Author’s Biography Joan Shannell Evans is the author of several books in different genres: poetry and drama, nonfiction: devotional, biography, and a Memoir, fiction, mystery and suspense, Teen Mystery, and Children’s fiction book series. She has worked in church ministry for most of her life, beginning as a teenager, and has been writing sinc0000e the age of six, when she had her first poem published in her school’s magazine. Her poetry was published in Anthologies in the United States, and she was awarded the Poet of Merit Award in 1993 by the International Society of Poets. Her greeting card line, Heart and Soul Cards, continues to express her poetry. In addition, she is making a name for herself as a publisher, helping other authors in realizing their dreams of publication. Her other achievements include being a finalist in an international writing competition organized by the Ajuda Foundation, which focused on mental health. Her entry received a great review and was published by the Ajuda Foundation in its Anthology, Peeping Through Cracks in Stone. Her books, The Audacity of A Dream and The Darker Side of Love, were both nominated for the National Book of the Year award in the respective categories of Fiction and Non-fiction held in 2025 by the Department of Culture, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. Her latest book, The Long Nightmare: My Family’s Journey With Dementia, is the most important work she has produced so far. It is the author’s personal story, and that of her family, and she hopes the book will be a tool to increase awareness of Dementia and provide support and encouragement for caregivers.