Meet The 2022-2023 Writing Day Workshops Team
Brian Klems
Director & Coordinator
Brian is a writer, speaker, freelance editor, husband, softball player, perennial fantasy sports underachiever, Huffington Post contributor, N64 Golden Eye Champion, Saved by the Bell enthusiast and father of three lovely little girls (who, thankfully, look like their mother). He’s a proud graduate of the journalism school at Ohio University. He’s also the online editor of Writer’s Digest magazine. Brian is the author of the Amazon bestselling parenting humor book, OH BOY, YOU’RE HAVING A GIRL: A Dad’s Survival Guide to Raising Daughters (Adams Media). Often used as a popular gift book for new parents and a prop at reveal parties and pregnancy announcements, OH BOY was called a “Laugh-out-loud book” by the Chicago Tribune and was endorsed by humor writing legend Dave Barry.
Director & Coordinator
Brian is a writer, speaker, freelance editor, husband, softball player, perennial fantasy sports underachiever, Huffington Post contributor, N64 Golden Eye Champion, Saved by the Bell enthusiast and father of three lovely little girls (who, thankfully, look like their mother). He’s a proud graduate of the journalism school at Ohio University. He’s also the online editor of Writer’s Digest magazine. Brian is the author of the Amazon bestselling parenting humor book, OH BOY, YOU’RE HAVING A GIRL: A Dad’s Survival Guide to Raising Daughters (Adams Media). Often used as a popular gift book for new parents and a prop at reveal parties and pregnancy announcements, OH BOY was called a “Laugh-out-loud book” by the Chicago Tribune and was endorsed by humor writing legend Dave Barry.
Jessica Bell
Founder and Coordinator Emeritus
Jessica Bell is an award-winning author, writing and publishing coach, and graphic designer. In addition to having published a memoir, four novels, three poetry collections, and her bestselling Writing in a Nutshell series, she has been featured in a variety of publications and ABC Radio National shows such as Writer's Digest, Publisher's Weekly, The Guardian, Life Matters, and Poetica. She is also the Publisher of Vine Leaves Press, CEO of Independent Publishing Assistance, a voice-over actor, and the coordinator of the Writing Day Workshops. In October 2016, she became the new lead singer of the well-known dream-pop group, Keep Shelly In Athens, and records and performs as a solo artist under the name BRUNO.
Founder and Coordinator Emeritus
Jessica Bell is an award-winning author, writing and publishing coach, and graphic designer. In addition to having published a memoir, four novels, three poetry collections, and her bestselling Writing in a Nutshell series, she has been featured in a variety of publications and ABC Radio National shows such as Writer's Digest, Publisher's Weekly, The Guardian, Life Matters, and Poetica. She is also the Publisher of Vine Leaves Press, CEO of Independent Publishing Assistance, a voice-over actor, and the coordinator of the Writing Day Workshops. In October 2016, she became the new lead singer of the well-known dream-pop group, Keep Shelly In Athens, and records and performs as a solo artist under the name BRUNO.
Kerrie Flanagan
Event Facilitator and Former Coordinator
Kerrie is an author, writing consultant, speaker, writing instructor, and freelance writer with over 20 years’ experience in the publishing industry. She is the author of, The Writer's Digest Guide to Magazine Article Writing and the creator of the Magazine Writing Blueprint. In addition, she has published seventeen other books, including three series’ with co-author Chuck Harrelson, under the pen names, C.G. Harris and C.K. Wiles. Her articles and essays have appeared in publications and anthologies including Writer's Digest, Alaska Magazine, The Writer, FamilyFun, and six Chicken Soup for the Soul books.
Over the years, Kerrie has worked with hundreds of authors through classes and individual consultations. Her background in teaching, and enjoyment of helping writers has led her to present at writing conferences across the country and teach continuing studies classes through Stanford University. When she is not writing, she enjoys spending time with family & friends, fly-fishing and enjoying the beautiful Colorado outdoors. Twitter: @Kerrie_Flanagan. Website: kerrieflanagan.com.
Carlie Webber
Event Coordinator
Carlisle is a literary agent at Fuse Literary. Carlisle refused to major in English in college because she didn’t think there was anything fun to read on the required lists. No Stephen King? No R.L. Stine? No thanks! After college, she took her love of commercial, YA, and middle grade fiction to the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences, where she earned a Master of Library and Information Sciences. She worked as a public librarian for years before deciding to move to the business side of publishing. She attended the Columbia Publishing Course and holds a Professional Certificate in Editing from UC-Berkeley.
Event Coordinator
Carlisle is a literary agent at Fuse Literary. Carlisle refused to major in English in college because she didn’t think there was anything fun to read on the required lists. No Stephen King? No R.L. Stine? No thanks! After college, she took her love of commercial, YA, and middle grade fiction to the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences, where she earned a Master of Library and Information Sciences. She worked as a public librarian for years before deciding to move to the business side of publishing. She attended the Columbia Publishing Course and holds a Professional Certificate in Editing from UC-Berkeley.