Quill & Flame PublishersOur Team
AJ SKELLY, Founder and CEO of Quill & Flame
April J. Skelly (AJ Skelly) is the founder of Quill & Flame Publishing House. As a former high school English teacher and author of multiple books, she saw an enormous gap in industry. Quill & Flame seeks to fill that gap by producing wholesome, if not always squeaky, romance across all genres for YA and NA audiences. Give her some toe-curling kisses, some monsters, or a dash of suspense, and she’ll read it. She lives in Ohio with her husband and her three children, and one ten-pound ball of fluff that thinks he’s the big dog on the block.
She loves to see submissions that follow all Q&F guidelines, and wants to see manuscripts with high stakes, a hook in the first paragraph, and character chemistry that leaps from the page that is singeing in its intensity, but not in its physicality. She’s here for all the kissing but likes the door to shut around second base. Stories with darkness and grit balanced with hope are particularly appealing. While she enjoys lots of bookish characters, the White Knight is her favorite.
V. Romas Burton, Acquisitions Editor for Firebrand
V. Romas Burton grew up bouncing up and down the East Coast where she wrote her first story about magical ponies at age seven. Years later, after studying government and earning an M.A. in Theological Studies, V. Romas Burton realized something even bigger was calling out to her–stories that contained great adventures and encouraging messages. Since then, V. Romas Burton has written several novels. When she’s not writing, she’s taking care of her sons. You can find future updates and news on her website.
Brandy Vallance, Acquisitions Editor for Obsidian
Brandy Vallance comes from a long line of storytellers. An old soul, she fell in love with passed-down tales, the odd and unexplained, and the pursuit of answering the mysteries that perplex us all. She loves to wander down ancient paths, explore dusty libraries, and does occasional archaeology. Her books are a lush escape into timeless romance, breathtaking adventure, and push the boundaries of what is expected.
Brandy is the winner of two national writing awards, one of which included a $20,000 prize. Her critically acclaimed novel, The Covered Deep, has been featured in USA Today and Writer’s Digest. Romantic Times called Within the Veil “passionate and riveting,” and Publishers Weekly encourages those who like sweeping Scottish sagas to dive in because “the journey is wonderful.”
Throughout the years, Brandy has been a writing coach, a story consultant, a literary agent, and an international publishing specialist. For hundreds of writers, her mentorship has broken the chains of fear and self-doubt. From teaching master classes to sitting at quiet tables, Brandy loves helping people explore their deepest truths.
Brandy believes in the high calling of storytelling, and she lights the way for writers as well as readers. Page by page, she walks in the legacy of those who have gone before her, and she holds a torch for any who are seeking their way.
You can find out more at www.brandyvallance.com.
ASHLEY BUSTAMANTE, Media Manager
Ashley Bustamante (author of The Color Theory trilogy) has created stories from the moment she could scribble and staple sheets of paper together. She cannot recall a time when writing was not a force in her life. Ashley strives to create stories with positive messages that encourage others to come together. She enjoys participating in the writing community and hopes to nurture other writers in the way she was nurtured by so many throughout her youth.
When not running through lines of dialogue in her mind, Ashley enjoys taking photographs and spending time with her husband, three children, and any furry, feathered, or scaly creature she can find. She is happy to connect with other writers and readers at ashleybustamante.com.
MEGHAN KLEINSCHMIDT, Director of Anthologies
As someone who has been a reader since the tender age of four, Meghan proudly accepts all bibliophile nicknames: book nerd, ink drinker, book dragon—you name it. While romance (but keep the door closed, please and thank you), mystery, and sci-fi are her favorites, she will happily read most genres. She is a pastor’s wife from Northwest Indiana with a son, a bonus daughter, and a wild, tail-chasing dog with a sweet face and a scary growl. Meghan has been an in-house editor with Quill & Flame since 2022 and is the owner/editor of Literary Pearl Editing.
Curating anthologies to support various charities is a true joy. She looks for stories that grab her by the hand and take her on a bite-sized adventure. She appreciates both traditional and unique takes on the chosen themes and loves the way authors weave the idea into their own creation. Find her on Instagram here. Find out about all the anthologies here.
BRIGITTE CROMEY, Director of Formatting, Editor
Brigitte Cromey is the published author of multiple indie books and co-editor of the Crowns anthology. She lives in Arizona, where she reminds her children not to touch the cactus and tries to remember to drink enough water. With an eye for detail, a penchant for sarcasm, and a love of stabby things, she’s not entirely certain how she ended up on staff for a clean romance publisher, but is happy nonetheless to eradicate typos and obsess over the correct formatting for dialogue. When not polishing manuscripts, she writes hopeful fantasy and sci-fi, and can be found @yarrowleafauthor on Instagram.
STEPHANY ARAUJO, Editor
Stephany Araujo has loved books since before she could read. Her love for words and storytelling first led her to her bachelor’s in journalism from Regent University and being published in Oncourse magazine. Combining her love for books and words brought her to her final destination as an editor, where she discovered she has a keen eye for the nitpicky details. When she’s not editing, she enjoys knitting, crocheting, and geocaching/hiking with her family.
Stephany’s desire is to promote and support clean books full of hope and the Truth—especially in speculative fiction. You can find her reviews and recommendations @newsysteph on Instagram.
CRYSTAL D. GRANT, Editor
Crystal Grant is the author of Shadowcast, book one of The Gateway Trilogy, along with multiple short stories and poems. As a hearing-impaired, home-school graduate, she found her voice in writing about characters fighting to overcome their obstacles. A self-described daydreamer who adores freshly baked cookies and anything with fur or feathers, she strives to instill a love of books and learning within her young students. When she’s not reading or writing stories that sweep her away to another time and place, she watches classic movies and TV shows that do the same. Or she works on jigsaw puzzles. Crystal currently resides in small-town Missouri, where she is always looking for space for another book or scented candle. Find her on Instagram here.
JENNIFER FRANKOVIC, Editor
Jennifer Frankovic is an afficionado for Star Wars lore, musical theatre, coffee, and all things Victorian, but with an English teacher for a mother, she was destined to become a connoisseur of books. Backed by a master’s degree in literature and over fifteen years of experience honing her craft as a writing educator, Jenni has a passion for quality composition and striking narratives. Having an ear for story and an eye for detail, she loves a good line or copy edit. When not finetuning others’ manuscripts or teaching, Jenni pens truth-filled fantasy. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and three young story-lovers. Find her on Instagram.
HEATHER GRIFFIN, Editor
Heather Griffin has loved cozying up with a romance novel for as long as she can remember. In college, she added English as a second major just so she could read books for homework. Life provided a personal plot twist in 2025 when God opened the doors for her to pursue writing and editing full time. Who would have guessed that degree would come in handy? So, she waved goodbye to her corporate career and now spends her days in various story worlds. An avid board game player, Heather knows the importance of following the rules, and she happily wields her Chicago Manual of Style whenever she reviews a new manuscript. She’s married to her Prince Charming (who is nothing like the ones she read about in books), and they have two children. You can connect with her on Instagram here.
Interested in being one of our authors? See guidelines on how to submit your manuscript here! Want to intern with us and learn the behind-the-scenes of book publishing? Email us at info@quillandflame.com!