Local Authors Fair

The Local Authors Fair returns for 2026! We have special programs in the planning stages that will be announced as soon as we can! But until then, here is our current lineup! Support local authors and explore new books! 

We only have two spots remaining for any authors interested in joining us. Authors can fill out a registration form at: https://forms.office.com/r/dBqkPbPapE

During the Local Authors Fair, we will display the winners of our Design a Book Cover Contest! Participants will design their own book cover for one of their favorite books! Winners will be chosen from the categories Primary (grades K-2), Elementary (grades 3-5), Middle School (grades 6-8), and High School (grades 9-12). 

Sabrina Andonegui

Sabrina Andonegui is the author of the picture books Even Teddy Bears Get Mad! And, Daddy Calls Me Happy Bunny, both with Pen It Publications and now Messy Monkeys with POW! Kids Books. She earned a degree in psychology from the Universidad Intercontinental in Mexico City. She grew up in Mexico and now lives in Indiana where she writes picture books and enjoys her family.

https://sabjorg0.wixsite.com/misitio

Larry Blundred

Larry is a retired financial advisor. Prior to that, he served as marketing/sales director for Skyline Chili and JTM Food Group. He resides in Blue Ash, Ohio. He is the author of a series of Children's books linked to pickleball and his main character, Ollie Otter. He and his former wife, Donna, who died of a brain tumor, previously co-authored two inspirational books, one featured at the event. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia (Journalism) and the University of Illinois (Marketing).

www.ollieotteradventures.com

Alysse Busemeyer

Alysse Busemeyer is a mom of four and a physical therapy assistant. She decided to write a sister book for her girls when she was having trouble finding one she really enjoyed! Hoping to have a brother book published and available in the very near future!

Mandi Carr

Mandi is a wife, mother of 4 boys, mother in law to one wonderful, daughter in law and friend to many. Mandi has been in early childhood education and administrative roles her whole adult life. She dedicates herself to serving and encouraging families.

Bobbi Cornett

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.

www.orangehatpublishing.com

Aleigh K. Dean

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.

www.aleighkdean.com

Jessica Elam

Jessica Marie Elam is a young Christian woman living in the rolling hills of Indiana. Studying early American history is one of her greatest passions and she visits National Park Battlefields and historic sites as often as she can. Jessica loves her job as the office manager at a local hardware store and enjoys interacting with the community and her coworkers. Besides writing, Jessica enjoys being outdoors, traveling, hiking and spending time with her friends, family and her two dogs. Jessica wants to dream big, impact others and live every day to its fullest potential.

CherieDawn Haas

Cherie Dawn Haas is the author of two novels (Girl on Fire; and Ashes for William), two poetry / short story collections (Personified; and A Sign of Life), and a nonfiction book on yoga and personal development (Don’t Ugly Cry While Driving: Words of Advice From a Yoga Teacher). She has contributed to WritersDigest.com and leads a writer’s group at the Campbell County (KY) Public Library. By day, she is the Editor for three art newsletters and websites. She has a BA in English, is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and she writes the monthly LifeSoup blog. 

cheriedawn.com

Richard Iles

Richard (Rick) A. Iles was an elementary school teacher for 31 years. He retired in 2009 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Rick lives in Delhi, Ohio, with his wife, Terri, and his oldest son, Philip. He has four grown children and eight grandchildren. Since his retirement, Rick has published two books: Nothing Is Impossible with God: A Christmas Devotional for Families (2019) and My Gift from God: Parkinson’s Disease (2023). Rick loves spending time and sharing his hobbies with his family and friends. He enjoys the great outdoors. He likes to hike, hunt deer, explore unfamiliar territory, and just be alone in the woods. He collects antique hand tools, many of which he uses for his various woodworking projects. Rick also loves to laugh and have fun. He is passionate about helping children learn (including his own grandchildren). While teaching in public schools, Mr. Iles’ favorite project was to have his students illustrate idioms. One year his 3rd grade classes created and displayed posters showing 100 common idioms!

