Age Group:
EveryoneProgram Description
Program Description
Check back often for more details!
The Local Author Fair returns for its second year 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the Lawrenceburg Main Library.
Support local talent! Stop by and find your next great book to read. Most of the authors have a connection to Southeastern Indiana and all are from Indiana, Ohio or Kentucky. There is no cost to attend and parking is free. (Maybe you can find a few Easter presents!)
CHECK BELOW TO SEE WHO IS SCHEDULED TO ATTEND SO FAR THIS YEAR! Names and biographies will be added as authors join.
Several events are planned and this post will be updated as they are revealed.
*THREE dogs are scheduled to take participate in this month's Bark and Books. Stop by from 11 a.m. to noon to read to one of our furry friends.
*Author panels will take place throughout the fair. Check back to see who will be speaking. It might be someone you know!
Authors Schedule to Appear
Lawrence (Larry) Blundred
Children's Fiction
How Pickleball Saved Ollie Otter, Ollie Visits Where It All Started, New Friends
Larry is a retired marketing and sales director with Skyline Chili and JTM Food Group. He started his writing career when his wife was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. He wrote what he calls "serious" inspirational books linked to the journey he and his wife, Donna, experienced, striving to help others who would face a "life curveball" and may need support Thriving, not just surviving. He transitioned to writing children's books linked to his discovery and love of the sport of pickleball, where he found community, support and emotional/physical "therapy" during the time of his wife's decline and ultimate passing. He dedicates his children's books, to his wife's memory and thriving spirit, which are reflected through the main character, Ollie Otter. Ollie is named after his first grandson, Oliver.
Alyssa Buckhave
Adult nonfiction
Harvesting Hope: A Homesteading Journey Rooted in Faith
I live on a small farm in Milan, Ind., with my husband, Brandon, our two wonderful children, and and assortment of dogs and chickens. Despite my city beginnings, I am a true homesteader at heart and have lived in Milan now for 17 years. I am a Jesus lover, yoga and fitness instructor, avid reader, designer, organizer, DIY enthusiast, gardener, and essential oil guru. I am passionate about living a non toxic, sustainable lifestyle, deeply rooted in faith and family. Our family enjoys spending time together at home, church, and various activities, as well as traveling to new and unique places. My mission is to support and inspire others to live their best lives. The salvation of another human fills my heart with joy.
Alysse Busemeyer
Children fiction
Two Best Sisters
Mom of four littles and I wrote this book when my girls were little. I was having trouble finding a good sister book to read to them so I decided to write my own. I had it written in the notes on my phone. After a few years I decided to find an illustrator and publish my book. It is available for purchase on Amazon, Walmart and Barnes and Nobles currently.
Bobbi Cornett
Children fiction
Be Different at Bigfoot Lake, What Will Taulbee Get Into Today, Where Will Taulbee Go Today
Bobbi Cornett is a local author with big dreams. In 2023, Bobbi, was the winner of the Golden Wizard Book Prize. She continues adding books to her Taulbee collection and is hoping to continue with her Bigfoot books. She loves to travel and brings the books to every destination. One of her favorite things about being a children’s book author, is going to schools and reading to the students. Her hopes and dreams are to continue writing and inspiring young readers to believe in themselves.
Aleigh K. Dean
Adult fiction
Kiss Me Crazy
A love of literature and work experience in communications and professional editing paved the way for Aleigh K. Dean’s author journey. Aleigh writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense books featuring small-town charm, humor, and happily-ever-afters. When not reading a good book, writing, or spending time with her family in her Southeastern Indiana hometown, Aleigh is probably plotting a storyline, romantic scene, or the demise of an unlucky character.
Rhett R. Dennerline
Adult fiction
The Only Good Indians
Rhett R. Dennerline, born in Lawrenceburg, Ind., grew up in Dearborn County and graduated from South Dearborn High School. He attended Purdue and Indiana Universities He has homes in Indiana and Chicago, where he practices law.
