Southwest Florida Reading Festival Authors

Our festival has hosted hundreds of fabulous authors over the course of the event’s history.
(Click here to view PAST Reading Festival authors.)

Past Featured Authors

Tony Abbott 2008
Betzi Abram 2003
Diana Abu-Jaber 2012
Chantel Acevedo 2016
Michele Albion 2011, 2013
Alexandra Alessandri 2023
Steve Alten 2008
Marty Ambrose 2000
Derek Anderson 2004
Mary Kay Andrews 2001, 2008, 2013, 2024
Sergio Andricaín 2014
Tom Angleberger 2015
Jennifer Arena 2016
Tedd Arnold 2013
Emily Arsenault 2021
Ace Atkins 2001
Jamie Ayres 2014
Larry Baker 2011
David Baldacci 2007
Jennifer Barnes 2011
Jennifer Lynn Barnes 2015
Annie Barrows 2013
Kalynn Bayron 2023
Janet Beard 2018
Ted Bell 2011
Kamilla Benko 2020
Alex Berenson 2013
Elizabeth Berg 2002
Marianne Berkes 2006, 2008
Eileen Bernard 2003
Julie Berry 2021
Steve Berry 2006
Phil Bildner 2005, 2011
Reshonda Tate Billingsley 2007
Cara Black 2024
Clinton L. Black 2001
Lisa Black 2007, 2009, 2012
Richard Blanco 2015
Herman Bly 2002
Prudy Taylor Board 2005, 2011
James O. Born 2008, 2016
Ben Bova 2001, 2005
Valerie Boyd 2005
Kim Boykin 2015
Rick Bragg 2004
Connie Bransilver 2001
Allison Brennan 2016
Denise Brennan-Nelson 2014
Scott Brick 2007, 2011
Douglas Brinkley 2004
Kristen Britain 2004
Drew Brockington 2019
Suzanne Brockmann 2007
Holly Brown 2017
Monica Brown 2020
Jeffrey Brown 2018
Sandra Brown 2005
Tracy Brown 2009
Nick Bruel 2011
Wanda Brunstetter 2014
Elise Bryant 2024
Michael Buckley 2012, 2024
Sheramy Bundrick 2010
T. Davis Bunn 2003
Alafair Burke 2014, 2022
Jan Burke 2000, 2004
Nancy Bush 2008
T.J. Butler 2002, 2004
Meg Cabot 2006, 2016
W. Bruce Cameron 2014
Frank Cammuso 2015
Colin Campbell 2017
Elisa Carbone 2004
Melody Carlson 2014
Jack Carr 2020
Gail Carson Levine 2013
Ally Carter 2013
Mary Casanova 2006
Dixie Cash 2007
Wiley Cash 2014
Joy Castro 2013
J.C. Cervantes 2021
Marsha Wilson Chall 2005
Joelle Charbonneau 2016
Jennifer Chiaverini 2021
Lincoln Child 2020
Cinda Chima 2015
Lindsay Cibos 2008
Scott Ciencin 2000, 2001, 2001, 2003
Chris Claremont 2010
Carol Higgins Clark 2006
Julie Clark 2021
Mary Jane Clark 2011
Chanel Cleeton 2021
Jane K. Cleland 2024
Lesa Cline-Ransome 2021
Ben Coes 2021
Nancy Cohen 2001, 2004
Evelyn Coleman 2001, 2002
Maria Antonieta Collins 2007
Sheila Herbet Collins 2003
Patrick Comer 2000
Tara Conklin 2019
Michael Connelly 2002
Tom Cooper 2022
Lori Copeland 2007
Tom Corcoran 2000
Enrique Cordoba 2005
Catherine Coulter 2013
Jasmine Cresswell 2001
Millie Criswell 2001
Deborah Crombie 2012
Adrianna Cuevas 2022, 2024
Christopher Paul Curtis 2012
Lauren Dane 2016
Susanna Daniel 2011
Cynthia Darlow 2008
S.V. Date 2002, 2005
Katie Davis 2009
Kimberly Carol Williams Davis 2002
Melissa de la Cruz 2008
Jeffery Deaver 2005, 2024
Nora DeLoach 2000
Nelson DeMille 2011
Wes DeMott 2001
Anika Aldamuy Denise 2021
Sonali Dev 2020
Alda Dobbs 2023
