About Us

The Children's Writers of the Hudson Valley is a regional writers’ group devoted to the development, education and professionalism of children’s book authors.

The CWHV team members have over a decade of conference-planning experience and writing workshops among them including day-long events featuring professional children’s book authors, editors and agents; first-pages events; and children’s writing classes. 

The CWHV team consists of:

CWHV Publicity, Karen Maserjian Shan, LinkedIn, senior account executive in public relations

CWHV Secretary, Karen Kaufman Orloff, children's author and freelance writer for the Poughkeepsie Journal 

CWHV Webmaster, Valerie Marchini, children's author and freelance writer

Catherine Ciocchi, children's author

Della Ross Ferreri, children's author 

Barbara Wells, children's author


We are happy to welcome Michelle Mead, poet and children's author, as a CWHV Ambassador. As a member of our street team, she will help spread the word about upcoming events.