Beth Dotson Brown
Adult fiction
Rooted in Sunrise
Beth Dotson Brown has visited with a king in Ghana, listened to the dreams of mothers in Guatemala and made friends with the monarchs in Kentucky. Beth is an award-winning feature writer, short story author, essayist and debut novelist. Beth's debut novel, Rooted in Sunrise, was published in 2024. She is also the author of Yes! I Am Catholic and contributor to A Cup of Comfort for Breast Cancer Survivors, Scenes from the Common Wealth, and The Bandana Book. Heartland Plays published her collection of one-act plays, Mothers, Daughters and the Spaces in Between. Her short stories have been published in literary magazines and aired on the BBC World Service Short Story Programme. Beth earned her journalism degree at Ball State University. Besides writing, she also works with nonprofit organizations and mentors writers. Beth is a member of the Author’s Guild and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. She lives in a small Kentucky town where she enjoys family, friends and cooking from the goodness of the garden.
https://www.bethdotsonbrown.net/
Jessica Elam
Adult fiction
Beyond the Bleeding Heart
Jessica Elam is a young Christian woman living in the rolling hills of Indiana. The American Civil War is one of her greatest passions and she visits National Battlefield Parks as often as she can, particularly Gettysburg. Jessica enjoys her job as the office manager of a local hardware store in town. She also loves traveling, hiking, writing and spending time with her friends, family and her dogs. Jessica wants to dream big, impact others and live life to the fullest.
Cherie Dawn Haas
Adult fiction, Poetry
Girl on Fire, Ashes for William, A Sign of Life
Cherie Dawn Haas is the author of Girl on Fire, Personified, Ashes for William, and A Sign of Life, and is a co-author of the "From Meditation to Creation" series. She has contributed to WritersDigest.com, and by day is theeEditor for three Streamline Publishing art newsletters and websites. She is working on her third and fourth novels, leads local and online writing workshops and retreats, and writes the monthly LifeSoup blog.
Rick Iles
Adult nonfiction inspirational , Children fiction
My Gift from God: Parkinson's Disease, Nothing Is Impossible With God: A Christmas Devotional for Families, Tales From A Kentucky Boy
My wife and I have been married 50 years and we are blessed with four children and eight grandchildren. I am a retired elementary school teacher. After teaching 31 1/2 years I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and I had to retire because my symptoms kept getting worse. I am active in my church and in a men's group. My hobbies are woodworking and collecting antique woodworking tools.
J.E. Irvin
Adult fiction
The Hiding Game, Broken, Betrayed
J.E. Irvin is an educator, poet, and the author of eight mystery/thrillers. Her shorter works have appeared in a variety of print and online publications, including Hawaii Pacific Review, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Creosote, The Raven’s Perch, Sky Island Journal, and Flying Island Journal. Irvin, her husband, and their two crazy cats live in southwestern Ohio on the edge of a nature park, which serves as inspiration for much of her work.
Deanna Johnson
Adult nonfiction
Lessons from the Father
(Pictured on the right) I am a hairstylist of 35 years. A wife, mother, sister, daughter of divorced parents when I was a little child my parents divorced this book is about my relationship with my Heavenly Father. The lessons that God taught me about that. I am donating 100 percent of the cost of this book to cancer research to honor my earthly Father who passed away with pancreatic cancer at the age of 71.
Lorry Kirschner
Adult nonfiction
Big Trouble
Kirschner lives in rural Franklin County with my husband, and dog (Lucy), and a very bossy cat! She grew up on a farm in southwest Ohio on a dairy farm. She enjoys quilting, cooking, baking and reading. She loves to read on her back porch during summer months, listening to the corn "whispering" from the ever-present breeze that gently blows here. She was a 4-H leader for many years, and currently helps 4-H children learn the joy of sewing. Kirschner and her husband (Gary) share a love of history, and enjoy traveling to historical places. She is a grandmother, and her greatest joy is spending time with her grandchildren. BIG TROUBLE started as a storytelling project but evolved into a book. She wrote it in memory of her father, who provided her with the opportunity to have incredible adventures, being a curious farm girl in the 1950s and 1960s.
