LIZBETH SELVIG, President

I was born and raised in Minnesota and, so, can imitate the accent in Fargo.  I've been married to my husband, Jan, for 32 romantic years and I'm mom to Jennifer, 26, and Adam, 23.  Our family also includes three horses, two dogs, a cat and a leopard gecko.  I've been fortunate to live in Bremen, Germany; Wilhelmshaven, Germany; and Toronto, Canada—a year in each city.  But no place rocks like Alaska rocks!!
     I've been a beat reporter, a managing editor for two different agricultural publications, and have created many corporate publications and  association newsletters.
     I’ve always been drawn to hopeful, positive stories about how wonderful life can be given love and romance.  And I really love stories with a moral/spiritual backdrop that reflect the faith I lean on every day.  I write “faith on the edge” stories full of real-life situations but, mostly, full of sensuality and love.

Click here to visit Shea's Web Site
SHEA McMASTER, Vice President

Shea McMaster has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember and every once in awhile has put pen to paper writing short stories and poetry.  With a B.A. in English Literature, she has read many great classics and turned her hand to such diverse careers as bookkeeper, office manager, newsletter creator and editor and helped a variety of clients by designing Web sites, menus, brochures and business cards from Alaska to Colorado.  Her most recent career, prior to writing full time, was editing technical papers for laser scientists.

Currently she lives in Alaska with her tolerant husband and warped teenage son, dividing what spare time she has left between writing and knitting hats and scarves.  Maybe someday she’ll feel brave enough to try mittens, but for now she likes to keep things simple.  When she does get the opportunity to read she enjoys humorous Romance and Sci/fi Fantasy.

Shea would also like to say that any resemblance to reality in this story is purely the figment of the overactive imagination of the reader.

On the Web at http://sheamcmaster.com/

CAROLYN ELLIS, Secretary/ Critique Moderator

Carolyn loves writing American historicals but is currently working on a fun, unique series of Fantasy Erotica.  She thoroughly enjoys her position as AKRWA's critique group moderator; and in her non-writing time, she works as a respiratory therapist.   Carolyn lives in Anchorage with her blow-up doll, Tug McGroin, and her African Gray parrot, Gabriel.

DENISE WOODBURY, Treasurer / Membership Coordinator

 In 1993, DeNise Woodbury came to Alaska to stay a year. She didn't leave, she got lucky (read what you will into that pun).  She now reads as much as possible, gardens, and keeps 'Mr. Lucky' in homemade bread. She thinks writing is like life, so she keeps notes.

MARY WASCHE, Member

I won my first state writing contest while still in high school. The $500 prize really motivated me! Since then, I have been writing constantly. I need to. It’s a passion. As a reporter and free lance writer, I’ve been published in hundreds of state and national magazines and newspapers in Alaska, as well as the Lower 48. My columns feature everyone and everything I know, so my social circle knows they’re at risk of appearing in print with every interaction!
     The list of my favorite books would be hundreds of titles long and ever changing. If I live to be old, all I ask is a rocking chair by a window and an unlimited supply of romance novels and best sellers.  And as for favorite authors, I actually like so many, even those who wrote ageless classics, that I can’t put them all in a list. I learn from all of them.

MIRIAM MATTHEWS, Member

I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest but knew Alaska would be my heart's home as soon as I stepped off that plane way back in the early 1980's.  I saw the mountains and that was it!   I love all the things that make living in Alaska so appealing: fishing, flying, skiing, hunting and long winter nights. A pilot myself, many of my stories involve aviation, strong female characters and the cultures and legends of my wild, untamed Alaska. I believe strong female characters provide a rich backdrop for hot romance, and give young girls a sense of what women can really do!  Initially, I began spinning romantic stories to add spice to a long distance relationship with my husband who was often stationed in remote locations around the state.  It wasn’t long before the stories made their way to paper, and now our family includes all kinds of interesting characters that invade our daily conversations and cause a raised eyebrow or two in public places! 
     I write both romantic suspense and paranormal romance and enjoy weaving intricate plots with current events or cultural legends and myths.  When I’m not writing, I can be found teaching women’s self defense seminars and martial arts, scuba diving in tropical locals, flying to meet my husband for a quick rendezvous in some romantic out-of-the-way spot, playing with graphic design… or just kicking back and enjoying this thing we call life. 

CARMEN WILLIAMS, Member

I came to romance writing in a roundabout way. I started writing a horror story about this Vampire and I got so caught up in his personality and the heroine’s that I knew they just had to be together. So it went - story after story from Science fiction to a tale of Amazon warriors - they all bubbled down to a powerful, romantic relationship that changed the characters lives profoundly.
     I have been a member of RWA and the Alaska Chapter since October of 2000. I would have to say, I don’t write typical romances but I do have strong romance elements in my stories.
     I enjoy beadwork, writing, music, photography, museums, history, biking, hiking, fencing and Tai Chi. When my husband and I get a chance we enjoy soaking in hot springs and traveling. Otherwise you can find us at home with our beloved cat Scud. 

MARCY GENTEMANN, Member

Marcy is AKRWA's resident cheerleader and expert-on-many-things.  She has lived in Germany, England and other European countries.  She's also traveled extensively and has visited 49 of the 50 states (still waiting to visit Maine).  She has worked as an acquisitions editor for Bertelsmann, Media Group, publishers in Europe and has written many freelance articles for several magazines.  She currently works as a middle school teacher in Alaska, where she has lived for twelve years.  She has two children, one just in and one just out of college.  She lives near "her" mountain - Mt. Magnificent - in Eagle River, AK with her hubby and pets.  In her hard-to-find free time, she's working on several manuscripts in a variety of romantic sub-genres.

Click here to visit Jackie's Web Site
JACKIE IVIE, Member

Jackie is a native of Utah and attended the University of Utah on a full scholarship in Fine Art.  She relocated to Wyoming for several years before moving to Anchorage, where she lives with her husband and their four children.  She's a manager for a large service company.  In her "spare time" between being a mom, a wife, and a businesswoman, Jackie can usually be found at her word processor, totally absorbed in another century while glancing occasionally at the magnificent, snow-capped mountain views through her windows.
(Photo credit: Tim Berberich/"IFOTOU")

CHERYL LOVEGREEN, Member

I live in Anchorage, Alaska, where I was lucky enough to grow up.  I’m in my 19th year of teaching in the Anchorage School District, and live with my husband and daughter.  Other family members live close by, and I try to spend time with them as much as possible.  I also enjoy cowboy shooting and reading when I’m not writing.
     I write romance because, although I haven’t read many romance novels, my favorite books and movies all have romantic elements.  I loved falling in love, and hope to show some of that experience in my own writing.
     In the past year I've really enjoyed reading:  Norman Tuttle On the Last Frontier by Tom Bodett; The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd;
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, and The Princess Bride by William Goldman.
     My Favorite Authors are William Shakespeare and Jane Austen.

Click above on "Go to Page 2" for more AKRWA Member Bios