A Celebration of Books,
Writers & LIterary Excellence

Save the Date


Gaithersburg
Book Festival

May 18, 2024

10am – 6pm

Bohrer Park


Featured Authors

Arranging Words by Fran Abrams
Moderator

Fran Abrams

Latest Title: Arranging Words

Fran Abrams has had poems published in numerous journals and in more than a dozen anthologies. Her poetry has been published in the full-length collection, “I Rode the Second Wave: A Feminist Memoir” (November 2022), and in two chapbooks, “The… Continue Reading

Sarah Adler

Latest Title: Happy Medium

Sarah Adler writes romantic comedies about lovable weirdos finding their happily ever afters. Her debut novel, “Mrs. Nash’s Ashes,” was featured on TODAY as a “Best Beach Read of All Time” and was also selected as one of the New… Continue Reading

Kate Albus

Latest Title: Nothing Else But Miracles

Kate Albus writes historical fiction for young readers. Her first novel, “A Place to Hang the Moon” (2021, Margaret Ferguson Books at Holiday House), was a New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, A Kids Indie Next List pick,… Continue Reading

B. B. Alston

Latest Title: Amari and the Great Game (Supernatural Investigations Book 2)

B. B. Alston lives in Chapin, S.C. His debut novel, “Amari and the Night Brothers,” was a #1 Kids’ Indie Next pick and the winner of Barnes & Noble’s inaugural Children’s and YA Book Award, as well as a New… Continue Reading

Poet of the Port by Indran Amirthanayagam

Indran Amirthanayagam

Latest Title: Powèt Nan Pò A / Poet of the Port

Indran Amirthanayagam produced a “world record” in 2020 publishing three poetry books written in three different languages. He writes in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Haitian Creole. He has 24 books, including “The Migrant States,” “The Elephants of Reckoning (winner… Continue Reading

How to Win Friends and Influence Fungi by Matt Wasowski

Dr. Chris Balakrishnan

Latest Title: How to Win Friends and Influence Fungi: Collected Quirks of Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math from Nerd Nite

Chris Balakrishnan founded Nerd Nite when he was a graduate student in evolutionary biology at Boston University. Nerd Nite was born of a Boston bar owner’s curiosity about Chris’ ornithological adventures and Chris’ goal of making science more accessible. He… Continue Reading

African Icons by Tracey Baptiste

Tracey Baptiste

Latest Title: African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History

Tracey Baptiste is a New York Times best-selling author of 17 books and several short stories for children. She is best known for “The Jumbies” series, which have been Junior Library Guild selections, We Need Diverse Books “Must Read” titles,… Continue Reading

Derrick Barnes

Latest Title: Who Got Game?: Basketball: Amazing but True Stories!

Derrick Barnes is a National Book Award Finalist for his 2022 graphic novel, “Victory. Stand!-Raising My Fist For Justice,” which also won the 2023 YALSA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Award, and a Coretta Scott King Award Author Honor. He… Continue Reading

Rachel Beanland

Latest Title: The House Is on Fire

Rachel Beanland is the author of the novel, “The House is on Fire,” and “Florence Adler Swims Forever.” She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and earned her M.F.A. in creative writing from Virginia Commonwealth University. She… Continue Reading

Animal Albums by Cece Bell

Cece Bell

Latest Title: Animal Albums from A to Z

Cece Bell is the creator of the graphic novel “El Deafo,” which was a Newbery Honor Book and a Will Eisner Comic Industry Award winner; the Geisel Honor Book “Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover;” and “Rabbit and Robot and Ribbit,… Continue Reading

Phil Bildner

Latest Title: Glenn Burke, Game Changer: The Man Who Invented the High Five

Phil Bildner is The New York Times best-selling author of numerous books for young people including the NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor-winning middle grade novel, “A High Five for Glenn Burke;” the Margaret Wise Brown Prize-winning picture book, “Marvelous Cornelius;”… Continue Reading

Richard Blanco

Latest Title: Homeland of My Body: New and Selected Poems

Selected by President Obama as the fifth Presidential Inaugural Poet in U.S. history, Richard Blanco was the youngest, the first Latinx, immigrant and gay person to serve in that a role. More recently, Richard was awarded the National Humanities Medal… Continue Reading

Fergus M. Bordewich

Latest Title: Klan War: Ulysses S. Grant and the Battle to Save Reconstruction

Fergus M. Bordewich is the author of nine non-fiction books: “Klan War: Ulysses S. Grant and the Battle to Save Reconstruction;” “Congress at War: How Republican Reformers Fought the Civil War, Defied Lincoln, Ended Slavery, and Remade America;” “The First… Continue Reading

Extra Innings by Fred Bowen

Fred Bowen

Latest Title: Extra Innings

Fred Bowen is the author of 29 sports books for young readers ages 8-12. He is the creator and author of the Fred Bowen Sports Story series, 26 books for readers 8-12 that combine sports fiction, sports history and always… Continue Reading

Swimming With Ghosts by Michelle Brafman

Michelle Brafman

Latest Title: Swimming with Ghosts

Michelle Brafman is the author of “Washing the Dead,” “Bertrand Court: Stories” and “Swimming with Ghosts.” Her work has appeared in Oprah Daily, O Quarterly, Slate, LitHub, Tablet, The Forward and elsewhere. She teaches fiction writing in the Johns Hopkins University… Continue Reading