Paul Doiron 2016
Trish Doller 2016, 2020, 2021
David Dorsey 2015
Tim Dorsey 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013
Sharon M. Draper 2010
Stella Pope Duarte 2006
Martha Tod Dudman 2008
Martin Dugard 2013
Lois Duncan 2002
Mark “Tiger” Edmonds 2003
Jason Edwards 2010
Brian Egeston 2002, 2003
Eric Elfman 2016
J.T. Ellison 2018
Kendra Elliot 2023
Ashley Elston 2021
Roger Eschbacher 2004, 2007
Laura Esquivel 2007
David Essel 2003
Janet Evanovich 2005
Mary Anna Evans 2004
Linda Fairstein 2011
Richard Ferrone 2008
Joy Fielding 2004, 2013
Joseph Finder 2023
Candace Fleming 2017
Adrian Fogelin 2003
Connie May Fowler 2006
Dorothea Benton Frank 2013
Marcia Freeman 2002
Dennis Fried 2001
Jeaniene Frost 2013
Diana Gabaldon 2003
Ed Gaffney 2007
Carolina Garcia-Aguilera 2000, 2004, 2006
Edmund Gatley 2004
Judy Gelman 2008
Jessica Day George 2019
Tess Gerritsen 2009
Diana Hollingsworth Gessler 2002
Lamar Giles 2024
Sha’ Givens 2004
Karina Yan Glaser 2024
Anna Godbersen 2012
Holly Goldberg Sloan 2015
Lee Matthew Goldberg 2024
Christopher Golden 2003
Lucia M. Gonzalez 2010
Paulette Goodman 2003
Kathleen Goonan 2000
Chris Grabenstein 2017
Sue Grafton 2002
Heather Graham 2001, 2011, 2024
Rubye Graham-Emerson 2003
Alan Gratz 2018
Shelley Shepard Gray 2017
Mark Greaney 2017, 2020
Jane Green 2012, 2013
John Patrick Green 2021, 2023
H.Terrell Griffin 2013
James Grippando 2004, 2010, 2017
Andrew Gross 2014
Craig Grossi 2018
Michael Grunwald 2007
George Guidall 2012
Robin Jones Gunn 2007
Donna Guthrie 2003
Margaret Peterson Haddix 2010
Patricia Haley 2003
Michael Hall 2018
James W. Hall 2000, 2004
Sue Halpern 2018
Irene Hannon 2024
Joan Hiatt Harlow 2006
Karen Harper 2000, 2001, 2007,
Kim Harrison 2013
Kristy Woodson Harvey 2016
Rachel Hauck 2021
Gerald Hausman 2000, 2002
Pete Hautman 2005
Jeremiah Healy 2001
Jane Heller 2000
Johnny Heller 2019
Hilary Hemingway 2001
Patti Callahan Henry 2018
Beverly Taylor Herald 2001
Maude Heurtelou 2003
Carl Hiaasen 2000
Robert Hicks 2007
Kristan Higgans 2023
Joe Hill 2008
Nathan Hill 2017
M.E. Hilliard 2022
Jared Hodges 2008
Alice Hoffman 2011
William Hoffman 2002
Nancy Holder 2012
Sara Holland 2020
Kimberly Willis Holt 2005
Lee Bennett Hopkins 2010
Ellen Hopkins 2013
Nancy Horan 2015
Darrell House 2006, 2009
Katherine Howe 2024
Ard Hoyt 2004
Ad Hudler 2003, 2006, 2009
Angela Elwell Hunt 2000
Travis Hunter 2002
Gregg Hurwitz 2017, 2021, 2023
Isabel Ibañez 2022
Joe Ide 2022
Amy Ignatow 2015
Michael Imepellizzeri 2001, 2002, 2003
Brenda Jackson 2004, 2008
Lisa Jackson 2010
Eloisa James 2014, 2021
Lorelei James 2016
J.A. Jance 2011, 2022
Iris Johansen 2012
Roy Johansen 2012
Franklyn Johnson 2001
Maureen Johnson 2019
Nancy Johnson 2021
Sophie Jordan 2022
Alka Joshi 2023
Karla Juarez 2003, 2005
Richard Kadrey 2015
Stuart Kaminsky 2000
Victoria Kann 2011
James Kaserman 2001
James & Sarah Jane Kaserman 2002
