A Celebration of Books,
Writers & LIterary Excellence

Save the Date


Gaithersburg
Book Festival

May 17, 2025

10am – 6pm

Bohrer Park


Featured Authors

Moderator

Liza Achilles

Latest Title: Two Novembers: A Memoir of Love 'n' Sex in Sonnets

Liza Achilles is the author of “Two Novembers: A Memoir of Love ’n’ Sex in Sonnets” (Beltway Editions, 2024). DCTRENDING selected this sonnet sequence for its Summer Booklist 2024. Her writing has appeared in Beltway Poetry Quarterly, The Headlight Review,… Continue Reading

Moderator

Sarah Adler

Latest Title: Happy Medium

Sarah Adler, a USA Today best-selling author, writes romantic comedies about lovable weirdos finding their happily ever afters. She lives in Frederick, Md., with her husband, daughter and a very mischievous cat named Noodle. When not writing or reading, you… Continue Reading

The Painter and the President by Sarah Albee

Sarah Albee

Latest Title: The Painter and the President: Gilbert Stuart's Brush with George Washington

Sarah Albee is The New York Times best-selling author of non-fiction books for kids. Her most recent titles include “Zero: The Number that Almost Wasn’t,” “The Painter and the President: Gilbert Stuart’s Brush with George Washington” and “Bounce!: A Scientific… Continue Reading

David Aldridge

Latest Title: The Basketball 100

David Aldridge is a senior columnist for The Athletic, primarily covering the NBA and Washington, D.C., sports. The Athletic is a digital subscription sports website now operating through The New York Times Company, and has more than 1.2 million subscribers… Continue Reading

John Amen

Latest Title: Dark Souvenirs

John Amen is the author of five collections of poetry, including “Illusion of an Overwhelm,” finalist for the 2018 Brockman-Campbell Award, and work from which was chosen as a finalist for the 2018 Dana Award. He received the 2021 Jack… Continue Reading

Indran J Amirthanayagam

Latest Title: The Runner's Almanac

Indran Amirthanayagam writes and translates in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Haitian Creole. He has published 25 poetry books, including “Seer,” “The Runner’s Almanac,” “Powet Nan Po A (Poet of the Port),” “The Migrant States,” “Origami: Selected Poems of Manuel… Continue Reading

Kerry Aradhya

Latest Title: Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube

Kerry Aradhya has loved puzzling over words and immersing herself in the creative process ever since she was a little girl growing up in Erie, Pa. Her debut picture book, “Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube,” was a 2024 Junior… Continue Reading

Bound by Jubi Arriola-Headley

Jubi Arriola-Headley

Latest Title: Bound

Jubi Arriola-Headley (he/him) is a Black queer poet, storyteller, first-generation United Statesian and the author of two collections of poems: “Original Kink” (Sibling Rivalry Press, 2020), recipient of the 2021 Housatonic Book Award; and “Bound” (Persea Books, 2024). He’s currently… Continue Reading

The Fate of the Day by Rick Atkinson

Rick Atkinson

Latest Title: The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780

Rick Atkinson is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of seven previous works of history, including “The Long Gray Line,” the Liberation Trilogy (“An Army at Dawn,” “The Day of Battle” and “The Guns at Last Light”) and “The… Continue Reading

Jonathan Auxier

Latest Title: The Vanished Kingdom: The War of the Maps

Jonathan Auxier is a New York Times best-selling author of strange stories for strange children — including the beloved “Vanished Kingdom” and “Fabled Stables” series. His spooky novel, “The Night Gardener,” was a Junior Library Guild selection, an ABA IndieNext… Continue Reading

Tracey Baptiste

Latest Title: Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos

Tracey Baptiste is a New York Times best-selling author of 26 books for children, including the popular “Jumbies”series –   “The Jumbies,” “Rise of the Jumbies” and “The Jumbie God’s Revenge” – as well as the picture book, “Looking for a… Continue Reading

Class Clown by Dave Barry

Dave Barry

Latest Title: Class Clown: The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass: How I Went 77 Years Without Growing Up

Dave Barry is the author of more best-sellers than you can count on two hands, including “Swamp Story,” “Lessons from Lucy,” “Dave Barry’s Complete Guide to Guys,” “Dave Barry Turns Forty” and “Dave Barry Is Not Making This Up.” A… Continue Reading

Louis Bayard

Latest Title: The Wildes: A Novel in Five Acts

In the words of The New York Times, Louis Bayard “reinvigorates historical fiction,” rendering the past “as if he’d witnessed it firsthand.” His acclaimed novels include “The Wildes: A Novel in Five Acts;” “The Pale Blue Eye,” adapted into the global… Continue Reading

Amanda Becker

Latest Title: You Must Stand Up: The Fight for Abortion Rights in Post-Dobbs America

Amanda Becker is a veteran, Washington, D.C.-based journalist who has covered the U.S. Congress, White House, Supreme Court and elections for nearly two decades. She is currently with The 19th, a first of its kind nonprofit, independent newsroom covering gender,… Continue Reading

Charles F. Bolden Jr.