Kathryn Bratt-Pfotenhauer

Latest Title: Bad Animal

Kathryn Bratt-Pfotenhauer is the author of the poetry collection “Bad Animal” (Riot in Your Throat, 2023) and the chapbook “Small Geometries” (Ethel, 2023). The recipient of a Pushcart Prize, their work has been published in The Missouri Review, The Adroit… Continue Reading

Adrienne Brodeur

Latest Title: Little Monsters

Adrienne Brodeur is the author of the memoir “Wild Game,” which was selected as a Best Book of the Year by NPR and The Washington Post and is in development as a Netflix film. She founded the literary magazine, Zoetrope:… Continue Reading

Can't We Be Friends by Denny S. Bryce

Denny S. Bryce

Latest Title: Can't We Be Friends: A Novel of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe

Denny S. Bryce is the best-selling, award-winning author of novels, “The Other Princess,” “A Face in the Sun,” “Wild Women and the Blues” and “Can’t We Be Friends: A Novel of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe,” co-authored with Eliza Knight.… Continue Reading

Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Elizabeth C. Bunce

Latest Title: Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery 5)

Elizabeth C. Bunce is the Edgar Award-winning author of “Premeditated Myrtle,” the “Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery” series and several young adult historical fantasies, including “A Curse Dark as Gold.” A native Midwesterner, Elizabeth is an avid needlewoman, historical costumer and cosplayer.… Continue Reading

Ciera Burch

Latest Title: Something Kindred

Ciera Burch is a lifelong writer and ice cream aficionado. She has a B.A from American University and an M.F.A. from Emerson College. Her fiction has appeared in American Literary Magazine, Underground, the art and literary journal of Georgia State… Continue Reading

Fly With Me by Andie Burke

Andie Burke

Latest Title: Fly with Me

Andie Burke writes romantic comedies in between her pediatric RN shifts. She lives in Maryland with an alarming number of books, ultra-fine point pens, dehydrated houseplants and two small humans. When you read this, she’s probably listening to Taylor Swift… Continue Reading

My Dear Comrades by Sunu P. Chandy

Sunu P. Chandy

Latest Title: My Dear Comrades

Sunu P. Chandy (she/her) is a social justice activist as a poet and a civil rights attorney. She is the daughter of immigrants from Kerala, India, and lives in Washington, D.C., with her family. Sunu’s award-winning collection of poems, “My… Continue Reading

Loud and Proud by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Lesa Cline-Ransome

Latest Title: Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm

Lesa Cline-Ransome is the author of numerous non-fiction and historical fiction titles for picture book, chapter book, middle grade and young adult readers, and her work has been named to ALA Notable Books and Bank Street Best Children’s Book lists.… Continue Reading

Real Life and Other Fictions by Susan Coll

Susan Coll

Latest Title: Real Life and Other Fictions

“Real Life and Other Fictions” is Susan Coll’s seventh novel. Her previous books include “Bookish People;” “The Stager,” a New York Times and Chicago Tribune Editor’s Choice; and “Acceptance,” which was made into a television movie starring Joan Cusack. Her… Continue Reading

Jona Colson

Latest Title: Aguas/Waters

Jona Colson’s poetry collection, “Said Through Glass,” won the 2018 Jean Feldman Poetry Prize from the Washington Writers’ Publishing House. A full-length translated collection of poems by Uruguayan author Miguel Avero, “Aguas/Waters,” will be published this spring. He is also… Continue Reading

Don't Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino

Sara Goodman Confino

Latest Title: Don't Forget to Write

Sara Goodman Confino is the best-selling author of “Don’t Forget to Write,” “She’s Up to No Good,” “For the Love of Friends” and the forthcoming novel, “Behind Every Good Man” (August 2024). She teaches high school English and journalism in… Continue Reading

McKay Coppins

Latest Title: Romney: A Reckoning

McKay Coppins is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where he covers politics, religion and national affairs. He is The New York Times best-selling author of “Romney: A Reckoning,” a biography of Mitt Romney published by Scribner in 2023, and… Continue Reading

Jessica Cuello

Latest Title: Yours, Creature

Jessica Cuello’s most recent book is “Yours, Creature” (JackLeg Press, 2023). Her book, “Liar,” selected by Dorianne Laux for The 2020 Barrow Street Book Prize, was honored with The Eugene Nassar Prize and The CNY Book Award. Jessica is also… Continue Reading

Exordia by Seth Dickinson

Seth Dickinson

Latest Title: Exordia

Seth Dickinson is the author of “Exordia,” the Baru Cormorant novels, and many short stories. Seth wrote much of the lore and backstory for Bungie Studios’ “Destiny.” Seth now works at Unknown Worlds Entertainment, creators of Subnautica. Seth lives in… Continue Reading

Stephanie Dray

Latest Title: Becoming Madam Secretary

Stephanie Dray is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of historical fiction. Her award-winning work has been translated into many languages and tops lists for the most anticipated reads of the year. She lives… Continue Reading

