Keath Silva is a non-binary trans man and poet in Los Angeles, California who also practices holistic healing arts. Keath is the author of King Crone and The Empty Nest, Lady Death and other Poems venerating Change and is the transcriber of Fire Heart The Life and Teachings of Traditional Healer of Belize Miss Beatrice Torres Waight. In his free time he is a hiker, avid gardener and sings in a chorus.
Kevin O’Connor enjoys chronicling the stories of families and friends through tracing genealogical histories, writing, and picture collections. His prior writing includes personal letters, articles in professional publications, dissertations, anthologies, and presentations delivered at conferences, seminars, and webinars. He brings people together personally and professionally. Collaborating with friends and relatives, he plans family and class reunions. He sings and performs in theaters. He is active with SMART Ride, a bicycling group that rides annually from Miami to Key West, raising funds for HIV awareness, treatments, and education. He was an elementary teacher, principal, professor, and curriculum coordinator in California, Illinois, and Florida from 1973-2020. In his final educational position, he authored content and provided training in areas including support for substitute teachers, LGBTQ advocacy, and Sexual Health/Family Life. He resides in Ft. Lauderdale with his husband, Leon. Their family includes five sons and seven granddaughters. He references further connections to this book, continues his stories, and highlights perspectives about his interests at www.kevinoconnorauthor.com
A native New Yorker turned Coloradan, Amanda McKoy Flanagan blends street smarts with tree hugging for a sensible and spiritual approach to love and loss; she is no stranger to either. Author, blogger, motivational speaker, and podcaster, Amanda recently released her debut inspirational memoir, Trust Yourself to Be All In: Safe to Love and Let Go, and is co-host of the podcast, Sol Rising. Co-founder of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Castle Rock Clubhouse, a recovery clubhouse that serves as meeting space for various twelve-step programs, Amanda is passionate about sobriety, meditation, and spirituality. Through her commitment to climate action, she holds the spirit of loving-kindness, faithful perseverance, and compassionate service in high regard. A lover of horses, drumming, running, vegan eating, and dancing, she also enjoys singing with abandon to loud rock music, sometimes while driving a little too fast! Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany in English and journalism and a master’s degree in social work from Stony Brook University, New York. Nevertheless, life has been her greatest teacher by far.
She lives in Castle Rock, Colorado, with her family and pup, Dolly.