John recently retired as an English professor at Norfolk State University where he designed and taught a course in how to write Science fiction and Fantasy. He is a former Chairman of the Board of the Horror Writers Association and has published approximately 350 stories in places such as Weird Tales, Whitley Strieber's Aliens, Fangoria, Galaxy, The Age of Wonders, and the Hot Blood anthology series. John has published nearly twenty books, including SF action-adventure novels such as Beyond Those Distant Stars and Speaker of the Shakk (Mundania Press), A Senseless Act of Beauty (Crossroad Press), and Alien Dreams (Drollerie Press and Crossroad Press). Shorter books include A Mingling of Souls and Music Man (XoXo Publishing), Here Be Dragons
Born in a small village in India in 1966, Prakash Shah knows firsthand what it means to grow up with limited guidance and how powerful the right direction can be. After struggling through a turning point in his academic life, he went from underperforming student to focused learner, eventually earning higher degrees and building a successful career rooted in education and mentorship. Drawing from both personal experience and years of speaking with students in schools and hostels, he brings a deep understanding of what young people truly need to succeed, not just academically, but in life. His practical, relatable approach has helped many young minds shift their thinking and take meaningful steps toward a well-rounded future. He wrote Your Pass
Bhuban Patra is an author by choice and a traveller by heart. Born in Balasore and raised in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Bhuban discovered his passion for storytelling through his explorations across the region. What began as a blog documenting the forgotten monuments, rich heritage, and untold stories of Odisha soon evolved into a deeper creative journey. His spontaneous photography and keen cultural sensibilities led him from the trails of history to the realms of fiction. His debut novels, Lotus Land (Fiction) and Where is Ekamra (Non-Fiction), were widely appreciated for their emotional depth and narrative sensitivity. Lotus Land was shortlisted among the Top 5 for the Cover Prize Award by Oxford Bookstore, while Where is Ekamra was recognised a
