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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
Renée Ahdieh 2025
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
Kristy Boyce 2025
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
Tracy Clark 2025
Chanel Cleeton 2021
Jane K. Cleland 2024
Lesa Cline-Ransome 2021
Ben Coes 2021
Nancy Cohen 2001, 2004
Evelyn Coleman 2001, 2002
Reed Farrel Coleman 2025
Maria Antonieta Collins 2007
Jenny Colgan 2025
Nicole Collier 2025
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
Eli Cranor 2025
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
Alison Gaylin 2025
Judy Gelman 2008
Lisa Genova 2025
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
Kate Hannigan 2025
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
Ali Hazelwood 2025
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
Molly Idle 2025
Amy Ignatow 2015
Michael Imepellizzeri 2001, 2002, 2003
Brenda Jackson 2004, 2008
Lisa Jackson 2010
R.J. Jacobs 2025
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
Stephen Mack Jones 2025
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
Jean Kwok 2025
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
Elinor Lipman 2025
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, 2025
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
Karen McManus 2025
C.C. Medina 2001
Meg Medina 2016, 2023
Jillian Medoff 2018
Maile Meloy 2015
Brad Meltzer 2006
Charise Meracle Harper 2015
Kate Messner 2020, 2025
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
Angela Montoya 2025
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
Karyn Parsons 2025
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
Ginny Myers Sain 2025
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
Viola Shipman 2025
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
Julie Soto 2025
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
Annabelle Tometich 2025
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

  • Peter Abrahams
    Peter Abrahams

    Peter Abrahams

    Peter Abrahams, aka Spencer Quinn, is the Edgar-award winning author of 49 novels, including The Right Side, The Fan, Oblivion and the Echo Falls series for younger readers. Under his pen name, Spencer Quinn, he writes The New York Times bestselling Chet and Bernie series and the Mrs. Plansky series. Visit peterabrahams.com

  • Bruce Borgos
    Bruce Borgos

    Bruce Borgos

    Bruce Borgos is the bestselling author of the Porter Beck mystery series. He lives in Nevada with his wife, Pam and their golden retriever, Charlie Blue Horse—who is also a character in his books. He writes mysteries, drinks wine (for research) and survives the wilds of publishing one book at a time. Visit bruceborgos.com

  • Kalie Cassidy
    Kalie Cassidy

    Kalie Cassidy

    Kalie Cassidy was born and raised in Southern California and spent over a decade working in Los Angeles as a professional theater actor, coach and acting teacher. She now lives in the Midwest with her family and rambunctious golden retriever. Visit kaliecassidybooks.com

  • Fiona Davis
    Fiona Davis

    Fiona Davis

    Fiona Davis is The New York Times bestselling author of eight historical fiction novels set in iconic New York City buildings, including The Stolen Queen, The Magnolia Palace and The Lions of Fifth Avenue, which was a Good Morning America book club pick. She first came to New York as an actress but fell in love with writing after getting a master’s degree at Columbia Journalism School. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Oprah magazine and elsewhere and her books have been translated into over 20 languages. She’s based in New York City. Visit fionadavisbooks.com

    Photo credit: Angela Strassheim

  • Rachel Gillig
    Rachel Gillig

    Rachel Gillig

    Rachel Gillig is the #1 New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Knight and the Moth and The Shepherd King series. An artist and a retired preschool teacher, Rachel has a B.A. in Literary Theory and Criticism from UC Davis. If she’s not ensconced in blankets, dreaming up her next novel, Rachel is out walking in beautiful coastal California with her husband, son, and their dignified poodle, Wally. Visit rachelgillig.com

    Photo credit: Rachel Gillig

  • Kristin Harmel
    Kristin Harmel

    Kristin Harmel

    Kristin Harmel is The New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen novels including The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau, The Forest of Vanishing Stars, The Book of Lost Names, The Room on Rue Amélie and The Sweetness of Forgetting. She is published in more than 30 languages and is the co-founder and co-host of the popular web series, Friends & Fiction. She lives in Orlando, Florida. Visit kristinharmel.com

    Photo credit: The Paris Photographer

  • Patti Callahan Henry
    Patti Callahan Henry

    Patti Callahan Henry

    Patti Callahan Henry is The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of several novels, including Surviving Savannah and Becoming Mrs. Lewis. She is the recipient of the Christy Award, the Harper Lee Award for Alabama’s Distinguished Writer of the Year Award and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year. She is the co-host and cocreator of the popular weekly online live web show and podcast Friends and Fiction. She lives in Alabama and South Carolina with her family. Visit patticallahanhenry.com

