Planting seeds of literacy that bloom into lifelong readers.
The Amaryllis Author Collective is comprised of established authors within the Northern Virginia region. The authors in the Collective are a dynamic group of educators, veterans, hospital workers, and more united by a passion for literature and a commitment to social impact. The Collective as an organization has two primary goals:
- Promoting Our Authors: We work collaboratively to market and sell our authors’ diverse range of books, including Sci-Fi, Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Military, Non-Fiction and Children’s Fiction, providing sustainable income and brand recognition for our members.
- Promoting a Lifelong Love of Reading and Cultivating Literacy Skills: We dedicate a significant portion of our collective efforts to our Literacy Initiative, focusing on making books accessible to the communities in the DC area who need them most. Read more about our efforts here.
The Amaryllis Author Bookshelf has been carefully curated to ensure only the highest quality books are included in the collection. We are excited to introduce you to the members selected into the Amaryllis Author Collective.
Joyana Peters
Historical Fiction
Joyana Peters is the Indie author of the best-selling novels, The Girl From St. Petersburg and The Girl in the Triangle. The Girl in the Triangle won the IBPA’s Ben Franklin Award for Best Historical Fiction, SCBWI’s YA Spark Honor Award and was a Top Five Finalist for Shelf Unbound’s Indie Best Book of the Year.
Joyana got her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of New Orleans in 2014. She has taught literature and composition on both the secondary and university levels. She also writes non-fiction and has been published in digital and print publications nationwide. She currently lives in Northern Virginia where she takes in the sights of DC with her two kids, husband, and mischievous Chocolate Lab, Merlin.
You can follow her adventures at JoyanaPeters.com or on Facebook and Instagram @JoyanaPetersAuthor.
Jeffrey Rosoff
Thriller
Jeffrey Rosoff grew up in Silicon Valley and earned degrees in Computer Science and Business Administration from the University of the Pacific and San José State University. His passion for technology and politics eventually drew him to the Washington, D.C. area, where he spent most of his career at Lockheed Martin managing multi-million-dollar contracts in support of national defense.
Jeffrey is the author of three acclaimed thrillers—Chipped, The Glass Fountain, and Deadly Equations—each earning an impressive 4.7-star rating or higher on both Goodreads and Amazon.
Kimberly Baer
Paranormal
Kimberly Baer is an award-winning author and professional editor who was born and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a town marginally famous for having endured three major floods. She even lived there during one of them. She currently resides in northern Virginia, where she enjoys power-walking on days when it’s not too hot, too cold, too rainy, too snowy, or too windy.
Kim has had her nose in a book practically since birth. Her first story, written at age six, was about a baby chick that hatched out of a little girl’s Easter egg after somehow surviving the hard-boiling process. These days she writes in a variety of genres, including paranormal young adult, middle-grade mystery, adult romantic suspense, and sci-fi thriller.
You can call her Kim. All her friends do.
Wendra Colleen
Paranormal
Wendra Colleen’s motto is “Embrace your weirdness.” Her dark and humorous short stories, screenplays, and novels show how unique, unusual, and unconventional individuals transform adversity into empowerment. Funky facts include that she has a PhD in experimental psychology and deployed to the Iraq War as a civilian, all of which was a breeze compared to learning how to embrace her unique, unusual, and unconventional qualities in high school. Want to learn more about Wendra’s work, how to be a writer, or how to be empowered? Check out www.wendracolleen.com
Kurt Couchman
Non-fiction government
Kurt Couchman helps Congress and state legislatures improve. A former congressional staffer, he believes only the people’s representatives can decently embody the diversity of values, interests, and views in a community, a state, or a country. Kurt’s book Fiscal Democracy in America explores Congress’ pursuit of better budgeting and how to advance sound governance.
Kurt has a BA in political science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an MA in economics from George Mason University. He grew up in rural Pennsylvania and lives with his family in northern Virginia. Follow along: https://x.com/kurtcouchman.
Dennis M. Desmond
Middle Grade Fantasy
Dennis M. Desmond’s debut middle-grade fantasy novel, Eddie and the Vegetarian Vampire (Saguaro Books, LLC, 2022), was listed by KIRKUS REVIEWS as one of the best books of 2023.
