Great-Valley-Bookfestlogonoback

2016 Great Valley Bookfest  Presenting Author List

 

(List subject to change)

 

Great Valley Bookfest Presenting Authors

2016 FICTION


 

Brucell, RobinRobin Burcell

Robin Burcell spent nearly three decades working in law enforcement as a police officer, hostage negotiator, criminal investigator and FBI Academy-trained forensic artist.  She has appeared on several true-crime television episodes as an expert witness. Burcell is co-writing with Clive Cussler. Book # 8 in the Fargo series, PIRATE,  hits the shelves September 2016. They’re currently working on book # 9. The fifth book in her FBI forensic artist series, THE KILL ORDER, was named as one of Library Journal’s Best Thrillers of 2014. Her novel, THE LAST GOOD PLACE, was released November 2015, and is a continuation of the 1970s series by the late Carolyn Weston, whose novels were the basis for the hit television show The Streets of San Francisco.
Visit her website: www.RobinBurcell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobinBurcell.Author/

 

NorryJay/J.K. Norry

Walk between the worlds of angels and devils, explore the deeper meaning of demons, and face the beauty of the monster in all of us with author Jay/J.K. Norry. ’Stumbling Backasswards Into The Light’ is an uplifting autobiography, the tale of Jay’s decision to question the answers he had been given and discover his own deeper meaning. ‘Walking Between Worlds’ is an exciting and action-packed philosophical adventure, a darkly humorous romp through heaven and hell and the deeper meaning of all of the worlds we walk between.
‘The Secret Society of Deeper Meaning’ is currently exploring the softer side of zombies, and the deeper meaning of the archetype: could Mother Nature be saving us from ourselves?
Sign up for free ‘Zombie Zero: The First Zombie’ short stories; and find out the deeper meaning of it all in ‘Zombie Zero: The First Zombie.’
Jay lives in Northern California with three of his favorite angels, an unending to-do list and a mind full of thoughts about the deeper meaning. His books are published by Sudden Insight Publishing (www.suddeninsightpublishing.com)

 

Drier, MichelleMichele Drier

Michele Drier, born in Santa Cruz, is a fifth generation Californian. She’s lived and worked all over the state, calling both Southern and Northern California home. During her career in journalism—as a reporter and editor at daily newspapers—she won awards for producing investigative series. In addition to the San Jose Mercury-News, she was City Editor for the Lodi News-Sentinel, Executive Editor for the Manteca Bulletin, and Assistant Metro Editor for the Modesto Bee. Her Amy Hobbes Newspaper mysteries are Edited for Death, (called riveting and much recommend by the Midwest Book Review), Labeled for Death, and Delta for Death. Her paranormal romance series, The Kandesky Vampire Chronicles, won second place for best vampire series for 2014 by reviewers of the Paranormal Romance Guild. SNAP: The World Unfolds, SNAP: New Talent, Plague: A Love Story, DANUBE: A Tale of Murder, SNAP: Love for Blood, SNAP: Happily Ever After?, SNAP: White Nights, SNAP: All That Jazz , and SNAP: I, Vampire. Visit her facebook page, facebook.com/AuthorMicheleDrier, or her Amazon author page, amazon.com/Michele-Drier

 

 

Laam, JenniferWEbJennifer Laam

Jennifer Laam is the author of The Secret Daughter of the Tsar and The Tsarina’s Legacy, both from St. Martin’s Press. Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree in History and Russian Studies at the University of the Pacific and her master’s degree in History from Oakland University in Michigan. Born and raised in Stockton, she has lived in Los Angeles and the suburbs of Detroit. Currently, Jennifer resides in the Central Valley and is at work on her next novel about the wife of Russia’s greatest poet Alexander Pushkin. This book is scheduled for release from St. Martin’s Press in early 2018. Jennifer reads widely and has a particular fondness for historical fiction, science fiction, and epic fantasy. When she is not busy writing or reading, Jennifer spends her time experimenting with vegetarian recipes and line dancing.

 

 

Gillam, JuneJune Gillam

June Gillam is a poet, novelist, English professor at San Joaquin Delta College, and is active in several regional writing support groups. Gorilla Girl Ink has recently released House of Eire, Book Three in Gillam’s suspense series, set in San Joaquin County. Gillam explores social issues by way of characters faced with forces too big to handle. Her Hillary Broome series takes on effects of superstores on a small butcher shop owner in HOUSE OF CUTS, impacts of patriarchy on a woman in business in HOUSE OF DADS, and villainy of a theme park developer in Ireland in HOUSE OF EIRE. June welcomes readers to contact her at www.junegillam.com.

 

 

Krueger, William KentWilliam Kent Krueger

A graduate of Manteca High School, William Kent Krueger briefly attended
Stanford University—before being kicked out for radical activities. After that, he logged timber, worked construction, tried his hand at free-lance journalism, and eventually ended up researching child development at the University of Minnesota. He makes his home in St. Paul, a city he dearly loves. Krueger writes the New York Times bestselling Cork O’Connor mystery series, which is set in the north woods of Minnesota. His protagonist, Corcoran O’Connor, is the former sheriff of the fictional Tamarack County, and also a man of mixed heritage—part Irish-American and part Ojibwe.  Krueger’s work has received a number of awards, including the Edgar Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the Minnesota Book Award, the Loft-McKnight Fiction Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize.  His work has been translated into more than a dozen languages and optioned by Hollywood.  He does all his writing in a couple of wonderfully funky St. Paul coffee shops. Manitou Canyon, #15 in his series, will be released in September 2016.

 

 

Mcguiness, LisaLisa McGuiness

Lisa McGuinness is the author of Catarina’s Ring, Meaningful Bouquets, Caffeinated Ideas Journal and co-author of several children’s books, including the New York Times bestseller, Bee & Me. Her love of all things Italian began with her mother who taught her to make the perfect pasta al dente and to enjoy the pure pleasures of Italian peasant food. She has passed many wonderful days meandering around Italy, but lives in Northern California with her husband and two dogs now that her children have flown the coop.

 

 

Gilmore, RMR.M. Gilmore

R.M. Gilmore is a paranormal and mystery/suspense writer and creator of the occult bestselling series Dylan Hart Odyssey of the Occult.
R.M. resides in California with her family and a ton of pets. Laughing more than one person should be allowed, it is likely she will die laughing. R.M. prefers to think and live outside the box without the constraints of social stigma or the ideals of literary rules. That being said, she truly is not your mother’s author.

 

 

Batt, Daniel JJ. Daniel Batt

J. Daniel Batt is an editor, writer, and designer. He serves as the Creative and Editorial Director for the 100 Year Starship and is the founder and organizer of the annual Canopus Award for Excellence in Interstellar Writing. His novels include Young Gods and Dreamside and his short fiction has appeared in Perihelion, Bastion, Bewildering Stories, A Story Goes On, and other periodicals. He’s most recently edited the science fiction anthology Visions of the Future published through Lifeboat Foundation. He lives in California, where he has had firsthand experience with its weirdness.

