CHRISTINA MARROCCO, PhD works in memoir, short story, long fiction, and poetry. Her work has appeared in Silverbirch Press, The Laurel Review, House Mountain Review, VIA, Ovunque Siamo, and Red Fern Press. Her writing often deals with Italian American family structures and working-class concerns. She is a member of the English Faculty at Elgin Community College where she teaches Creative Writing and other courses. Christina's Sicilian ancestors came from Collesano and Alcamo, Sicily, and settled in Melrose Park and in the Taylor Street neighborhood of Chicago.  Her debut novel, Addio, Love Monster, published by Ovunque Siamo, won Best New Independent Press Fiction from the Chicago Writers Association in 2022. Christina Marrocco participated in the recent Casa Italia Library publication (2024) of Italian Women in Chicago:  Siamo Arrivate!  which included her essay "Mia Figlia ѐ uno Scheletro."

ARTHUR COLA was born in Chicago on the near west side. His family lived in the old Italian neighborhood on Taylor St. They moved to Oak Park where he attended 

Oak Park River Forest High School. He met his wife While attending Loyola University/Chicago. He received his Bachelor’s Degree and began teaching. They have five adult children and seven grandchildren.

He entered school administration upon receiving his Master’s Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. His post graduate work included studying in Rome. He began writing novels which range from Fantasies to Supernatural Thrillers, Christmas tales to the biography of Michelangelo. After completing his Doonagore Theft Trilogy he began writing in a new genre. His De Cenza Murder Mystery series now has four books beginning with Murder in the Abbey. The fifth adventure, “Murder on Capri” has just been completed. 

Arthur had also written three screenplays, the newest one being “Murder in the Abbey” based on his book. It is registered with the Writers Guild of America. In August 2023, it was presented to Amazon Studios and Netflix film divisions. 

TONY ROMANO was born in a tiny village flanked by hills in San Salvatore, Italy. He is the author of several novels and short stories, including When the World Was Young, set in 1950s Chicago and which highlights life as a first generation Italian-American. He is also the co-author of two textbooks for high school students. Lately, he spends his time playing with his three grandsons and writing songs. You can find more about him at his site: tonyromanoauthor.com 

TERRY QUILICO's first exposure to journalism was through a Summer work program at the Joliet Herald while in college. After discharge from the Navy he gained experience as a photojournalist covering the antiwar movement. Along with Paul Basile he is co-author and co-editor of “Evviva La Festa - A Spiritual Journey from Italy to Chicago,” and has written five short plays, “iHamlet” which was performed at IA Literati 2017 and “Seatonville,” which debuted at IA Literati 2021 and "The Vibes of March", a satirical piece of Julius Caesar's last day, which debuted at IA Literati 2023, "The Life & Times of Billy the Kid" in 2024, and finally, "The Maltese Biscotto" which will make its debut at IA Literati 2025.  He is a correspondent with Fra Noi.  He is also proud to serve as one of the volunteers at Casa Italia Library where he and colleague, Barbara Stasell, were tasked with the two-year renovation project of the Italians in Chicago Exhibit which was unveiled at the Italian Cultural Center Open House in May 2023. 

SHARON WOODHOUSE is a former indie book publisher and current owner of Conspire Creative, a book business agency that offers coaching, consulting, project management, and business support services for authors and indie publishers. She writes about all aspects of creating holistic, income-generating author businesses you love and finding your place in the vibrant ecosystem of books on the Profitable Author/An Author Business You Love Substack and in her new book, The Profitable Author: 1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books.