2018 RONE Awards Judges

Rhonda Kirby

I am Rhonda Kirby residing in Sweetwater, TN. I have a Masters in Accounting, Masters in Business, and drive a big-rig. My passions include reading or listening to audiobooks and photography. With each new book I open to read, I travel to a different time and place, without the high cost of travel.

Susan Peterson Wisnewski

Susan Peterson Wisnewski is an indie author from Vermont. She writes thrillers and mystery with a sprinkling of horror. Surprise and twists keep her readers guessing and she has been accused of writing books that can’t be put down that feature strong female characters.

Natasza Waters

Award-winning author Natasza Waters writes suspense with a cup of romance and a twist of steam. Paying it forward, she enjoys reading and reviewing other author's blends of creativity.

Philomena Callan

I’m Irish living with my partner and three kids for the last twelve years. I’ve been reading since I was little. About six years ago a whole new world opened to me when my sister bought me a kindle. I love sharing authors books on my Facebook page, Facebook group and blog. I review every book I read and love chatting to authors about their books.

Deborah Dunson

My name is Deborah Dunson, I'm a wife, mother, minister of the gospel and a avid reader of Christian fiction. I love reading, reviewing books and supporting authors. I'm fascinated with the writing craft and I often wonder how does an author come up with the idea for stories.

Teri Donaldson

I have been an avid reader all my life. It's always a great joy to find a new favorite author or genre. It’s even more fun when I get to meet an author and learn how they develop their books. Authors continually inspire me to be more creative.

Kay Springsteen

As an author of new adult, contemporary, and historical romance, Kay Springsteen delights in bringing new stories to life. As a literary editor across most genres, Kay takes pleasure in helping authors polish their books to their fullest potential.

Ashley Nemer

Born in Kansas and raised in Houston, author Ashley Nemer finds mystery, science fiction, paranormal and everything in-between in all things around her. She and her husband, along with their two children, enjoy discovering fun new ways to keep life interesting. They love doing things like reading and camping as a family. Ashley's greatest joy is her family, and they are the focus of everything she does.

Ginny Flores

Ginny is an avid reader and audiobook listener. Her motto is "Life is so much better with an author's imagination that takes you to another world."

MK McClintock

Award-winning author MK McClintock is devoted to giving her readers books laced with adventure, romance, and a touch of mystery. Her novels and short stories take you from the rugged mountains of Montana to the Victorian British Isles, all with good helpings of daring exploits and endearing love stories.

K.S. Jones

Karen (K.S.) Jones is a multi-award winning author. Her debut novel, Shadow of the Hawk won the WILLA Literary Award, the RONE Award, and more. Her MG book, Black Lightning, is also garnering awards. Karen writes from her home in Texas. She has just completed her first Women's Historical Fiction.

Tera Cuskaden

Tera Cuskaden started working in publishing in 2004 as a reviewer and proofreader. After spending nine years with Samhain Publishing, she moved to Entangled Publishing, where she continues her work with New York Timesand USA TODAYbestselling authors. Tera holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Indiana University.

Jessica Nelson

Jessica Nelson is a freelance copyeditor at Rare Bird Editing and Indie Books Gone Wild. She lives with her two offspring and co-progenitor in the southern United States, and her interests include—in no particular order—coffee, words, social justice, and handicrafts.

Emily Mah Tippetts

While I publish a lot of sweet romance and cozy mystery, my background is science fiction and fantasy. I'm a graduate of Clarion West, teach at Taos Toolbox, and am a member of the Critical Mass writers group, which has had George RR Martin and James SA Corey as members.

Kelli Collins

A freelance dev editor for indie authors and Amazon Publishing’s Montlake imprint, Kelli Collins has a combined 23 years of editing experience in the book and newspaper publishing industries. She’d love to say she’s a gentle hand-holder with a light touch, but in reality, she’s a book’s worst anal-retentive nightmare.

Amanda Gawthorpe

Amanda Gawthorpe serves as Senior Editor at Blue Ink Press in Raleigh, NC. She is an avid reader, book collector, and CrossFitter.

Michelle Reed

A fantasy gatherer, I’ve traveled the old west, joyfully claimed by lawmen, cowboys, outlaws and half-breeds. I’ve survived captivity till rescued, gone wheels-up with black-ops teams, and fallen into many a alpha male’s possession.
In reality, I’m Suzie-homemaker, tribe member, and pack alpha, striving to always be humble and kind.

C. E. Black

​C.E. Black is a Maggie Award-Winning Author in Paranormal Romance. Since 2011 she has published several novels, novellas, and short stories in the Paranormal, Fantasy, and Sci-fi Romance genres. She enjoys writing heart-pounding romances with preternatural twists, giving her readers action-packed reads they can’t put down.

Tracy James Jones

Tracy James Jones is an indie author, blogger, book reviewer and aspiring screenwriter from Dallas and Waxahachie, Texas. With twenty plus years of experience in the entertainment industry, Tracy has been published in the Huffington Post, earned an IMDb film credit for appearing in the documentary feature film “Between the Shades,” and modeled for The Transcending Gender Project and Equality Vodka.