    Photo credit: Liesa Cole Photography

  • Alka Joshi
    Alka Joshi

    Alka Joshi

    Alka Joshi is the internationally bestselling author of the Jaipur trilogy: The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur and The Perfumist of Paris. Her debut novel, The Henna Artist, instantly became a New York Times Bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Bookclub Pick, an LA Times Bestseller, a Toronto Star Bestseller, an Indie Bookstores Bestseller, a Cosmopolitan Best Audiobook and an Amazon and Goodreads favorite. It was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and has been translated into 30 languages. Alka was born in India and came to the U.S. with her family at the age of nine. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. Visit alkajoshi.com

  • Wally Lamb
    Wally Lamb

    Wally Lamb

    Wally Lamb is the author of the New York Times bestselling novels The River Is Waiting, I’ll Take You There, We Are Water, Wishin’ and Hopin’, The Hour I First Believed, I Know This Much Is True and She’s Come Undone. Lamb also edited Couldn’t Keep It to Myself and I’ll Fly Away, two volumes of essays from students in his writing workshop at York Correctional Institution, a women’s prison in Connecticut, where he was a volunteer facilitator for 20 years. Lamb lives in Connecticut with his wife, Christine, and they have three sons. Visit wallylamb.net

    Photo credit: Shana Sureck

  • Ward Larsen
    Ward Larsen

    Ward Larsen

    Ward Larsen is a USA Today bestselling author of 17 novels. He is a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and has served as an airline captain and federal law enforcement officer. He is also a trained aircraft accident investigator. Visit wardlarsen.com

  • Annabel Monaghan
    Annabel Monaghan

    Annabel Monaghan

    Annabel Monaghan is The New York Times bestselling author of It’s a Love Story, Summer Romance, Same Time Next Summer and Nora Goes Off Script, as well as two young adult novels and Does This Volvo Make My Butt Look Big?, a selection of laugh-out-loud columns that appeared in HuffPost, The Week and The Rye Record. She lives in Connecticut with her family. Her novels have been translated into 21 languages. Visit annabelmonaghan.com

    Photo credit: Alison Rodilosso

  • Sarah Pekkanen
    Sarah Pekkanen

    Sarah Pekkanen

    Sarah Pekkanen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author or co-author of 15 novels. Her books are sold in 36 countries, with several optioned for TV and film. Sarah also co-wrote the screenplay for The Wife Between Us for Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment. She serves on the board of directors of International Thriller Writers and is the founder of the nonprofit IndiaStreetPaws.com, which rescues injured and abused street dogs in India. She lives just outside of Washington, DC. Visit sarahpekkanen.com

    Photo credit: Bill Miles

  • David Rosenfelt
    David Rosenfelt

    David Rosenfelt

    David Rosenfelt is the Edgar-nominated and Shamus Award–winning author of almost 30 Andy Carpenter novels, including Dog Day Afternoon; several stand-alone thrillers, nonfiction titles and several K Team novels, a series featuring some of the characters from the Andy Carpenter series. After years of living in California, he and his wife moved to Maine with 25 of the 4,000 dogs they have rescued. Visit davidrosenfelt.com

  • Brad Thor
    Brad Thor

    Brad Thor

    Brad Thor is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 25 thrillers, including Edge of Honor, Black Ice, Near Dark, Backlash, Spymaster, The Last Patriot and Blowback. Brad has served as a member of the Department of Homeland Security’s Analytic Red Cell Unit. He has also lectured to law enforcement organizations on over-the-horizon/future threats and has been a keynote speaker for the National Tactical Officers Association annual conference. In 2008, Brad shadowed a Black Ops team in Afghanistan to research his thriller, The Apostle. Brad graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California where he studied creative writing, film and television production. Prior to becoming a novelist, Brad was the award-winning creator, producer, writer and host of the critically acclaimed national public television series, Traveling Lite. Visit bradthor.com

    Photo credit: Jeremy Cowart

  • Lisa Wingate
    Lisa Wingate

    Lisa Wingate

    Lisa Wingate is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Before We Were Yours, which has sold more than 3 million copies and been translated into over 40 languages worldwide. The co-author, with Judy Christie, of the nonfiction book Before and After, Wingate is an Oklahoma Book Award finalist, a Goodreads Choice Award winner and a Southern Book Prize winner. She was named a 2023 Distinguished Alumni of Oklahoma State University. She lives in Texas and Colorado. Visit lisawingate.com

    Photo credit: Wyatt McSpadden

  • Adrienne Young
    Adrienne Young

    Adrienne Young

    Adrienne Young is the New York Times bestselling author of Spells for Forgetting, The Unmaking of June Farrow, A Sea of Unspoken Things, the Fable series and the Sky & Sea duology. When she’s not writing, you can find her on her yoga mat, on a walk in the woods, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.  Visit adrienneyoungbooks.com

