Sandra Gardner
Sandra Gardner is the author of seven traditionally published books: four novels and three nonfiction.
Gardner’s new suspense novel, The Murder Blog, set in Woodstock, was published by Black Rose Writing in December 2023. Her last two novels — both mysteries — Dead Shrinks Don’t Talk and Grave Expectations were published by Black Opal Books in 2018. A coming-of-age novel, Halley and Me, won the Grassic Short Novel Prize from Evening Street Press and was published in 2013. Her nonfiction books include Teenage Suicide (Simon & Schuster); Street Gangs (Franklin Watts); and Street Gangs in America (Franklin Watts). Street Gangs in America received a book award from the National Federation of Press Women. Previously, she worked as a journalist and was a contributing writer to The New York Times.
Pat Horner
Pat Horner has exhibited in numerous galleries, museums and publications internationally. She received a BFA in fine arts from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design and attended graduate school at the University of Minnesota. Her work is in many collections including the Minneapolis Institute of Art and The Center of Photography at Woodstock. After many years as a photographer, she began making collages in 1980 and continues mixed-media work along with painting. Horner has exhibited at galleries in Minneapolis, New York, Houston, Paris, Seattle, Kingston, and Woodstock. She has received numerous awards and her work graces covers of both books and magazines. Horner’s writing started in high school where her published column “Horner’s Corner” received local praise. Her memoir, Loving Scott was released in 2023. Horner has been a member of UCWN since 1994.
Loving Scott is a collage – part biography and part memoir. Graphic tales are set in Paris, Berlin, Minneapolis, and New York. Story after story follows the author’s journey from young motherhood in the Midwest where Scott dresses in her clothes for play’s he directs at home to New York in the 80s when he joins other young gay men in the East Village.
While performing at the Pyramid Club on 1st Ave. alternately as Miss Demeanor or Misty during the early ‘90s, Scott meets Ru Paul, Linda Simpson, and Nan Goldin and soon becomes known for his makeup skills. After years as a celebrated makeup artist, Scott returns to drugs and alcohol before passing away in 2014.
Raffaela Acampora-Zaccaria
Raffaela lives in New Paltz, NY, with husband Michael and daughter, Victoria. She is a speech language pathologist, actor, writer, and improviser. Raffaela works at a local school district as well as owns a private practice, Find Your Voice SLP, PLLC. Raffaela earned a Masters Degree in Communication Disorders from SUNY New Paltz in 2006. In addition to her work, Raffaela is the vice president of the Duzine Lenape PTA and is involved in local school community organizations. She was born with the gift of gab and gets to exercise it with the above activities. Raffaela is a house team member with Hudson Valley Improv and has performed in multiple live improv shows and HVI short films, such as The Underpants Bandit. She has worked in film locally and appeared as herself in an episode of The Doctors on CBS. Theatre credits include 90 Miles production of “The Blithe Spirit” and HVI’s “The Truth About Splatter.” Raffaela is the proud author of the book, Thirty Dates in Thirty Days, a romantic-comedy memoir of the journey to meeting her husband. The book release date has not yet been established. Raffaela enjoys spending time with her family and friends and supporting her daughter’s busy schedule of dance, theatre, and Girl Scout activities.