Latest Title: Star Sailor: My Life as a NASA Astronaut

Charles F. Bolden Jr. became the first Black NASA Administrator in 2009. He logged more than 600 hours in space over the course of four shuttle missions. During Bolden’s eight-year tenure as NASA Administrator, the agency developed a spacecraft to… 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 that combine sports fiction, sports history and always have a chapter… Continue Reading

Return to Sender by Vera Brosgol

Vera Brosgol

Latest Title: Return to Sender

Vera Brosgol was born in Moscow, Russia, in 1984 and moved to the United States when she was five. Her three graphic novels — “Anya’s Ghost,” “Be Prepared” and “Plain Jane and the Mermaid” — were published by First Second.… Continue Reading

Zeeva Bukai

Latest Title: The Anatomy of Exile

Zeeva Bukai was born in Israel and raised in New York City. Her honors include a Fellowship at the New York Center for Fiction and residencies at Hedgebrook, and Byrdcliffe AIR program. Her stories are forthcoming in “Smashing the Tablets:… Continue Reading

Casey Burgat

Latest Title: We Hold These "Truths": How to Spot the Myths that are Holding America Back

Casey Burgat is a former congressional staffer turned professor of legislative affairs at George Washington University. He is the author of “We Hold These ‘Truths:’ How to Spot the Myths that are Holding America Back” (Authors Equity), which examines common… Continue Reading

Andie Burke

Latest Title: Fall for Him

Andie Burke specializes in big-hearted, queer romcoms that kick-off with meet-disasters rather than meet-cutes. When not writing, she works as a pediatric radiology nurse. She lives with two small, but hilarious, humans in a Maryland home filled with an alarming… Continue Reading

Reunion by Gary Burr

Gary Burr

Latest Title: Reunion: A Rock and Roll Fairy Tale

Gary Burr is one of Nashville’s most accomplished songwriters with 14 number ones songs. His songs have been recorded by Garth Brooks, Christina Aguilera, Kenny Rogers, Faith Hill, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many others. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s… Continue Reading

When We Only Have the Earth by Nancy Naomi Carlson

Nancy Naomi Carlson

Latest Title: When We Only Have the Earth (African Poetry Book)

Nancy Naomi Carlson won the 2022 Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize and was shortlisted for the Best Translated Book Award and the Sarah Maguire Translation Prize. She was longlisted twice for the National Translation Award. Author of 16 titles (11 translated), her… Continue Reading

I Want to Hold My Hand by James Michael Causey
Moderator

James Michael Causey

Latest Title: I Want to Hold My Hand

Michael Causey has written about music in Washingtonian, Bethesda Magazine and the Washington Independent Review of Books. He hosts the radio show, “A Good Hour,” on WOWD 94.3 fm Takoma Park, Md., and frequently interviews musicians including David Crosby, Marshall… Continue Reading

Essie Chambers

Latest Title: Swift River

Essie Chambers is an award-winning author and producer. Her best-selling debut novel, “Swift River,” was a Read with Jenna book club pick, and was longlisted for the 2024 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and The Center for Fiction… Continue Reading

Cinda Williams Chima

Latest Title: The Runestone Saga: Bane of Asgard

Cinda Williams Chima nearly failed first grade because she was always daydreaming. By junior high, she got in trouble for writing novels in class. Yet the magic of books took her from first grade failure to first generation college graduate… Continue Reading

I Leave It Up to You by Jinwoo Chong

Jinwoo Chong

Latest Title: I Leave It Up to You

Jinwoo Chong is the author of the novel “Flux,” a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway and VCU Cabell First Novel awards, a New York Times Editors’ Choice, and named a best book of the year by Esquire, GQ and Cosmopolitan. His short… Continue Reading

P. Djèlí Clark

Latest Title: The Dead Cat Tail Assassins

Born in New York and raised mostly in Houston, P. Djèlí Clark (he/him) spent the formative years of his life in the homeland of his parents, Trinidad and Tobago. He is the author of the novel, “A Master of Djinn,”… Continue Reading

Behind Every Good Man by Sara Goodman Confino

Sara Goodman Confino

Latest Title: Behind Every Good Man

Sara Goodman Confino is the best-selling author of “Behind Every Good Man,” “Don’t Forget to Write,” “She’s Up to No Good” and “For the Love of Friends.” After spending many years teaching high school English and journalism in Montgomery County,… Continue Reading

Gaia Cornwall

Latest Title: Fairy Walk

Gaia Cornwall loves to write and illustrate for children. She is the author-illustrator of “Jabari Jumps,” which was a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book and an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book; and its follow-up, “Jabari Tries,” as well as “The… Continue Reading

Speak to Me of Home by Jeanine Cummins

Jeanine Cummins

Latest Title: Speak to Me of Home

Jeanine Cummins is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of “American Dirt,” which was an Oprah’s Book Club and a Barnes & Noble Book Club selection, as well as a #1 Indie Next pick. The novel has been translated… Continue Reading

Sayantani DasGupta

Latest Title: The Ghost Forest (Secrets of the Sky, Book Three)

Sayantani DasGupta is The New York Times best-selling author of the critically acclaimed, Bengali folktale and string theory-inspired “Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond” books, the first of which — “The Serpent’s Secret” — was a Bank Street Best Book of… Continue Reading

Jacqueline Davies

Latest Title: The Lemonade War

Jacqueline Davies is the best-selling author of the “Lemonade War” series, which has inspired millions of young readers across the world to raise money for charitable causes. She is also the award-winning author of the “Sydney and Taylor” series, illustrated… Continue Reading

Jeffery Deaver

Latest Title: South of Nowhere (A Colter Shaw Novel)