M.E. Lavern/Mary Ellen Quigley
Adult fiction, adult nonfiction
Bound By Truth, Wild Side, Sweet Serenade, Haunted Dearborn County, Indiana
Mary Ellen Quigley is a Director of Revenue Strategy for a hotel management company, who has a passion for both numbers and literature. She writes romance novels under the pen name M.E. Lavern and non-fiction local history books under her real name, Mary Ellen Quigley. When she's not working or crunching numbers, she can be found weaving tales of passion and intrigue, or digging up historical dirt for her next book. Mary Ellen also co-hosts the Hoosier Myths and Legends podcast with her sister and niece. She resides in Hebron, Indiana, with her loyal furry companion, Rudy, who is rumored to be the comedic inspiration for most of her novels.
https://www.melavernauthor.com
Judy McCarty Kuhn
Children fiction, adult fiction, adult nonfiction
The Magic Nation Gift Shop, The Sixth Raven, The Other UC and Me: Editing the Sixties
For thirty years, Judy McCarty Kuhn was a teacher of English, history, and journalism at Walnut Hills High in Cincinnati. After she retired, Mrs. Kuhn began a new career as a writer. The Other UC and Me: Editing the Sixties, a memoir of Judy’s days editing the University of Cincinnati News Record during the Vietnam Conflict, was her first book. Magic Nation Tales, a six book series for children, soon followed. The Sixth Raven (2022), Judy’s first adult novel, combines history and reality with science fiction and fantasy. The novel reveals Judy’s favorite topics: communication, imagination, paradox, attitude, and heroism. Judy is a life-long resident of the Tristate. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1967 and earned her Master’s Degree in 1971. She is an avid golfer who serves as the statistician for the Hidden Valley Women’s league. She and her entire family can be seen skiing at Perfect North every winter. Judy’s participation in the Pen Pal Program in Dearborn County led to the Magic Nation Tales Series. One book is dedicated to the children of Moore’s Hill who provided suggestions for the book’s short stories. On numerous occasions, she has spoken to classes regarding her writing. Judy has participated in Books by the Banks and the Dearborn Highlands Art’s Alive Boutique. In the late 1980’s, the Cincinnati Mercantile Library honored her with two scholarships to the Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference. Judy is most proud of her many former students who are journalists and published authors.
https://judykuhn67.wixsite.com/website also: bit.ly/3UxtUwo
H. T. Martineau
Teen, Young adult fiction, Tabletop gaming
Ranger's Odyssey, Ember in the Forge, Ambergrovian Adventurer's Guide
Born and raised in Indiana, author H. T. Martineau grew up reading fantasy and adventures, playing various role-playing games, and going to festivals with her family. When she was 16, she created the world of Ambergrove on a park bench in Scotland. She now adventures with her husband, who encourages her to share the tales of Ambergrove.
Stacia McKeever
Children nonfiction
Crafted by God, Why is Keiko Sick?
Stacia is the author of Crafted by God and Why is Keiko Sick? and has written for several magazines and other publications. Her curriculum credits include the Answers for Kids Bible Curriculum and The Pilgrim's Progress All-in-One Curriculum. Stacia has spoken and written on the topic of disability since her oldest son was diagnosed with a genetic condition called Williams syndrome. Stacia lives in a home in a holler with her husband and three sons. They have a dozen chickens (depending on the day) and several hundred thousand bees. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and writing, but not exercising.
Tina Neely
Children fiction
Bacon's Very Important Christmas Job
Tina Neely is a passionate author, illustrator, and micro-publisher dedicated to creating heartwarming stories that inspire love, acceptance, and joy. Best known for her "It's Bacon's World!" series, featuring her real-life potbelly pig, Bacon, Tina combines interactive storytelling with themes that resonate deeply with children and families. Her work has been celebrated on nationally syndicated radio, local newspapers, and podcasts, where her engaging personality and unique perspective captivate audiences. In addition to her writing, Tina is a creative entrepreneur, offering a range of merchandise and activity-based products that extend the world of her stories. Her mission is to bring smiles to little readers and their families, encouraging connection and creativity. When she's not writing or illustrating, Tina enjoys sharing her journey on social media, connecting with her community, and participating in author events. Visit her online at TinaNeely.com or follow her on Instagram @tinaneelyauthor.
