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Officer Candidates

NINC 2023 President-Elect: Caethes Faron

Caethes Faron writes across the fantasy and science fiction genres. She loves characters who fall in love and then save the world... or at least their little corner of it. Her first novel was published in 2012, and she joined NINC two years later. Her work has received honorable mention in the Rainbow Awards and been nominated for All Time Favorite Series on Goodreads. Always looking for a fresh challenge, she’s lived in seven states and currently resides in Florida with her husband and dogs. She’s often found at theme parks or gaming when she’s not writing.

NINC 2023 Secretary: Sylvia McDaniel

USA Today bestselling author Sylvia McDaniel has published more than 80 western historical romances and contemporary romances. Known for her sweet, funny, family-oriented stories, Sylvia is the author of The Burnett Brides, Lipstick and Lead Series, Bad Girls of the West, and the Return to Cupid, Texas, series.

NINC 2023 Treasurer: Timothy Cerepaka

Timothy Cerepaka writes superhero and LitRPG fiction under his Lucas Flint pen name. He has been a member of NINC since 2018 and has served for the past two years as treasurer on the NINC board of directors. He lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Nominating Committee

David Berens

Hi, I’m David Berens. Many of you might know me for my Troy Bodean Tropical Thriller series. It’s a snarky, fun, beach-themed crime thriller series guaranteed to have you laughing with and cheering for Troy to succeed by the end of the book. If you don’t like Florida-style fiction (zany, crazy characters just barely bizarre enough to exist) then you probably won’t like these books. If you’re looking for Mr. Serious like Jack Reacher or James Bond, you won’t find it here.

I’m just over a half a century old. I have a beautiful family: a lovely wife, a beautiful daughter, and a carbon-copy-of-dad son. We live in Knoxville in one of the best places to live in America without a beach (look it up). During the day, I teach tennis and in my spare time (late at night after the kiddos are in bed,) I write books and design book covers. I also play a little golf, a little pickleball, a lot of tennis, and naturally, I love reading.

Tanya Anne Crosby

Tanya Anne Crosby is the New York Times/USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 novels, including works of women’s fiction, suspense, historical romance, and fantasy. Known for stories charged with emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters, she is an award-winning author, and her stories have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews.

Crosby has been featured in magazines such as People, Romantic Times, and Publishers Weekly, and her stories have been translated into eight languages. Her first novel (Angel of Fire) was published in 1992 by Avon Books, where she was hailed as “one of Avon’s fastest-rising stars.” Her fourth book (Once Upon a Kiss) was chosen to launch the company’s Avon Romantic Treasure imprint. She and her writer husband live in northern Michigan.

Michele Dunaway

Michele Dunaway served on the NINC board from August 2017 to December 2020 as the editor of Nink. She writes contemporary romance with strong heroes and heroines seeking their happily ever after in small Midwestern towns.

Katherine Garbera

Katherine Garbera is the national bestselling author of more than 120 books. Writing is the chief focus of her time after her family and the only thing she likes more than working on her own books is reading other authors. She is a frequent speaker at conferences and loves the opportunity to talk about writing with anyone who’ll listen.

Her latest release, Red Hot Texan, launches a new trilogy featuring the Corbyn Sisters of the Last Stand. Library Journal calls Red Hot Texan “a delectable spin-off of her Dangerous Delaneys stories, hits all the right notes: a cozy, hometown setting, a sweet romance with genuine yet flawed characters, and a mildly sensuous atmosphere. A solid choice for Jodi Thomas fans.”

Cindy Kirk

USA Today bestselling author Cindy Kirk is a Booksellers’ Best Award Winner, a Holt Medallion Winner, and a Publishers Weekly bestselling author. Since selling her first book to Harlequin in 1999, she has had over 75 books published. After writing for traditional publishers —Harlequin, Avon, Zondervan, and Montlake—her last 30 books have been independently published under her own Waverly House imprint.

Kristine Smith

Kristine Smith is the author of the Jani Kilian series and other science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories under her own name. As Alex Gordon, she has written the supernatural thrillers Gideon and Jericho. Her fiction has been nominated for the Locus Award for First Novel, Philip K. Dick Memorial Award and the IAFA William L. Crawford Fantasy Award, and she was the 2001 winner of the Astounding Award (formerly known as the John W. Campbell Award) for Best New Writer. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, she spent 26 years working in pharmaceutical product R&D.

Nancy Robards Thompson

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Robards Thompson writes women’s fiction, romance, and cozy mysteries. Fresh out of college, she worked as a newspaper reporter covering Central Florida government, tourism, and business, but soon discovered reporting “just the facts” bored her silly. Much happier to report to her muse, Nancy has sold 49 books to five traditional publishers (and is exploring indie publishing). Her work, which critics have deemed “…funny, smart, and observant,” has sold in 22 countries and has been translated into 12 languages. She lives in Tennessee with her husband and their crazy corgi.

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