Jeffery Deaver is an international #1 best-selling author. His novels have appeared on best-seller lists around the world. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into 25 languages. He has served two terms as president of Mystery Writers… Continue Reading

Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers

Angela Dominguez

Latest Title: Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers

Angela Dominguez was born in Mexico City and grew up in the great state of Texas. She now resides on the East Coast with her boyfriend, Kyle, and their petite dog, Petunia. She is also the author and illustrator of… Continue Reading

Unarmed by Megan Doney

Megan Doney

Latest Title: Unarmed: An American Educator's Memoir

Megan Doney is a writer and English professor in Virginia. Her work has been published in Ilanot Review, New Limestone Review, Rappahannock Review, Creative Nonfiction, Earth & Altar and Inside Higher Ed, as well as in the anthologies “Allegheny” and “If… Continue Reading

Keith Donohue

Latest Title: The Girl in the Bog

Keith Donohue is the author of five novels, including The New York Times best-seller, “The Stolen Child.” His work has been translated into two dozen languages. He also reviews books, interviews other writers, and wrote speeches for the chairman of… Continue Reading

Rosa Kwon Easton

Latest Title: White Mulberry

Rosa Kwon Easton is a Korean American lawyer, library trustee and author of the debut novel, “White Mulberry,” an Amazon First Reads Editor’s Pick and a #1 Best Seller in Historical Fiction. It has been named a “Best Book” by… Continue Reading

Glory Edim

Latest Title: Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books That Saved Me

Glory Edim is a literary tastemaker, author and advocate for diverse voices in literature. In 2015, she founded Well-Read Black Girl (WRBG), an online platform and book club dedicated to celebrating the literary works of Black women authors and creating… Continue Reading

Laura Malone Elliott

Latest Title: Truth, Lies, and the Questions in Between

L. M. Elliott was a senior writer with Washingtonian magazine before becoming an award-winning, New York Times best-selling author of 14 historical and biographical fictions. Her YA novels include “Under a War-Torn Sky;” “Bea and the New Deal Horse;”  “Hamilton… Continue Reading

David Ellis

Latest Title: The Best Lies

David Ellis is the Edgar-winning author of 1 suspense novels, as well as another 11 co-written with James Patterson. His most recent solo novels were “Look Closer” (2022) and “The Best Lies” (2024). He won the Edgar Award for Best… Continue Reading

Craig Kofi Farmer

Latest Title: Kwame Crashes the Underworld

Craig Kofi Farmer is a Prince George’s County, Md., native, with two Bachelor of Science degrees from Towson University and one Master of Education degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. He works in higher education administration, helping students… Continue Reading

Trace by Melanie Figg
Moderator

Melanie Figg

Latest Title: Trace

Melanie Figg is a writer from Maryland. Her award-winning debut poetry collection, “Trace,” was named one of the 7 best indie poetry books of the year: “Figg kindles broken, dying embers into a roaring memorial for the voiceless.”(Kirkus starred review).… Continue Reading

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay

Alex Finlay

Latest Title: Parents Weekend

Alex Finlay is the best-selling author of several acclaimed novels, including the 2024 national bestseller, “If Something Happens to Me.” His work regularly appears on best-of-the-year lists and has been translated into 25 languages and sold around the world. Nearly… Continue Reading

Sharon G. Flake

Latest Title: The Family I'm In

As the prolific author of numerous books, Sharon G. Flake’s novels have brought a bold dimension to literature for young people, selling more than a million copies worldwide, and reaching readers across the globe through numerous translations and theatrical productions.… Continue Reading

Casualties of Truth by Lauren Francis-Sharma

Lauren Francis-Sharma

Latest Title: Casualties of Truth

Lauren Francis-Sharma is the author of “Book of the Little Axe,” a finalist for the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, and the critically acclaimed novel “’Til the Well Runs Dry.” She was a MacDowell fellow and is the Assistant Director of Bread… Continue Reading

Team Unihorn and Woolly by Alexis Frederick-Frost

Alexis Frederick-Frost

Latest Title: Team Unihorn and Woolly: Revenge of the Unicorn

Alexis Frederick-Frost is a cartoonist whose books are distinguished by their vibrant art and whimsical humor. He is the co-author and illustrator of the critically acclaimed “Adventures in Cartooning” series of graphic novels and picture books and is the author… Continue Reading

The Bookshop by Evan Friss

Evan Friss

Latest Title: The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore

Evan Friss is a New York Times best-selling author and a professor of history at James Madison University. His most recent book, “The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore,” garnered rave reviews in The Washington Post, The New York… Continue Reading

Agustín Fuentes

Latest Title: Sex Is a Spectrum: The Biological Limits of the Binary

Agustín Fuentes, trained in Zoology and Anthropology, is a professor of Anthropology at Princeton University. His research delves into the how and why of being human. From chasing monkeys in jungles and cities, to exploring the lives of our evolutionary… Continue Reading

In the House of Modern Upbringing for Girls by Majda Gama
Moderator

Majda Gama

Latest Title: In the House of Modern Upbringing for Girls

Majda Gama is the award-winning author of “In the House of Modern Upbringing for Girls” (Wandering Aengus Press) and “The Call of Paradise” (Two Sylvia’s, 2023). Her honors include the Graybeal-Gowen award for Virginia poets from Shenandoah and the Gregory… Continue Reading