J.E. (Janet) Irvin

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.

www.janetirvin.com

Mary Jutzi

Mary Jutzi is a children's book author from southeast Indiana. Her mission is to make learning fun for kids by creating activity books and feel-good stories.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNK6Y699

Lorry Kirschner

Kirschner grew up on a farm in Southwest Ohio and has lived her adult life in Southeastern Indiana. Her inspiration to write her first book was her love of storytelling, including her childhood adventures. Many people told her put the stories in a book. She decided to give it a try, and so it began with the book Big Trouble. Her second book, Little Lucy’s Life Lessons, is quite different than the first book because it is a compilation of life lessons she has learned from her dog. These lessons apply to humans and prove that our pets are here to make us better people ... if we just pay attention to what they are teaching us. She is an avid quilter and loves to cook and bake. She also is a wife and YaYa. Book number three is in the works, and is a continuation of Big Trouble.

littlelucylessonsbook.com

Jenny Kane

Jenny Kane lives in Guilford, Indiana with her husband of 23 years, (her high school sweetheart) their two daughters, and their three beloved Saint Bernards. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Jenny thrives on staying active with her family, whether they're skiing, biking, running, rollerblading, bouncing around in jump shoes, or playing tennis.

Her family’s passion for sports runs deep. Her oldest daughter is a professional BMX racer for Huffy Bicycles, while her youngest is a nationally ranked USTA tennis player—an accomplishment made even more special because they compete together in the Mother/Daughter division.

When they're not training or traveling for competitions, Jenny and her family enjoy searching for shark teeth along the ocean shoreline and hunting for morel mushrooms in the Indiana woods. Their shared adventures, along with the joyful chaos of life with three Saint Bernards, continue to inspire Jenny's writing and shape the stories she loves to tell.

H. T. Martineau

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.

www.talesofambergrove.com

Judy McCarty Kuhn

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

Tina Neely

Tina Neely is a children’s author, illustrator, and creator of It’s Bacon’s World!, a heart-centered brand inspired by her real-life pig, Bacon Bit. Through playful storytelling, hidden-heart illustrations, and lovable characters, Tina creates books that encourage kindness, belonging, and connection for readers of all ages. Based in the Cincinnati area, she enjoys sharing stories that invite families, classrooms, and communities to slow down, look closer, and remember that everyone matters.

https://tinaneely.com

R. H. Nicholson

About the Author: R.H. Nicholson is a professor emeritus of English who taught writing for forty years but is now (finally) focused on his own work which has appeared in Ignatian Magazine, Adelaide Literary Journal, Echo Ink, The Blue Lake Review, Big Window Review and elsewhere. His debut novel Justice House Shadows is now available from Main Street Rag Publications. His play The King and Queen of Foggy Flats won the 2024 Chickasaw Writing Prize. He and his wife live in a small Ohio River Valley town with a striking and reclusive Russian Blue rescue cat named Steinbeck.

Thecountyquirk.com

Mary Ellen Quigley

Mary Ellen Quigley is a paranormal storyteller, author, and podcaster based in Indiana. She is the co-host of Hoosier Myths and Legends, where she explores Indiana folklore and haunted history, and the creator of The Spooky Files, a podcast featuring real ghost stories shared by listeners. Blending history, local legends, and firsthand paranormal accounts, Mary Ellen’s storytelling centers on the idea that the most unsettling stories aren’t always far away. They’re often rooted in the places we know best. She is currently working on a collection of short paranormal stories, with future releases planned. When she isn’t researching haunted places or recording podcast episodes, Mary Ellen can usually be found on a road trip, digging through local archives, or spending time with her loyal dog, Rudy.

 www.maryellenquigleyauthor.com

Susan Ray

Susan Ray is the author of multiple books in a variety of genres including cookbooks, poetry, and folklore. Her experiences as a feature writer, professional caterer, educator and even blacksmith bring depth, breadth and a sense of fun to her work.

SusanRayWriter.com

David B. Reddick

Born and raised in Canada, Reddick obtained his college education at Michigan State University. He is a former journalist and insurance professional.

Sheri Roach

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.

