BOARD MEMBERS

Laura Lancaster - President/Interior Representative

Laura A. Lancaster writes short stories and plays from a dry cabin in Fairbanks, Alaska. She’s traveled to 20 countries to date and writes about her experiences. Her travel writing was honored in the Annual Statewide Creative Writing Contest in 2023 and her short plays were selected for the 8x10 Festival of New Alaskan Plays in 2022 and 2025. She enjoys helping writers find their paths by connecting them to writing opportunities and education.

Jim C. McDermott - Vice President

I was a long time adjunct/term business Instructor with the University Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF). I was elected to represent my brothers & sisters as UAF Representative Assembly (Union position). I also spent over 10 years as a volunteer for the Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) as a small business counselor. Yes, I taught writing-intensive course work several times while at UAF.

Additionally, along with my experience as an instructor at UAF; I also once held the title as the Director Small Business Development Center in Fairbanks, AK.

I have also taught at Wayland Baptist University and for Axia College on-line together for several years.

I was an enrollment services specialist for the UAA and a college recruiter for DeVry University together for approximately 4 years. I am also a retired member of the U.S. Air Force after 22 years of service.

I have a best friend and wife named Janet. Janet & I have a blended family that includes seven children and we are blessed with many, many wonderful grandchildren who warm our hearts. Charlie is our young female Yellow Lab and my partner in daily walks.

I am a follower of the greatest Teacher of all time and His blessings stock my cupboards with love, joy, and inspiration.

Jennifer Hudson - Secretary

I am an emerging author and work in the Kenai Peninsula College Writing Lab. I have been published in a couple of journals and am developing a journal for students at KPC. I have worked with various non-profits offering services and support to vulnerable populations. I find joy in providing opportunities for voices to be heard.

Brooke Hartman - Treasurer 

Brooke Hartman is an Alaskan mom and award-winning author of books for children. She also serves as an occasional instructor of writing for Alaska Pacific University and member of the board of directors for the Alaska Writers Guild, and is a previous Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Tribute Fund Recipient. When she isn’t writing, you can find her flying, fishing, and having fun with her family, enjoying all the magic life has to offer. Follow her writing adventures at BrookeAHartman.com

, or on Instagram and Facebook @BrookesBooksAK.

Shanice Lawton - Membership Chair

I am an adjunct at APU, Equity and Community Engagement specialist at ASD, Masters in Business Administration and I currently sit on the Board of Directors for Best Beginnings. I love what Alaska Writers Guild does in the community for writers here in Alaska and I want to be a part of continuing that work.

Lauren Cusimano - Digital Outreach Director

Lauren Cusimano spent 14 years in journalism before moving to Alaska to pursue a career in conservation—work that has directly inspired her writing. Lauren writes speculative fiction and horror short stories as well as nonfiction articles. Her writing can be seen in Juneau Empire, Alaska Beacon, and Phoenix New Times. She is also a part-time professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. She lives in Dghevey Kag'/Anchorage and enjoys cycling, birding, doing Alaska stuff with her partner Nate, and singing to her pets, Fred Meyer and Leroy.

Dan Walker - Member-at-Large

Dan Walker is an Alaska homesteader’s son who became a teacher and a writer. He has worked as a chef, innkeeper, merchant seaman, fisherman, and carpenter. Dan has written blogs, essays, professional articles, and fiction published in magazines and literary journals such as the Journal of Geography, Alaska Magazine, and We Alaskans. Dan has over thirty years of working education and was named Teacher of the Year for Alaska in 1999. Secondhand Summer is his first book. The Sequel, Back Home came out in 2021. The One-Man Iris Davis Fan Club is the final chapter(?) in this story based on Walker’s young life in Alaska. A family memoir(2019), Letters from Happy Valley retells the rousing adventure of Alaska Homesteaders in the 1950s. Dan had presented several times at the AWG Fall writing conference, some of you might have seen or heard him on Arctic Entries.  Dan has lived in Seward since 1978 with a couple of years spent exploring other parts of the country. Like most Alaskans, he’s an outdoorsman and cross-country skier.

Jamey Bradbury - Member-at-Large, Contest Coordinator 

Jamey Bradbury is the author of The Wild Inside, a book about Alaska, murder, dog sledding, hunting, family, good dogs, smart dogs, loyal dogs, love, secrets, and also dogs. Her shorter work has appeared in Black Warrior Review, Sou'wester, and Zone 3. She works as a writer and storyteller for an Alaska Native social services organization; she also serves on the fiction faculty at Alaska Pacific University's low-residency MFA program and teaches creative writing at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center. Jamey is represented by Trellis Literary Management. You can learn more at jameybradbury.com or follow Jamey on Instagram (@jameybee) for photos of moose, cats, and food.

Anne Kane - Member-At-Large and Alaska Romance Writers Representative

I’m Anne Kane and I live in British Columbia, at the Northern end of the Okanagan Valley. I share my home with two rescue mutts; an elderly corgi cross (Merlin) and a young Aussie Shepherd (Lexi). They keep life interesting. In my alternate life, I’m a CPA with my own office that has a large backyard, so the pups get to come to work with me. I have sat on a variety of boards over the years. Currently I am the treasurer for the Runaway Moon Theatre Society, and attend the board meetings of the SplatsinTsm7aksaltn Society as the finance representative.

I’ve been writing since 2008 and have published with small presses, as well as Indie publishing and most of my works to date have been novella length, with a few exceptions. They are all romance, in a variety of subgenres, from fantasy to sci-fi to contemporary. My website is www.AnneKane.com