Mixed-Up by Kami Garcia

Kami Garcia

Latest Title: Mixed-Up

Kami Garcia is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly and international best-selling author and comic book writer, and an award-winning young adult novelist. Her best-known works include “Beautiful Creatures,” “Unbreakable” and “Teen Titans: Raven.” Kami was a… Continue Reading

David Gessner

Latest Title: The Book of Flaco: The World's Most Famous Bird

David Gessner is the author of “The Book of Flaco: The World’s Most Famous Bird,” and many other books that blend a love of nature, humor, memoir and environmentalism, including The New York Times best-selling “All the Wild That Remains.”… Continue Reading

Matt Goldman

Latest Title: The Murder Show

Matt Goldman is a New York Times best-selling author and Emmy Award winning TV writer. He has been nominated for the Shamus Award, the Nero Award, a Writers Guild of America Award, and was named to the Texas Lariat Reading… Continue Reading

Gia Gordon

Latest Title: My So-Called Family

Gia Gordon is a disabled author, youth activist and former educator. Her middle grade debut, “My So-Called Family,” has received two starred reviews; been named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, a Kirkus Best Books of 2024, and a… Continue Reading

John Patrick Green

Latest Title: InvestiGators: Agents of S.U.I.T.: Wild Ghost Chase

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

The Vampire of Kings Street by Asha Greyling

Asha Greyling

Latest Title: The Vampire of Kings Street

Asha Greyling lives in Maryland with her furry four-footed muses, Gwin the terrier and a guinea pig who thinks she’s a cat. She likes nothing more than swinging in the playground (unless the local children scare her off), collecting acorns… Continue Reading

Friends with Secrets by Christine Gunderson

Christine Gunderson

Latest Title: Friends with Secrets

Christine Gunderson grew up on a fourth-generation family farm in rural North Dakota where she read Laura Ingalls Wilder books in her very own little house on the prairie. She’s a former television anchor and reporter, and former Capitol Hill… Continue Reading

Barbara Bradley Hagerty

Latest Title: Bringing Ben Home: A Murder, a Conviction, and the Fight to Redeem American Justice

Barbara Bradley Hagerty is a New York Times best-selling author and an accomplished journalist. She is a contributing writer to The Atlantic and her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, Los Angeles Times and PBS, among… Continue Reading

The Uncanny Muse by David Hajdu

David Hajdu

Latest Title: The Uncanny Muse: Music, Art, and Machines from Automata to AI

David Hajdu is one of the most respected cultural critics of our time. A professor at Columbia University, he is the author of eight books of biography, cultural history, graphic non-fiction and fiction, including “Lush Life: A Biography of Billy… Continue Reading

Michael Hall

Latest Title: Punch!: A Story About Kindness

Michael Hall grew up in Ann Arbor, Mich., and lives with his family in Minneapolis, Minn. He is the creator of numerous acclaimed picture books for children, including ”Frankencrayon,” ”Red: A Crayon’s Story,” ”My Heart Is Like a Zoo,” ”Perfect Square” and ”It’s an Orange… Continue Reading

Lindsay Hameroff

Latest Title: Never Planned on You

Lindsay Hameroff is a writer, humorist and former English teacher raised in Baltimore, Md., and based in Harrisburg, Pa. Her writing has been featured in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, The Belladonna, Weekly Humorist, and fan letters to Harry Styles. She is… Continue Reading

Malcolm Harris

Latest Title: What's Left: Three Paths Through the Planetary Crisis

Malcolm Harris is the author of the national best-seller, “Palo Alto: A History of California, Capitalism, and the World,” a finalist for The Los Angeles Times Book Prize; “Kids These Days: The Making of Millennials;” and “Shit is Fucked Up… Continue Reading

Back After This by Linda Holmes

Linda Holmes

Latest Title: Back After This

Linda Holmes is a novelist, a pop culture correspondent for NPR, and one of the hosts of the popular podcast Pop Culture Happy Hour, which has held sold-out live shows in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere. She… Continue Reading

When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson

Cheryl Willis Hudson

Latest Title: When I Hear Spirituals

Cheryl Willis Hudson is an author, editor, publisher and respected member of the children’s book community. She is co-founder, with her husband Wade, of Just Us Books, Inc., an independent publishing company that focuses on Black interest books for young… Continue Reading

Wade Hudson

Latest Title: The Day Madear Voted

Wade Hudson is the author of more than 35 books for young readers, including the middle grade memoir, “Defiant: Growing Up in the Jim Crow South,” winner of the 2022 Malka Penn award, and the anthologies, “We Rise, We Resist,… Continue Reading

Globetrotter by Mark and Matthew Jacob

Mark Jacob

Latest Title: Globetrotter: How Abe Saperstein Shook Up the World of Sports

Mark Jacob, former metro editor of The Chicago Tribune and former Sunday editor of The Chicago Sun-Times, is the co-author of 10 books, mostly about history. Mark writes the Stop the Presses newsletter about media and politics at stopthepresses.news. He… Continue Reading

Globetrotter by Mark and Matthew Jacob

Matthew Jacob

Latest Title: Globetrotter: How Abe Saperstein Shook Up the World of Sports

Matthew Jacob is a public health consultant who has authored more than 10 peer-reviewed journal articles about health communication or policy. A former journalist, he has authored two books, both of them with his older brother Mark. Published in 2010,… Continue Reading

If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal

Zakiya N. Jamal

Latest Title: If We Were a Movie

Zakiya N. Jamal was born in Queens, raised in Long Island, and currently resides in Brooklyn, N.Y. In other words, she’s a New Yorker through and through. She holds a B.A. in English from Georgetown University and an M.F.A. in… Continue Reading

