PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR
Carina Bissett is a writer, poet, and educator working primarily in the fields of dark fantasy and fabulism. Her debut collection Dead Girl, Driving and Other Devastations was released by Trepidatio Publishing in 2024. Her short fiction and poetry have been published in multiple journals and anthologies including Weird Tales, Fantasy Magazine, The Dark, Into the Forest, Upon a Twice Time, Bitter Distillations: An Anthology of Poisonous Tales, Arterial Bloom, and the HWA Poetry Showcase Vol. V, VI, VIII, IX, and X. Her nonfiction has been published in several venues including Apex Magazine, Writing Poetry in the Dark, and The Evolution of Horror in the 21st Century and Beyond. She has also written stories set in shared worlds for RPGs at Green Ronin Publishing and Onyx Path Publishing. In addition to writing, she has edited several projects; the most recent is in the role as co-editor of STORYTELLER: A Tanith Lee Tribute Anthology. She is also the co-publisher, with Nike Sulway, of the literary, fairy-tale journal The Orange & Bee.
As an educator, Carina has taught at Pikes Peak State College, Glendale Community College, and Arizona State University. She also participated in the Colorado Writing Project and works with educators to develop writing instruction in college and secondary school classrooms. She currently offers workshops focused on story generation at the Storied Imaginarium. Her fiction has been nominated for the Sundress Publications Best of the Net Award and was a finalist for the Ron L. Hubbard Writers of the Future Awards. Her poetry has been nominated for the Rhysling Award, the Pushcart Prize, and the Sundress Publications Best of the Net Award. Her nonfiction was a finalist for the Bram Stoker Awards®. In her editorial capacity, she’s received recognition as a co-editor for Shadow Atlas: Dark Landscapes of the Americas, which won the 2022 Colorado Book Award (Anthology) and placed as a finalist at the 2022 International Book Awards (Fiction: Anthologies).
VICE PRESIDENT
Jennifer Collier graduated with honors from University of Hawaii with a B.A. in Sociology with a Minor in Political Science. She went on to Washburn University School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctor. She is a member of the Colorado State Bar and the Montana State Bar.
She has practiced law in a variety of fields, including Corporate Law, Property Law, Family Law, Labor and Employment Law, Aviation Law, and Local Government Law. She began her career in Colorado as a Guardian ad Litem and Counsel for Youth. She is currently practicing Civil Defense Law with a focus on insurance litigation.
Jennifer’s passions include empowering youth, supporting military members and their families, and enriching impoverished communities. At the core of her passions is the belief that, “Every voice has immeasurable value.” In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys traveling, reading, dancing, pampering her rescue dog, and spending time with her family.
TREASURER
Richard Lorenzen is an educator, mentor, and artist living in Colorado Springs. He worked in public education for more than 30 years, teaching everything from agriculture to industrial arts. Over the last decade of his career, Richard helped teenagers achieve their dreams and realize their artistic visions in the medium of steel. As a master in his field, he’s also worked diligently to create a safe space for his fellow educators as both a mentor and a union representative. He holds a B.A. in Agriculture from Iowa State and a M.S. in Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governor’s University.
At the end of the 2023-2024 school year, Richard retired from public education and turned his attention to his artwork at Lorenzen Customs. Richard’s art has been shown widely at Colorado venues including Manitou Arts Center, Goat Patch Brewing, and Fossil Brewing. When he’s not creating new designs, Richard spends his time on his bike, exploring nature and sampling craft beer.
SECRETARY
Jaylyn Collier served 21 years in the U.S. Army before retiring. When he began his career, he worked in communications but quickly transitioned into working as a military policeman. Throughout his career, he gained expertise in industrial and personnel security. Since retiring, he has pursued his education and remained in the security field. He will be graduating from the University of Arizona Global Campus with a B.A. in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Jaylyn’s military career took him all over the world. Not only has he served in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq, but also throughout Southeast Asia and Europe. His favorite service locations were Germany and Singapore. Since retiring he has worked in corporate security. His first role outside of the military was as a Facility Security Officer and is currently working as a Security Account and Site Manager.
Jaylyn’s passions include nature preservation, supporting fellow military-retirees, and combatting violence against women. In his spare time, he enjoys making and eating good food, spending time in untouched nature, wood-working, and bee-keeping.