Rocket Men by John Eisenberg

John Eisenberg

Latest Title: Rocket Men: The Black Quarterbacks Who Revolutionized Pro Football

John Eisenberg is one of the country’s most acclaimed sportswriters. A native of Dallas, and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, he started out at The Dallas Times Herald before joining The Baltimore Sun, where for 27 years he wrote… Continue Reading

Bea and the New Deal Horse by L.M. Elliott

L. M. Elliott

Latest Title: Bea and the New Deal Horse

An award-winning D.C. magazine journalist before becoming a New York Times best-selling author, L.M. Elliott has written 14 historical novels, including “Bea and the New Deal Horse,” “Under a War-torn Sky,” “WALLS” and “Hamilton and Peggy!” Her works have been… Continue Reading

Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge by Helen Ellis

Helen Ellis

Latest Title: Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge: Intimate Confessions from a Happy Marriage

Helen Ellis is the author of five books, including the national best-seller “American Housewife,” “Southern Lady Code” and most recently, “Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge: Intimate Confessions from a Happy Marriage.” Her humorous essays have been featured in The… Continue Reading

Set for Life by Andrew Ewell

Andrew Ewell

Latest Title: Set for Life

Andrew Ewell is the recipient of fellowships from Yaddo, The Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and the Moulin à Nef Studio Center in Auvillar, France. He spent his early years on a sailboat in the Caribbean and was later… Continue Reading

Beth Ferry

Latest Title: Solar Bear

Beth Ferry is The New York Times best-selling author of numerous picture books, including “Stick and Stone,” “The Scarecrow” and “The Nice Dream Truck.” She lives with her family by the beach in New Jersey, where she finds inspiration in… Continue Reading

Once in a Blue Moon by Sharon G. Flake

Sharon G. Flake

Latest Title: Once in a Blue Moon

Sharon G. Flake is the author of the groundbreaking novel, “The Skin I’m In,” which brought a bold dimension to literature for young readers. Now considered a modern classic, the book is used in classrooms worldwide and studied by experts… Continue Reading

Anne L. Foster

Latest Title: The Long War on Drugs

Anne L. Foster has taught history at Indiana State University since 2003. She earned her Ph.D. from Cornell University and her B.A. from American University. She writes about the history of drugs, particularly focusing on U.S. relations with Southeast Asia.… Continue Reading

Mojgan Ghazirad

Latest Title: The House on Sun Street

Mojgan Ghazirad is a medical doctor and currently works as an assistant professor of pediatrics at The George Washington University. She holds an M.F.A. in creative writing and has published three collections of short stories in Farsi. Her essays have… Continue Reading

American Shield by Aquilino Gonell

Aquilino Gonell

Latest Title: American Shield: The Immigrant Sergeant Who Defended Democracy

Aquilino Gonell is a Dominican immigrant, former U.S. Army soldier and Iraq War veteran. For 17 years, he was a United States Capitol Police officer and was one of four police officers who testified before the House Select Committee investigating… Continue Reading

Rewind by Lisa Graff

Lisa Graff

Latest Title: Rewind

Lisa Graff began writing at the age of eight, when—after complaining she was bored—her mother advised her to “go write a book or something.” Now she is the author of 18 books for children and teens, among them “A Tangle… Continue Reading

John Patrick Green

Latest Title: InvestiGators: Agents of S.U.I.T.

John Patrick Green is a human with the human job of making books about animals with human jobs, notably the smash-hit graphic novel series, “InvestiGators.” John is definitely a multiple New York Times best-selling human author and not just a… Continue Reading

Senorita Mariposa by Mister G

MISTER G

Latest Title: Señorita Mariposa

Ben Gundersheimer, M.Ed (MISTER G) is a Latin Grammy Award-winning artist, author and educator. Hailed as “a bilingual rock star” by The Washington Post, Ben has released 14 albums and four children’s books (Penguin Random House) based on his original… Continue Reading

Sympathy for the Monster by Michael B Gushue

Michael B Gushue

Latest Title: Sympathy for the Monster

Michael Gushue has been published in many journals, including the Indiana Review, Third Coast, Beltway Poetry Quarterly, Gargoyle, and American Letters and Commentary. His latest book — poems about movies — is “Sympathy for the Monster,” from Alien Buddha Press.… Continue Reading

Sarah Kain Gutowski

Latest Title: The Familiar

Sarah Kain Gutowski is the author of “The Familiar,” a fabulist narrative-in-poems about female existential crisis, and “Fabulous Beast: Poems.” Her poetry has appeared in various print and online journals, including The Gettysburg Review, The Threepenny Review, Painted Bride Quarterly and… Continue Reading

The Ghostly Photos by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Margaret Peterson Haddix

Latest Title: Mysteries of Trash and Treasure: The Ghostly Photos

Margaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm in Ohio. As a kid, she knew two girls who had the exact same first, middle and last names, and shared the same birthday—only one year apart—and she always thought that was… Continue Reading

