Celeste Deveney, President
Celeste Deveney loves it when a character is stubborn and won’t do what she tells him to (it’s usually a man – go figure.) Perhaps that’s why she likes writing strong female characters that stand up to all those stubborn men.
Celeste holds a BBA in Marketing/Management from Baylor University. That degree helped her discover her first career in hospitality. She worked both in catering and special events for over a dozen years at a prestigious Chicago city club. She now lives in Bothell with her fabulous actor husband, their 15-year old son, and one beloved mutt. When she’s not driving her son to swim practice, swim meets, or other activities, Celeste enjoys writing in several genres. She’s had two short stories published, but her favorite thing to write is single title contemporary romance. She served as Publicity Co Chair for ECWC for two years before serving this year as president of GSRWA. She’s also a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, and the Emma and SeaQuills critique groups.
Send an email to Celeste.
Laurie Anderson Vice President
Laurie Anderson, Ph.D. is the Vice President. As a later-in-life writer, Laurie's first career was in software development and project management, later moving into technical writing, and eventually going back to school and getting a Ph.D. When she's not writing mysteries with romantic and paranormal elements, knitting, or enjoying time with her family, Laurie teaches at the University of Washington Bothell. As the GSRWA VP, she signs up speakers for the monthly meetings. If you feel you have a presentation that might benefit the chapter members, email Laurie with your suggestion.
Send an email to Laurie.
Anna Muzzy, Secretary
Send an email to Anna.
Christine Solberg, Treasurer
Send an email to Christine.
Anna Alexander, Membership Chair
Anna has served on the committee for the Emerald City Writers Conference as Registration Chair and Asst. Workshop Chair and volunteers whenever possible. It’s the least she can do to give back to the GSRWA family that has taught her so much and helped her land her first contract. Her debut novel, Hero Revealed, will be out from Ellora’s Cave in 2012.
Send an email to Anna.
Shelly Shellabarger, Emerald City Conference Chair
Diagnosed as a dyslexic when she was three, stubborn Shelly Shellabarger became a writer just to prove everybody wrong.
She's still working on that task.
Sigh.
While publication has proved elusive, Shelly has been very successful with writing contests. She has won the PNWA Zola Award for Romance (as well as the Stella Cameron Award), several Emerald City Openers and a plethora of other RWA chapter contests. Once she won a trip to Italy by writing a poem. I am sure you can see the appeal.
When she is not entering contests, Shelly writes women's fiction (including all kinds of romance), contemporary fiction, screenplays and fantasy. If she is not writing, she is probably playing Maj Jong on her computer or watching trashy TV shows.
Shelly moved to the Seattle area in 2006 and joined GSRWA. Delighted to discover so many kindred spirits, she has dedicated herself to serving the membership, first working as conference registration chair and then as publicity chair& and now on the Board of Directors as Secretary.
Send an email to Shelly.
