Michelle Locke

Michelle is a Bay area-based freelance writer who reports frequently on wine, food and travel. Her work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune, and she is a wine and spirits columnist at palatepress.com.

Russell Nichols

Russell Nichols is a freelance writer who focuses on technology, culture and mental health. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Governing Magazine and Government Technology. 

Ken James

Ken James is a 24-year veteran photojournalist who started his career with the Fairfax Newspaper Group in Sydney Australia. Since relocating to California in 2002, Ken has contributed to many newspapers and wire services such as Bloomberg News, United Press International (UPI), The New York Times and San Francisco Examiner. In 2005, Ken spent six months covering the Iraq war and later documented the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Ken has actively covered state politics and gubernatorial elections, including the 2003 Recall. Besides covering national and local news events, Ken contributes monthly photo essays to Comstock’s and Sacramento Magazine. For more, visit www.kjamesimages.com.

Rich Ehisen

Rich Ehisen is a freelance writer and the managing editor of the State Net Capitol Journal. His work has appeared in Government Technology, Sunset, San Francisco Magazine, California Journal, Sacramento Magazine and the Lexis Legal Network. On Twitter @WordsmithRich.

Kyle Monk

Kyle Monk has an elegant and unique style blending minimalism with story telling. His work specializes in a range of expertise, covering a broad gamut – from conceptual and fine art to documentary. A perfectionist, he believes his education will never be complete and lives to challenge his talents.

Kristina Shevory

Kristina Shevory is a freelance reporter who writes regularly for The New York Times. Her stories have also appeared in the Atlantic Monthly, Businessweek, Pacific Standard and Wired.

Esther Shein

Esther Shein is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in several online and print publications, including InformationWeek, eWeek, Computerworld, BYTE, CIO, CFO and The Boston Globe. Previously she was the editor-in-chief of Datamation.