The House of Plain Truth by Donna Hemans

Donna Hemans

Latest Title: The House of Plain Truth

Donna Hemans is the author of three novels, “River Woman,” “Tea by the Sea” and “The House of Plain Truth.” Her short fiction and essays have appeared in Electric Literature, Ms. Magazine, The Rumpus and Crab Orchard Review, among others.… Continue Reading

A Little Bit Super by Leah Henderson

Leah Henderson

Latest Title: A Little Bit Super: With Small Powers Come Big Problems

Leah Henderson is the author of many critically acclaimed books for young readers, including “The Courage of the Little Hummingbird” and “Together We March.” When she is not scribbling down her characters’ adventures, she is off in search of her… Continue Reading

Exploding Head by Cynthia Marie Hoffman

Cynthia Marie Hoffman

Latest Title: Exploding Head

Cynthia Marie Hoffman is the author of four collections of poetry: “Exploding Head,” “Call Me When You Want to Talk about the Tombstones,” “Paper Doll Fetus” and “Sightseer,” all from Persea Books. She is the recipient of fellowships from the… Continue Reading

Jeff Hoffmann

Latest Title: Like it Never Happened

Jeff Hoffmann’s second novel, “Like It Never Happened,” is being released March 5, 2024. His debut novel was “Other People’s Children,” and his writing has appeared in The Sun, Booth, Harpur Palate and Publishers Weekly. He was the winner of the… Continue Reading

Brought Forth On This Continent by Harold Holzer

Harold Holzer

Latest Title: Brought Forth on This Continent: Abraham Lincoln and American Immigration

Harold Holzer is a leading authority on Abraham Lincoln. Educated at the City University of New York, he served as a political campaign press secretary for Rep. Bella S. Abzug and Gov. Mario Cuomo, and was a senior vice president… Continue Reading

Katherine Howe

Latest Title: A True Account: Hannah Masury’s Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself

Katherine Howe is a New York Times best-selling and award-winning historian and novelist. She is the author of several novels for adults and young adults, has edited two volumes of primary sources for Penguin Classics, and is the co-author with… Continue Reading

Wade Hudson

Latest Title: Invincible: Fathers and Mothers of Black America

Wade Hudson’s career as a writer spans more than three decades. In 1988, Hudson’s passion for writing and life-long mission to help foster positive self-image within the Black community, prompted he and his wife Cheryl to launch Just Us Books,… Continue Reading

Antonia Hylton

Latest Title: Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum

Antonia Hylton is a Peabody and Emmy-award winning journalist at NBC News, reporting on politics and civil rights, and the co-host of the hit podcasts Southlake and Grapevine. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, where she received prizes… Continue Reading

Rescue is Elsewhere by Donald Illich

Donald Illich

Latest Title: Rescue is Elsewhere

Donald Illich‘s work appears in journals such as Iowa Review, LIT, Nimrod, Passages North, Rattle, Fourteen Hills, The Louisville Review, Cimmaron Review, Map Literary, Spork, Cream City Review and Sixth Finch. His work has been anthologized in “A Face to Meet… Continue Reading

The Year of Living Constitutionally by A.J. Jacobs

A.J. Jacobs

Latest Title: The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's Original Meaning

A.J. Jacobs is a journalist, lecturer and human guinea pig whose books include “Drop Dead Healthy,” “The Year of Living Biblically” and “The Puzzler.” A contributor to NPR, The New York Times and Esquire, among other media outlets, Jacobs lives in… Continue Reading

Loot by Tania James

Tania James

Latest Title: Loot

Tania James is the author of the novels “The Tusk That Did the Damage” and “Atlas of Unknowns,” and the short story collection “Aerogrammes.” Her fiction has appeared in Boston Review, Granta, Guernica, One Story, A Public Space and The Kenyon… Continue Reading

Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen

Lauren Kung Jessen

Latest Title: Red String Theory

Lauren Kung Jessen is a mixed-race Chinese American writer with a fondness for witty, flirtatious dialogue and making meals with too many steps but lots of flavor. She is fascinated by myths and superstitions and how ideas, beliefs, traditions and… Continue Reading

Flying to America by Luther Jett
Moderator

Luther Jett

Latest Title: Flying to America

W. Luther Jett is a native of Montgomery County, Md., and a retired special educator. His poetry has been published in numerous journals, as well as several anthologies. He is the author of five poetry chapbooks: “Not Quite: Poems Written… Continue Reading

Invisible Son by Kim Johnson

Kim Johnson

Latest Title: Invisible Son

Kim Johnson has held leadership positions in social justice organizations as a teen. She’s now a college administrator who maintains civic engagement throughout the community while also mentoring Black student activists and leaders. “This Is My America” was her award-winning… Continue Reading

Midlife Abecedarian by Melissa Fite Johnson

Melissa Fite Johnson

Latest Title: Midlife Abecedarian

Melissa Fite Johnson is the author of three full-length collections, most recently “Midlife Abecedarian” (Riot in Your Throat, 2024). Her poems have appeared in Ploughshares, Pleiades, HAD, Whale Road Review, SWWIM and elsewhere. Melissa, a high school English teacher, is… Continue Reading

Brigid Kemmerer

Latest Title: Destroy the Day

Brigid Kemmerer is the author of The New York Times best-sellers “Defy the Night,” “Defend the Dawn,” “Forging Silver into Stars” and The New York Times best-selling “Cursebreaker” series, which includes “A Curse So Dark and Lonely,” “A Heart So… Continue Reading

