s issues, as well as some of my own personal experiences, to which many of them could relate. Other publications to my credit are Cornflakes Christmas, my family’s first Christmas deep in the Belizean jungle, Who’s Who in Poetry, 1988 and the Golden Poet Award in 1989. I have recently completed an anthology of short stories about my experiences growing up in the Belizean jungle.

Jackie Cooper
Poem: The Night before Christmas, Aussie Style
Biography:
I am a member of two poetry groups that meet once a month and read and discuss various types and forms of poetry. Also I have just completed a short story writing level 1 correspondence course, which in turn has assisted me with my poetry writing and vice versa. There need to be more Australian Christmas poems around, most of the good classic Christmas poems are from England or America and are not really suitable for our climate or people. I hope to one day write my own book of poetry and short stories.

Michael Cornelius
Essay: Canterbury Tale of one's own
Biography:
Michael is the author of the award-winning novel Creating Man (Vineyard Press, 2001). He has also published short works in numerous journals and magazines.

Patricia Crandall
Essay: A Witch Link to Salem, Mass, Life Begins at Forty, Window Bird Watching, Christmas Reflections, The Maine Coon Cat
Fiction: Three Strange Short Stories, A Catty Arrangement, A Pinch of Spice, The Wedding Reception
Poetry: Cat Poems
Biography:
I live at Babcock Lake in the Grafton Mountains near Petersburgh, New York. I devote time to my family, writing and community work. I enjoy reading, skiing, golfing, swimming, exercising and traveling. I have a vast number of poetry/haiku, numerous articles and short stories published in many small press magazines and a variety of newspapers. I published an adventure/thriller novel with Publish/America last November ('08). It is doing well and can be purchased at Amazon.com. The Dog Men draws the reader into a tempest of animal abuse, lawlessness, and kidnapping within the confines of small-town happenings. A chilling plot and a peerless relationship between kids, adults and pets.