    Photo credit: Robb Leahy

Teen Authors

  • Marc J. Gregson
    Marc J. Gregson

    Marc J. Gregson

    Marc J. Gregson is The New York Times bestselling author of the Above the Black trilogy. His work has been released in several languages across multiple continents and his trilogy starter, Sky’s End, is in development as a major motion picture. Visit marcjgregson.com

  • Xan Kaur
    Xan Kaur

    Xan Kaur

    Xan Kaur is a Punjabi-American author who grew up in rural Georgia, where there were more gnats than people. Her debut novel is When Devils Sing, an instant New York Times and national Indie bestseller. When not writing, you can find her behind a camera or swimming in the nearest ocean. Visit xankaur.com

  • Susan Lee
    Susan Lee

    Susan Lee

    Cancelled

    Susan Lee is a bestselling author of both young adult and adult romantic comedies. Her work has been featured in Buzzfeed, NPR and People magazine. When not writing, her many obsessions include K-pop, K-dramas, collecting sneakers, mechanical keyboards and her chihuahua, Buttercup. Visit susanleewrites.com

  • Lynn Painter
    Lynn Painter

    Lynn Painter

    Lynn Painter is the New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies. She writes Rom-Coms for both teens and adults and when she isn’t reading or writing, she can usually be found guzzling energy drinks and binge watching seasons of whatever her latest streaming addiction might be. Her latest release is Fake Skating. Visit www.lynnpainter.com

  • Sasha Peyton Smith
    Sasha Peyton Smith

    Sasha Peyton Smith

    Sasha Peyton Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven and The Rose Bargain. Her work has been translated into over a dozen languages. She lives in a 100-year-old house in Utah with her husband and (allegedly) two ghosts. Visit sashapsmith.com

Kid's Authors

  • Dan Gutman
    Dan Gutman

    Dan Gutman

    Dan Gutman was born in a log cabin in Illinois and used to write by candlelight with a piece of chalk on a shovel. Oh, wait. That was Abraham Lincoln. Actually, Dan has written 200 books including Rappy the Raptor for beginning readers, the My Weird School series for young readers and The Picasso Curse for advanced readers. Dan lives in New York City. Visit dangutman.com

  • Kay Healy
    Kay Healy

    Kay Healy

    Kay Healy grew up on Staten Island, a borough of New York City. She studied art history at Oberlin College in Ohio, then went to art school to learn printmaking and book arts at UArts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When not making books, Healy draws, screen prints and sews fabric soft sculptures in her studio. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, two daughters, two cats and one dog. Visit kayhealy.com/caseys-cases

  • Sylvia Liu
    Sylvia Liu

    Sylvia Liu

    Sylvia Liu grew up with books and daydreams in Caracas, Venezuela. Once an environmental attorney protecting the oceans, she now spins stories about nature, sports, strong girls and the intricacies of family and friendship. Her books include Stealing the Score, Near and Deer, Hana Hsu and the Ghost Crab Nation, Manatee’s Best Friend and A Morning with Grandpa. Sylvia co-runs the kid lit resource website Kidlit411 and lives in Virginia with her family and a fluffy cat. Visit enjoyingplanetearth.com

    Photo credit: K. Woodard Photography

  • Greg Pizzoli
    Greg Pizzoli

    Greg Pizzoli

    Greg Pizzoli is the three-time Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winning creator of the Baloney and Friends graphic novel series, as well as the author and illustrator of the picture books The Watermelon Seed, Good Night Owl and The Book Hog. Visit gregpizzoli.com

    Photo credit: Alice Lee

  • Stephen Shaskan
    Stephen Shaskan

    Stephen Shaskan

    Stephen Shaskan is the author and illustrator of several picture books including Toad on the Road, The Three Triceratops Tuff and A Dog Is a Dog and the best-selling graphic chapter book series Pizza and Taco. He also illustrated the picture book Punk Skunks and the graphic novel series Q and Ray, both written by his wife Trisha Speed Shaskan. Stephen and Trisha live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and love visiting schools and libraries, reading their stories and inspiring young authors/illustrators. Visit stephenshaskan.com

  • Trisha Speed Shaskan
    Trisha Speed Shaskan

    Trisha Speed Shaskan

    Trisha Speed Shaskan has written 50 books for children, including the picture book The Itty-Bitty Witch, illustrated by Xindi Yan. Trisha enjoys visiting elementary schools and libraries all over the country where she shares her passion for literature and writing. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband/author/illustrator & frequent collaborator Stephen Shaskan. Visit trishaspeedshaskan.com