Book 101 Review

Holly Gutwillinger
I'm an author, and podcast host who writes from the heart of the north.
Holly B. Gutwillinger is an award-winning author, podcaster, and MFA student in fiction at the University of King’s College, whose work is defined by emotional honesty, curiosity, and a profound love for the creatures—both human and animal—who shape our lives. She calls a small northern Ontario town home, though her journey has taken her through remote parts of northern Canada, experiences that have expanded her worldview, strengthened her resilience, and instilled a deep appreciation for the rich variety of foods, traditions, and cultures that define human experience. A self-made creative, Holly has built her literary and podcasting career from the ground up, navigating the challenges of the writing life with tenacity, heart, and an unwavering commitment to telling the stories that matter most. Her determination has led to recognition, including the prestigious OnCreative Writing Award, which she received in late 2025. Yet for Holly, accolades are never the endpoint; they are encouragement to keep writing, creating, and exploring new avenues of expression. She has no plans to stop, seeing every project—whether a novel, podcast episode, or painted canvas—as part of a larger, ongoing journey of curiosity and connection. Holly’s debut novel, North of Broken & Furever Home, launched February 14, 2026, is a deeply intimate exploration of a woman’s evolving relationship with her rescue dogs. The novel delves into themes of grief, healing, second chances, and the quiet but transformative power of animal companionship. At its core, it asks a question familiar to anyone who has loved a pet: who truly rescues whom? Holly’s characters are imbued with emotional complexity, drawing from her own experience as a mother, a pet owner, and a lifelong observer of human relationships. The story invites readers to witness the beauty and struggle inherent in loving fully, openly, and sometimes imperfectly.Family is central to Holly’s life and work. As the proud mother of two adult sons, she brings authentic insight into the joys, challenges, and heartbreaks of parenting children as they step into independence. This maternal devotion extends naturally to the animals in her care, reflecting her belief that the relationships we cultivate—whether with children, partners, friends, or pets—serve as mirrors that reveal who we are, who we are becoming, and the values we hold most dear. Her fiction and nonfiction alike are informed by this awareness, portraying relationships with honesty, vulnerability, and a deep sense of empathy. Currently pursuing her MFA in fiction, Holly is committed to honing her craft and exploring the intersections of character, voice, and emotional truth. Her academic training complements her innate storytelling abilities, allowing her to balance literary sophistication with accessibility and relatability. Whether in the quiet drafting of a manuscript or the dynamic dialogue of a podcast, Holly approaches her work with curiosity, rigor, and the understanding that art is a vehicle for both connection and transformation. Holly is also the host of a podcast that explores the ways animals influence and inspire the creative lives of people from all walks of life. Through conversations with writers, artists, entrepreneurs, and creators, she examines how pets provide comfort, motivation, and even discipline for those pursuing ambitious dreams.

Laurie Kirk
A horror author who lives with ghosts. I put my childhood trauma to good use and create unforgettable characters.
Laurie Kirk’s writing journey began in 2021 when her mediumship kicked in and she discovered she is a womb twin survivor. She wrote a TV pilot about the pain of losing her brother and her parents at a young age. And naturally it’s a comedy. They all haunt her on the regular and she couldn’t be happier about it. She had lost her dad a few years after her abandoned her. It was 1969 and he was gay and decided to live his authentic life by divorcing her mother. Back then, there was no support for anyone involved and everyone suffered as a result. Laurie has come to terms with all of it and, ironically, healed the fractured relationship with her father 40 years after his death. So, it's never too late. She looks forward to bringing this story to the screen with all its hilarious ups and downs. She stepped into the horror/thriller genre with BABY MARVIN. It began its life as a feature script, but a novel was the obvious next step. It explores duality, identity and the fractured self. Originally from Florida, she and husband Mike moved to Pennsylvania in 2015 to escape the humidity. They live in the country with two of their five children. She spends her time writing, rescuing dogs and causing a commotion. She is also constantly on the lookout for the perfect burger. Obsession with duality and dead parents—Laurie is the Batman of the Poconos.

Solange Schwalbe
Emmy-winning sound editor and one of only four women who worked inside the Pit at Ground Zero.
Solange Schwalbe is an Emmy Award–winning Motion Picture Sound Editor whose career in Hollywood spans more than three decades and includes more than 175 film credits. A graduate of UCLA’s Motion Picture/TV program with honors, she worked on major productions including The Goonies, Gremlins, The Color Purple, Die Hard, Pirates of the Caribbean, Black Hawk Down, Moneyball, and HBO’s John Adams, for which she and her team received an Emmy Award for sound editing. Following the September 11 attacks, Solange traveled to New York City, volunteered with the Salvation Army, and was later hired as a safety monitor at Ground Zero. She worked inside the Pit for four months alongside firefighters, police officers, and construction crews. Known there as “Hollywood,” she was one of only four women serving in the Pit among more than 1,500 responders. Her memoir, I’m Not Supposed to Know This: An Unlikely Account of Ground Zero After the 9/11 Attacks, recounts the recovery effort from the inside, including the people, events, and moments she witnessed there.

Cynthia Coy
From Overwhelm to Overflow: C-Suite Coaching for Women Who Lead on Purpose.
Dr. Cynthia Coy is the Founder and CEO of Uncaged Solutions, a leadership development and executive coaching firm helping high-achieving women move from overwhelm to overflow. A retired Air Force officer and certified John Maxwell Coach, she equips C-suite leaders with mindset and communication strategies to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Through her F.R.E.S.H. framework, she empowers women to lead authentically—without losing themselves in the process.

Cynthia Hauk
Mindful Art Teacher/Coach passionate about sharing creative and calming practices for self-care.
Cynthia Hauk, MFA, is the founder of Mindful Creative Muse , an online school offering Mindful Art workshops, retreats, and internationally accredited teacher training programs. Since 2007, Cynthia has helped people around the world use simple Mindfulness and Art practices to de-stress, reconnect with themselves, and express their creativity. Her courses, retreats, coaching programs, teacher trainings, and online events have reached students in more than 00 countries**. Through four internationally accredited Mindful Art and Meditation Teacher Training Certification programs**, Cynthia also trains artists, educators, therapists, wellness professionals, and creative entrepreneurs to confidently facilitate Mindful Art experiences and create meaningful offerings that support both **impact and sustainable income