Drawing Deena by Hena Khan

Hena Khan

Latest Title: Drawing Deena

Hena Khan (she/her/hers) is a Pakistani American writer and winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature. She is the author of the middle grade novels “Amina’s Voice,” “Amina’s Song,” “More to the Story,” “Drawing Deena” and the “Zara’s… Continue Reading

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

Angie Kim

Latest Title: Happiness Falls

Angie Kim moved as a pre-teen from Seoul, South Korea, to Baltimore. After graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy, she studied philosophy at Stanford University and attended Harvard Law School, where she was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. Her… Continue Reading

Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten by Michelle Knudsen

Michelle Knudsen

Latest Title: Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten

Michelle Knudsen is the New York Times best-selling author of more than 50 books for children and young adults, including the award-winning “Library Lion” (one of Time magazine’s 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time). Other titles include the picture… Continue Reading

Chasing Hope by Nicholas Kristof

Nicholas Kristof

Latest Title: Chasing Hope: A Reporter's Life

Nicholas D. Kristof is an op-ed columnist for The New York Times, where he was previously bureau chief in Hong Kong, Beijing and Tokyo. He is the coauthor, with his wife, Sheryl WuDunn, of five previous books: “Tightrope,” “A Path… Continue Reading

Fixer by Edgar Kunz

Edgar Kunz

Latest Title: Fixer

Edgar Kunz is the author of two poetry collections: “Fixer” (Ecco, 2023), a New York Times Editors’ Choice book, and “Tap Out” (Ecco, 2019), which The Washington Post called “a gritty insightful debut.” He has been a National Endowment for… Continue Reading

Vera Kurian

Latest Title: A Step Past Darkness

Vera Kurian is a writer and scientist based in Washington, D.C. Her debut, “Never Saw Me Coming,” was an Edgar nominee and was one of The New York Times’ Best Thrillers of 2021. “A Step Past Darkness” is her second… Continue Reading

Rajani LaRocca

Latest Title: Sona and the Golden Beasts

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky and now lives in Massachusetts, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor-winning novel in verse, “Red, White, and Whole.” She’s always been an… Continue Reading

David LaRochelle

Latest Title: Go and Get with Rex

David LaRochelle is the author of many books for young readers, including “How to Apologize,” the Geisel Award winner, “See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog,” and its sequels, all illustrated by his good friend Mike Wohnoukta; and “Isle… Continue Reading

The Weekend Retreat by Tara Laskowski

Tara Laskowski

Latest Title: The Weekend Retreat

Tara Laskowski is the author of the suspense novels “The Weekend Retreat,” “The Mother Next Door” and “One Night Gone,” which won the Agatha Award, Macavity Award and the Anthony Award. She has also been awarded the Agatha Award and… Continue Reading

Moderator

Courtney LeBlanc

Latest Title: Her Whole Bright Life

Courtney LeBlanc is the author of the full-length collections, “Her Whole Bright Life” (winner of the Jack McCarthy Book Prize, Write Bloody, 2023), “Exquisite Bloody, Beating Heart” (Riot in Your Throat, 2021) and “Beautiful & Full of Monsters” (Vegetarian Alcoholic… Continue Reading

The Rough Patch by Brian Lies

Brian Lies

Latest Title: The Rough Patch

Brian Lies is the author/illustrator of over 30 children’s books, including his New York Times best-selling bat series (“Bats at the Beach,” etc.), and his 2019 Caldecott Honor-winning “The Rough Patch.” His work in book and editorial illustration has won… Continue Reading

Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior by Carole Lindstrom

Carole Lindstrom

Latest Title: Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior

Carole Lindstrom is The New York Times best-selling and award-winning author of literature for young people, including the Caldecott Medal-winning, “We Are Water Protectors.”  She is Anishinaabe/Metis and an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe. She is… Continue Reading

Red Clay Suzie by Jeffrey Dale Lofton

Jeffrey Dale Lofton

Latest Title: Red Clay Suzie

Jeffrey Dale Lofton hails from Warm Springs, Ga., best known as the home of Roosevelt’s Little White House. He calls the nation’s capital home now and has for over three decades. He is a senior advisor at the Library of… Continue Reading

The Washington Book by Carlos Lozada

Carlos Lozada

Latest Title: The Washington Book: How to Read Politics and Politicians

Carlos Lozada is an opinion columnist at The New York Times and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for criticism. He is the author of “What Were We Thinking: A Brief Intellectual History of the Trump Era” and co-host of the… Continue Reading

Samantha Mabry

Latest Title: Clever Creatures of the Night

Samantha Mabry is the author of “A Fierce and Subtle Poison;” “All the Wind in the World,” which was longlisted for a National Book Award; “Tigers, Not Daughters;” and, most recently, “Clever Creatures of the Night.” In addition to writing,… Continue Reading

The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon

Kekla Magoon

Latest Title: The Secret Library

Kekla Magoon writes novels and non-fiction books for children and teens, often exploring themes of identity, community, empowerment and social justice. Acclaimed titles include “The Season of Styx Malone,” “How It Went Down” and “Revolution In Our Time: The Black… Continue Reading