Alex Kava 2012
Laurie Keller 2015
Katherine Kellgren 2011
Dr. Carol Kennedy 2001, 2002
Barbara Kesel 2003
Helen Ketteman 2004
Karen Kilpatrick 2024
S.J. Kincaid 2017
Cassandra King 2005, 2017
Jonathon King 2003
Peter King 2001
Shelly King 2015
Jeff Kinney 2009
Julie Klassen 2021
Christine Kling 2005
Jeff Klinkenberg 2007
Debra Knight 2002
Michelle Knudsen 2017
Michael Koryta 2020
Julie Kramer 2014
Jayne Ann Krentz 2021
Uma Krishnaswami 2004
Jarrett Krosoczka 2008
William Kent Krueger 2020
Vicki Levy Krupp 2008
Mary Kubica 2017
Taya Kyle 2017
Ryan La Sala 2021
Jon Land 2015
Lorna Landvik 2006
Kelly Lange 2002
Alison Larkin 2008
Erik Larson 2012, 2020
Dennis Lehane 2000, 2009
Melinda Leigh 2023
Christine Lemmon 2001, 2002
Betsy Lewin 2014
Ted Lewin 2014
Kevin Lewis 2005
Terri Libenson 2021, 2023
Grace Lin 2017
Jeff Lindsay 2001, 2007, 2009, 2015
Laura Lippman 2015
David Liss 2009
Eric Litwin 2011
Martín Llorens 2014
Gary Loderhose 2002
Mary Logue 2005
Ethan Long 2014
Lois Lowry 2009
Lisa Lutz 2008
Hilde Lysiak 2019
Jay MacDonald 2006
Doug MacGregor 2000, 2001, 2002
TJ MacGregor 2001
Annette Chavez Macias 2023
Debbie Macomber 2006, 2016
Robert Macomber 2004, 2009, 2010
Michelle Madow 2014
Susan Mallery 2015
Phillip Margolin 2004, 2014
Margaret Maron 2014
Laura Martin 2024
Michele Martinez 2008
Connie Mason 2000
Janeen Mason 2009
Susan Rowan Masters 2003
Peter Matthiessen 2002
S.R. Maxeiner, Jr. M.D. 2003
Stacy McAnulty 2022
Timmothy McCann 2002
Erin McCarthy 2007
Sharyn McCrumb 2006
Joe McGee 2024
Nina McGuire 2000
Jenn McKinlay 2020
LuAnn McLane 2014
Bob McLeod 2007
C.C. Medina 2001
Meg Medina 2016, 2023
Jillian Medoff 2018
Maile Meloy 2015
Brad Meltzer 2006
Charise Meracle Harper 2015
Kate Messner 2020
Jamie Michalak 2024
Shelley Fraser Mickle 2003
Linda Lael Miller 2007
Sue Miller 2006
Kyle Mills 2021
Wendy Howell Mills 2004
Jacquelyn Mitchard 2016
Sue Monk Kidd 2014
Alexandra Monir 2020
Mary Alice Monroe 2001, 2004, 2015
Johanna Moran 2010
Gustavo Bolivar Moreno 2008
Nina Moreno 2023
David Morrell 2003
Bob Morris 2005, 2008
William Morrow 2003
Stan Mulford 2002
Thomas Mullen 2019
Stuart Murphy 2002
Victoria Christopher Murray 2003
Lauren Myracle 2010
Laura Taylor Namey 2022
Donna Jo Napoli 2004
Julie & Mike Neal 2003
Carla Neggers 2008, 2010, 2018
Kadir Nelson 2013
Carla Norton 2015
Zachariah OHora 2020
Kitty Oliver 2003
Lauren Oliver 2012
James O’Neal 2010
Joseph Pacheco 2005
Lynn Painter 2024
Daniel Palmer 2016
Michael Palmer 2005, 2012
Barbara Parker 2000
Doris L. Parker 2001
P.J. Parrish 2003, 2004
Stephan Pastis 2014
Lisa Patton 2019
Baptiste Paul 2022
Miranda Paul 2022
Chris Pavone 2020
Jackson Pearce 2019
Ridley Pearson 2011
Robert Newton Peck 2002
Ana Sofia Pelaez 2016
George Pelecanos 2006
Sarah Penner 2024
Sara Pennypacker 2012
Mike Perkins 2003
Kayla Perrin 2001
Martha Lou Perritti 2003
Esther Sandner Petersen 2003
Nick Petrie 2024