 

 

Barry, John ByrneJohn Byrne Barry

John Byrne Barry wrote his first book-length project in fifth-grade at Kilmer School in Chicago—a 140-page treatise on dinosaurs. (A page for each dinosaur. Lots of white space.) He’s been writing ever since—magazine and newspaper stories; political comedy; novels, plays, speeches, and jokes. He’s even written advice columns (Question the Authority and the Lazy Organic Gardener).
His first novel, Bones in the Wash, is one-part political thriller, one-part family soap, and one-part murder mystery. His second, Wasted, is a “green noir” mystery set in the Berkeley recycling world. He lives in Mill Valley, California. When he’s not writing, he leads bicycle tours in San Francisco.

 

 

 

Allison Brennan

Allison Brennan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty thrillers and romantic suspense. Allison current writes two award winning series– the Lucy Kincaid FBI thriller series and the Maxine Revere cold-case mysteries. THE LOST GIRLS will be on sale November, 2016. She lives outside Elk Grove, California with her husband, five children, and assorted pets.

 

 

 

 

View More: http://idiasproduction.pass.us/bonnie-phelpsBonnie Phelps

Bonnie is a contemporary romance author currently at work on her third book. She began telling stories at a very early age. Photos exist of the author toddling around the corner of the house covered in mud babbling about magic rabbits leading her through the garden. From then on, her active imagination continued to churn out plots and character sketches, always wondering how different people would behave in similar situations. People and their stories fascinate her and inspiration is everywhere. Bonnie lives in Northern California with her husband. She loves to cook – especially baking – being outdoors walking or working in the garden, knitting, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

 

 

 

Biggs, Anne WebAnne Biggs

Born in Castlepollard, Ireland and brought to California at the age of five. Anne Biggs lived in California with her adoptive family, going to Fresno State University and graduating with a secondary teaching credential in English and also obtained a Resources Specialist credential from Fresno Pacific. She taught in both general education and special education classes for 25 years.  The grandmother to three amazing grandchildren, Anne feels so blessed to have the opportunity to watch them grow.
While teaching she continued to write, and after years of research she was able to return to Ireland, finding her birth-mother and learning her story. After a visit to Ireland and learning about her life, Anne knew she had to find a way to tell her story and let people know what these women experienced spending time in the mother-baby homes and  the Magdalene Laundries through out Ireland. Currently working on a sequel to The Swan Garden, she is editing her memoir, which is her story of the search for her origins in Ireland.

 

 

 

Nunes, Britt Britt Nunes

Britt Nunes is a dork with an overactive imagination. She is addicted to rich words, adventurous sci-fi, sweet romances, and massive amounts of coffee. She is the author of The Etched Tales and Neon. Britt writes for young adults.

 

 

 

 

Babka, Daniel Daniel Babka

Daniel grew up in a small town in the middle of America like the one he describes in Lightning Strikes, his coming-of-age novella set in 1959. He served in VISTA (the domestic Peace Corps), attended law school, a theological seminary, and worked as a community organizer in some of New York City’s toughest neighborhoods. More recently, Daniel ran two small start-up companies. He’s an avid hiker who, like Dylan Blake, the detective he writes about in No More Illusions, his contemporary California noir literary-mystery, needs time in the woods. He has two grown children and lives in the Northern California foothills where he is presently at work on two new Dylan Blake mysteries and several short stories. No More Illusions received a rave review from Kirkus Reviews Magazine, the country’s 2nd largest and oldest book reviewer. The mystery was also named to IndieReader’s “Best Of 2014” List.

 

 

 

Ambau,GettyWebGetty Ambau

Born in Ethiopi, Getty Ambaua, first came to the United States as a foreign exchange student, where he studied one year at a high school in Ohio. Later, he entered Yale University where he majored in molecular biophysics and biochemistry and Economics. After he graduated, he worked in research labs, including a stint with a book-publishing company (borne out of his love for the written word), earned a graduate degree in the business field and ran his own companies. But above all, writing has always been his inner calling. Getty is author of the Desta series, which have received recognition and won three awards. DESTA AND KING SOLOMON’S COIN OF MAGIC AND FORTUNE (Vol. 1) was a winner of Moonbeam’s Young Adult Book Award and Independent Publishers Children Book Award. DESTA AND WINDS OF WAHSAA UMERA (Vol. 2) was featured both in the digital and print copy of Kirkus Magazine. DESTA: TO WHOM LIONS BOW (Vol.3), also was a winner of Moonbeam’s Young Adult Book Award. He is also the author of four health and nutrition books, two of which became international bestsellers among a network of nutrition products distributors. His Importance of Good Nutrition book was used as a text book for a master’s medical program on trichology. In June 2015 Getty published The Four Pillars for Your Health, Good Looks and Longevity–a nutrition book based on a personal medical problem he once had experienced. By drinking a blend of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, he was able to reverse a life-threatening circulatory disorder. This January he released a book on Ethiopian foods and drinks. The first of its kind, the work was enormously gratifying to him. During his research and writing he learned a great deal about the many attributes that make Ethiopian cuisine and beverages truly special, healthy and tasty. Writing about his mother’s cooking, her recipes and preparatory techniques was equally satisfying to him.

 

 

 

Compton, JoeJoe Compton

For Joe, writing has always been a passion. He was published at an early age with stories in anthologies and magazines across the world. Joe was in the Untied States Marines, and while there he wrote the 1st draft of “Amongst The Killing.” He moved to Denver after the Marines and got an agent who then got him a publishing deal. The deal didn’t work out, and soured by the experience, Joe shelved his work. 15 years later, Joe decided it was time to open his own publishing house, Never Mind The Fine Print Publishing. Their first offering was Joe’s “Amongst The Killing.” This year it will be followed up by the sequel, “We the Moral Majority.”

 

 

 

Miller, Kristin Kristin Miller

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Kristin Miller writes sweet and sassy contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance of all varieties. Kristin has degrees in psychology, English, and education, and taught high school and middle school English before crossing over to a career in writing. She lives in Northern California with her alpha male husband and their two children. You can usually find her in the corner of a coffee shop, laptop in front of her and mocha in hand, using the guests around her as fuel for her next book.

 

 

 

Meredith, Marilyn Marilyn Meredith

Marilyn Meredith is the author of many published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest Seldom Traveled from Mundania Press. Writing as F. M. Meredith, her latest Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel is A Crushing Death, from Oak Tree Press. She taught writing for Writers Digest Schools for 10 years, and was an instructor at the prestigious Maui Writers Retreat, and has taught at many writers’ conferences Marilyn is a member of three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. She lives in the foothills of the Sierra. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com and her blog at http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

DeBoard, Paula Treick Paula Treick DeBoard

Paula Treick DeBoard holds an MFA from the University of Southern Maine and divides her time between writing and teaching. Her novels include The Drowning Girls (2016), which was selected by Target as part of its Emerging Authors program, The Fragile World (2014) and The Mourning Hours (2013), which was rereleased in mass market format in 2016. Since 2015, she has been a faculty member at Go Deep, a yoga and writing retreat in the Sierra Nevadas. Professionally, she is a member of PEN America, the Association of Writers and Writing Programs, and the Women Fiction Writers Association. She joined the Merritt Writing Program at UC Merced in 2015, and lives in Modesto with her husband Will, two small dogs with surprisingly vicious barks, and the world’s least patient cat. More information is available on her website, www.paulatreickdeboard.com.

