Authors & Illustrators

Dale Lisa Flint

A successful playwright, actor, and most dauntingly, teacher, Dale Lisa Flint has now added author to her list of accomplishments. Her debut novel, Finding Juliet, is a middle-grade time travel adventure that leans on the author’s love of cross-genre historical fiction (à la Outlander) but with a Shakespearean twist. Kirkus Reviews commented, “The characters are uniformly engaging, from the leads to the minor players,” and recommended, “Get It!” Dale lives in Jackson, CA and holds the distinction of being our first author from outside the Sunshine State.

Rhett DeVane

Rhett DeVane is the author of several middle grade chapter books, as well as
fiction for adults and poetry. Rhett’s stories have won numerous awards from the Tallahassee Writers Association, the Florida Writers Association, and the Florida Authors and Publishers Association. For the past forty-plus years, Rhett has made her home in
Tallahassee, where she splits her time between writing and thinking about writing. She is currently working on multiple middle grade and young adult stories, because her muses refuse to contain her in a single box.

Zelle Andrews

Zelle Andrews was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida. With an interest in writing since she was twelve, she still has her first diary, which was given to her as a Christmas present by her parents. When Zelle learned about a stray dog that had been adopted by a nearby coastal community — one that Andrews’ previous novels were set in — the Crawfordville, Florida-based author knew she had to write the story. The Adventures of Surf Dude: The Dog of Ochlockonee Bay, a hilarious romp told through the eyes of the canine hero, is appropriate for middle-grade through adult. The book won a Gold Medal from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association.

Gen. Lawrence F. Snowden, USMC, Ret. (Dec’d)

General Snowden wrote his memoir as a gift to his family, but realized many people around the world would want to read his story. From childhood memories to impactful events in his military career, second career as a successful international businessman, and calling to community service, the General’s tale is one of inspiration and humble achievement. Snowden’s Story won a bronze medal from the Military Writers Association of America. Per his family’s wishes, all the General’s royalties are donated to the Iwo Jima Association of America.

Taylor C. Phillips

Taylor C. Phillips recently retired as the chaplain at Westminster Oaks Retirement Community in Tallahassee, Florida, where he collected life stories and shared them with upcoming generations. In 2015, he led a series entitled A Whirlwind Tour of the History of Women in Aviation through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Florida State University. Taylor tells stories on stage at Florida Storytellers events, The Moth storytelling events, churches, schools, and conference centers. He and his family live in Lake City, Florida.

Barbara Psimas

Barbara’s early childhood was spent in California, where her love of nature, animals, rocks and minerals, flowers, and water developed. She displayed artistic talent at a very early age, producing realistic watercolor paintings by the age of three. She is known for her iridescent watercolors of koi fish; several of these paintings were selected for publication with a fine art print company in Milan, Italy. She is an active member of Tallahassee’s arts community.

Cody Paddack

Cody loves making upbeat and colorful art. Whether it’s a mural or a digital illustration, her art will always have an edge to it. She can be found creating bright and fun things @coylectric on Instagram.

M.R. Street, MPH, MSI, began Turtle Cove Press as a home for quality stories, poetry, and memoirs for children, teens, and families. Her first contract was Snowden’s Story, the memoir of Lt. Gen. Lawrence F. Snowden. She counts meeting and working with the General among the highlights and great honors of her life. Subsequently, she has worked with award-winning children’s authors Susan Koehler and Zelle Andrews. Queen of the Clouds, the award-winning biography of two pioneering women pilots by Taylor C. Phillips, launched in April 2023. The Dragon Box, by Rhett DeVane, launched in November 2024, and Dale Lisa Flint, author of Finding Juliet, is enjoying a bi-coastal book tour. M.R. and her husband split their time between paradise at Ochlockonee Bay, Florida, and town life in Tallahassee.