Dani Pettrey 2015
Nathaniel Philbrick 2022
Hank Phillippi Ryan 2014
Susan Elizabeth Phillips 2011
Nancy Pickard 2001, 2003
Craig Pittman 2017, 2022
Greg Pizzoli 2021
Joe Posnanski 2024
Peggy Post 2003
Ashley Poston 2019
Kevin Powell 2004
Martha Powers 2001
Jack Prelutsky 2004
Margi Preus 2013
Mary Jo Putney 2004
Julia Quinn 2014
Kate Quinn 2022
Matthew Quirk 2024
Maria Rado 2005
Alisha Rai 2021
James Ransome 2021
Chris Raschka 2003
Randy Rawls 2015
Frank Remkiewicz 2001, 2002
Patricia Rice 2001
Larry Richardson 2001
Vanessa Riley 2023
Sherri Duskey Rinker 2016
Shauna Robinson 2022
Kimberla Lawson Roby 2017
Deb Rogers 2023
Eric Rohmann 2017
Rebecca Ross 2023
Lori Roy 2019
Paul Ruben 2008
Anthony Samad 2004
Judy Schachner 2012
Jennifer Schiff 2023
Frederick Schofield 2001
Aileen Schumacher 2000
Lisa Scottoline 2010
Cat Sebastian 2021
Brenda Seabrooke 2001, 2002
Ruta Sepetys 2023
Jeff Shaara 2009
Jill Shalvis 2014
B.A. Shapiro 2019
Deborah Sharp 2013
Jessica Shattuck 2018
Bob Shea 2013
Courtney Sheinmel 2014
Sara Shepard 2011, 2017
Neal Shusterman 2016
Linda Shute 2001
Obert Skye 2012
Irene Smalls 2007, 2008
Patrick Smith 2000
Cynthia Smith, Leitch 2011
Tom Smoot 2009
Charles Sobczak 2001, 2002, 2003
Christina Soontornvat 2021
Bill Sparks 2003
Erica Spindler 2012
Patricia Sprinkle 2001
Les Standiford 2000, 2007, 2013
Wendy Corsi Staub 2008
David Ezra Stein 2012
Heidi Stemple 2023
Melissa Stewart 2021
R.L. Stine 2010
Sarah Strohmeyer 2004
Dana Sullivan 2015
Tui T. Sutherland 2017
Peter Swanson 2019
Natalia Sylvester 2024
Anthony J. Tata 2019
Brad Taylor 2022
Marlene Taylor 2002
Candis Terry 2015
Carlene A. Thissen 2005
Jodi Thomas 2016
Trisha R. Thomas 2005
Salome Thomas-EL 2003
Tracy Price Thompson 2002
Caroline Todd 2012
Charles Todd 2024
Duncan Tonatiuh 2015
Scott Turow 2018
Thrity Umrigar 2012
Lisa Unger 2005, 2020, 2024
Vivian Vande Velde 2006
Annie Vanderbilt 2009
Sara Varon 2020
Ana Veciana-Suarez 2004
Elaine Viets 2000, 2004
Debbie Viguie 2012
Kim Vogel Sawyer 2021
Brady Vogt 2002
M. Diane Vogt 2001, 2005
Susan Vreeland 2008
Tina Wainscott 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Blair S. Walker 2003
Jennifer Ward 2018
D. Watkins 2017
Melanie Watt 2013
Wendy Wax 2019
Joe Weber 2004
Elissa Brent Weissman 2016
Jenna Evans Welch 2022
Rosemary Wells 2011
Karen White 2019
Alex Willan 2022
Lauren Willig 2019
Valerie Wilson Wesley 2006
Charles G. West 2000
Chassie West 2001
Diana Lee Whatley 2004
Kate White 2016
Randy Wayne White 2003
Tyler Whitesides 2014
Susan Wiggs 2005, 2017
Lori Wilde 2017
Doug Wilhelm 2007
Beatriz Williams 2017
Sheila Williams 2004
F. Paul Wilson 2007, 2010
Darryl Wimberley 2001
Lauren Wolk 2023
Douglas Wood 2006
Stuart Woods 2008
Lori Woolridge 2003, 2004
Dan Yaccarino 2004, 2005, 2024
Rick Yancey 2014
Salina Yoon 2017
Adrienne Young 2022
Mario Alberto Zambrano 2014
Zane 2012
Susan Beckham Zurenda 2020