He has published numerous short stories in printed and online journals, including Gargoyle Magazine, Broad River Review, The Ignatian Literary Magazine, The World of Myth Magazine and Mysterical-E.
A graduate of the University of Massachusetts (BA 1977) and the Antioch School of Law (JD 1980), he lives with his family in the Washington, DC, area. He worked for many years with the Laborers International Union of North America, promoting work and training opportunities. For more information, visit www.dennismdesmond.com.
Tom DeWitt
Science Fiction
Tom DeWitt is an established science fiction writer known for his compelling narratives that explore the intersections of humanity and advanced technology. His stories often focus on the ways in which people
wield cutting-edge innovations, highlighting the unintended consequences that can arise when technology is used as a means to gain power.
Drawing inspiration from the works of philosophers such as John Locke and Voltaire, Tom brings a unique depth and introspection to his writing. His philosophical explorations are evident in his thoughtful
portrayal of some of the most complex societal challenges facing humanity today.
Tom is the author of the Secure Operational Unfenced Prison (SOUP) trilogy, a series that delves into the concept of virtual reality prisons. Through these stories, he presents humanity with new challenges that push the moral boundaries of those in power, raising important questions about ethics and responsibility in a technologically advanced society.
His last work, “The Light in the Sky,” is a collection of related short stories that mixes science fiction, archeology, and philosophy to paint the future direction of humankind.
Tom DeWitt graduated from John Handley High School in Winchester. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Longwood College and went on to complete a Master of Science in Information Systems at the University of Southern California.
AJ George
Mystery
A.J. George is a CPA residing in Northern Virginia. He is the author of both long and short fiction, and his novel The Sleeping God is a mystery thriller set in 1926. An avid historian and researcher, he enjoys reading and has a penchant for the Edwardian authors. When not reading or performing research, he can be found writing tales blended in the pages of the past.
Karen and Kathy Honaker
Children’s Books
Karen and Kathy Honaker are twin sisters. They grew up in the Chicago suburbs and moved to Virginia as teenagers. They studied occupational therapy and elementary education, respectively, in college, and have both worked in careers with children.
Karen and Kathy enjoyed many family vacations throughout their childhood, which began their love of travel. They combined this with their love of reading as their inspiration to write a children’s book. Traveling Tootsie is their first book written together, about a favorite childhood memory that they always wanted to share with others to enjoy.
Traveling Tootsie is their debut, award-winning novel. It won a 2023 Family Choice Award, a Literary Titan Award, and it was #1 on the Amazon bestseller list. You can check out more about the authors and find their social media links on their website at www.travelingtootsie.com.
Karen and Kathy reside in Virginia with their families and continue to instill a love of travel with their own children. They hope to inspire a sense of adventure in their readers, and they are excited to share a new adventure with Traveling Tootsie soon!
Valerie D. Johnson
Children’s Books
Valerie D. Johnson is a children’s author and former educator with more than 30 years of experience inspiring young learners. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to helping children build curiosity, confidence, and a strong sense of math identity. Today, she channels her passion for early learning into writing engaging books—including her debut picture book 1 2 3 Count with Me on Granddad’s Farm, her write-and-draw journal Write and Illustrate Your Own Book: You’re the Author Journal for Kids, and her upcoming 2026 release I Am a Math Kid—and creating resources that help kids see that math isn’t something to fear—it’s something they already use every day.
Valerie’s work is mission-driven. Through her books, school visits, bookstore events, and community storytimes, she sparks imagination and shows children that they are thinkers, creators, problem-solvers, and “math kids” in their own unique ways. Her interactive activities and hands-on resources make math feel exciting and accessible, helping kids thrive both academically and emotionally.
Valerie also leads Math Champions for Kids, an initiative she founded to expand book access in underserved communities. Community heroes—businesses, organizations, and caring individuals—provide funds that have allowed more than 100 books so far to be placed into students’ hands. Each book is placed intentionally into the hands of a child who deserves to see themselves as capable, curious, and brilliant. Her mission is to continue growing this effort and strengthen communities by building early math confidence one child at a time.
