NINC Board of Directors

President

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 multiple states and countries. She’s often found at theme parks or gaming when she’s not writing.

The President serves a one-year term as the chief executive officer of NINC. It is their duty to coordinate and oversee the activities of the organization, including the national conference, NINC’s various committees, and the organization’s special projects. The President leads the monthly Board meetings and sets the agenda, writes a monthly column for Nink, and presides over the Annual Business Meeting. After serving a complete term in office, the NINC President becomes a member of the Advisory Council.

President-Elect

David Berens is the USA Today bestselling author of the internationally read Troy Bodean Tropical Thriller series as well as the Ryan Bodean Action Adventure series and the Chris Collins CIA Thriller series. He has sold over 350,000 books across these series and has over 22 million page reads on Kindle Unlimited, none of which would have been possible without a strong community of supportive authors and creators. David sees the community of NINC as a powerful ally to both beginning writers to veteran authors. Strengthening those bonds and expanding the available tools and resources offered by NINC to its community is his vision for the future of the organization.

The President-elect takes on various projects or duties as a Board officer during the one-year term they spend in this position preparing to become the President of NINC the following year, after the current President completes their term. The President-elect can perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of the latter’s absence.

Treasurer

Mindy Neff is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over 30 contemporary romance novels and novellas. Her books have won the National Reader’s Choice Award, the Orange Rose Award of Excellence, the Romantic Times Career Achievement award and the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, as well as Gold Metal reviews and W.I.S.H. awards for outstanding heroes, and two RITA nominations. Mindy has been a member of NINC since 1997 and has volunteered over the years on the NINC board and the NINC conferences. A retired bookkeeper/CFO, she and her husband live with a spoiled dog named Joy and a revolving door of visiting adult children and grandchildren who keep their lives filled with fun and love.

The Treasurer manages NINC’s funds and finances and pays the organization’s bills. The Treasurer receives monthly profit and loss reports from the Bookkeeper and works with the Bookkeeper to prepare NINC’s budgets and to organize NINC’s financial records for external accounting and auditing purposes. The treasurer serves a one-year term, and may serve as many as three consecutive years if they choose to do so.

Secretary

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.

The Secretary keeps the minutes of all meetings of the NINC Board of Directors and the organization’s Annual General Meeting. They also perform other duties as the Board of Directors determines from time to time. The secretary serves a one-year term, and may serve as many as three consecutive years if they choose to do so.

Nink Editor

Cheré Dastugue Coen is an award-winning journalist, photographer, and nonfiction book author. A native of New Orleans, Cheré has worked for a variety of magazines and newspapers. Her fiction, under the pen name of Cherie Claire, includes the Viola Valentine mystery series, the Cajun Series of historical romances, and The Cajun Embassy, a contemporary romance series

The Editor is responsible for compiling each month’s edition of Nink. This includes choosing appropriate content, assigning articles to writers, editing submissions, and working with columnists and Nink’s production team. The editor serves a one-year term, and may serve as many as three consecutive years if they choose to do so.

Advisory Council Representative

Steven Womack is the author of the groundbreaking Music City Murders series, the first mystery series set in Nashville. This award-winning series was the first to put Nashville on the map as a setting for the mystery genre. Womack began his first novel when he was eighteen-years-old. A short eighteen years later, he finally sold one. His first published novel, Murphy’s Fault, was the only debut mystery on the 1990 New York Times Notable Book List. Since then, he has published twelve more novels, winning an Edgar Award for Dead Folks’ Blues and a Shamus Award for Murder Manual. A scriptwriter as well, Womack also co-wrote the screenplays for Proudheart, which was nominated for the CableAce Award, and Volcano: Fire On the Mountain, an ABC television movie that was one of the most-watched television movies of the year.

The Advisory Council is comprised of past-presidents of NINC. They choose one of their members to serve as a full voting member of the current Board of Directors. The Advisory Council Representative advises the current Board and, when needed, consults with the Advisory Council for counsel based on their collective experience. The Advisory Council Representative serves a one-year term, and may serve as many as three consecutive years if they choose to do so.

NINC Staff

Central Coordinator

Award-winning novelist Laura Resnick is the author of the Esther Diamond urban fantasy series and the Silerian Trilogy, as well as two nonfiction books and dozens of short stories, articles, and columns. She was among the (roughly) 100 founding members of NINC and is a past-president of the organization.

The Central Coordinator manages the nuts-and-bolts of NINC. She keeps the organization running by handling a wide variety of practical, administrative, logistical, and operational tasks. The Central Coordinator is also the central source of information in NINC… at least in theory.

Bookkeeper

Christy Wilson joined our team in 2022. With a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Arizona State University and a Master of Accountancy from the University of West Florida, she brings a unique blend of analytical prowess and organizational expertise to the table. Christy started her career as a Market Analyst at a tech company in Phoenix, AZ, where she developed a keen eye for detail and a love for numbers that has propelled her through various roles in the financial realm. From analyzing market trends to meticulously tracking expenses, Christy has always been passionate about ensuring every dollar is accounted for.

The Bookkeeper works with the treasurer to develop NINC’s annual budgets, maintains accurate ledgers, meticulously tracks conference and membership fees, and ensures that every expense associated with keeping NINC running smoothly is accounted for. With attention to detail and commitment to excellence, the bookkeeper is a trusted guardian of NINC’s financial health.

Nink Acquisitions Editor

Trish Milburn is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 50 romance and young adult novels and novellas published with Harlequin, Penguin/Razorbill, Bell Bridge Books, Tule Publishing, and via indie publishing. When she’s not writing, she enjoys watching Asian dramas and listening to K-pop music, two passions that turned into inspiration for her Idol in Love and Could Have Been a K-Drama series. Once a full-time magazine and newspaper journalist, she still does freelance writing and editing. She also loves National Parks, walks in the woods, a good road trip, and thrifting.

The Nink Acquisitions Editor works closely with the Editor of Nink in deciding what types of articles we want to feature in our monthly issues. She contacts authors to source and schedule articles, edits them when they are submitted, and collects necessary information from the authors (headshots, writer purchase agreements, payment information). She also proofreads each issue of Nink.

Nink Copy Editor

Cynthia Moyer is a writer and artist who lives with her husband, two grown daughters, and way too many cats, in a house full of art, squashy couches, and plenty of color. She can usually be found buried in journals and pens, coffee cup in hand.

The Copy Editor of Nink reads every article first for clarity, then catches obvious typos and pesky missing words, before checking every link to make sure they will all behave for the members of NINC.

Conference Director

Mel Jolly has been working with authors and creative entrepreneurs for nearly two decades. She is a conference director and project manager who helps authors and artists achieve their dreams by chilling out, listening to their inner guidance, and taking inspired action.

The Conference Director oversees the planning of the annual NINC Conference which takes place at the gorgeous Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. The Conference Director works with the Assistant Conference Director and a team of volunteers to procure top notch speakers, sponsors, and industry guests for the four-day members-only conference. We often hear that being able to attend the conference is one of NINC members’ favorite perks.

Assistant Conference Director

Tawdra Kandle is a USA Today bestselling romance author who loves plotting and planning conferences when she’s not spinning love stories.

The Assistant Conference Director aids in planning the annual NINC Conference. Working with the Conference Director and some fabulous volunteers, the assistant conference director helps with programming and sponsorship as well as the nitty-gritty elements of running one of the world’s most prestigious professional conferences for novelists!

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