Charles Day Retires as Mentor Program Chair, Replaced by Michael Knost

As previously announced Charles Day is stepping down as HWA’s Mentor Program Chair after three years to concentrate on his roles as Co-Chair of HWA’s New York/Long Island Chapter and as a Member of the Library Committee. HWA’s President Rocky Wood thanked Charles for his service, “Charles has done a superb job, increasing the number of members being mentored many fold to 35. The work needed to get more mentors and matching mentors and mentees is immense and largely unseen.” Members who wish to volunteer as a mentors should email president@horror.org.

After a handover period Michael Knost will be the new Chair, assisted by new Deputy Chairs Armand Rosamilia and Jonathan Ryan. “We appreciate Michael, Armand and Jonathan stepping up to offer their expertise,” Wood said.

Michael Knost is an author, editor, and columnist of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and supernatural thrillers. He has written in various genres and helmed several anthologies. His Writers Workshop of Horror (Woodland Press) won the 2009 Bram Stoker Award® for superior achievement in nonfiction. His critically acclaimed Writers Workshop of Science Fiction & Fantasy (Seventh Star Press) came out in 2013, and his debut novel, Return of the Mothman (Woodland Press), hit bookshelves earlier this year. He resides in Chapmanville, West Virginia with his wife, daughter, and a zombie goldfish. www.MichaelKnost.com.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to be a part of such an important program in the HWA,” Knost said. “Charles Day has done a fantastic job while serving as Chair, and my hope is to carry forward the growth he put in motion, all the while exploring possibilities to improve the experience and success for mentors and mentees.”

Armand Rosamilia is a New Jersey boy currently living in sunny Florida. His Dying Days zombie series is his best-known work, but with 130+ releases to choose from, he wants to be known for more than just zombies. His traditional horror novel Chelsea Avenue was recently released by Ragnarok Publications. He writes full-time. He likes talking in third person. Follow him at http://armandrosamilia.com

Jonathan Ryan is an author, editor, columnist and blogger. His debut horror mystery novel, 3 Gates of the Dead (Open Road Media), earned multiple rave reviews including in New York Journal of Books, Midwest Book Review, and the Library Journal. The film adaptation is under development. Book two in the 3 Gates series, Dark Bride (Open Road), is set for release on April 22, 2015.

As an editor, he loves mentoring new authors through the publishing process and teaching teen authors at events around the country. He lives and works in Notre Dame, Indiana.