Adult Authors

Tracy Clark

Tracy Clark is the acclaimed author of the Detective Harriet Foster series and the Cass Raines Chicago Mystery series. Her books have won or been nominated for the Anthony, Lefty, Edgar, ITW, Macavity and Sue Grafton Memorial awards and she sits on the boards of Bouchercon National and the Midwest Mystery Conference. Visit tracyclarkbooks.com

Photo credit: Bruno Passigatti, Bauwerks Photography
Reed Farrel Coleman

Reed Farrel Coleman is the New York Times bestselling author over 30 novels, including six in the Jesse Stone series for the estate of the late Robert B. Parker. He is a four-time recipient of the Shamus Award for Best P.I. Novel of the Year and a four-time Edgar Award nominee in three different categories. He has also received the Authors on the Air Book of the Year Award, the Scribe, Audie, Macavity, Barry and Anthony Awards. He is a former Executive Vice President of Mystery Writers of America and formerly an adjunct instructor at Hofstra University. He lives with his wife on Long Island. Visit reedcoleman.com
Jenny Colgan

Jenny Colgan is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including The Christmas Bookshop, The Bookshop on the Corner and Little Beach Street Bakery. Jenny, her husband and three children live in a genuine castle in Scotland. Visit jennycolgan.com

Photo credit: Charlie Hopkinson
Eli Cranor

Nationally-bestselling, Edgar Award-winning author Eli Cranor lives and writes from the banks of Lake Dardanelle where he is the “Writer in Residence” at Arkansas Tech University. He is the author of Don’t Know Tough and Ozark Dogs, which were both named “Best Crime Novels” of the year by the New York Times, among others. Eli also pens a weekly column, Where I’m Writing From for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Visit elicranor.com

Photo credit: Heath Whorton
Alison Gaylin

Alison Gaylin is the USA Today bestselling author of 15 books, including the standalones The Collective and the Edgar Award winning If I Die Tonight and the Brenna Spector series. Nominated for the Edgar four times, she has also been a finalist for numerous awards, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Strand Book Award and the ITW Thriller, Macavity and Anthony Awards. Visit alisongaylin.com

Lisa Genova

Lisa Genova is The New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice, Left Neglected, Love Anthony, Inside the O’Briens and Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting. Still Alice was adapted into an Oscar–winning film starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin and Kristen Stewart. Lisa graduated valedictorian from Bates College with a degree in biopsychology and holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Harvard University. She is featured in the documentary films To Not Fade Away and Have You Heard About Greg. Her TED talks on Alzheimer’s disease and memory have been viewed over 11 million times. Visit lisagenova.com

Photo credit: Greg Mentzer
Ali Hazelwood

Ali Hazelwood is the New York Times bestselling author of several romance novels. When Ali is not at work, she can be found with her three feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband). Visit alihazelwood.com
R.J. Jacobs

R.J. Jacobs has practiced as a psychologist since 2003. He maintains a private practice in Nashville, focusing on a wide variety of clinical concerns. After completing a post-doctoral residency at Vanderbilt, he has taught Abnormal Psychology, presented at numerous conferences and routinely performs PTSD evaluations for veterans. He is the author of And Then You Were Gone, Somewhere in the Dark, Always the First to Die and This is How We End Things. Visit RJJacobsauthor.com

Photo credit: Jason Myers
Stephen Mack Jones

Steven Mack Jones is a published poet, award winning playwright and winner of the Kresge Arts in Detroit Literary Fellowship. He has received many accolades for his August Snow crime/thriller series. He has been short listed for the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger award and a finalist for the Shamus Award as well as the Strand Critic’s Award. The Nero Wolfe Society awarded August Snow the 2018 Nero Award. In 2018, the International Association of Crime Writers presented Stephen with the prestigious Hammett Prize for literary excellence in the field of crime writing. August Snow, was named a ‘2018 Michigan Notable Book’ by the Library of Michigan. He received that honor again in 2022 for Dead of Winter. Visit stephenmackjones.com
Jean Kwok