Madge Gressley

Gressley began writing in 2013 and has earned rave reviews and several awards. Most recent of those as a winner in the Independent Press Awards for “The Secret of Trail House Lodge,” Young Adult category, and as a Distinguished Favorite in the Independent Press Awards for “Inescapable ~ The Beginning,” Romance category. Both are international competitions.

Dr. Dawn Menge

Dr. Dawn Menge has won thirty-one national awards with her Queen Vernita's Educational Series.
She has a PHD in Education. She specializes in Curriculum and Instruction and students with moderate/severe disabilities.
She is also a book reviewer and literary judge for children’s books.

Karen Branch Oehlke

Karen Branch Oehlke, pleased to be a RONE judge for the Sixth Year, began her love of literature in her early years while reading for school book reports. Once her love of books jumped to the indie world she knew she needed to be involved in someway.

Jasmyn Novachek

Mother, publicist, editor, and blogger for more years than she cares to admit - Jasmyn pampers herself with a good book, a glass of wine, and a night in with her three cats.

Jennifer Henley

My favorite saying is: You are not a tree. In the pursuit of finding our happy place, we have moved out to a small town in Nevada where I continue to pursue writing while wrangling my crazy expanded family. The next chapters should be everything.

Tammy Northington

I'm a grandma to 6 with another on the way, & I work for major insurance company. I've been an avid reader for over 30 yrs., and I'm so glad to be a judge again. I love the exposure to new authors & genres.

H. S. Stavropoulos

H.S. Stavropoulos writes stories infused with a Greek-American flavor. Born and raised in a small Greek village in the middle of Oakland, California, writing about living between two cultures comes naturally. H. S. was a finalist for the 2017 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense.

Donna Blickenstaff

l live in Illinois with my husband Chris on a small animal farm! I have 3 grown children and 6 grandsons and 1 granddaughter! My favorite hobby is reading, I always have a book in my hand! I feel blessed that I’m able to do what I love!

Lori Leger

Award winning author Lori Leger adores writing stories set in Louisiana, where good Cajun cooking, helping your neighbors, and saying ‘y’all’ is perfectly normal. She’s published fourteen books (four series): La Fleur de Love, Halos & Horns, Prime of Love, Seasons of Love, and one with The Wild Rose Press.

Shaunna Gonzales

Shaunna Gonzales currently resides with her family in the greater Seattle area. Married over thirty years, her role as wife and mother of four continue to be her priorities. Once told by her doctors that she would never leave her wheelchair -- due to her Multiple sclerosis. It has been tucked in a closet while she continues on.

Courtney Marsh

Courtney is an avid reader (and her three full, melting Kindles prove it) with a history in online radio marketing and writing (for herself). Her online station, Dreamers Radio, encompassed 3 years of incredible author interviews. Now her spare time is devoted to consuming as many books as possible.

Suzanne Kneeves

Suzanne was lead content editor at Driven Press and Bottom Drawer Publications from 2012 until 2017. While she's not actively involved in the business side of publishing these days, she is an avid reader and sometime editor. Her favourite books growing up were Enid Blyton's FarawayTree series, and her most favourite grown-up read is Atonement from Ian McEwan ... and everything in between.

Monica Bogza

Monica Bogza is an editor who owns and runs TrustedAccomplice.com. In business since 2016, she has worked on dozens of published works, with unrivaled passion and dedication. When you hire her, you're getting more than an editor; you're getting a trusted accomplice!

Sheri Williams

Sheri Williams—a publisher, author, and editor—has worked in the industry for over 20 years. She is also a Benefits and Training Consultant with AmeriPlan®, the nation’s leading discount healthcare benefits company, where she applies her passion for helping others. She is a mom to four grown children and three grandchildren.

Rainne Atkins

I live in Lancashire with my Husband, my cat, and our 'TAG'.
I’m an avid reader of horror, supernatural/paranormal, mystery/thriller, fantasy and sci-fi.
I derive a great deal of satisfaction from my small part in helping promote Indie Authors and their books, and try to review every book I read.

Cynthia Shepp

Cynthia Shepp is a freelance fiction editor with a BA in English. She works for a multitude of publishing companies and independent authors, and has participated in the production of hundreds of books. Offering affordable, quality editing services, she works with authors to polish their dreams into well-edited realities. http://www.cynthiashepp.com/

Scott Lundleee

I work as a nurse for an intermediate school. I am an avid reader and my favorite place to read is on the porch. Especially during thunderstorms. My favorite quote is “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Fail again. Fail better” by Samuel Beckett.

Martina Arguijo

Martina Arguijo, Wife and Mother. Has a bucklist that grows with each book read, and a passion for healthcare and romance.

Amber Garcia

Amber is the sole owner and operator of Lady Amber’s Reviews & PR. Amber started out as a blogger doing book reviews and then saw the need for help in the indie community. Frustrated after seeing amazing books by some of the most talented authors not getting the recognition they deserved, she decided she wanted to do something to help make a difference.
As a blogger, tour coordinator, event host, and now writer, Amber finds herself loving the life of a book nerd and branching out into marketing and PR.

Chrissy Wolfe

Chrissy Wolfe lives in western Pennsylvania with her husband and kids. Through EFC Services, LLC, she works with authors all over the world editing, proofreading, and formatting their manuscripts. She also reviews books and writes about book-related topics on her blog, Every Free Chance Books. This is Chrissy's 3rd year as a RONE judge.