 

 

 

Pacholik, Robert Robert Pacholik

Robert M. Pacholik, a native of Chicago’s Southside, served two combat tours in Vietnam as an Army field photographer and military journalist assigned to three Commands during 1968-69.

After completing a Bachelors and Master’s degree, he worked on weekly, daily, and metro newspapers for ten years, including The Sacramento Bee. In 1980, Pacholik went into the Securities industry, where he spent 29 years as a Registered Investment Advisor, Registered Principal, and Branch Office Manager. In the mid-1990s, Pacholik added teaching duties to his quiver. He taught in Sacramento, CA. secondary schools, and public/private universities for 15 years. Bob and his wife, now both retired, live in Northern California, where he continues to scribble away. His next book, Crab Louie Deux, a military Action-Adventure novel set in the Caribbean, is due out in late 2017.

 

 

 

Morgon, Roh Roh Morgon

Roh Morgon discovered the magic in stories at an early age. Growing up in a remote Southern California canyon, she always had a book in her hand. When she wasn’t reading, she spent her time exploring the wild hills on her horse while dreaming of exotic lands in her head. Her fascination with other worlds led to an interest in costuming and renaissance faires, where she learned sword fighting and the art of the bow. These days, Roh dreams up dark tales while driving through the farmlands and foothills of Central California. Her stories include fantasy for middle grade readers and paranormal romance with a twist of horror for young adults and adults. Published works include Watcher and Runner in her undead series The Chosen, the related novellas The Games Monsters Play and the 1840s romantic horror The Last Trace, and several stories in her middle grade series, Forbidden Doorways. Roh currently shares her home in the Sierra Nevada foothills with three mustang horses, two crazy herding dogs, and a very patient husband who helps her keep a toehold on reality. She can be found online at http://www.rohmorgon.com, http://www.facebook.com/rohmorgon, and http://www.amazon.com/Roh-Morgon/e/B005APORC2/

 

 

Avey, Sydney Sydney Avey

Sydney Avey lives in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Yosemite, California, and the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a lifetime of experience writing news for nonprofits and corporations. Her work has appeared in Epiphany, Foliate Oak, Forge, American Athenaeum, Unstrung (published by Blue Guitar Magazine) and Ruminate. She has studied at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival. Sydney is the author of two novels, The Sheep Walker’s Daughter and The Lyre and the Lambs. She blogs at sydneyavey.com on topics related to love and mystery, conflicts between generations, and how faith functions in real life.

 

 

Curtis, MelindaMelinda Curtis

Melinda Curtis is an award-winning, USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance. She writes sweet romance, sweet romantic comedy, and sexy traditional romances.

 

 

 

Hammond, StevenSteve Hammond

Steven Hammond is an author and artist from Clovis, California where he enjoys spending time with his wife and family. His first novel, Rise of the Penguins, was released in 2012 and has since grown into a six installment series. He fell into the world of scifi/fantasy at an early age and credits the works J.R.R. Tolkien, Syd Hoff, Gene Rodenberry, Berkeley Breathed, George Lucas, Frank Frazetta, and Tomoyuki Tanaka and a slew of B movies as the greatest influences of his writing career. He is currently at work on the next installment in The Rise of the Penguins Saga, as well as a variety of somewhat eclectic short-stories. When not spending hours at the computer writing what he hopes will be the next masterpiece, while his Buster Dog curiously looks on, he can be found tackling his next art project, or working at the ballpark. He is forever grateful for each and every person who has taken the time to read his stories and hopes they will continue to enjoy his work. Information and exclusive content from The Rise of the Penguins Saga can be found at www.riseofthepenguins.net

 

 

Vieira, MargieMargie Vieira

Margie Vieira is happily married to a most patient man. They have three amazing daughters. Margie grew up on a dairy farm surrounded by wonderful farmlands as far as the eye could see. Family has been the most important element in her life since her earliest years and continues to be to this day. Still surrounded by wondrous nature, she has found expression for her imagination through writing and writing in turn has opened new vistas for her to explore.

 

 

Hawthorne, AnthonyTony Hawthorne

Tony Hawthorne is a retired trial lawyer in the San Francisco Bay Area. His first novel, Silent Suspect, a legal mystery, was published in late 2014. He hopes to publish his second novel, The Mediator, in 2016, the story of unraveling the truth of a suspected WW II war crime occurring in 1944 among Italian partisans fighting the Germans in the Piemonte region. He has a B. A. in English from Yale University and a J. D. from the University of California (Berkeley) School of Law.

 

 

 

Robert O'HannesonRobert O’Hanneson

Robert O’Hanneson spent over twenty years selling amusement rides to carnivals and amusement parks worldwide. Now, he writes fulltime in California’s Central Valley. His novel, POSSUM BELLY QUEEN, is Dark Oak Mystery Contest’s 2010 winner and is currently available on Amazon and at B&N. He wrote BLOODY SOIL, which was partially read on Fresno’s NPR station. His article INSIDE THE SILOS OF DOOMSDAY, was part of Military History Magazine’s issue on the Cuban Missile Crisis. His work also appeared in Fresno Magazine. As board vice president of the Yosemite Writers Conference, he worked on planning of conferences, speaker acquisitions, and generated scholarship funds for high school and college students.

Great Valley Bookfest 2016 Authors.

Great Valley Bookfest Presenting Authors

2016 NON-FICTION


 

 

Stein, DiannaDianna Stein

Dianna Hubbard Stein is enjoying a break from her decades-long career as a court reporter and business owner. Her unique life experiences about believing in results if you take the first steps, no matter how difficult, are reflected in her book about adoption, parenthood, and death, a raw and brutally honest account of the joys and sorrows of life. She has spent the last two decades raising her son, Zachary Joseph Hubbard. She is now “babysitting” his German shepherd dog while he explores the world. In her spare time, she also enjoys road cycling and golfing. She and her husband Jim live in Northern California.

 

 

Miller, ArleneArlene Miller

Arlene Miller, also known as The Grammar Diva, is the author of seven grammar books and a novel. Her latest book is The Best Little Grammar Book Ever: Speak and Write with Confidence/Avoid Common Mistakes, the second edition of her first bestselling book. Arlene is also a blogger, copyeditor, speaker, workshop presenter, and former English teacher in Petaluma. Her book, Fifty Shades of Grammar, is a compilation of her popular blog posts.

The Grammar Diva has been a featured speaker at Redwood Writers, South Bay Writers, Sonoma County Book Festival, Bay Area Independent Publishing Association (BAIPA), Sonoma County Library, Romance Writers of America, College of Marin, Copperfield’s Books, and several community groups. She has conducted workshops at several corporations and colleges. Arlene is a member of Redwood Writers and BAIPA. She holds degrees in Print Media, English, and Humanities, as well as California teaching and school administration credentials.

