PRESIDENT/MANAGING EDITOR

Warren Redman is the president and managing editor of Merlin Star Press. He is also a writer, with 17 non-fiction books (one a Canadian award-winner) to his name, and another five novels published under his Zev Bagel pen-name. Along with his colleagues at Merlin Star, he is looking for great writing from Maritime authors of most genres. In particular, he enjoys character-driven novels that draw him into places and situations from which he can derive new understanding about the world and the people in it. If you can surprise him, make him laugh and cry, without seeming to try, you may have a winner. They set the tone for everything we do.

DIRECTOR

Bradley Boudreau, as a Director at Merlin Star Press, brings a lifelong fascination with the surreal, satirical, and speculative fiction to the forefront of independent literature. A devoted reader of Kafka, Murakami, Vonnegut, Philip K. Dick, and Don DeLillo, Bradley’s creative compass has always tilted toward stories that blur the line between reality and the absurd.

After graduating from Mount Allison University without a clear path ahead, he began keeping a journal to manage stress and uncertainty—an act that quietly evolved into a lifelong writing habit. Those early entries sparked a love of poetic surprises and fictional experimentation, eventually leading him to enter local poetry competitions and write his first novel. 

Now, with two decades of narrative tinkering behind him and his children growing older, Bradley is doubling down on his commitment to the written word—both as a writer and a curator of voices. He believes in cultivating a space for bold, offbeat, and emotionally intelligent literature, and sees publishing as both a creative act and a cultural responsibility.

MARKETING / EVENTS PLANNING
Rachel likes quirky characters, unusual social gatherings, and conversations that zing. Clever plots are optional. 

Good writing draws the reader into a world he’s not familiar with, and shows him around -- Dick Francis thrillers: dastardly deeds and horse tracks,

Kate Quinn: a Washington boarding house during the Cold War,

Marissa Pessl: high school confidential, cliques and revolutionaries,

Nancy Clark/Gerald Durrell/Jerome K. Jerome: quirky family learns to live together,

Frances Peck: the BC coast in the throes of a massive earthquake, 

Michael Winter/Jessica Grant/Lisa Moore: gritty reality and humour in St. John’s.

Rachel runs and writes, sometimes at the same time. She left her day job and is having the time of her life, drafting media releases, planning book launches, and reading manuscripts for Merlin Star Press.

MARKETING / SOCIAL MEDIA

Maika Branch is a children’s author and illustrator based in Moncton, NB. Following the release of her first novel Calagarmii Cliffs (Redemption House Publishing) in 2014, she toured throughout her youth with the provincial WiSP (Writers in Schools Program) in the the Writer’s Federation of New Brunswick, promoting literacy and storytelling in over 20 NB schools. She has also worked as a reporter for The Argosy in Tantramar NB and occasionally writes as a columnist for Wayves Magazine.

Donna Griffith is a retired teacher (kindergarten and physical education) who graduated from Dalhousie university/74. Taught in NFLD and then married Danny, moved to Moncton/ Grande-Digue, raised four sons and  often vacationed in Cape Breton visiting with family. Recently widowed she has enjoyed YMCA aquatic exercise programs, new friendships, a grandson, coaching basketball, book clubs, knitting and church groups with a move back to Moncton. Merlin Star Press has been an extension of the Icedash writers’ group in Shediac. Experiencing a book from its submission to printing to retail shelves has been exciting and rewarding along with the publishing shareholders and directors.

A gym teacher, mother, and Grammie, she has her toes dipped into the literary endeavour of publishing books. What a challenge and a joy to be a part of this group working to promote local Maritime writers, seeing good fiction books put into the world of reading.

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Maria Gillespie is a retired elementary school principal who never quite retired from learning, creating, or building community. After years of guiding students, supporting teachers, and keeping a whole school humming, Maria stepped out of the principal’s office and into the world of writing—where her love of stories found a new direction.

A proud member of the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick and an active voice in the Shediac writers’ group Ice Dash, Maria writes poems and stories that she delights in sharing with fellow writers and at community events. Her work is shaped by curiosity, compassion, and the same spark that once lit up her classrooms and hallways.

Whether she’s collaborating with authors, organizing literary projects, or sharing her own writing with the community, Maria continues to do what she has always done best: nurture talent, encourage creativity, and make people feel recognized. Her career in education may be behind her, but her influence—as a writer, mentor, and literary advocate—continues to grow.