Washington, D.C. Regional Chapter

Liza Achilles is the author of Two Novembers: A Memoir of Love ’n’ Sex in Sonnets, published by Beltway Editions in 2024. Her writing has appeared in Washington Independent Review of Books, the Silent Book Club blog, Beltway Poetry Quarterly, Exacting Clam, Tofu Ink Arts Press, and The Big Windows Review, among other publications. The Blog for the Discerning Reader at lizaachilles.com, which features great modern books, attracts thousands of readers each month. She lives near Washington, D.C., and works as an author, book editor, literary speaker, book blogger, and web designer.

Jeffrey James Higgins is a retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays. He has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. Jeffrey received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. He’s been interviewed by CNN, Fox News, and The New York Times, and he’s appeared on CNN Declassified, National Geographic’s Narco Wars, and ABC News. Jeffrey’s a #1 Amazon bestselling author with four published thrillers, including a selection for one of the best medical thrillers of the 21st century. His latest book, The Havana Syndrome, is the first thriller in the Nathan Burke international espionage series. Jeffrey owns Elaine’s Literary Salon in Alexandria, VA, where he counsels writers, interviews authors, and hosts a podcast. He’s an Authors Guild ambassador for the DC area and a frequent panelist at conferences and book festivals.

Maria Levato is a BIPOC writer and disabled veteran. She has an A.S. in Business Administration and serves on the Romance Writer’s of America PRO Advisory Committee. In her free time, Maria loves to read, play with her pets, volunteer, and watch anime.