Some of Arlene’s favorite things are her grown-up children, her fur baby Chihuahua, books, dark chocolate, dancing, and warm weather. She lives with her dog — and sometimes her kids — in the San Francisco Bay area.

 

 

Perez-Reed, NinaNina Perez-Reed

Working  as a Learning Director at Selma High School where she provide academic counseling to 11th grade students, Nina Perez-Reed, is a mother of three, a military spouse, and an educator. During her free time, she volunteers at Arte Americas, a Latino arts museum in Fresno, CA as a receptionist and cashier and teaches bible studies at her church. Her passion is to motivate others to accomplish their dreams. She regularly gives inspirational presentations at local schools, colleges, Rotary Clubs, and public libraries.

 

 

LeeSandy Lee

Sandy Lee has enjoyed reading and writing most of her life. However, raising a lot of different children, for a lot of different reasons, seldom found her the time to do either one. When Sandy Lee’s grown son Darvis Lee Jr. mysteriously disappeared in October of 2010, she took pen to paper and a story that had to be written, begun. “No Unturned Stone” – A Mother’s Quest is that book. Sandy Lee resides with her husband of thirty seven years, in the small town of Sonora, California where she was born and raised. Sandy Lee has a children’s book coming out this summer entitled, “Hermie the Bug”. This book will capture your heart. A book of 40 poems that Sandy Lee has written, will be coming out entitled “Life, Love, & Loss” later this fall. “Remembering Grandma” will be the fourth book for Sandy Lee. Coming out also this fall, she has written another children’s book from the perspective of her younger son and his experience with his grandma who sadly had Alzheimer’s. You will see a big part of Sandy Lee’s heart in each of her books.

 

 

Darrow, SharonSharon Darrow

Sharon is passionate about animal rescue after more than 20 years of raising a total of over 500 orphan kittens. Her specialty was kittens just hours old, which required care every two hours. She still works closely with rescue groups, teaching classes and giving hands-on instructions. Sharon’s first book, “Bottlekatz, a Complete Care Guide for Orphan Kittens” is currently being used as a training manual for rescue groups throughout the United States. Her second book is a memoir, “From Hindsight to Insight; A Traditional to Metaphysical Memoir,” which includes a wide variety of subjects from suicide to spirituality, kittens to a congressman, Hells Angels to cancer, the NAPW (National Association of Professional Women) to a knife wielding hitchhiker. There’s something to strike a chord with every reader. Sharon’s third book, “Faces of Rescue; Cats, Kittens and Greats” includes stories of many animals she rescued through the years. It is also contains full-color pictures of rescued animals, and people who make a difference. In addition to animal rescue work and writing, Sharon is also a business owner and motivational speaker. She’s lived most of her life in Sacramento, California, where she still resides with their Great Dane, Ellen, and their cats.

 

 

Muniz, ShelleyShelley Muniz

Shelley Muniz has worked as an elementary school librarian and a library specialist for thirty years. She published Eagle Feathers and Angel Wings: Micah’s Story in 2013, and has short stories in these anthology collections: Wild Edges by Manzanita Press
Wisdom Has a Voice: Every Daughter’s Memories of Mother by First Edition Paperback. She is currently writing a YA novel. Shelley works at Columbia College and lives in Sonora, CA.

 

 

Swatt, Steve and Raimundo, JeffSteve Swatt and Jeff Raimundo

Steve Swatt is a Sacramento-based political analyst who spent twenty-five years in journalism in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and at KCRA_TV in Sacramento as an award winning political reporter. The Sacramento Bee once referred to his election commentary as “the best on local television.” Steve also was a partner in a statewide public affairs firm and taught political communication at California State University, Sacramento. He currently hosts Comcast Newsmakers, a political interview program that airs throughout the Sacramento And San Joaquin Valleys.

Jeff Raimundo is a public affairs executive and political consultant who has been the creative force behind numerous political and public affairs campaigns. Previously, Jeff spent twenty-five years in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., as an editor, reporter and political writer for the Sacramento Bee and McClatchy Newspapers. He has taught politics, communications, news and reporting and writing at California State University, Sacramento, and the University of California Extension Service.

 

 

Hill,ValerieWebValerie Hill

Valerie Anderson Hill is a respected Educator, honored as California State Teacher of the Year for California Continuation Education Association and taught 27 years in Clovis Unified School District.  She is a motivational speaker on the subjects of Character and Personal Development, Substance Abuse Prevention, and Parenting Skills.  She enjoys sharing her life with her husband and children and grandchildren and her poodles, Peaches and Coco.

 

 

Gelfand, JoanJoan Gelfand

Joan Gelfand’s letters, reviews, stories, and poetry have appeared The New York Times Magazine, Poets & Writers, Vanity Fair and over 100 national and international literary journals and magazines. Joan holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Mills College in Oakland, California and is the author of  three full length poetry collections and “Fear To Shred,” a novel. She was awarded the Cervena Barva Award for short fiction for her collection “Here and Abroad.”
Joan has been a featured reader at book festivals and venues around the country including Bowery Poetry Club, the Southern Festival of Books and Litquake. Joan currently serves as Development Chair of the Women’s National Book Association, is a member of the National Book Critics Circle and a juror for the Northern California Book Awards. She blogs for the Huffington Post and coaches writers. Her poetry video, “The Ferlinghetti School of Poetics” was featured at the International Poetry Video Festival in Athens, Greece. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, Adam Hertz and two beatnik kitties – Jack Kerouac and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. http://joangelfand.com

 

 

Minnehan Jones, MaureenMaureen Minnehan Jones

Maureen Minnehan Jones is a Registered Nurse, Guided Imagery Practitioner, Emotional Wellness Healer, Author, and Speaker. Her book Wisdom to Wellness: Healing Your Emotional Sufferings so the Physical Healing Can Follow won the 2012 International Book Awards in the self-help category. It provides guiding examples of how true healing can happen. For those seeking freedom from the shackles of disease, this compassionate book reveals the author’s powerful healing technique, the MO (Modus Operandi) Technique. Using case studies of both celebrities and ordinary people, Jones teaches individuals how to tap into their inner power to heal.

Maureen’s studies and clinical work in the past 19 years have shown disease can be halted by understanding one’s modus operandi or MO and “knowing” what each symptom, condition, disease, and body part tells us. Specifically, her MO Technique addresses the psychological meaning attached to the body part involved in a symptom, condition, or disease. Working in tandem with traditional medicine, the MO Technique goes after the underlying emotional source of the disease. In effect, the emotional components of our ailments teach us, expand us, and move us forward—if we understand and heed them. Steps to Release the Common Thread of Disease is Maureen’s audio companion for following the MO (Modus Operandi) Technique. Says Jones, “Incorporating the psychological meaning or emotional component of disease is the missing piece for healing that’s critical to preventing all diseases.”