Ron Nicholson
Adult fiction
Justice House Shadows
R. H. Nicholson , originally from Indianapolis, taught English and Journalism for 40 years. He is a short story writer, poet, novelist, and playwright
Georgia Purdom
Children nonfiction
Crafted by God
Dr. Georgia Purdom earned her PhD in molecular genetics from The Ohio State University. After teaching as a college biology professor for sic years, she joined Answers in Genesis in 2006 where she serves as the Vice President of Educational Content and Director of Research in addition to being a speaker and writer. In her role as VP, she oversees the educational programming offered at the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter, directs the research department, and is the production manager for Answers Magazine and Kids Answers. She also directs AiG’s annual women’s conference, Answers for Women, bringing relevant apologetics teaching to women. Dr. Purdom and her husband Chris have been married for 28 years and have a 21-year-old daughter Elizabeth.
Susan Ray
Adult nonfiction, poetry, Adult and teen fiction, Cookbook
The Hangry Kitchen, Into the Gloaming, Discovering Home, Along the Way, Discovering Home
Local author Susan Ray brings a sense of fun, ample creativity, and real life experience to every page. She has been a professional caterer, a feature writer for regional newspapers, and an enthusiastic educator. She believes that stories are everywhere, just waiting to be discovered and shared. Susan's newest release, Into the Gloaming, is a collection of fantasy, folklore, and sci-fi, while her latest poetry book, Along the Way, was inspired by nature's beauty. She is currently at work on more books than she'd care to admit.
Sherri Roach
Adult/Teen nonfiction
First, I'm a Christian, period. After that, I'm a mom to two awesome kids, even though they aren't kids anymore. My daughter is 27 and my son is 24, both are married, working, and raising some of their own. As a result, I have six grandkids. I'm a writer, my first book is, and Freedom Whispered My Name. I'm currently working on the sequel and hope to have it out soon. When I'm not writing, I'm either running my baking business, (Grandma's Mixing Bowl), or sleeping.
Taylor Rivera
Children nonfiction
My Indiana, My Michigan, My Puerto Rico
I'm originally from Michigan, my husband is from Puerto Rico and we found ourselves in southeast Indiana ❤️ I've always been a writer and have written many stories, but just now decided to start getting some published. Grateful for all the amazing places like Indiana to be able to write about.
Roxanne Snodgrass
Adult nonfiction
The Brush of Angel Wings: stories of Ordinary People with Extraordinary Experiences
I have enjoyed collecting stories of life. I grew up in Indiana and was an educator teaching ages from kindergarten to early childhood professionals. I have retired and now enjoy time with family - including eight grandchildren.
Maria Steinmetz
Fiction young adult
The Bone Bridge, The Faerie Ring
Maria Steinmetz loves reading, writing, and all things storytelling-related. Her work has appeared on the No Sleep Podcast and in Ember: A Journal of Luminous Things and Flash Fiction Magazine. She writes young adult fiction under the pen name M.C. Metz. Her novella The Faerie Ring released in 2023 and her novel The Bone Bridge is releasing in March 2025. When not writing, she works for a mortgage company, teaches college English classes, travels, and spends time with her family, friends, and wild puppy, Ruby.
Gena Stonefield
Children fiction
Charlie’s Service Dog Tail
Gena Stonefield has been associated with Circle Tail, Inc. since 2019. Circle Tail's mission is to empower, educate, and inspire individuals and communities through professional training and partnership of highly-skilled service-oriented dogs. Gena has harbored a passion for animals from a very young age. She has dedicated herself to educating both children and adults about the roles of service and facility dogs and the essential functions these trained dogs provide.
