Who We Are
David Rogers
David Rogers
Born in Iowa, I’ve lived and worked in New Mexico for the past 15 years. Since coming to Las Vegas after 10 years in Santa Fe I’ve led a young entrepreneur’s program at the United World College, served as the Hotel Castaneda restoration project administrator, served on the Las Vegas Arts Council Board, and co-produced the 2022 Billy the Kid Shootout Festival.
Sharon Vander Meer
Sharon Vander Meer
I have spent much of my career as a freelance writer, reporter, and editor. In addition to my latest novel, Thunder Prime, Hunter’s Light, I have written four other novels, a book of inspirational readings and two chap books of poetry. I’m proud to be a founding member of Las Vegas Lit, an organization that promotes the work of writers and encourages readers to explore the vast landscape of the written word. I’m a wife, mom, grandma, and great grandma. At www.vandermeerbooks.com, readers will find samples of my poetry and short stories. I live in northern New Mexico with my husband Bob.
Mary Rose Henssler
Mary Rose Henssler
I spent most of my life in Nevada, in the small town of Battle Mountain, and also in Henderson and neon-lit Las Vegas. I was born in Memphis and lived at various times in Massachusetts, Illinois, Arizona, California, Idaho, Missouri, and Colorado. I now live outside Las Vegas, New Mexico, with my husband Bob, two dogs, and a cat.
Over the years I’ve worked as a carhop, fountain girl at Howard Johnson’s, gas station attendant, a copywriter for a small ad agency, a reporter for a small town paper, mill clerk, substitute teacher, paralegal, insurance adjuster, and even for a few years owned and operated a bar. All these experiences provide color and inspiration for my writing.
I majored in playwriting at Vermont College of Norwich University (B.A.) and studied scriptwriting and voiceover at UNLV. I also studied at the University of Idaho and Saint Dominic College. Two of my plays have been performed. Publication credits include a weekly high school news column in the Las Vegas (Nevada) Sun, poetry in now-defunct literary magazines, Tapestry, and a chapbook of political limericks. In addition to poetry, I write short stories, flash fiction, novels, and essays.
One of my short stories and an essay also appeared in Tapestry. I also enjoy drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, acting, traveling, and being outdoors. My involvement with Las Vegas Lit stems from my lifelong love affair with language. Words can build bridges and understanding and a sense of community. I believe it is important to preserve the stories we tell, for the entertainment and education of those who come after us.
Bob Henssler
Bob Henssler
I grew up in the front range hills of the Colorado Rockies. After serving four years of active duty with the US Navy, I studied at and graduated from Franklin Pierce College ( now University). I lived and worked in New England as well as Nevada and retired after 30-plus years in the insurance industry. I paint, print, play the saxophone, and write short stories and poetry. My poetry is taken from personal experience as well as observation. I may view a photo or painting and react by writing out what I see and feel. My fears from the past may also well up and need to be verbalized and take the form of a poem. I don’t adhere to any measured metric or rhyme; life doesn’t come to us in a form noted out on a staff.
Anita Gonzales
Anita Gonzales
Anita is a Las Vegas, NM native. She has lived throughout New Mexico — moving between Las Vegas and Albuquerque as a child. After completing the majority of her degree at Texas A&M University, she returned home to Las Vegas to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at New Mexico Highlands University.
Anita has worked at New Mexico Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (NM MESA), Inc for over 19 years and is the current Deputy Director. NM MESA is a statewide pre-college program that empowers and motivates New Mexico’s culturally diverse students with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) enrichment. Besides STEM Enrichment, NM MESA provides teacher training and support, leadership development, community support, secondary education preparation, and works to develop the future workforce of STEM leaders.
Some highlights of Anita’s community involvement are as follows: Board Member of the Las Vegas Rotary Club; State ExCom and Secretary for the Rio Grande Sierra Club; Board Member for the Las Vegas Literary Council; Northeastern New Mexico Rural Representative for the Fuerzas Unidas Caucus; Member of the San Miguel County Federation of Democratic Women; Commissioner for the Acequia de los Madres Vigiles and the Grzelachowski Ditch; United World College Getaway Family; Chair of the MESA USA National Engineering Design Committee; is a 2021 Cohort Graduate of the Emerge Leadership Training Program; and is a Team Parent for the Meadow City Havoc.