 

 

KRISTINE SETTING CLARKKristine Clark

University of San Francisco graduate and author, Dr. Kristine Setting Clark was a long-time feature writer for the San Francisco 49ers’ and Dallas Cowboys’ Gameday Magazine. A gifted athlete in her own right, physical education teacher, wife, mother, and later, a high school administrator and college professor, Dr. Clark has never let anything stand in the way of her goals; not even a life threatening bout with Hodgkin’s Disease, blindness in both eyes for ten months, and the resulting partial blindness, at age 26.  Her passion for life, her incredible optimism, and her drive to live life to the fullest has endeared her to her former students, friends and to those on whom she’s written, including her childhood football idol and close friend, Bob St. Clair of the San Francisco 49ers. Released in July 2014 is her latest book, The Fighting Donovans – A family history of world boxing champion and Hall of Fame boxer, Mike Donovan, world champion boxing referee and Boxing Hall of Fame referee Arthur Donovan, Sr. and former Baltimore Colt defensive tackle and Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Arthur Donovan, Jr. Her most recent book is Football’s Fabulous Fifties – When Men Were Men and the Grass Was Still Real.

 

MarshallDawn Marshall

Dawn Marshall is the co-founder of Sudden Insight Publishing. Her extensive experience with graphic design and her passion for books throughout her entire life have come together to make her a dedicated and thoroughly deliberate publisher. She helps authors and writers with everything from editing to formatting to cover design and interior layout, and can walk anyone through the many steps required to self-publish.
Even better, she can do all those time-consuming steps for the indie author. Her experience and professionalism show in every book she has a hand in, and she often helps without getting credited; she considers it better than not helping at all.
With her passionate dedication to both reading and publishing, Dawn has taken part in helping many indie authors’ dreams come true. Her catalog of published works is available at SuddenInsightPublishing.com.
Contact her directly for all your publishing needs, or read her blog for free tips aimed at indie authors navigating the exciting and ever-changing terrain of independent publishing.

 

Carson, MelissaMelissa Carson

Melissa Carson, is a resident of Northern California, her heritage is from Newfoundland, Canada. She is a mother of  two young adult children: a son, Michael, a United States Army Veteran and a daughter, Cori, who has cerebral palsy.  She has had poem’s published in the National Library of Poetry ” A Far Off Place” and in the Famous Poets Anthology. Her book “Surviving Life through Faith Hope & Love” an inspiring story of a Mothers love and devotion of caring for her severely handicapped daughter, trials, and tribulations of life’s heartaches and rewards. Melissa has and will continue to inspire and help parents and caregivers to never give up hope.

 

Hagen, ClaudiaClaudia Hagen

Claudia Hagen is a retired critical care nurse and former commercial hot air balloon pilot living in California’s Central Valley. She has published six non-fiction books, working on the seventh, two of which are children’s books. Her latest book, recently published, “American Women During WWII” has already received multiple 5 Star reviews. “The Mystic High Adventures…” received an Honorable Mention in a 2015 Reader’s Favorite writers contest. When not researching and writing she enjoys reading, gardening, and trying to keep up with grandkids. Each of her books has its own Facebook page. For more information about Claudia and her books visit her website: www.claudiahagen.com

 

 

 

 

 Great Valley Bookfest Presenting Authors

2016 YOUNG ADULT


 

Stevenson, SarahSarah Jamila Stevenson

Sarah Jamila Stevenson is a writer, artist, editor and graphic designer in Northern California. She is the author of three YA novels: THE LATTE REBELLION (Flux, 2011), UNDERNEATH (Flux, 2013) and THE TRUTH AGAINST THE WORLD (Flux, 2014). Her first novel for young adults, THE LATTE REBELLION, was a Scholastic Book Club pick as well as an IPPY Bronze Medalist in Multicultural Children’s Fiction. Her work has been featured on Capital Public Radio’s Insight and NPR’s Tell Me More with Michel Martin. She is also an active blogger: since 2005 she has been posting children’s literature reviews and information at Finding Wonderland (writingya.blogspot.com), a blog she shares with fellow young adult author Tanita S. Davis, and she is a regular participant in the Cybils (Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards).

 

 

 

Garner Armstrong, Sarah Sarah Armstrong-Garner

Sarah Armstrong-Garner lives in Northern California with her husband and three children, and get this, not only is she an author, screenwriter, and photographer, she also shoots indie films with her husband. “Sinking” is her debut novel.

 

 

 

Ambau, GettyGetty Ambau

Born in Ethiopi, Getty Ambaua, first came to the United States as a foreign exchange student, where he studied one year at a high school in Ohio. Later, he entered Yale University where he majored in molecular biophysics and biochemistry and Economics. After he graduated, he worked in research labs, including a stint with a book-publishing company (borne out of his love for the written word), earned a graduate degree in the business field and ran his own companies. But above all, writing has always been his inner calling. Getty is author of the Desta series, which have received recognition and won three awards. DESTA AND KING SOLOMON’S COIN OF MAGIC AND FORTUNE (Vol. 1) was a winner of Moonbeam’s Young Adult Book Award and Independent Publishers Children Book Award. DESTA AND WINDS OF WAHSAA UMERA (Vol. 2) was featured both in the digital and print copy of Kirkus Magazine. DESTA: TO WHOM LIONS BOW (Vol.3), also was a winner of Moonbeam’s Young Adult Book Award. He is also the author of four health and nutrition books, two of which became international bestsellers among a network of nutrition products distributors. His Importance of Good Nutrition book was used as a text book for a master’s medical program on trichology. In June 2015 Getty published The Four Pillars for Your Health, Good Looks and Longevity–a nutrition book based on a personal medical problem he once had experienced. By drinking a blend of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, he was able to reverse a life-threatening circulatory disorder. This January he released a book on Ethiopian foods and drinks. The first of its kind, the work was enormously gratifying to him. During his research and writing he learned a great deal about the many attributes that make Ethiopian cuisine and beverages truly special, healthy and tasty. Writing about his mother’s cooking, her recipes and preparatory techniques was equally satisfying to him.

 

 

Gilmore, RMR.M. Gilmore

R.M. Gilmore is a paranormal and mystery/suspense writer and creator of the occult bestselling series Dylan Hart Odyssey of the Occult.
R.M. resides in California with her family and a ton of pets. Laughing more than one person should be allowed, it is likely she will die laughing. R.M. prefers to think and live outside the box without the constraints of social stigma or the ideals of literary rules. That being said, she truly is not your mother’s author.

 

 

Batt, Daniel JJ. Daniel Batt

J. Daniel Batt is an editor, writer, and designer. He serves as the Creative and Editorial Director for the 100 Year Starship and is the founder and organizer of the annual Canopus Award for Excellence in Interstellar Writing. His novels include Young Gods and Dreamside and his short fiction has appeared in Perihelion, Bastion, Bewildering Stories, A Story Goes On, and other periodicals. He’s most recently edited the science fiction anthology Visions of the Future published through Lifeboat Foundation. He lives in California, where he has had firsthand experience with its weirdness.

 

 

Nunes, Britt.Britt Nunes

Britt Nunes is a dork with an overactive imagination. She is addicted to rich words, adventurous sci-fi, sweet romances, and massive amounts of coffee. She is the author of The Etched Tales and Neon. Britt writes for young adults.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Valley Bookfest 2016 Young Adult Authors.

