THE STORYTELLERS
BEHIND THE INK
At Astoria & Ink Publishing, our authors are at the heart of everything we do. Each one brings a unique voice, vision, and story that speaks to the world in unforgettable ways.
We believe authors are more than just names on a cover, they are the storytellers whose words shape conversations, spark imagination, and leave an ink that lasts for generations.
Here, we proudly showcase the voices we champion, the writers whose creativity, courage, and craft inspire us every day.
Melicia Hewitt
Melicia Hewitt is an educator, author, and advocate for meaningful storytelling. With over a decade of experience teaching English and literacy, she has dedicated her career to helping students and writers discover their voices. Having written her own memoir, she now helps others bring their personal histories to life by translating their words into eloquent prose, ensuring each story is both authentic and compelling. Blending creativity, scholarship, and compassion, Melicia believes every experience deserves to be preserved with care, and her mission, whether in the classroom or on the page, is to honor voices, preserve truths, and use storytelling as a bridge to understanding and belonging.
K.C.H.L
K.C.H.L. is the author of the Fear of Loss trilogy, a historical romance series inspired in part by the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia (1967). Known for weaving emotional intensity with historical depth, she writes stories that balance tenderness and defiance, placing complex characters at the center of turbulent social landscapes. Her prose is marked by rich detail, layered themes, and a focus on how love, fear, and resilience shape the human spirit. With a gift for blending romance and history, K.C.H.L. creates narratives that not only captivate the heart but also invite readers to reflect on justice, identity, and the power of connection.
K. L. Francis
K.L. Francis is the author of Nightblade, the first book in The Ascendant of Daybreak epic fantasy series. His writing blends immersive world-building that is vast yet intimate, with character-driven storytelling, weaving together themes of identity, legacy, sacrifice, and the cost of power against the backdrop of fractured kingdoms and ancient threats. The series was born out of late-night gaming and storytelling sessions with his daughter, where shared adventures and debates about heroes and villains grew into a sweeping saga of reincarnated power and resilience. For Francis, the story is not only about epic battles and ancient evils, but also about the bond between a father and daughter, and the way imagination can bridge generations, reminding us that the most enduring tales are those we create together.
H. L. Thomas
H.L. Thomas is a high school student and emerging author with a passion for stories that celebrate difference and belonging. Inspired in part by her younger sister, who is autistic, she is turning her creativity toward writing children’s books that focus on neurodiversity. With empathy and imagination at the center of her work, she aims to craft stories that help children see themselves reflected on the page while fostering greater understanding and acceptance among all readers.