Jeff Suess
Adult nonfiction
Pete Rose: A Tribute to a Baseball Legend, Cincinnati: An Illustrated Timeline, The Cincinnati Bengals: An Illustrated Timeline
Jeff Suess is a history columnist for The Cincinnati Enquirer and the author of several history books, including "Lost Cincinnati," "Hidden History of Cincinnati," "Cincinnati Then and Now," "Cincinnati: An Illustrated Timeline," and "Tomorrowland," and the co-author books on the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers. Jeff grew up in Modesto, California, and graduated from San Francisco State University. He lives in White Oak on Cincinnati’s West Side with his wife, Kristin, and their daughter, Dashiell.
Cindy Tanner
Adult fiction
When You Were Mine, Mine for Now, Say You'll Be Mine
Cindy is an Independent author and long time book dragon. She writes in contemporary, romcom, and paranormal romance. She loves pizza, and dreams of one day retiring to a mountain cabin with her family and getting pet donkeys.
Heidi Thompson
Illustrator
Heidi Thompson is the cover artist for the Tales of Ambergrove saga. She has loved to draw for as long as she can remember and loves the challenge of creating something from just a raw idea, bringing the fantasy world of Ambergrove to life. She and her husband of 40 years have deep roots in Ripley and Dearborn counties and live on property that has been in her family for 169 years. Both avid genealogists, she and her husband, the president of Clan Thompson, love traveling over the U.S. for Scottish games and providing information about their Scottish heritage.
www.talesofambergrove.com/cover-artist-heidi-thompson
Susan Troutt
Children fiction
Ironically Short, Caleb and Shallow, The Missing Persons List
Susan Troutt is a retired teacher, former Boone County Kentucky Teacher of the Year, and author of numerous children’s novels and Ironically Short, her first book for adults. Her novel, Caleb and Shallow, was selected by Boove as a Best Children’s Book for Learning about Determination and chosen by The New York Times as a “Bookshelf Must Have”. Favorite activities include Jazzercising, hiking, reading, and playing the piano. She and her husband James are the parents of an adorable English Shepherd named Danny Boy.
Emmie Werner
Children devotional
Kid Can, Mom Can, Teen Can
Retired teacher, with 25 years experience. My husband Bill and I will be married 52 years this year, we have four girls, who gave us four sons and 14 grandchildren!
Beverly Wetterich
Children nonfiction
My Holy Rosary Book
Bev is a faithful Catholic, wife, mother, grandmother and author of a four book series of Rosary books for young children.
https://myrosarybook.wixsite.com/myrosarybook
Emily Wetterich
Children fiction, Children nonfiction
Ada & Lily, My Holy Rosary Prayer Books
Emily is the author of "Ada & Lily", a sweet little children's story about sisterhood. She is also the illustrator of over 15 children's books and coloring books! When she's not illustrating or writing she loves spending her time with her 3 daughters, designing tabletop games, and practicing martial arts.
Rebecca D. Wilhelm
Adult nonfiction
Haunted Dearborn County, Indiana
Rebecca D. Wilhelm was born and raised in Hammond, Ind. She graduated from Hammond High School and continued her education at Vincennes University and St Mary of the Woods College with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Rebecca is an English Language Arts and Film Literature teacher at Milan High School in Milan, Ind. She is also the writer and co-host of the podcast Hoosier Myths and Legends. Rebecca currently resides in Aurora, Ind., with her husband, Earl, and their two children, Earl George and Hope.
www.hoosiermythsandlegends.com
Effy Williamson
Children
Uma Uplugged Meet Joey, Uma Unplugged Meet Leo, Uma Unplugged Meet Demi
Effy D. Williamson is a local author/illustrator who is a loving wife and mother. She is a professional artist/graphic designer and health and wellness trainer. She enjoys sharing her books with children in the hopes to inspire creative outlets. She also offers art lessons, painting classes, personal training, nutrition guidance and yoga instruction; all in the hope to promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle.