From Horror To Romance, Southern Maryland Authors Showcase Local Talent

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — On Monday evenings, while many people are winding down from the workday, a different kind of work is taking place inside The Social Coffeehouse in Leonardtown.

From published poets and novelists to aspiring horror writers and science-fiction storytellers, The Writers of St. Mary’s is helping local voices find their audience one page at a time.

The Writers of St. Mary’s meets every Monday from 5:30 to 7 p.m., bringing together authors from diverse backgrounds and genres. Some have published multiple books. Others are still working toward their first publication. Together, they represent a growing literary community in Southern Maryland.

As summer reading season arrives, The BayNet spoke with several local writers about their work, their inspiration and why storytelling continues to matter.

From Poetry To Personal Reflection

Southern Maryland poet and short story writer Angela Edwards believes reading offers more than entertainment. It can provide readers an opportunity to better understand themselves and the world around them.

Edwards, author of the poetry collection “Tribute” and the short story collection “Little Italy Diary,” said storytelling often serves as a path to reflection and discovery.

“The purely entertaining read — mystery, comedy, romance — takes us away from the ho-hum of everyday to flights of fantasy and excitement,” Edwards told The BayNet. “On the other hand, storytelling in any form is often a path to understanding.”

Her poetry explores themes of family, ancestry, remembrance, nature and personal revelation. She hopes readers will use the slower pace of summer to reconnect with their own stories and celebrate those who came before them.

A Southern Maryland resident, Edwards has been published in literary journals, including the Journal of New Jersey Poets, Tribeca Poetry Review and Potomac Review.

Building Entire Universes

For Vernon Smith II, writing began more than two decades ago while serving in military basic training.

Today, Smith has published “The New Universe: Alexandra Jade,” part of an expansive fictional universe he has been developing since 2001.

The series blends science fiction, fantasy and supernatural elements, featuring gods, demons, vampires, werewolves and superhuman characters whose stories intersect across multiple books.

Smith described the current installment as the story of a mother forced to confront extraordinary challenges after her two sons are kidnapped, combining family drama with action-packed fantasy elements aimed at young adult readers.

“This story just unfolded,” Smith said. “Everything literally came together from there.”

• “The New Universe: Alexandra Jade” on Amazon

Romance With Real-Life Challenges

Award-winning author Karen Janowsky writes contemporary romance and romantic comedies featuring flawed, realistic characters navigating life’s complexities.

Her novels “Dear Prudence” and “Her Name Was Lola” explore themes of identity, self-acceptance and learning how to give and receive love.

“My tagline is smart women and emotionally worthy boyfriends,” Janowsky said.

Both novels center on characters confronting personal struggles before finding meaningful relationships. Janowsky said she strives to create multidimensional characters whose experiences resonate with readers while still delivering the emotional satisfaction romance fans enjoy.

She is currently preparing a new celebrity romance novel scheduled for publication in 2027.

Exploring Grief Through Cosmic Horror

Christopher Woolsey invites readers into the strange and unsettling world of cosmic horror through his debut novel, “The Wail.”

Writing under the name Christopher Woolsey, the Southern Maryland author blends weird fiction and cosmic horror inspired by writers such as H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe and Jorge Luis Borges. His novel follows Griever, a man struggling with the loss of his best friend who embarks on a surreal journey through the belly of a monstrous whale after leaping into a blood-filled well. Beneath its dark imagery and supernatural setting, the story explores grief, depression and the difficult path toward healing.

“It is very much about grief,” Woolsey said. “It’s very much about depression. It’s a very visceral novel.”

While “The Wail” ventures into bizarre and often unsettling territory, Woolsey said the underlying themes focus on understanding loss, confronting personal struggles and finding a way forward through life’s most difficult moments.

For readers looking to add something unusual to their summer reading list, “The Wail” offers a thought-provoking blend of horror, fantasy and emotional depth that lingers long after the final page.

• “The Wail” on Amazon

A Community Built On Encouragement

Not every member of The Writers of St. Mary’s has a published book on bookstore shelves — and that’s exactly what makes the group unique.

Alongside published authors, the weekly gathering welcomes aspiring writers who are still developing manuscripts, refining their craft and working toward future publication.

One of those writers is Coco Medet, who is currently working on a horror novel about a mother reunited with her daughter 10 years after a mysterious kidnapping. The story blends supernatural elements with the universal challenges of parenthood, exploring themes of uncertainty, fear and responsibility.

For Medet, the group provides both accountability and encouragement.

“Writing is a very lonely endeavor,” Medet said. “It’s done kind of in a dark corner. So it’s nice to know there are people here you can ask questions, bounce ideas off of and learn from.”

Retired Navy engineer Steve Kracinovich also credits writing with providing a creative outlet following retirement. After spending 41 years working at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, he is currently polishing a political thriller titled “Black Ice” while simultaneously developing a science fiction trilogy.

“I always wanted to write fiction,” Kracinovich said. “Life got in the way.”

The group also includes members from a variety of professional backgrounds. Cybersecurity professional Jeffrey Menoher is exploring fiction inspired by espionage, intrigue and human relationships, while philosophy professor Richard Bilsker brings decades of academic writing experience and scholarship to the table.

Members say the diversity of perspectives is one of the group’s greatest strengths. Whether writing romance, horror, science fiction, poetry, literary fiction or academic works, participants gather each week with a common goal: helping one another become better writers.

Medet said seeing other members successfully publish books reminds newer writers that their own goals are achievable.

“You don’t feel crazy,” she said. “These people have everyday lives, and guess what? They also published a book. It’s not just a pipe dream.”

Participants described the atmosphere as welcoming, disciplined and supportive — a place where writers can share ideas, overcome creative obstacles and celebrate one another’s successes.

“What I think is really fun about these groups,” Medet said, “is you can have steamy romance, monsters and corporate espionage all in one conversation, and that’s normal.”

Supporting Local Authors

As readers search for their next summer read, these Southern Maryland writers offer a reminder that compelling stories are being created right here at home.

Whether readers are interested in poetry, romance, horror, science fiction, fantasy or literary fiction, local authors are crafting stories that entertain, challenge and inspire.

The Writers of St. Mary’s meets every Monday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at The Social Coffeehouse in Leonardtown. Writers of all experience levels are welcome.

Supporting Local Authors Across Southern Maryland

This list is not intended to be comprehensive. The BayNet welcomes recommendations of additional Southern Maryland authors for future features.

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