Our Board

Jennifer (she/her) is a customer insights analyst by day and writer / small business owner / My Writing Shed founder by night. She is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), the St. Louis Publishing Association (SLPA), and the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). She serves on IBPA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She is blessed to be the #FunBookstoreAunt as a volunteer for Lit. On Fire Books. She’s also honored to be part of the #BloggessFam (weirdos and strangelings who adore Jenny Lawson) community on Twitter. She has participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) since 2018 and credits the support of the Peoria regional NaNoWriMo group for her one and only win. She’s published as co-author under pen name, Cody Ashbury and is currently working on a horror novel crossover. All of the above are the catalysts for why she started My Writing Shed.

Cara (she/they) is a writer, developmental fiction editor, and writing coach. Through her small business, Read the Stars Developmental Editing, and her directorial role at My Writing Shed, she works daily to educate and empower authors of all walks of life. She is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA). Her personal writing includes sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and romance. She is also an avid diarist, having filled over thirty journals cover to cover. Writing has always been her life’s greatest passion, whether it’s through weaving her own stories or helping to guide and encourage other writers on their journeys.

Destinee (she/they) is a central Illinois native with big love for Peoria. This love shows through her day job as Program Coordinator for the local chapter of the educational non-profit organization, Junior Achievement; through her work as the Editor of Bluffs Literary Magazine- a Peoria based literary magazine showcasing local writers and artists; through her work as the Organizational Director of Our House Entertainment- a local entertainment entity that hosts music and arts events in the Peoria Warehouse District; as well as through her work and journey as a spoken word performance artist and published poet. Additionally, Destinee is the Founder/Owner of Juniper Moon Handmade, a small business that offers locally-sourced herbal goods and tisanes.