Judith Lindbergh, Founder/Director
Judith Lindbergh’s award-winning new novel, Akmaral, about a nomad woman warrior on the ancient Central Asian steppes, was called “crackling” by Publishers Weekly and “a gripping saga” by #1 NY Times bestselling novelist Christina Baker Kline. Her debut novel, The Thrall’s Tale, about three women in the first Viking Age settlement in Greenland, was an IndieBound Pick, a Borders Original Voices Selection and praised by Pulitzer Prize winners Geraldine Brooks and Robert Olen Butler. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including in Newsweek, Zibby Magazine, Next Avenue, Writer’s Digest, Edible Jersey, Literary Mama, Archaeology Magazine, Other Voices, and UP HERE: The North at the Center of the World published by University of Washington Press. She has spoken at and published with the Smithsonian Institution and provided expert commentary in two documentary series for The History Channel. Judith received a 2024 Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Since 2006, Judith has mentored adult writers through the Writers Support Circle at the South Orange-Maplewood Adult School. In January 2010, she created The Writers Circle, extending her workshops to children and expanding her offerings for adults. She traces her teaching approach to her background as a professional dancer and actress, and from the lessons learned from one of her greatest writing mentors, Madeleine L’Engle, author of A Wrinkle in Time. Judith believes in the uniqueness of each writer’s voice. All writers have something valid to say. Judith’s approach aims to coax that pure, honest expression from each of her students. Learn more at judithlindbergh.com.
Read more about the beginnings of The Writers Circle in this interview with Judith in Bold Journey Magazine.
~~~
Michelle Cameron, Co-Director
Michelle Cameron’s Napoleon’s Mirage, a sequel to Beyond the Ghetto Gates, was published by SheWrites Press in November 2024, and called “an absolute triumph!” by New York Times bestselling novelist, Tasha Alexander. Previous work includes Babylon: a novel of Jewish Captivity was published by Wicked Son Books in September 2023 and was a finalist for Religious Fiction in the 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards (NGIBA). The Jerusalem Post said: “In the spirit of Anita Diamant’s groundbreaking The Red Tent...Cameron skillfully blends themes of intermarriage and assimilation, idol worship, the subjugation of women, and palace intrigue into one lavish story.“ Beyond the Ghetto Gates, set during Napoleon’s incursion into Italy when he demolished that country’s ghetto gates, was published by SheWrites Press in April 2020 and awarded the Silver Medal in Historical Fiction by the Independent Publishers Book Award (IPPYs). In advance praise, international bestselling historical novelist, Michelle Moran, called the novel “Beautifully written and completely engaging!” The Fruit of Her Hands: the story of Shira of Ashkenaz, which relates the life of the author’s 13th Century ancestor, Rabbi Meir of Rothenberg. Publisher’s Weekly praised the novel’s “powerful immediacy” and Library Journal its “rich details.” Her full-length novel in verse, In the Shadow of the Globe, was named the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s 2003-4 Winter Book Selection.
~~~
Lisa Sawyer
Operations & Finance
From deep in the woods of Maine, Lisa Sawyer has been supporting The Writers Circle’s operations and finance since 2015. We are grateful to have such a stalwart anchor in every conceivable storm. Though we’ve yet to meet in person, even after all these years, we couldn’t run The Writers Circle without Lisa!
~~~
Sarah Paige Casarez
Communications Coordinator
Sarah Paige Casarez trained as an educator and actor. After teaching with the Peace Corps she studied at American Academy of Arts, Upright Citizens Brigade and with Bob Krakower. She worked as an acting coach in NYC and currently teaches children’s improv classes in New Jersey after school programs. She dabbles in screenplay writing, having two scripts produced as short films and her essays have been published in the Austin American Statesman and Newsweek. She lives in West Orange with her husband and two sons and is excited to be part of The Writers Circle team.
~~~
Erin Madigan White
Marketing & Publicity
Erin is thrilled to put her professional skills to work in support of her personal passion: creative writing. A former journalist, she has more than 15 years of experience in communications and marketing at mission-driven organizations and major media brands, including The Associated Press, TIME, Fortune. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and an MFA in creative writing from VCFA. She also teaches writing workshops for young people.