The Colour War by W. Luther Jett

W. Luther Jett

Latest Title: The Colour War

W. Luther Jett lives in Montgomery County, Md. His poetry has been published in numerous journals and anthologies and is author of: “Not Quite: Poems Written in Search of My Father” (Finishing Line Press, 2015), “Our Situation” (Prolific Press, 2018),… Continue Reading

The Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson

Kim Johnson

Latest Title: The Color of a Lie

Kim Johnson held leadership positions in social justice organizations as a teen and in college, then made her life’s work to transform higher education to advance equity and access as a vice provost. She is now an author, speaker, faculty… Continue Reading

JOHO

Latest Title: Saphie the One-Eyed Cat Volume 1

Joanna Ho (JOHO), hailing from a lineage of cat butlers, earned her B.F.A. from George Mason University. Her artistry and lineage showcased in “Saphie: The One-Eyed Cat,” captures hearts by melding her profound feline connection with illustration. She is also… Continue Reading

Gregg Jones

Latest Title: Most Honorable Son: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism and Hate During World War II

“Most Honorable Son: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism and Hate During World War II” is the fourth non-fiction book by Pulitzer Prize-finalist journalist and historian Gregg Jones. His previous books are “Honor in Dust: Theodore Roosevelt, War in the… Continue Reading

Holly Karapetkova

Latest Title: Dear Empire

Holly Karapetkova is Poet Laureate Emerita of Arlington, Va., and recipient of a 2022 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship for her work with young poets. Her poetry, prose and translations have appeared widely in print and online. She is… Continue Reading

Alan Katz

Latest Title: Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs

Alan Katz has written 50+ highly acclaimed books for young readers. A frequent presenter at regional and national conferences and festivals, his titles include “Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs,” “Got Your Nose!,” “OOPS!,” “Zooloween”… Continue Reading

M. Nzadi Keita

Latest Title: Migration Letters: Poems

M. Nzadi Keita’s new poetry collection, “Migration Letters,” reflects on Black girlhood and working-class identity in Philadelphia following the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. Keita pays tribute to writers and musicians, and explores how Black Americans journey toward joy.… Continue Reading

Knucklehead by Tony Keith Jr.

Tony Keith Jr.

Latest Title: Knucklehead: Poems

Tony Keith Jr. is a Black American gay poet, spoken word artist and hip-hop educational leader from Washington, D.C. He is author of the YA memoir in verse, “How the Boogeyman Became a Poet.” Tony’s writings have appeared in the… Continue Reading

Erin Entrada Kelly

Latest Title: The First State of Being

Erin Entrada Kelly is a two-time Newbery Medal winner for for “Hello, Universe” and “The First State of Being,” and earned a Newbery Honor for “We Dream of Space.” She grew up in Lake Charles, La., and now lives in… Continue Reading

I See You've Called In Dead by John Kenney

John Kenney

Latest Title: I See You've Called in Dead

John Kenney is the author of three novels, including the forthcoming “I See You’ve Called in Dead,” and four books of poetry. His first novel, “Truth In Advertising,” won the Thurber Prize for American Humor. He is also the author… Continue Reading

Hena Khan

Latest Title: We Are Big Time

Hena Khan is a Pakistani-American writer. She is the author of the middle-grade novel, “Amina’s Voice,” which was selected as a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus, NPR, The Washington Post and Chicago Public Library. Her other titles include… Continue Reading

The Martian Contingency by Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal

Latest Title: The Martian Contingency: A Lady Astronaut Novel

Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Hugo, Nebula and Locus award-winning alternate history novel, “The Calculating Stars,” the first book in the Lady Astronaut series, which continues in 2025 with “The Martian Contingency.” She is also the author… Continue Reading

David LaRochelle

Latest Title: Mr. Fox's Game of No!

Does David LaRochelle ever get tired of making books for young people? No! He can’t think of a better profession in the world! He is the author of “Isle of You,: illustrated by Jaime Kim, as well as “How to… Continue Reading

Courtney LeBlanc

Latest Title: Her Dark Everything

Courtney LeBlanc is the author of the full-length collections, “Her Dark Everything; Her Whole Bright Life” (winner of the Jack McCarthy Book Prize), “Exquisite Bloody, Beating Heart” and “Beautiful & Full of Monsters.” She is the Arlington County Poet Laureate… Continue Reading

Steven Leyva

Latest Title: The Opposite of Cruelty: Poems

Steven Leyva was born in New Orleans and raised in Houston. His poems have appeared in Smartish Pace, Scalawag, Nashville Review, jubilat, The Hopkins Review, Prairie Schooner and Best American Poetry 2020. He is a Cave Canem fellow and author… Continue Reading

Meet the Mini Mammals by Brian Lies

Brian Lies

Latest Title: Meet the Mini-Mammals: A Night at the Natural History Museum

Brian Lies is the author and/or illustrator of over 30 children’s books, including the new “Meet the Mini Mammals: A Night at the Natural History Museum” (by Melissa Stewart, Beach Lane Books) and upcoming “Cat Nap” (Greenwillow / HarperCollins, Fall… Continue Reading