Medusa by Katherine Marsh

Katherine Marsh

Latest Title: Medusa (The Myth of Monsters Book 1)

Katherine Marsh is an award-winning author of novels for middle-grade readers including “Medusa: The Myth of Monsters (Book One);” “The Lost Year,” a finalist for the National Book Award and winner of the Jane Addams Award; “Nowhere Boy,” winner of… Continue Reading

Absolution by Alice McDermott

Alice McDermott

Latest Title: Absolution

Alice McDermott’s eighth novel, “The Ninth Hour,” was a finalist for the 2017 National Book Critics Circle Award and The 2017 Kirkus Prize for Fiction. In 2018, “The Ninth Hour” was awarded France’s Prix Femina for a work in translation.… Continue Reading

Jodi Meadows

Latest Title: Dawnbreaker

Jodi Meadows wants to be a ferret when she grows up and she has no self-control when it comes to yarn, ink or outer space. Still, she manages to write books. She is the author of the “Incarnate” trilogy, the… Continue Reading

This Book is Full of Holes by Robert Meganck

Robert Meganck

Latest Title: This Book Is Full of Holes: From Underground to Outer Space and Everywhere In Between

Robert Meganck is Professor Emeritus of illustration, graphic design, color theory and digital imaging in the Department of Communication Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a freelance illustrator. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Center for… Continue Reading

Winnie Nash is Not Your Sunshine by Nicole Melleby

Nicole Melleby

Latest Title: Winnie Nash Is Not Your Sunshine

Nicole Melleby, a New Jersey native, is the author of highly praised middle-grade books, including the Lambda Literary finalist “Hurricane Season,” ALA Notable book “How to Become a Planet,” “Camp QUILTBAG” (co-written with A. J. Sass) and “The House on… Continue Reading

Blight by Emily Monosson

Emily Monosson

Latest Title: Blight: Fungi and the Coming Pandemic

Emily Monosson is a writer and is/was a toxicologist. She writes about our impact on the environment and the consequences. In addition to “Blight: Fungi and the Coming Pandemic,” she is the author of “Natural Defense,” “Unnatural Selection,” “Evolution in… Continue Reading

Liza Mundy

Latest Title: The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA

Liza Mundy is an award-winning journalist and The New York Times best-selling author of five books, including her latest work, “The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA” (2023). Her narrative non-fiction aims to engage, delight, and inform… Continue Reading

A.D. Nauman

Latest Title: Down the Steep

A.D. Nauman is an author and educator whose second novel, “Down the Steep,” was recently released by Regal House Publishing. Her short fiction, appearing in many literary journals, has been recognized in Best American Short Stories and Pushcart Prize anthology,… Continue Reading

K.T. Nguyen

Latest Title: You Know What You Did

K.T. Nguyen is a former magazine editor. Her features have appeared in Glamour, Shape and Fitness. After graduating from Brown University, she spent her 20s and 30s bouncing from New York City to San Francisco, Shanghai, Beijing and Taipei, and… Continue Reading

Jean Nordhaus

Latest Title: The Music of Being

Jean Nordhaus’s six volumes of poetry include “The Porcelain Apes of Moses Mendelssohn” (Milkweed Editions), “Innocence (Ohio State University Press), “Memos from the Broken World” (Mayapple Press), “My Life in Hiding” (Quarterly Review of Literature), and, most recently, “The Music… Continue Reading

Susan Page

Latest Title: The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters

Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief of USA Today, is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author. Her latest book is “The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters.” Previous books include “Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power”… Continue Reading

Jayne Anne Phillips

Latest Title: Night Watch

Jayne Anne Phillips is the author of “Black Tickets,” “Machine Dreams,” “Fast Lanes,” “Shelter,” “MotherKind,” “Lark and Termite” and “Quiet Dell.” She is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Bunting Fellowship and two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships.… Continue Reading

Why We Love Baseball by Joe Posnanski

Joe Posnanski

Latest Title: Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments

Joe Posnanski is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of seven books, including “Why We Love Baseball,” “The Baseball 100,” “Paterno” and “The Secret of Golf,” and has been named National Sportswriter of the Year by five different organizations.… Continue Reading

Tim Probert

Latest Title: Lightfall: The Dark Times

Tim Probert is an author and illustrator whose work is made of equal parts wonder, magic and adventure, with a dose of monsters and the occasional dinosaur. In addition to making books, he is an art director at Aardman Nathan… Continue Reading

James Ransome

Latest Title: Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis

James E. Ransome has been honored with the 2023 Children’s Literature Legacy Award by the American Library Association in recognition of his exceptional contributions to Children’s Literature. With a career spanning over 33 years, James has illustrated more than 70… Continue Reading

Travis Rieder

Latest Title: Catastrophe Ethics: How to Choose Well in a World of Tough Choices

Travis Rieder, PhD, is a faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, where he directs the Master of Bioethics degree program. He holds secondary appointments in the departments of Philosophy and Health Policy and Management. His first… Continue Reading

