Local Authors Fair

Everyone is invited to attend the Local Authors Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Lawrenceburg Main Library. Over 30 authors are scheduled to appear featuring many types of books for ages kid to adult. The event is free to attend! Authors will have books for sale. Support your community, friends and neighbors!

Visit the authors for a chance to win a prize basket. DeLISHious Creations will sell baked goods with a portion of the proceeds supporting the Friends of the Lawrenceburg Public Library District which funds the library district's many programs.

Barks and Books also will be held that day. Kids can stop by the Lawrenceburg Main Library between 11 a.m. and noon to read to a trained dog and receive a free mini stuffed super dog while supplies last. While you are at the library, check out some of the local children's book authors!

Authors currently scheduled to attend:

Maria Steinmetz (M.C. Metz)

The Faerie Ring, fiction, young adult

https://mariasteinmetz.blogspot.com

Maria Steinmetz, who writes under the penname M.C. Metz, grew up in Lawrenceburg. She graduated with a degree in English from Purdue University, where she also wrote briefly for the Exponent, Purdue’s student-run newspaper. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Spalding University, focusing on writing for children and young adults. She previously taught English and creative writing at Ivy Tech, where she also worked on the college’s literary journal, Wordmongers. She currently works for Preferred Rate Mortgage in Greendale and is serving as the president of the Dearborn County Young Professionals. When not writing, she can be found traveling, jogging, or spending time with her family, friends, and wild puppy, Ruby.

Judy McCarty Kuhn 

Books include: The Sixth Raven, historical fantasy-fiction, adults; The Other UC and Me: Editing the Sixties,  non-fiction memoir, adults and The Magic Nation Gift Shop, fiction (short stories), children grades 3 and up

https://judykuhn67.wixsite.com/website

For 30 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 Moores 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 1980s, 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.

Jessica Elam 

Beyond the Bleeding Heart, fiction, adults

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 at a local hardware store in town. She also loves writing, traveling, hiking, and spending time with her friends, family and her Siberian Husky. Jessica wants to dream big, impact others and live every day to the fullest.  

Alexandra Elam

Beyond the Bleeding Heart, fiction, adults

Alexandra Elam met and married her husband Lirim Haliti on a mission trip in Kosovo. They have two baby girls and dream about one day traveling to do mission work together. She deeply cherishes the moments of laughter that she shares with friends and family. One of her most serious mottos in life is “You can never have too much chocolate.”  Alexandra is very passionate about history and inspiring others through the communication of writing and music.

Don Heinrich Tolzmann 

Translator and editor of Gustaf Tafel's The Cincinnati Germans in the Civil War, with supplements on Germans from Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana in the Civil War (2011). Other books  deal with German immigration and settlement in the region, several of them translated from German.

www.donheinrichtolzmann.net

Dr. Don Heinrich Tolzmann is the author and editor of numerous books on German-American history and culture, and a recipient of the Bundesverdienstkreuz of the Federal Republic of Germany. He served as Curator of the German-Americana Collection and Director of German-American Studies at the University of Cincinnati, and is President of the German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati and Curator of its German Heritage Museum.

Susan Troutt

Books include: The Child Pirate, Caleb and Shallow and The Missing Person List, novels for children

susantroutt.com

Susan Troutt is a retired teacher, former Boone County Kentucky Teacher of the Year, and author of nine children’s novels. She enjoys visiting schools for author visits and writing workshops. Favorite activities include Jazzercise, hiking, reading, and playing the piano. She and her husband James are the parents of an adorable English Shepherd named Danny Boy.

Rhett R. Dennerline

The Only Good Indians, a novel of the 1820 west, fiction, suitable for ages 13 and older.

I was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, grew up in Mount Tabor, and attended school in Aurora and graduated from South Dearborn High School. My great-grandmother's great-grandfather came to Hogan Township in 1804; her grandfather was one of the founders of Aurora. I have an engineering degree from Purdue, and a law degree from IU. I practiced law in Chicago for 25 years. I'm also a commercial pilot. And I've owned a farm near where I grew up (in Mount Tabor, near Dillsboro) since 1992.

Rebecca D. Wilhelm 

Haunted Dearborn County Indiana, nonfiction local history

https://www.hoosiermythsandlegends.com

The biography from the publisher: Rebecca D. Wilhelm was born and raised in Hammond, Indiana. 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, Indiana. She is also the writer and co-host of the podcast Hoosier Myths and Legends. Rebecca currently resides in Aurora, Indiana, with her husband, Earl, and their two children, Earl George and Hope.

 

M. E. Lavern/Mary Ellen Quigley

Summer Wish and Wild Side, romance, fiction, adults and Haunted Dearborn County Indiana, nonfiction local history

https://www.melavernauthor.com/home

M. E. Lavern is a proud Hoosier who was born and raised in Hammond, Indiana. She is a graduate of Marian University, Calumet College of St. Joseph, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Mary Ellen works as a Director of Revenue Strategy for a hotel management company. When not playing with numbers and spreadsheets all day, she can be found writing about local history and the paranormal under her real name, Mary Ellen Quigley. She also co-hosts the Hoosier Myths and Legends podcast with her sister and niece. Mary Ellen resides in Hebron, Indiana, with her dog, Rudy.

Carrie Ficklin

The Foreseen, Killer DNA, Killer Favors

I am an elementary teacher. I teach 4th grade writing. I enjoy writing as a creative outlet. I love getting lost in a story. I like to write mysteries with plot twists. I don’t use profanity or any sexual references in my writing.

Bobbi Cornett

What Will Taulbee Get Into Today, Where Will Taulbee Go Today, Be Different at Bigfoot Lake. Children’s Books

Bobbi Cornett is an award-winning author and creator of the Taulbee series, which recently won the Golden Wizard Book Prize. Bobbi is a small-town sweetheart who enjoys hiking, kayaking, giving back to her community, and spending time with her family and dogs. She is excited to continue her journey of writing children's books by introducing the newest addition to her book family, "Be Different at Bigfoot Lake." She wants current and future readers of her books to always believe in the connections we share, embrace being different, and find joy in the journey. She hopes that each book brings lots of snuggle-time memories and plenty of bedtime laughter.

Jacob Minasian

The Places Between, fiction, adults; Vestiges, poetry, adults and American Lit, poetry, adults

https://jlminasian.wixsite.com/minasian

Jacob Minasian received his MFA from Saint Mary’s College of California, where he was the 2016 Academy of American Poets prize-winner. He is the author of the novella The Places Between (2024), the full-length poetry collection Vestiges (2023), and the chapbook American Lit (2020), and his work has appeared in publications including, among others, Poets.org, The Museum of Americana, RipRap Literary Journal, Lucky Jefferson, CP Quarterly, multiple anthologies, and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Originally from California, he currently lives with his wife and daughter in Cincinnati, Ohio.

H. T. Martineau 

Ranger’s Odyssey, Realm of Chaos, Wheel of Fate; fiction, high fantasy, young adult/teen

www.talesofambergrove.com

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.

 

Heidi Thompson 

Cover Illustrator- Ranger's Odyssey, Realm of Chaos, Wheel of Fate; fiction; young adult.

www.talesofambergrove.com

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.

Aleigh K. Dean

A Taste of Whiskey Valley, Maybe Next Time, Maybe Someday. Fiction for adults.

www.aleighkdean.com

Aleigh K. Dean writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense featuring small-town charm, humor, happily-ever-afters, and as many quirky characters as she can create. After publishing the first book in her Whiskey Valley Romance series- conceived during many hours stuck in rush hour traffic- Aleigh continues to write nonstop. When not reading a good book, writing, or spending time with her family in her Indiana hometown, Aleigh is probably plotting a storyline, romantic scene, or the demise of an unlucky character.

Effy Williamson 

Uma Unplugged “Meet Uma,” Uma Unplugged “Meet Leo,” Uma Unplugged “Meet Demi.” Fiction children’s books.

everythingeffy.com

I’m a local author, illustrator and artist. I worked in the graphic design industry for 13 years before I started to freelance from home. During Covid, I begin to paint again and draw and that is when I started my painting business and my books. I offered commission paintings, and have written and illustrated and published three books in a series and have two more to finish the series that I’m working on.

Cindy Tanner 

Mine. Adults.

www.cindytanner.com

Growing up an only child in rural Indiana, Cindy grew to rely on her imagination for entertainment. Starting at a young age she would read books to her animals and started telling stories to anyone that would listen. Over the years her love of reading and telling stories grew into a career of her dreams.

Melanie Jayne/M. Jayne 

You Only by Melanie Jayne Contemporary, romance for adults. See Me by M. Jayne, paranormal romance for adults. Ghost by M. Jayne, paranormal romance for adults.

http://www.readmelaniejayne.com

Melanie Jayne published her first book in March 2015. She was one of the first romance authors to embrace the Seasoned Romance movement. For too long, the Romance Community overlooked and under-served female characters over thirty-five. In 2018, M. Jayne introduced the Novus Pack Series, an Amazon bestseller. See Me was a finalist for the prestigious Holt Medallion. She lives on a grain farm in central Indiana with her long-suffering husband and bossy mastiff, Duncan Keith. When she isn’t writing, she is watching trashy TV and loves to discuss The Housewives drama. She believes she would be working for TMZ if she were 30 years younger.

Ava Cuvay/Tippi Hickey 

Tin Man and What a Dragon Desires, Sci-fi Romance or Paranormal Romance for adults and three children's picture books under the pen name Tippi Hickey, Rabbit's Bad Habit.

https://avacuvay.com

Ava Cuvay is an award-winning bestselling author of out of this world Sci-fi and Paranormal Romance featuring sassy heroines, gutsy heroes, passion, adventure… and the word “moist”. She resides in central Indiana with her own scruffy-looking nerfherder and teen kiddos who think her “Rizz” is “cringe” but she “passes the vibe check” and her books “hit different.” No cap. She believes life is too short to bother with negative people, everything is better with Champagne, and Han Solo shot first. When not writing, Ava is thinking about writing. Or wine. And she’s always thinking about bacon.

Emily Wetterich

Ada & Lily, A Day with Emilia, Super Hero Silent E. Children's picture books.

https://www.artstation.com/emilyadele

Emily is the illustrator and designer of more than 10 children’s books, one of which she wrote herself, with many more to come! She is also the creator and co-owner of Moon Forest Studios, and she has designed multiple card games and board games. Her other hobbies include crafting, gardening, and practicing martial arts at her home dojo with her husband and kids.

Sheri Roach 

And Freedom Whispered My Name. Tweens and above.

Hey everyone, so a little about me; I’m a small business owner, (Grandma's Mixing Bowl), author and I'm currently pursuing a bachelor's degree at Northern Kentucky University in Entrepreneurship. In my spare time I like to golf, watch movies, watch TV, (Heartland, Law and Order SVU, Chicago PD and several baking shows), write, bake, listen to music, and hang out with my kids or grandkids.

Emmie R. Werner 

Kid Can, Teen Can and Mom Can. Devotional.

www.EmmieRWerner.com

I have 25 years teaching experience in grades k-4. My husband and I live on a farm in southeastern Indiana. We have four daughters, who gave us four sons, who gave us 14 grandchildren.

Topher W. Henry 

The Havamal: The Sayings of the High One. Nonfiction book with a new translation of the original Icelandic Saga text composed in Norway in the 900s. The Superior Seven. Superhero comic, writer and colorist.

Topher W. Henry is the former President of The Asatru Community, a 5000 member worldwide religious non-profit group focused on the ancient religion of the Norse people. Topher completed studies of the Icelandic Sagas through the University of Iceland and is a practicing Gothi (Clergy) in the faith and hosts both live and online seasonal rituals and practices of Asatru.

Cherie Dawn Haas

Girl on Fire, fiction, adult. Ashes for William, fiction, adult. Personified, fiction (poetry, prose and short stories), adult

cheriedawn.com

Cherie Dawn Haas is the author of Girl on Fire (fiction) and Personified (poetry), Ashes for William (fiction), and is a co-author of the From Meditation to Creation series. She was a finalist in the 2020 Poetry Unites Kentucky competition, has contributed to WritersDigest.com, and by day is the Editor for three Streamline Publishing art newsletters and websites. She is working on her third novel and leads local and online writing workshops and retreats.

Mike Sherer

Big Hole, fiction 4 All. Double Dragon, science fiction, adults. Mazes of the Mind, suspense/thriller fiction, adults. Souls of Nod, supernatural thriller fiction, adults.

https://mikesherer.org/

Sherer has written three novels (with two more currently under contract), seven novellas, and 32 short stories published Also, one of his screenplays has been produced into a full-length movie and is available to stream on Amazon Prime.

Paul Wonning 

Books Include: Southeast Indiana Day Trips, Indiana’s Timeless Tales - Pre-History to 1781, The Story of the Indiana Constitution

www.mossyfeetbooks.com

Wonning and his wife and I live near Napoleon, Indiana, and he has been writing for about 10 years. He has 130+ titles with genres ranging from history, gardening, and fiction.

Janet E. Irvin/J.E. Irvin 

The Dark End of the Rainbow, Broken and Betrayed. All fiction, adult audience

www.janetirvin.com

Janet E. Irvin is a career educator, author, and poet. Writing as J.E. Irvin, she is the award-winning author of seven mystery/thriller novels. Her poems, short stories, and essays have appeared in a variety of print and online publications, including Hawaii Pacific Review, Creosote, The Raven’s Perch, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and Literary Mama and the anthologies Songs for Wild Ohio and A Shape Produced By a Curve. Irvin is a member of the Greenville Poets, Sisters in Crime, Central Ohio Fiction Writers, and Buckeye Crime Writers. In addition to writing, she serves on the Springboro City Park Board and is a member of the Springboro Area Historical Society. She and her husband reside in southwest Ohio on the edge of a nature park, which serves as inspiration for much of her work.

Jeff Suess

Books include: Cincinnati: An Illustrated Timeline, nonfiction, adults; The Cincinnati Bengals: An Illustrated Timeline, nonfiction, adults

www.jeffsuess.com

Jeff Suess is the author of several books on local history, including Lost Cincinnati, Hidden History of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Then and Now, and Cincinnati: An Illustrated Timeline. He is a history columnist and librarian at the Cincinnati Enquirer. 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.

Constance Sedler

Rex: Official Barkeologist, children's book

Constance Sedler graduated from Mt. St. Joseph University in 1978 with a BA in English with a focus on creative writing. Sedler is a wife and mother and grandmother. Rex: Official Barkeologist is Sedler's first published book.

Jennifer Thomas

But, Even Now, fiction, adult

https://lifeonthebrightside.wixsite.com/living-life-on-the-b

Jennifer Thomas and her husband are the parents of five children, ages 11-27. A former elementary school teacher, she now homeschools her three young ones. The family enjoys hiking and skiing together, along with just hanging at home with their dogs, chickens, and ducks. She believes strongly that the Bible is still relevant to us today and is passionate about sharing this message.

Marionna Thomas

Bella's Adventure, fiction, children's chapter book

Marionna Thomas is 14 years old, She lives in Aurora, Indiana. Thomas would like to be a teacher or park ranger. Thomas started writing short stories at the age of seven, published her first book at 12, and finishing a sequel soon. Thomas has always wanted the world to see what she has seen or is seeing. Writing does that as she can put an image in young and old minds and change the way people look at life. Thomas writes about things she feels passionate about. Her first book was about her passion of the forest and her second is about foster kids.

Deanna Johnson

Lessons From the Father: 14 Things I learned from my Dad

Johnson, right, is a hairstylist of 35 years, married, mother of three. Johnson is from a divorced family. Her mother raised four girls on her own. Johnson's reflections in this book are heartfelt and hoping to bring joy to others that have face many trials. She self published with the help of a good friend Laura Priebe and all proceeds from the sell of this book goes to Phi Beta Psi’s National Project, which is cancer research. 

Susan Ray

Stories for Every Season: Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire and Encourage the Writer Within, nonfiction, appropriate for all readers; Ready to Wear: A comfortable collection of poetry to slip into everyday, fiction/poetry, 18+; The Hangry Cookbook: Dinner in a minute, snacks in a flash, and desserts in an instant - well, almost!, non-fiction, appropriate for all ages

www.SusanRayWriter.com

Susan Ray is an author, poet, nature lover, freelance writer, reader, foodie, day-dreamer, and dedicated staff person to a family of rescue animals. She has lived in the Hoosier State for decades and considers herself fortunate to claim both Indiana and North Carolina as her 'home.' She has written feature stories for regional newspapers, contributed to travel and tourism blogs, hosts a weekly podcast featuring extremely short stories and poems (Story Swift: Short Stories on the Fly), and relaxes by baking, walking, swimming, and reading voraciously. Ray travels throughout the Midwest and Southeast researching her travel/history series, and she spends hours in the kitchen developing her upcoming, more in-depth, cookbook featuring older family recipes. You can learn more about her work, travels and creative pursuits at www.SusanRayWriter.com

Lawrence (Larry) Blundred

How Pickleball Saved Ollie Otter; Ollie and Friends Return Home and Ollie Visits Where It All Started, inspirational children's books

www.ollieotterbooks.com

Larry is a retired marketing and financial executive, having worked for Skyline Chili and JTM Food Group (Harrison, OH). He started writing serious/inspirational books seven years ago, and now writes inspirational children's books associated with pickleball, the fastest growing sport in the USA. His focus and themes are inclusion, overcoming adversity and building community, all through the lives and eyes of special "critters," led by main character Ollie Otter.

Patricia Pierce

H is for Hawkeye, An Iowa Alphabet - illustrated by Bruce Langton. Numbers in a Row, A Iowa Counting Book. Ahead of the Pack - Workforce Ready and Soft Skills. Non-fiction and poetry writer. Both adult and children.

Patriciapierce.com

Pierce's writing career began with News Clues, Newnan Times Herald interactive children's articles. My next area of focus included test item writing for Harcourt Brace. Her first two children's books about Iowa were published by Sleeping Bear Press, along with over 40 literature guides. Currently a curriculum specialist for Groom Curriculum, a curriculum company for workforce development for community colleges. The course specializes in training for the trade of dog grooming. Ahead of the Pack features lesson activities, soft skills, and positive growth mindset. Groom Curriculum is supported by the American Kennel Club and The World Pet Association.

J.V. Sadler

Licking, fiction (collection of short stories), adults

https://jvsadlerauthor.wixsite.com/blog

J.V. Sadler is a writer and poet from Cincinnati, Ohio with an affinity for dark and macabre fiction. Sadler has been published by Poetry Is Life Publishing, Simple Simon Press, and Last Exit Press.

Andrew M. Houghtaling

The Story of My Life: The Autobiography of Frederick Finnup, Co. E, 9th Ohio (1st German) Volunteers." Nonfiction - suitable for all ages

www.ninthohio.com

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Houghtaling has been studying German-American involvement in the Civil War for over 20 years. His organization, The Ninth Ohio: A Living History, seeks to relate to the public the experiences of German-Americans during the Civil War era through living history displays, talks, and academic research.

 

Tina Neely

 

Bacon Loves Everyone! Picture book

Tinaneely.com

Tina Neely: Mom's Choice winner. To Tina Neely, faith and family come first. She Loves spending time in her garden listening to Bacon telling her how much he loves her while she is drawing up new story ideas for Bacon's next big adventure!

 

Kathryn Bennett

Long Journey Home: The Inspiring Story of Photojournalist Maurie Frink

www.maurieslongjourneyhome.com

Kathryn (Spurgin) Bennett was born in Madison, Ind. A few years later her family moved to Columbus, Ind., where Bennett graduated from Columbus High School before enrolling in Indiana University. After getting married she eventually moved to Cincinnati where she worked as a Latin teacher. After she retired, she eventually moved back to Southeastern Indiana. She has worked as a private tutor, writer, and also is a proud grandmother and great-grandmother.

 

Lorry Kirschner

"BIG TROUBLE" Nonfiction, Older children & adults

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.