Steve Light

Latest Title: A Spider Named Itsy

Steve Light is the creator of “Gus and Sully Watch the Weather,” as well as the board books, “Black Bird Yellow Sun;” “Mama Tiger, Tiger Cub;” “Up Cat Down Cat” and “Have You Seen My Lunch Box?” Among his many… Continue Reading

Esther Lin

Latest Title: Cold Thief Place

Esther Lin was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and lived in the United States as an undocumented immigrant for 21 years. Her book, “Cold Thief Place,” is the winner of the 2023 Alice James Award, and she is a… Continue Reading

The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin

Grace Lin

Latest Title: The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon

Grace Lin is the award-winning and best-selling author and illustrator of “Chinese Menu,” “When the Sea Turned to Silver,” “Starry River of the Sky,” “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon,” “The Year of the Dog,” “The Year of the Rat,”… Continue Reading

Carole Lindstrom

Latest Title: The Gift of the Great Buffalo

Carole Lindstrom is the author of The New York Times best-selling and Caldecott Award–winning “We Are Water Protectors,” “My Powerful Hair” and “Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior.” She is Anishinaabe/Métis and is a proud member of the Turtle Mountain Band of… Continue Reading

I'm Sorry for My Loss by Colleen Long

Colleen Long

Latest Title: I'm Sorry for My Loss: An Urgent Examination of Reproductive Care in America

Colleen Long, a White House correspondent for The Associated Press whose work has appeared in every major news publication in the world, was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 2019. She lives in Washington, D.C. She will be presenting… Continue Reading

King: A Life by Yohuru Williams

Michael G. Long

Latest Title: King: A Life (Young Adult Edition)

Michael G. Long has a Ph.D. from Emory University and is the author or editor of numerous books on non-violent protest, civil rights and LGBTQ+ rights. His books for children include “Call Him Jack: The Story of Jackie Robinson,” “Black… Continue Reading

Smells Like Rain by Gregory Luce
Moderator

Gregory Luce

Latest Title: Smells Like Rain

Gregory Luce is the author of “Signs of Small Grace,” “Drinking Weather,” “Tile” and “Riffs & Improvisations.” His poems have appeared in numerous print and online journals and in the anthologies, “Living in Storms” (Eastern Washington University Press), “Written in… Continue Reading

Chanlee Luu

Latest Title: The Machine Autocorrects Code to I

Chanlee Luu is a Vietnamese-Chinese American writer from Southern Virginia. She received her M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Hollins University and BS in Chemical Engineering from UVA. Her work can be found in Snowflake Magazine, Tint Journal, Honey Lit, The… Continue Reading

The Gods' Revenge by Katherine Marsh

Katherine Marsh

Latest Title: The Gods' Revenge

Katherine Marsh is the author of “Medusa,” a Kirkus Reviews Most Anticipated Book of 2024 and Amazon Editors’ Pick; “The Lost Year,” a National Book Award Finalist and winner of the Jane Addams and Golden Kite Awards; “Nowhere Boy,” winner… Continue Reading

The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin

Madeline Martin

Latest Title: The Booklover's Library

Madeline Martin is a New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and international best-selling author of historical fiction with books that have been translated into over 25 different languages. She lives in sunny Florida with her husband (known as Mr.… Continue Reading

Amanda McCrina

Latest Title: I'll Tell You No Lies

Amanda McCrina is a writer, historian and bookseller. She holds a degree in history and political science from the University of West Georgia. Her novels include “Traitor,” “The Silent Unseen”—named a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year 2022—and… Continue Reading

Space Chasers by Leland Melvin

Leland Melvin

Latest Title: Space Chasers by Leland Melvin

Leland Melvin is an engineer, educator, author, former NASA astronaut and NFL wide receiver. He served on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis as a mission specialist on mission STS-122 (2008) and STS-129 (2009), helping to construct the International Space Station.… Continue Reading

Laura Morelli

Latest Title: The Keeper of Lost Art

Laura Morelli holds a Ph.D. from Yale University, where she held a Mellon Fellowship in art history and a Bass Fellowship for writing in the humanities. She is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly best-selling historical novelist, with book club… Continue Reading

Laura Numeroff

Latest Title: Max and Mama

Laura Numeroff is the acclaimed #1 New York Times best-selling children’s author of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” and the subsequent “If You Give” series. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y, she graduated from Pratt Institute in 1975… Continue Reading

Salt Water Roots by Amuchechukwu Nwafor

Amuchechukwu Nwafor

Latest Title: Salt Water Roots

Amuchechukwu Nwafor (Amuche The Poet) is a D.C.-based writer, performance artist, host, event curator, educator and teaching artist. She is a first-generation born Black American whose poetry touches on the diaspora, sexual advocacy, mental health and the female experience. Amuche… Continue Reading

Born Backwards by Tanya Olson

Tanya Olson

Latest Title: Born Backwards

Tanya Olson lives in Silver Spring, Md. She is the author of “Boyishly,” “Stay” and “Born Backwards,” all out from YesYes Books. She has received a Discovery/Boston Review prize and an American Book Award and was been named a Lambda… Continue Reading

Dancing Woman by Elaine Neil Orr

Elaine Neil Orr

Latest Title: Dancing Woman

Elaine Neil Orr is an award-winning writer of fiction and memoir. “Dancing Woman” is her sixth book. Earlier books include the memoir, “Gods of Noonday: A White Girl’s African Life,” and the novels, “A Different Sun” and “Swimming Between Worlds,”… Continue Reading