Great Valley Bookfest Presenting Authors

2016 BON APPETIT


 

 

Brennan, GeorgeanneGeorgeanne Brennan

Georgeanne Brennan is the winner of a James Beard and an IACP International
Association of Culinary Professionals award. The author of the Beard-nominated classic, Potager, and her acclaimed memoir, A Pig in Provence, she an accomplished cookbook author, culinary journalist, and entrepreneur, in 2014 she launched her online store and product line, La Vie Rustic — Sustainable Living in the French Style, which reflects her long-timelove affair with France and especially Provence, where she has a home. Lavierustic.com.

 

 

Indelicato, DorothyDorothy Indelicato

Dorothy Indelicato, Treasurer of Delicato Vineyards, attended schools in Manteca and graduated from Stockton College. She has lived her entire life within four miles of Delicato Winery in Manteca and has been active in the management of the winery for over 50 years. An important contributor to her community for the past 45 years, Mrs. Indelicato continues to enjoy her membership in the local women’s service organization, Soroptimist International of Manteca. She is also a member of the Manteca Mayor’s Committee on the Arts, Manteca Chamber of Commerce, and a founder of the Friends of the Stockton Symphony Committee. She enjoys hosting the Annual Delicato Fine Art Show as well as the Annual Delicato Photography Show. Dorothy has served on the Board of Directors of St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Dominic’s Hospital, Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Manteca Convention & Visitors Bureau, Manteca Chamber of Commerce, Symphony Comes to Manteca Committee, Manteca Crime Stoppers, San Joaquin County Historical Society, San Joaquin Delta College Foundation, Stockton Visitors & Convention Bureau, the Stockton Symphony Board, and she directed the Delicato Charity Grape Stomp for nineteen years. To commemorate the winery’s 50th Anniversary in 1985, Dorothy and Arlene Mueller co-authored Wine, Food & the Good Life, a historical cookbook. She has just completed a third edition of the cookbook with updated photos and family stories entitled Delicato Family Cookbook, from the Old Country to the Wine Country, a History in Recipes.  Dorothy is married to Vincent Indelicato, co-owner of Delicato Vineyards. She has two children, Marie Indelicato Mathews and Robert Indelicato and has been blessed with five grandchildren.

 

 

Savage, MichelleMichelle Savage

Michelle Savage is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and the author of The Green Aisle’s very own recipe book: Healthy Smoothies and Slushies.
In her past, Michelle struggled with medical issues and being overweight. It was clear that a major lifestyle change was a necessity. By eliminating processed foods, along with some intense research and experimentation, she discovered that the essence of eating begins with the art of food — and that nothing is more important than eating clean and healthy.
Michelle is now at her ideal weight, with no medical issues, and is dedicated to inspiring others to invigorate their health by sharing her journey from pain to gain, empowering listeners, and introducing new and deliciously enticing recipes.
Her passion is teaching middle-aged individuals in her community who struggle with weight problems how to take control over their lives again. By educating them on food and freedom, she shows them the path back to confidence. One specialty group Michelle works with is the diabetic community. greenaislewellness.com

 

 

Burwen, MikeMichael Burwen

Cooking has been a long-time hobby. For more than 40 years, Mike collected recipes that he loved. The sources of these recipes are friends, family, and restaurants from around the world as a result of extensive travel. Some of the recipes are of his own invention, and most of those sourced from others are modified to fit cooking style or to use ingredients that are readily available in America.

Having retired from his professional life, and having nothing better to do, he decided to share some of my recipe collection with people who like to eat. The result are the books, Easy Gourmet Recipes for the Frugal Cook: Mikey Likes It!, Volumes I and II.

 

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAGina Meyers

Gina Meyers is best known for her popular culture television trivia and cooking expertise books related to the Twilight Saga, Harry Potter,  and the iconic television show Bewitched. She is the proud winner of the prestigious Gourmand International Cookbook Award for Best Charity Cookbook in the world, Hope For Haiti. Paris, France March, 2012.

Gina’s Love at First Bite: The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook, first edition, has been listed in OK! Magazine’s top Twilight merchandise must-haves and featured on Comedian Alan Carr, Chatty Man’s late night talk show. Her Love at First Bite Cookbook was also mentioned on the hit TV Show, The Office. From an early age, Gina has had a passion for the culinary arts, experimenting in the kitchen with baking and creating anything yummy and unique. http://www.ginameyers.com
Gina has been a television consultant for Popstar! Magazine , Columbia Pictures Television, as well as Nickelodeon Magazine. She is a featured regular on national radio and television programs as a cooking expert. Gina has also worked for Xerox and Google Corporation. Gina is the owner of Serendipity Media Group, a global publishing, marketing, and promotions company. With Serendipity Media’s help, many authors have also found international success and recognition. http://www.serendipitymediagroup.com

 

 

 

BryanEhrenholmBryan Ehrenholm

Bryan Ehrenholm’s passion is food; fresh, healthy, and tasty food. When asked what his favorite thing about food is he said, “good food is a lifestyle not just something to eat.” Chef Bryan has worked in the food industry since he was a junior high kid employed in the school cafeteria. He received his culinary training at Columbia College, in Columbia, CA and holds a Bachelors of Business in Hotel Restaurant Administration from the University of Denver, Denver CO. Bryan has worked in a variety of areas within the food industry including Director of Food and Beverage for Marriott Hotels, Corporate Chef for Williams-Sonoma Inc., and works as a chef consultant for the California Lamb Board. For 14 years he was the creator/proprietor of Pure Joy Bakery and The Lunch Pail in Modesto, CA. Pure Joy Bakery was famous for their handmade pies. He has had 14 pies named Best in American at the APC Crisco National Pie Bake-off in Florida. Two pies have been named Grand Champion, meaning the best overall pie in the United States. In 2012, Chef Bryan won the California raisin category with the Rasin’ the Roof pie.  He was featured on the Food Networks, The Challenge in September 2009. Chef Bryan recently participated in a local Iron Chef completion and was named Best Chef in Modesto in 2010. In 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama and the Department of Health sponsored a Healthy Kids recipe contest for the schools across American. One requirement was to have a volunteer chef as a member of each school’s team. The team Chef Bryan volunteered for won first in their category of Side Dish. They were one of three teams asked to compete for the best in the nation at the Culinary Institute of American in Texas. Though they came in second that day, a relationship with the Manteca School District was established.  2012 brought with it the unexpected and unique opportunity for Chef Bryan to become the Executive Chef for the Manteca Unified School District. Here he is in charge of the healthy recipe development for the school district and he also teaches for Manteca Unified School District Be-Tech Academy’s Culinary Program.

 

 

Great Valley Bookfest Presenting Authors

2016 POETS


 

 

Weaver, JamesJames Weaver

James Weaver is a poet and English teacher who guides his students to recognize the importance of reading, writing, and revision. He has been published in Penumbra, Collision IV, Susurrus, Cosumnes River and Merced River Literary Review. He has performed at SlaM on RyE, the Queen Bean, and the Great Valley Bookfest (2015). He was also a judge at InkSlam in Los Angeles. He is currently working on his first chapbook. He is very excited to return to the Great Valley Bookfest!

 

 

Gelfand, JoanJoan Gelfand

Joan Gelfand’s letters, reviews, stories and poetry have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Poets & Writers, Vanity Fair and over 100 national and international literary journals and magazines. Joan holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Mills College in Oakland, California and is the author of  three full length poetry collections and “Fear To Shred,” a novel. She was awarded the Cervena Barva Award for short fiction for her collection “Here and Abroad.”

 

 

Rose, MonikaMonika Rose

Monika Rose, at home in the foothills of Calaveras County, founded Manzanita Writers Press, a nonprofit literary publisher.  She is published in several anthologies and literary magazines, and her book of poems River by the Glass, by GlenHill Publications, is available from Amazon and Small Press Distribution as a print and eBook. She has edited anthologies such as the recently released A Taste of Literary Elegance: Wine, Cheese & Chocolate book, and the previous collection of the ongoing Manzanita series of literary prose and poetry, Wild Edges. With a Masters Degree in English, she teaches courses in writing and literature at Delta College as an Adjunct Associate Professor. Contact her at www.manzapress.com or her website www.monikarosewriter.com ~ you can also email her at mrose209@gmail.com.

 

 

KimuraDenella Kimura

Denella Kimura’s new book, “Waiting for Wings: A Child’s Journey,” (Word Project Press), is her story of growing up in a farm family that went through the Yuba City flood, and how her faith helped her in the aftermath. Her first book, “Poetry Reading at the Panama Hotel, A Collection of Dramatic Readings,” (Joy Publishing), is a selection of works presented at open readings. She presently moderates the Third Friday Open Reading at Sonora Joe’s Coffee Shoppe in Sonora. She has published articles, art, photography, short stories and drama. She lives in Columbia CA with her husband.

 

 

Matson, CliveClive Matson

Clive Matson (MFA Columbia University) was drafted as Chalcedony’s (kal-SAID-‘n-ease) astonished scribe in 2004. His early teachers were Beats in New York City, and, amazingly, his seventh book was placed in John Wieners’ coffin. He became immersed in the stream of passionate intensity that runs through us all and has finally stopped trying to go anywhere else. “Writing from the itch in his body” is old hat, according to Let the Crazy Child Write! (1998), the text he uses for teaching. He won the City of Berkeley’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2012) and PEN Oakland’s Josephine Miles National Literary Award (2003). Visit Clive at www.matsonpoet.com.

 

 

LarreaPhillip Larrea

Phillip Larrea is the author of Our Patch (Writing Knights Press), We the People (Cold River Press), and the forthcoming collection, Part-Time Job (Sybaritic Press). He serves on the Board of the Sacramento Poetry Center and edits the annual print anthology, Sacramento Voices based on monthly reading series that Phillip hosts.

 

 

 

WegenerGillian Wegener

Gillian Wegener is the author of two previous collections: a chapbook, Lifting One Foot, Lifting the Other (In the Grove Press, 2001) and a full-length collection of poetry, The Opposite of Clairvoyance (Sixteen Rivers Press, 2008). Wegener has been widely published and has won several awards for her work including the Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Prize in 2006 and 2007, and the Zocalo Public Square Prize for Poetry of Place in 2015. Wegener, a junior high teacher, lives in Modesto with her husband and daughter, where she coordinates and hosts the monthly 2nd Tuesday Reading Series, co-founded the Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center, and served as the poet laureate for the city of Modesto from 2012-2016. Her second collection of poetry, This Sweet Haphazard, will be published by Sixteen Rivers Press in 2017.

 

 

SchellerLinda Schellner

Linda Schellner is a poet, playwright, actor, and teacher whose writing has appeared in many journals and anthologies including Notre Dame Review, Howling Dog, Poetry East, and More Than Soil, More Than Sky. She is a founding board member of Modesto Stanislaus Poetry Center and sings with Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus. In early 2017, FutureCycle Press will pbulish her fist book of poetry, Fierce Light.

 

 

 

Great Valley Bookfest 2016 Poet List

Great Valley Bookfest Presenting Authors

2016 COMICS/ILLUSTRATORS


 

 

Beavers, EthenEthen Beavers

Ethen Beavers is an illustrator of Comics and Children’s books who lives in central California. He has worked on numerous books at many different publishers, but is best known for his work on Michael Buckley’s (author) New York Times best seller, N.E.R.D.S. He has also supplied the Art on a number of different Little Golden Books including Batman, Superman, and Star Wars Attack of the Clones. In Comics, he has worked on such titles as Batman the Brave and the Bold, Justice League Unlimited, Star Wars Clone Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Teen Titans Go!, and Samurai Jack. Visit Ethan’s website at www.ethenbeavers.com and his Amazon Author page at: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00P5NM5DC

Great Valley Bookfest Presenting Authors

2016 CHILDREN


 

Pocheco, HarryHarry Pacheco

Harry E. Pacheco is an upcoming author that has put his first love of music aside to pursue his new found talent of writing children’s books. His main goal is to spread a needed awareness to those young kids whose minds are still growing. He finds it important to spread the message of acceptance, regardless of race, appearance, gender, religion, culture, and even personality quirks. He plans to emphasize the importance of these everyday challenges that kids face on a daily basis. Harry takes his experience through his kids and from his own experiences as an example to share relatable and relevant short stories that all deal with bullying. So, that’s why he and his partner Rob Owens created this anti-bullying 5 book series.

 

Ozier, JoeJoe Ozier

Joe Ozier has been a writer since his early teens, having dabbled in science fiction, poetry, lyrics and haiku’s. He graduated with a degree in Geology in 1981, but his passion was video production. Then, in 1998, Joe moved to Florida to pursue acting. His career as a stage, film, television, actor, and print model gave him a valuable education in the importance of presentation to one’s audience. Also a playwright, Joe has currently developed nine original stage plays and musicals.

Joe’s love for dogs and his knowledge of their behavior began with his family dogs. His first show was the result of a 10 year endeavor entitled “Shep the Musical”, that centered on a lonely dog he found chained up to a dog house outside his hometown in Fresno. Joe trained Shep to perform in many community theater productions. He was billed as “Shep the Wonder Dog”. Joe discovered Shea at the local Humane Society while doing research for his musical, and realized that Shea had “that something special”. As a nice twist of fate, Shea was available for adoption on the very day Joe discovered her. Shea became Shep’s love interest in the developing musical and in real life. As Joe quickly discovered, Shea was also an accomplished escape artist. Shea’s savvy “street smart” spirit became the inspiration for the book. Joe moved back to California to take care for his mother in 2007, and by 2011, Joe began his next career as a professional dog trainer, with the specialty of “Behavior Training for Dogs and People.” He titled his new business … Way of a Dog. Joe loves going to work and teaching dog owners how to understand their dogs behavior. Shea’s Lounge is Joe Ozier’s first book

 

 

Padilla, John PaulJohn Paul Padilla

John Paul Padilla was born in December 11, in Los Angeles, California. He is a multi-award winning author that includes Mom’s Choice Award. He is also a public speaker and advocate against bullying. He is currently residing in the Central Valley of California. John Paul is an ex model, and has danced for fifteen years with a dance academy. He has written lyrical verses that were recorded by Nashville artists. He has previously published Wings to Cross an Ocean, an inspirational poetry book that encourages personal growth and happiness for adults. John Paul was inspired to write his first anti-bullying book, Johnny Big Ears, the Feel Good Friend, based on his own childhood experiences with teasing and bullying. He has also written Johnny Big-Ears, Meets His New Neighbor Suzy, for little girls, who get teased because of their weight. Both of his books are now out in Spanish. To help entertain and educate kids, about bullying, John Paul has his two mascots. Come visit them and have a picture taken.

 

 

Ryan, Karlene KayKarlene Kay Ryan

A published author, Karlene writes on home and design along with inspirational issues. Karlene’s published work includes: To Find Hope, Simple Wisdom for Those Who Grieve, Thank You God for Robin’s Egg Blue. Along with a collaborative journal, This is the First Day of My Life, the children’s series The Genevieve Series is also on her list of published pieces. She also wrote on Holy Moly, A Hole In One. Karlene Kay Ryan is a certified Life Coach with the emphasis on creative expression through art and writing.

Maintaining her own business since 1980, she accentuates the creative arts as a professional Interior Designer. Establishing a Fine Artist’s studio, Karlene works with various mediums to express all of the little things in life that bring her joy. Karlene is a mother of four and a grandmother of eight. She and her husband, Mayo, live in California and call both Fresno and Carmel home.

 

 

 

 

Poteet, KatheKathe Poteet

Kathe grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, first living on Alcatraz Island where her father was the chief finance officer. When he retired, the family moved to Marin County, living in San Rafael. Having always collected rocks, bugs, toads and small fish from a nearby creek and surrounding hills, Kathe developed a love for science. She earned a B.A. in Biology from San Francisco State University, then a teaching credential. In 1976, she and her husband moved to Modesto where she had a great time teaching science at all grade levels, from Kindergarten through grad school. She was the K-12 Science Coordinator for a major school district, helping teachers share science with their students. The fun though, is working with children and having them discover how things work, trying to answer that inevitable question…”why?” She currently resides in Oakdale.

 

 

Fulton, KristinKristin Fulton

Kristin Fulton, author of Snake Food and The Haunting, loves being creative. When she isn’t writing books, she composes songs on the Ukulele, paints impressionistic landscapes and illustrations, and goes on hikes. She enjoys gourmet food under candlelight, a good scrabble game when she wins, and Yosemite National Park.

 

 

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERALinda Joy Singleton

Linda Joy Singleton is the author of over 35 books for kids, including YALSA honored THE SEER series and DEAD GIRL WALKING trilogy. She submitted short stories to magazines when she was 14 and finished her first book during a 2-week holiday. She kept stories she wrote as a kid and loves to share them when in her school presentations. Her childhood 100-book collection of girl series books like Nancy Drew, Judy Bolton and Trixie Belden grew to an adult passion and now thousands of juvenile series books fill her home library. A fan letter at age 13 led to her friendship with author Margaret Sutton and later a co-written Judy Bolton mystery. When she was 14 she wrote a goal of wanting to write a series of her own–and it happened. She encourages kids, “Follow your dreams no matter how impossible they seem. With hard work and determination, dreams come true.”

 

 

Bulla, LyndaLynda Bulla

Lynda Bulla grew up in southern California and has resided in a small farming community of Fresno County for over 50 years.  She lives with her husband and many dogs on a ranch where the open fields have inspired her stories.  Lynda worked for Fresno County Library at the Tranquillity Branch for over 10 years, she was a substitute teacher and is now a real estate broker and owner of Kerman Land Co., Inc.  She has a B.A. in liberal studies from University of California, Fresno.  It was during her return to college in 1980 that she discovered her love for writing.  Lynda and her husband have 3 children and 7 grandchildren.  Each of Lynda’s 7 books is dedicated to a grandchild.  She calls her stories “dialog starters” as she hopes that adults and children will read them together and talk about the special message that the story holds.

 

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERANaty Osa

Naty Osa was born in Segovia, Spain. She grew up in Susanville, CA, and now makes her home in Chico. She has written three children’s picture books; Grandma’s Lost her Head is also available in Spanish. All three books are beautifully illustrated by her son, Javier Dura, who lives in Seville, Spain. Our mission at Stinky Press is to make available quality children’s books with a strong story line and evocative illustrations; books which we hope will contribute to the growth and enjoyment of children and adults alike.

 

 

 

 

Lamb, SilverSilver Lamb

I began writing short stories on Facebook a paragraph at a time in 2010. I wanted to explore the idea of posting a segment of a story that would intrigue the reader to tune in the next day to read more. This became an amazing interactive project where I received immediate feedback from my readers, which in turn began to shape and steer the stories themselves. In 2011, I self-published one of those stories and it became a beloved short story for many. It was entitled, The Tree of Life. I then attempted my first novel on-line, a paragraph at a time posted on my home-page, called Adarsa. It took me ten months of daily entries to finish the novel. I never missed a day. Since then I have written another novel, Grace Ruby, and four children’s books about my cat, Mr. Scruffy Pants, one paragraph at a time on social media. Each, has been self published and enjoyed. I have written off and on my entire life. I am a recently retired music educator from Modesto, California. I live in Riverbank with my husband David and my cat. We golf, read, play, do art, and love life.

 

 

 

 

Torres, JenniferJennifer Torres

Jennifer Torres is the author of FINDING THE MUSIC/EN POS DE LA MÚSICA, a bilingual picture book published in spring 2015 by Children’s Book Press/Lee & Low Books. STEF SOTO, TACO QUEEN, her debut novel for middle grades, will be published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in January 2017. In addition to working as a freelance journalist she leads an early literacy outreach initiative at University of the Pacific. Previously, Jennifer was a reporter for The Record newspaper, covering education, demographics, children and families. Originally from Southern California, she now lives in Stockton with her husband, David Siders, and daughters, Alice and Soledad.

 

 

Also Available for Book Signing in Authors’ Alley

LIST IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Andy Henriuez
Beverly Graham
Cora J Ramos
David Allee
Gerald James Avila
Gold Country Writers
Hans Berger
J L  Rallios
John Daulton
Joy Willow
Krista Lynn
Louis Moorer III
Marietta Harris
Maya Torngren
Michael C. Ford & Rose Albano Risso
Michael D. Brosio
Peggy Jennings – Severe
S.L. Dearing
Sandra Masters
Sheri Humphreys
The Z Tailgate
Timothy W. Sousa
Tom Morton
Wiley Joiner
Diane Rose Duffy
Elena Carpenter
Godfrey Coppinger
Jacob Haslem & Nicholas Allen
Karen Moore
Kathleen Gorman
Linda Champion
Linda Covella
Linda Lee Kane
Major Mitchell
Michael J Bowler
Pam Atherstone
Penelope Anne Cole
Susan Lowe
Yvetta Doll Franklin
Julianna Presto
Clive Riddle
John Von hof
Gayle Taylor Davis