William Ritter

Latest Title: Rook

William Ritter is an Oregon educator and The New York Times best-selling author of the “Jackaby” series, which received glowing trade and national reviews and was named to many state lists. He is the proud father of the two bravest… Continue Reading

Kim Roberts

Latest Title: Corona/Crown

Kim Roberts is the author of six books of poems, most recently “Corona/Crown,” a cross-disciplinary collaboration with photographer Robert Revere (WordTech Editions, 2023). Kim edited “By Broad Potomac’s Shore: Great Poems from the Early Days of our Nation’s Capital” (University… Continue Reading

Dave Roman

Latest Title: Unicorn Boy

Dave Roman is the author/illustrator of the new graphic novel, “Unicorn Boy,” and the acclaimed “Astronaut Academy” series. He’s worked as a writer on the graphic novels “Teen Boat! Race for Boatlantis” and “Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery,” and… Continue Reading

The Pursuit of Happiness by Jeffrey Rosen

Jeffrey Rosen

Latest Title: The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America

Jeffrey Rosen is President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, where he hosts “We the People,” a weekly podcast of constitutional debate. He is also a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School and a contributing… Continue Reading

Crushed & Crowned by Joseph Ross

Joseph Ross

Latest Title: Crushed & Crowned

Joseph Ross is the author of five books of poetry: “Crushed & Crowned” (2023), “Raising King” (2020), “Ache” (2017), “Gospel of Dust” (2013) and “Meeting Bone Man” (2012). His poems appear in many publications, including The New York Times Magazine,… Continue Reading

Jonathan Roth

Latest Title: Rover and Speck: Splash Down!

Jonathan Roth writes and illustrates graphic novels (“Rover and Speck,” named on ALA’s 2023 Core Excellence in Children’s Science Fiction Notable List) and chapter books (“Beep and Bob”) aimed at young readers who like humorous, out-of-this-world adventures. His first picture… Continue Reading

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

Kennedy Ryan

Latest Title: This Could Be Us

USA Today best-selling author and Audie Award-winner Kennedy Ryan writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Kennedy and her writings… Continue Reading

Shannon Sanders

Latest Title: Company

Shannon Sanders is a Black attorney and writer and the author of the linked short story collection, “Company.” Her short fiction was a winner of the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers and has appeared in One… Continue Reading

Alba V Sarria

Latest Title: Night Life: A Folk Horror Poetry Collection

Alba Sarria is a poet and flash fictionist fascinated by all things eerie and disquieting entangled in folklore. You can usually find Alba wandering old cemeteries at night keeping flower-less graves company. Alba is the 2018 CSPA Gold Circle Free… Continue Reading

A Little Bit Super by Leah Henderson

Gary Schmidt

Latest Title: A Little Bit Super: With Small Powers Come Big Problems

Gary D. Schmidt is the bestselling author of “The Labors of Hercules Beal,” “Just Like That,” National Book Award finalist “Okay for Now,” “Pay Attention, Carter Jones,” “Orbiting Jupiter,” the Newbery Honor and Printz Honor Book “Lizzie Bright and the… Continue Reading

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

John Schu

Latest Title: Louder Than Hunger

John Schu has made a career out of advocating for the people and things he cares about most: kids, books and the people that connect them. He was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker for his dynamic interactions with… Continue Reading

Ray Anthony Shepard

Latest Title: A Long Time Coming: A Lyrical Biography of Race in America from Ona Judge to Barack Obama

Ray Anthony Shepard’s biographies provide young readers with an engaging and corrective understanding of race in American lives. Ray is a retired history teacher and textbook editor. He now writes books that didn’t exist when he was in the classroom… Continue Reading

Nowhere Like Home by Sara Shepard

Sara Shepard

Latest Title: Nowhere Like Home

Sara Shepard is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the “Pretty Little Liars” series, the “Lying Game” series, “The Heiresses,” “The Elizas,” the “Perfectionists” series, “Reputation” and “Safe in My Arms.” She will be presenting “Nowhere Like Home.”… Continue Reading

If I Promise You Wings by A. K. Small

A. K. Small

Latest Title: If I Promise You Wings

A. K. Small is the author of “Bright Burning Stars,” now a major motion picture called “Birds of Paradise.” She was born in Paris. At five years old, she studied classical dance with the legendary Max Bozzoni, then later with… Continue Reading

Above Ground by Clint Smith

Clint Smith

Latest Title: Above Ground

Clint Smith is the author of the narrative non-fiction book, “How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America,” which was a #1 New York Times best-seller, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award… Continue Reading

Blue Stars by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Cynthia Leitich Smith

Latest Title: Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem

Cynthia Leitich Smith is an NSK Neustadt Laureate and author of “Hearts Unbroken,” winner of the American Indian Youth Literature Award; “Harvest House;” “Sisters of the Neversea;” The New York Times best-selling “Tantalize and Feral” series; “Rain Is Not My… Continue Reading

Jennifer A Sutherland

Latest Title: Bullet Points

Jennifer A Sutherland is a poet, essayist, attorney and educator from Baltimore, Md. She is a graduate of Hollins University (M.F.A.), where she was a teaching fellow; the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law (J.D.), where she served… Continue Reading