Jean Kwok is the award-winning, New York Times and international bestselling author of The Leftover Woman, Searching for Sylvie Lee, Girl in Translation and Mambo in Chinatown. Her work has been published in over 20 countries and taught in schools across the world. All of her novels are in development for film and television. Visit jeankwok.com

Elinor Lipman

Elinor Lipman is the award-winning author of 16 books of fiction and nonfiction, including The Inn at Lake Devine, Isabel’s Bed, I Can’t Complain: (All Too) Personal Essays, On Turpentine Lane, Rachel to the Rescue, Ms. Demeanor, a finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor and the February 2025 release, Every Tom, Dick & Harry. Her first novel, Then She Found Me, was adapted into a film directed by and starring Helen Hunt, with Bette Midler, Colin Firth and Matthew Broderick. Lipman was the 2011–12 Elizabeth Drew Professor of Creative Writing at Smith College and divides her time between Manhattan and the Hudson Valley. Visit elinorlipman.com

Photo credit: Michael Benabib
Sarah MacLean

Sarah MacLean is the New York Times bestselling author of 19 novels that have been translated into more than 25 languages. A leading advocate for the romance genre, she is also the co-host of the weekly romance novel podcast, Fated Mates and her work in support of the romance genre has led Entertainment Weekly to call her “the elegantly fuming, utterly intoxicating queen of historical romance.” A product of Rhode Island summers and New England storms, Sarah now lives with her family in New York City. Visit sarahmaclean.net
Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. Her novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot. Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers. In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas,” Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons. Visit debbiemacomber.com
Viola Shipman

Viola Shipman is the pen name of Wade Rouse, the bestselling author of 17 books, which have been selected as Indie Next and Michigan Notables. He writes fiction under his grandma’s name Viola Shipman, to honor the woman whose heirlooms inspire and family stories inspire his fiction. He lives in Michigan and California. Visit violashipman.com

Photo credit: Ivan Hundric
Julie Soto

Julie Soto is a USA Today bestselling author, playwright and actress originally from Sacramento, California. Her musical “Generation Me” won the 2017 New York Musical Festival’s Best Musical award, as well as Best Book for her script. She is a musical theater geek, fandom nerd and the author of many spicy fan fictions. Julie now lives in Fort Bragg, California, with her dog, Charlie. She is probably drinking coffee as you read this. Visit juliesotowrites.com

Photo credit: Kevin Fiscus

Annabelle Tometich

Annabelle Tometich went from medical school reject to line cook to journalist to author. She spent 18 years as a food writer, editor and restaurant critic for The News-Press in her hometown of Fort Myers, Florida. Her first book, The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony, was called “sweet, sharp” by The New York Times.

Tometich’s writing has appeared in The Washington Post, USA Today, Catapult and many more outlets. She has won more than a dozen awards for her stories, including first place for Food & Travel Writing at the 2022 Sunshine State Awards. She still lives in Fort Myers with her husband, two children and her ever-fiery Filipina mother. Visit annabelletometich.com

Teen Authors

Renée Ahdieh

Renée Ahdieh is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her spare time, she likes to dance salsa and collect shoes. She is passionate about all kinds of curry, rescue dogs and college basketball. The first few years of her life were spent in a high-rise in South Korea; consequently, Renée enjoys having her head in the clouds. She and her family live in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she continues to write bestselling books. Renée is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Wrath & the Dawn series, the Flame in the Mist series and The Beautiful quartet. Emilio Sloth’s Modern Manners is her debut children’s picture book. Visit reneeahdieh.com

Photo credit: Crystal Stokes
Kristy Boyce

Kristy Boyce is the nationally bestselling author of Dungeons and Drama, Hot British Boyfriend and Hot Dutch Daydream. She played her first role-playing game in high school and has been friends with that group ever since. In fact, she even married the DM. Nowadays, she teaches psychology as a senior lecturer at The Ohio State University. When she’s not spending time with her husband and son, she’s usually writing, reading or watching happy reality TV. Visit kristyboyceauthor.com