Constance Sedler

In college I pursued creative writing and majored in English. I graduated with a BA from Mt. St. Joseph University in 1978. My husband and I have lived in Bright, Indiana for over 40 years where we raised 2 children and countless pets and farm animals. Because of our interest in local archaeology, we founded the Archaeological Research Institute in 2019. Rex: Official Barkeologist is my first book. The sequel, Rex Goes to Field School, will be available in late April.

www.exploreari.org

Andrea Shepherd

Andrea Shepherd is a wife, mother, and homemaker living in Kentucky. She runs a hiking and literature group for local families alongside homeschooling her own children. In the edges of her time Andrea enjoys being outside, reading all the books, sewing, journaling, holding all the babies, and drawing.

shepherdharvestdesign.com

Tim Smith

Tim Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author of romantic mystery/thrillers and contemporary romance, with 30 published books to his credit. His novels featuring former CIA agent Nick Seven have garnered awards and international critical praise. He is also a freelance writer, blogger, editor and photographer. When he isn’t pursuing those interests, he can be found in the Florida Keys, doing research in between parasailing and seeking out the perfect Mojito. 

https://allauthor.com/author/timsmith/

Maria Steinmetz

Maria Steinmetz loves reading, writing, and all things storytelling-related. Her work has appeared on the No Sleep Podcast, Ember: A Journal of Luminous Things and Flash Fiction Magazine. She writes young adult fiction under the pen name M.C. Metz. 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.

mariasteinmetz.blogspot.com

Gena Stonefield

Gena Stonefield has been associated with Circle Tail, Inc. since 2019 and Pet Partners of Greater Cincinnati since 2022. 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.

genastonefield.com

Peggy L. Stortz (Margaret Lee)

Peggy Stortz's life of 74 years has been incredible. In her formative years, her entire education was completed in Northern Kentucky. Throughout her marriage of 52 years to a wonderful man, she found herself living in Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, and now Indiana. She is a retired classroom teacher, proud mother of eight children and grandmother to 20. These recent five years in Indiana have been a rewarding experience.

authorpeggylstortz.com

Cindy Tanner

Best Selling Author Cindy Tanner grew up as an only child in rural Indiana having to rely on her imagination to stave off boredom. Starting at a young age she started telling stories to her animals and anyone that would listen. Now she writes edgy characters and still lives in Indiana with a small menagerie of pets. Cindy writes Paranormal Romance, Contemporary, and Romantic comedy.

www.cindytanner.com

Don Heinrich Tolzmann

Don Heinrich Tolzmann, Emeritus Curator of the German-Americana Collection and Director of German-American Studies at the University of Cincinnati, is author of numerous books on German-American history. Currently, he is President of the German-American Citizens League; Curator of the German Heritage Museum, and Historian for the Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee.

www.donheinrichtolzmann.net

Heidi Thompson

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

Susan Troutt is a retired Boone County Kentucky Teacher of the Year and author of numerous children's novels. Her book 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". She recently published IRONICALLY SHORT, an adult book of short stories.

susantroutt.com

Bob Webster

Robert Webster is a Northern Kentucky native, historian, and speaker. He has written dozens of articles and nine books on various topics concerning the history of Northern Kentucky. His most popular is “The Beverly Hills Supper Club: The Untold Story Behind Kentucky’s Worst Tragedy.” That publication, as well as his “A Brief History of Northern Kentucky,” received awards from the Kentucky Historical Society. Bob resides in Covington, is married, and has one son, Kevin. Bob is employed as the Compliance Manager at Turfway Park Racing and Gaming in Florence.

bobtheauthor.com

Emmie Werner

Dearborn County resident married to best friend for 52 years, four daughters and fourteen grandchildren. I am a retired elementary teacher.

www.EmmieRWerner.com

Beverly Wetterich

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

Emily is the author of "c", 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

Rebecca is an Aurora, Indiana–based educator, writer, and podcaster. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and is a full-time English Language Arts and Yearbook teacher at Milan High School. She is also the writer and co-host of the Hoosier Myths and Legends podcast.

www.hoosiermythsandlegends.com

Effy Williamson

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.

everythingeffy.com

Paul Wonning

Indiana native Author Paul R. Wonning considers himself an "Indiana Hound," because he "sniffs" out interesting places & history of Indiana and then reveal them to his readers. He also enjoys gardening; US history & dabbles in fiction.

mossyfeetbooks.com