Barbara J. Taylor

Latest Title: Rain Breaks No Bones

Barbara J. Taylor was born and raised in Scranton, Pa. She sets her novels in the hometown she loves and fills them with miners, evangelists, vaudevillians, nuns, gangsters, prostitutes, widows, musicians, dreamers, and a seer or two. She is the… Continue Reading

Lauren Thoman

Latest Title: I'll Stop the World

Lauren Thoman is the author of the speculative mystery novels “I’ll Stop the World” and the upcoming “You Shouldn’t Be Here.” She lives outside of Nashville, Tenn., with her husband and two children, a fluctuating number of rescue and foster… Continue Reading

Congratulations, the Best is Over by R. Eric Thomas

R. Eric Thomas

Latest Title: Congratulations, The Best Is Over!: Essays

R. Eric Thomas is a national best-selling author, playwright and screenwriter. His books include “Here for It, or How to Save Your Soul in America,” which was a Read with Jenna pick on NBC’s Today Show; “Kings of B’more,” a… Continue Reading

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy

Simon Van Booy

Latest Title: Sipsworth

Simon Van Booy is the award-winning, best-selling author of more than a dozen books for adults and children, including, “The Illusion of Separateness” and “The Presence of Absence.” He is the editor of three volumes of philosophy and has written… Continue Reading

Not a New York Love Story by Julian Voloj

Julian Voloj

Latest Title: Not A New York Love Story

Julian Voloj is an award-winning writer and photographer. Born to Colombian parents in Germany, where he studied literature and linguistics, Julian moved to New York in 2004. The city and its inhabitants are often subjects of his graphic novels, for… Continue Reading

Adelle Waldman

Latest Title: Help Wanted

Adelle Waldman is the author of the novels, “Help Wanted,” coming from W.W. Norton in March of 2024; and “The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P.,” which was published by Henry Holt in 2013 and was named one of that year’s… Continue Reading

Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan

Sophie Wan

Latest Title: Women of Good Fortune

Sophie Wan is a Bay Area native who is now battling the winters in Philadelphia. She graduated from UC Berkeley and spends far too much time drafting emails and drinking tea. “Women of Good Fortune” is her debut novel. Instagram:… Continue Reading

The River Within by Ping Wang

Ping Wang

Latest Title: The River Within

Dr. Ping Wang was born in Shanghai, earned her B.A. at Beijing University, Ph.D. at NYU, M.D. at AAAOM (traditional Chinese Medicine). Her books of poetry and prose include “The River Within,” “My Name Is Immigrant” and “Life of Miracles… Continue Reading

How to Win Friends and Influence Fungi by Matt Wasowski

Matt Wasowski

Latest Title: How to Win Friends and Influence Fungi: Collected Quirks of Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math from Nerd Nite

Matt Wasowski is director of Events for the engineering association SAE International and CEO of Nerd Nite. He is co-author of “How To Win Friends and Influence Fungi: Collected Quirks of Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math from Nerd Nite,” to… Continue Reading

Transplant by Bernardine Watson

Bernardine Watson

Latest Title: Transplant

Bernardine (Dine) Watson is a non-fiction writer and poet who lives in Washington, D.C. Her memoir, “Transplant,” won the 2023 Washington Writers’ Publishing House prize for nonfiction. “Transplant” also appeared on National Public Radio’s 2023 list of Books We Love.… Continue Reading

Carole Boston Weatherford

Carole Boston Weatherford

Latest Title: Kin: Rooted in Hope

Carole Boston Weatherford, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, has over 70 books, including the Newbery Honor winner, “BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom,” and four Caldecott Honor winners: “Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre,” “Freedom in Congo Square,” “Voice… Continue Reading

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

Andrew Joseph White

Latest Title: The Spirit Bares Its Teeth

Andrew Joseph White is a queer, trans, New York Times best-selling author from Virginia, where he grew up falling in love with monsters and wishing he could be one too. He received his M.F.A. in Creative Writing from George Mason… Continue Reading

Kate White

Latest Title: The Last Time She Saw Him

Kate White, the former editor in chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine, is The New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of 10 standalone psychological thrillers, including “The Last Time She Saw Him” (‘24), as well as eight Bailey Weggins mysteries,… Continue Reading

Shakespeare Was a Woman by Elizabeth Winkler

Elizabeth Winkler

Latest Title: Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies: How Doubting the Bard Became the Biggest Taboo in Literature

Elizabeth Winkler is a journalist and critic whose work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, The New Republic, The Times Literary Supplement and The Economist, among other publications. She received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and… Continue Reading

Alysa Wishingrad

Latest Title: Between Monsters and Marvels

Alysa Wishingrad writes fantastical stories for young readers, tales that ask “is the truth really true?” Her favorite stories are those that meld the historical with the fantastic, and that find ways to shine a light on both the things… Continue Reading

Paul Yoon

Latest Title: The Hive and the Honey: Stories

Paul Yoon is the author of four previous works of fiction: “Once the Shore,” which was a New York Times Notable Book; “Snow Hunters,” which won the Young Lions Fiction Award; “The Mountain,” which was an NPR Best Book of… Continue Reading

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