Photo credit: Open Image Studio
Karen M. McManus

Karen M. McManus is a New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author of young adult thrillers. Her work includes the One of Us Is Lying series, which has been turned into a television show on Peacock and Netflix, as well as the stand-alone novels Two Can Keep a Secret, The Cousins, You’ll Be the Death of Me, Nothing More to Tell and Such Charming Liars. Karen’s critically acclaimed, award-winning work has been translated into 42 languages. Visit karenmcmanus.com

Photo credit: Kaitlyn Litchfield Photography
Angela Montoya

Angela Montoya has been obsessed with the magic of storytelling since she was a little girl. She hasn’t seen a day without a book in her hand, a show tune in her mind, or a movie quote on her lips. Her debut novel, Sinner’s Isle, received multiple starred reviews. When she isn’t lost in the world of words, Angela can be found hiding away on her small farm in Northern California, where she’s busy bossing around her partner and their two children, as well as a host of animals. Visit angelamontoyawrites.com

Photo credit: Rachel Orr Lesiw
Ginny Myers Sain

Ginny Myers Sain is the author of Dark and Shallow Lies, Secrets So Deep, One Last Breath and When the Bones Sing, a March 2025 release. Her debut novel, Dark and Shallow Lies, is a New York Times bestseller, an Indie Bookstore Bestseller, a Barnes & Noble YA Pick of the Month, an Amazon Editor’s Pick and a 2022 Crystal Kite award winner from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Ginny’s books are available world-wide in eight countries and counting. Visit ginnymyerssain.com

Kid's Authors

Kate Hannigan

Kate Hannigan loves to find interesting people from history and share them with young readers. While she used to work in newspaper journalism, Kate now writes fiction and nonfiction for young readers. Her books have received the Golden Kite Award for best middle-grade. She has been nominated for the California Young Reader Medal and has been included 1n the National Science Teaching Association-Children’s Book Council Best STEM Books and included in Smithsonian Magazine’s annual “Best Children’s Books.” Kate’s titles include the middle-grade historical novel The Detective’s Assistant, the League of Secret Heroes series, graphic novels like The Great Chicago Fire and nonfiction picture book biographies like Blips on a Screen about the invention of video gaming. When she’s not researching or writing, Kate can be found walking along Chicago’s lakefront with her suspiciously smart Border Collie named Kevin. Visit katehannigan.com
Molly Idle

Molly Idle is the Caldecott Honor-winning creator of the picture book Flora and the Flamingo and a flock of books featuring Flora and her feathered friends. She is also the author and illustrator of the mermaid tales Pearl and Coral. Her most recent picture books are Witch Hazel and I Don’t Care, written by Julie Fogliano and co-illustrated with her best friend Juana Martinez- Neal. Molly lives in Arizona with her marvelous, multigenerational family and a small, furry, feathery menagerie. Visit idleillustration.com
Megan McDonald

Megan McDonald is the creator of the popular and award-winning Judy Moody and Stink series for older readers. She is also the author of three Sisters Club stories, two books about Ant and Honey Bee and many other books for children. Her new series for young readers, The Fairy Door Diaries launches in February 2025. McDonald lives in California with her husband, writer Richard Haynes. Visit judymoody.com

Photo credit: Michele McDonald
Kate Messner

Kate Messner is a New York Times bestselling author who is passionately curious and has written more than 60 books for kids who wonder too. Kate writes award-winning picture books, chapter books, novels and the popular History Smashers series. She splits her time between Southwest Florida and Upstate New York. Visit katemessner.com

Southwest Florida Reading Festival Authors

Past Featured Authors

Tracy Clark

Reed Farrel Coleman

Jenny Colgan

Eli Cranor

Alison Gaylin

Lisa Genova

Ali Hazelwood

R.J. Jacobs

Stephen Mack Jones

Jean Kwok

Elinor Lipman

Sarah MacLean

Debbie Macomber

Viola Shipman

Julie Soto

Annabelle Tometich

Renée Ahdieh

Kristy Boyce

Karen M. McManus

Angela Montoya

Ginny Myers Sain

Kate Hannigan

Molly Idle

Megan McDonald

Kate Messner