Alison Palmer

Latest Title: The Offing

Alison Palmer is the author of “I Give You the Planets” (Broadstone Books, forthcoming 2025), “The Offing” (Broadstone Books, 2024), “Bargaining with the Fall” (Broadstone Books, 2023), “Everything Is Normal Here” (Broadstone Books, 2022) and “The Need for Hiding” (Dancing… Continue Reading

Blue Rice by Frances Park

Frances Park

Latest Title: Blue Rice

Frances Park is a local Korean American author of novels, memoirs and children’s books. At age 10, she typed a 200-page story on an Underwood typewriter – blue ink, onionskin paper, reading aloud to anyone who would listen. Since then,… Continue Reading

Smiling Eyes by Linda Sue Park

Linda Sue Park

Latest Title: Smiling Eyes

Linda Sue Park is the Newbery Medal winner for ”A Single Shard” and #1 New York Times best-seller for ”A Long Walk to Water.” She is the renowned author of picture books and novels for young readers. Her recent titles are “Gracie Under the Waves,”… Continue Reading

Chris Pavone

Latest Title: The Doorman

Chris Pavone is the author of “The Paris Diversion,” “The Travelers,” “The Accident” and “The Expats.” His novels have appeared on the best-seller lists of The New York Times, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal; have won both the Edgar… Continue Reading

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

Sarah Pekkanen

Latest Title: House of Glass

Sarah Pekkanen is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of 15 solo and co-authored novels. Her books are sold in 36 countries, with several optioned for TV and film. Sarah also co-wrote the screenplay for “The Wife Between Us”… Continue Reading

Why We Love Football by Joe Posnanski

Joe Posnanski

Latest Title: Why We Love Football: A History in 100 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.” He has been named National Sportswriter of the Year by five different organizations.… Continue Reading

Eric Puchner

Latest Title: Dream State

Eric Puchner is the author of the forthcoming novel “Dream State.” His previous books include the novel, “Model Home,” a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award; and two collections of stories, “Last Day on Earth” and “Music Through the Floor,” a… Continue Reading

Anna Rasche

Latest Title: The Stone Witch of Florence

Anna Rasche is an author, gemologist and historian who previously worked in the jewelry collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her debut novel, “The Stone Witch of Florence,” was an October 2024 Indie Next pick, and was recommended by… Continue Reading

Wild and Distant Seas by Tara Karr Roberts

Tara Karr Roberts

Latest Title: Wild and Distant Seas

Tara Karr Roberts is a freelance writer, science writer and newspaper columnist. She is a lifelong Idahoan who grew up along the Pend Oreille River and now lives in Moscow, Idaho, with her family. “Wild and Distant Seas” is her… Continue Reading

Dave Roman

Latest Title: Unicorn Boy

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

Crushed & Crowned by Joseph Ross
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Joseph Ross

Latest Title: Crushed & Crowned

Joseph Ross is the author of five books of poetry. Most recently, “Crushed & Crowned” (2023), “Raising King” (2020), and “Ache” (2017). His poems appear in many publications including, The New York Times Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Poet Lore,… Continue Reading

Rover and Speck: It's a Gas by Jonathan Roth

Jonathan Roth

Latest Title: Rover and Speck: It's a Gas! (Rover and Speck, 3)

Jonathan Roth is an Earth-bound but space loving author-illustrator of fun, STEAM-themed books for kids, including the “Rover and Speck” graphic novel series (Kids Can Press), the “Beep and Bob” chapter book series (Aladdin/S&S) and the true-story picture book, “Almost… Continue Reading

Ornithography by Jessica Roux

Jessica Roux

Latest Title: Ornithography: An Illustrated Guide to Bird Lore & Symbolism

Jessica Roux is a best-selling illustrator, author and gardener based just outside of Nashville. She loves exploring in her own backyard and being surrounded by an abundance of nature. Using subdued colors and rhythmic shapes, she renders flora and fauna… Continue Reading

Dork Diaries 16

Nikki Russell

Latest Title: Dork Diaries 16: Tales from a Not-So-Bratty Little Sister

Nikki Russell graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  She taught first grade until landing her dream job as the illustrator for The New York Times best-selling children’s book series, “Dork Diaries.” She will… Continue Reading

Dork Diaries 16

Rachel Renée Russell

Latest Title: Dork Diaries 16: Tales from a Not-So-Bratty Little Sister

Rachel Renée Russell is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of “Dork Diaries,” an international blockbuster series chronicling the life and misadventures of middle school students, Nikki Maxwell, and her best friends Chloe and Zoey. The series has been… Continue Reading

The Tontine Caper by Dianne K. Salerni

Dianne K. Salerni

Latest Title: The Tontine Caper

Dianne K. Salerni is the author of several middle grade novels, including Junior Library Guild selections “Eleanor, Alice, & the Roosevelt Ghosts,” “Jadie in Five Dimensions” and “The Carrefour Curse.” Her most recent publication is “The Tontine Caper,” illustrated by… Continue Reading

Michael Sampson

Latest Title: Rainbow Bear

Michael Sampson, Ph.D., is a New York Times best-selling author of 26 books for young children, including “Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3” and “The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry.” Michael is dean of the School of Education at… Continue Reading

When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi

John Scalzi

Latest Title: When the Moon Hits Your Eye

John Scalzi is one of the most popular sci-fi authors of his generation. His debut, “Old Man’s War,” won him the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His New York Times best-sellers include “The Last Colony,” “Fuzzy Nation,”… Continue Reading