Through her writing, outreach, and lifelong dedication to education, Valerie focuses on helping others thrive. She is committed to lifting children, supporting families, and making a lasting impact by helping young learners approach math—and themselves—with greater confidence, curiosity, and joy.
TJ Relk
Dystopian
While waiting for a Gulf War deployment that never happened, TJ Relk wrote the first draft of his Sins of Saviors dystopian science fiction novel. That was 1991.
Relk finished Book 1 of Sins of the Saviors series in 2025, Escape from the Culling Box, which had evolved into a near-future thought experiment that starts with the election of a tech billionaire in 2028. The prequel, The Network Apostate, was published in 2024. It details the transition to a new global order orchestrated by AI. Both works earned awards and high praise in reader and editorial reviews (Kirkus, Literary Titan, Readers Favorite).
After he left the military in 1992, Relk hosted a cable access TV show and reported for a variety of Idaho media. He joined the Foreign Service and served for more than 20 years as a political officer in a variety of foreign capitals. Relk published Afghanistan Through the Humvee Window in 2011, a photo book chronicling his assignment in an Afghan border province. He lives in Northern Virginia.
Katherine Schweit
Non-Fiction
Katherine Schweit is a former journalist and Chicago prosecutor who spent 20 years as an FBI Special Agent. In her latest book, Women Who Talk to the Dead, two women lead the largest FBI exhumation in history to give voice to 200 forgotten murder victims. The book is “especially and unreservedly recommended” by the Midwest Book Review, which calls the book “a simply fascinating read from start to finish,” and “inspiring.” The New York Times’ Devlin Barrett calls it “a haunting account of what it takes to give victims’ families something more important than closure—to give them answers.” For fans of Mindhunter, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark and We Keep the Dead Close, Schweit’s book draws her expertise in law enforcement together with her gift for storytelling to bring readers this gripping true-crime story of social justice.
Schweit is also the author of Stop the Killing: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis, and the dual-titled, A Simple Guide to the Second Amendment/How to Talk About Guns With Anyone. Honoring the book with its Ben Franklin Award, the Independent Book Publishers Association called the book a “comprehensive, non-partisan guide [to] equip readers with strategies to engage in informed discussions about guns in America.”
Her FBI career centered on justice against all odds, earning her two U.S. Attorney General Awards for fighting for victims. Now, she offers hope to those impacted by violence on her podcast, Stop the Killing, with her London co-host Sarah Ferris. She is a founding member of the Bureau Consortium consulting group and owns Schweit Consulting LLC., providing crisis and communications guidance to schools, businesses, and government agencies. She sits as an expert advisor on several boards, including the University of Michigan’s National Center for School Safety. She earned a BA in journalism from Michigan State University and a JD from DePaul College of Law, where she is currently an adjunct professor. Based outside Washington, D.C., she continues to write, teach, and advocate for justice and a safer future for everyone.
L. P. Simone
Contemporary and historic fiction • Picture books • Nonfiction for young readers
L. P. Simone writes contemporary and historic fiction, picture books and nonfiction for young readers. A former librarian, writing, and history teacher with an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and a Doctorate focused on American Fantasy Literature for Young Adults, L P Simone has crafted two award-winning novels that center on the universal theme of searching for home. Simone’s own experience of loss as a young person informs her work. To find out more about Simone visit www.dragonsongpublishing.com or email her at info@lpsimone.com
Anita Vermeer
Children’s
Anita Vermeer is an educator, early literacy advocate, and children’s author with more than 25 years of experience supporting young learners and the adults who teach them. Her work blends research-based literacy practices with playful storytelling that invites children to explore language with joy and confidence.
Anita is the author of the Giraffe’s Adventures picture book series and a growing collection of riddle and rhyme booksdesigned to spark curiosity, conversation, and early reading skills. Her stories are known for their engaging language, gentle humor, and interactive elements that make reading together both meaningful and fun.
In addition to writing, Anita offers interactive author visits for schools, libraries, and community spaces, where she brings stories to life through movement, music, and discussion. When she’s not writing or working with educators, she enjoys being outdoors with her family.
Learn more about Anita’s books, events, and literacy resources at QuirkyQuillsPublishing.com.