PHOTO: Author Victoria Oltarsh, playwright, educator, and now award-winning novelist, celebrates the launch of her debut children’s book with pride and joy. A Mother-Daughter Collaboration, A Lifelong Dream, A Middle-Grade Sci-Fi Fantasy Victoria Oltarsh shares the heartfelt inspiration behind The Boy and the Secret of the Stars, blending teaching experience, cosmic curiosity, and family creativity…
Stephen Hecker, multi-award-winning author and artist, brings his expansive imagination to life through novels, tattoos, and immersive fantasy worlds. Fantasy Visionary Behind Zebulon Series and Awakened Comics Stephen Hecker shares the origins of Zebulon, the influence of his artistic background, and the challenges of balancing storytelling, visual art, family life, and immersive fantasy world-building in…
PHOTO: Author Fairren McLemore, 2025 Book Fest Award-winner and advocate for inclusion, shares her inspiring journey of love, resilience, and purpose through storytelling. Author Fairren McLemore discusses how her daughter’s rare diagnosis inspired her to write heartfelt books that promote self-love, inclusion, and strength in the face of uncertainty and grief. Fairren McLemore is a…
PHOTO: Author Dete Meserve, bestselling novelist and award-winning producer, brings emotional depth and cinematic flair to every story she tells. Hope, Mystery, And The Emotional Journey Through Time Dete Meserve discusses her latest novel The Memory Collectors, shares insights into time travel, her creative process, and adapting books to screen, while offering inspiration to aspiring…
Master Storyteller Explores Themes of Hope and Redemption Larry B. Gildersleeve shares his journey from a hospitality career to award-winning novelist, crafting inspiring stories of love, faith, resilience, and second chances that resonate with a diverse audience. Larry B. Gildersleeve, a celebrated novelist known for his poignant storytelling and compelling characters, epitomizes the realization of…
PHOTO: Author Casey Dembowski, celebrated for her emotionally rich novels and the Soundtracks of Love collection, reflects on storytelling and second chances. Credit: The Deerwood Company. Writing Love, Loss, and Redemption in Fictional Worlds Casey Dembowski discusses her journey from childhood writer to award-winning novelist, the emotional core of her stories, balancing writing with life,…
PHOTO: Author Carol Baldwin, whose debut novel Half-Truths explores friendship and racial tensions in 1950s Charlotte, North Carolina. Exploring Friendship, Race, and Resilience in the Jim Crow South Carol Baldwin shares the inspiration, challenges, and passion behind her YA novel Half-Truths, reflecting on race, history, writing mentorship, and the deeply personal journey of crafting authentic…
PHOTO: Author Elizabeth A. Havey, whose fiction captures the emotional heart of motherhood and memory with lyrical depth and powerful storytelling. Exploring Life, Love, and Legacy Through Stories That Resonate Elizabeth A. Havey shares how her experiences as a mother, nurse, and Midwesterner have shaped her emotionally rich fiction, particularly her short story collection centered…
PHOTO: Author Cheryl Williams, whose inspiring books bring healing and hope to readers of all ages, blending poetry, compassion, and life experience. Award-Winning Author Blends Compassion, Creativity, And Care Through Poetry And Storytelling Cheryl Williams discusses how caregiving, nursing, and personal experiences shaped her writing, leading to heartfelt poetry and impactful children’s books that teach…
PHOTO: Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo, author of Near the Danube Bridge, shares her father’s extraordinary story of survival, music, and resilience across war-torn Europe. Exploring Memory, War, Music, And The Strength Of The Human Spirit Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo’s Near the Danube Bridge tells her father’s powerful WWII story, blending personal memory, history, and music to highlight…