Lynne Schmidt

Latest Title: The Unaccounted For Circles Of Hell

Lynne Schmidt is the grandchild of a Holocaust survivor, and a mental health professional with a focus in trauma and healing. They are a 2025 Maine Arts Fellow, second-place winner of the 2024 National Federation of State Poetry Societies Founders… Continue Reading

Bearsuit Turtle by Bob Shea

Bob Shea

Latest Title: Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend

Bob Shea has written and/or illustrated over 20 picture books including the popular “Dinosaur Vs.” series, “Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great” and the “Ballet Cat” early readers series. His most recent picture book, “Chez Bob,” received three starred reviews, with… Continue Reading

Russell Shorto

Latest Title: Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America

Russell Shorto is the author of the best-sellers “Smalltime,” “Revolution Song,” “Amsterdam” and “The Island at the Center of the World.” He is the director of the New Amsterdam Project at the New York Historical. He lives in Maryland.  He… Continue Reading

Wind is a Dance by Debra Kempf Shumaker

Debra Kempf Shumaker

Latest Title: Wind Is a Dance

Debra Kempf Shumaker started reading at the age of four and hasn’t stopped since. She grew up on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin but now lives in the suburbs of Northern Virginia with her husband, three sons and two… Continue Reading

This Is Your Mother by Erika J. Simpson

Erika J. Simpson

Latest Title: This Is Your Mother: A Memoir

Erika J. Simpson is a Southern girl living in Denver with her partner and their black cat. She holds an M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Kentucky and is the recipient of the 2021 MFA Award in Nonfiction.… Continue Reading

Paul M. Sparrow

Latest Title: Awakening the Spirit of America: FDR's War of Words With Charles Lindbergh—and the Battle to Save Democracy

Paul Sparrow is a writer, public speaker, historian and former director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library. His book “Awakening the Spirit of America: FDR’s War of Words with Charles Lindbergh and the Battle to Save Democracy” received rave… Continue Reading

Don't Eat the Cleaners by Susan Stockdale

Susan Stockdale

Latest Title: Don't Eat the Cleaners!: Tiny Fish with a Big Job

Susan Stockdale is the author and illustrator of many picture books that celebrate nature. Her books, including “Bring On the Birds,” “Stripes of All Types” and “Fabulous Fishes” have won a variety of awards including the ALSC Notable Picture Book,… Continue Reading

Aggie Blum Thompson

Latest Title: You Deserve to Know

Before turning to fiction, Aggie Blum Thompson covered real-life crime as a newspaper reporter for a number of papers, including The Boston Globe and The Washington Post. Aggie is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America and… Continue Reading

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake

Amy Timberlake

Latest Title: Skunk and Badger (Skunk and Badger 1)

Amy Timberlake’s work has received a Newbery Honor, an Edgar and a Golden Kite Award. She’s had books on the Indie Books Bestseller list, one book was Tattered Covers’ Book of the Year, and reviews have appeared in The New… Continue Reading

Phuc Tran

Latest Title: Cranky Makes a Friend

Phuc Tran is an award-winning writer, tattooer and Latin teacher (for which he has won no awards). Lots of things make Phuc cranky: being too cold, being too hot, staying up too late, getting up really early, wearing baggy socks, eating… Continue Reading

Meera Trehan

Latest Title: Snow

Meera Trehan grew up outside Washington, D.C., and attended the University of Virginia and Stanford Law School. After practicing law for over a decade, she turned to creative writing. Her debut novel, “The View from the Very Best House in… Continue Reading

Making the Best of What's Left by Judith Viorst

Judith Viorst

Latest Title: Making the Best of What's Left: When We're Too Old to Get the Chairs Reupholstered

Judith Viorst is the author of the beloved “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” which has sold some four million copies; the Lulu books, including “Lulu and the Brontosaurus;” The New York Times best-seller, “Necessary Losses;”… Continue Reading

Hope Dies Last by Alan Weisman

Alan Weisman

Latest Title: Hope Dies Last: Visionary People Across the World, Fighting to Find Us a Future

Alan Weisman has reported from all seven continents and in more than 60 countries. His books include The New York Times best-seller “The World Without Us,” translated into 34 languages and a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award… Continue Reading

King: A Life by Yohuru Williams

Yohuru Williams

Latest Title: King: A Life (Young Adult Edition)

Yohuru Williams is a professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. A regular contributor to a variety of media programming on CNN and History, he is… Continue Reading

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson

Carter Wilson

Latest Title: Tell Me What You Did

Carter Wilson is the USA Today best-selling author of 10 critically acclaimed, standalone psychological thrillers, as well as numerous short stories. He is an ITW Thriller Award finalist, a five-time winner of the Colorado Book Award, and his works have… Continue Reading

Katherine E. Young

Latest Title: People and Trees

Katherine E. Young is the author of two poetry collections, Day of the Border Guards and Woman Drinking Absinthe, and editor of Written in Arlington. Her translations of Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Russian, and Ukrainian writers have received international recognition. From 2016-2018,… Continue Reading

(S)KIN by Ibi Zoboi

Ibi Zoboi

Latest Title: (S)Kin

Ibi Zoboi is The New York Times best-selling author of “American Street,” a National Book Award finalist; “Nigeria Jones,” a Coretta Scott King Award winner; “Pride; My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich;” “Okoye to the People: A Black Panther… Continue Reading