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FEATURED AUTHORS

Liz Curtis Higgs

Liz Curtis Higgs is the author of 36 books with 4.6 million copies in print, including her nonfiction bestsellers, Bad Girls of the Bible, The Girl’s Still Got It, and The Women of Easter, and her Scottish historical novels, Here Burns My Candle and Mine Is the Night, a New York Times bestseller. Liz has also spoken at more than 1,700 women’s conferences in all 50 United States and 15 foreign countries. Follow her monthly Bible study at LizCurtisHiggs.com/blog.

Dandi Daley MacKall

Dandi won her first writing contest as a 10-year-old tomboy. Her 50 words on “Why I Want to Be Batboy for the Kansas City A’s” won first place, but the team wouldn’t let a girl be batboy. It was her first taste of rejection.

Since then, Dandi Daley Mackall has become an award-winning author of about 500 books for children and adults. She visits countless schools and presents keynote addresses across the U.S. She is a frequent guest on radio talk shows and has made dozens of appearances on TV. Her awards include the Helen Keating Ott Award for Contributions to Children’s Literature, Christian Children’s Book of the Year Award for 2015, Mom’s Choice Awards, the Edgar Award for Best Mystery, ALA Best Book, NY Public Library Top Pick, the Geoffrey Bocca Memorial Award, Dean Arts and Achievement Award, Outstanding Alumna Award from the University of Missouri, and she was inducted into the 2015 International Reading Association’s Hall of Fame. Her novel, My Boyfriends’ Dogs, is now a Hallmark movie. And her recent novel, With Love, Wherever You Are, debuted to starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Booklist.

Dandi writes from rural Ohio, where she lives with her family and a multitude of pets.

Visit Dandi online at www.dandibooks.com.

Nick G. Giannaras

Nick G. Giannaras is the first practicing Chiropractor in his family. He resides in North Carolina where he is active in his church, Deliverance Christian Center. He enjoys his great family amid numerous hobbies such as tabletop war games, creating music, painting, hunting, and fishing. He was also a Civil War reenactor for 15 years. He never considered writing as a ministry until the endeavor commenced in 2005. Nick views his books as ‘Entertainment with a message’ and prays they will reach the world with a positive impact for those who jump into his words. Learn more about Nick's works at http://nickgg.weebly.com/.

Leslie J. Sherrod

Leslie J. Sherrod, MSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, is the author of seven faith-based novels that speak to the hopes and dreams of diverse women. As both a writer and a social worker, Leslie tackles matters of current social significance, including mental health and wellness, healthy relationships, and spiritual growth – with the unique backdrop of page-turning, satisfying suspense and heartwarming humor. With a talent for drawing on raw emotions and painting vivid and meaningful imagery with her pen, her books have been welcomed at book club meetings, literary events, and church groups around the country as well as featured on various media outlets. Visit Leslie online at www.LeslieJSherrod.com.

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OTHER FESTIVAL AUTHORS

Shellie Arnold

Shellie Arnold writes and speaks on marriage and family. She truly believes that despite baggage, neglect, or mistakes, when husbands and wives listen to God, they can live happily ever after. Her passion is sharing how God is helping her do exactly that. She maintains a blog at www.shelliearnold.com and is the founder of YOUR MARRIAGE resources. Shellie is a mother of three and has homeschooled for over twenty years. She lives in Ohio with her husband of thirty-one years. 

Amy Blake

Award-winning author Amy C. Blake is a pastor’s wife and homeschooling mother of four. She has an M.A. in English from Mississippi College and has written articles, devotionals, and short stories for a number of publications, both Christian and secular. Amy is the author of the Christian suspense novels Whitewashed and Colorblind, as well as the YA Christian fantasy novels The Trojan Horse Traitor and The Fall of Thor’s Hammer. She’d love for you to visit her website at www.amycblake.com .

Award winning and best selling Author Carole Brown penned her stand-alone novel in 2013: The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman. From there, her WWII Spies series, The Appleton, WV Romantic Suspense series, and the Denton and Alex Davies series was born. When not penning her own novels, she enjoys mentoring beginning writers and founded a writer’s group called Circle of Pens where she can mentor to her heart’s content. Her passion for serving continues in her secretarial work for ACFW Ohio.

 

She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? Check her out at http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Carol Kinsey is the author of several Christian suspense novels. Her newest novel, Witness Protection, launched in 2017. Her other published novels include: Until Proven Innocent, Greater Love, and Under the Shadow of a Steeple. Along with her four Christian fiction novels, Carol has authored a writing curriculum, Creative Writing Through Literature. She is also a contributing author for Relationships Under Construction, and several other publications. Carol, her husband, and their daughters, live on a farm in rural Ohio. She and her husband have been involved in youth ministry for over twenty years and currently serve at a small country church, which inspired her novel, Under the Shadow of a Steeple. To learn more about Carol’s books, go to carolkinsey.net

Connie Cameron

Connie Cameron has authored several books and hundreds of articles, including seven Chicken Soup for the Soul titles. Her latest book, The Christmas Underdogs:  A True Story about Canines, Convicts, and God’s Love for All, is an inspirational testimony full of humor and encouragement.  Stories of Faith and Courage from Prison is a riveting 365-day devotional endorsed by Chad Hovind and Carol Kent. An Amazon best seller, it is now in its 2nd printing. Ms. Cameron’s first book, God’s Gentle Nudges:  Inspirational Stories of How God Lovingly Leads us Closer to Him, is full of dozens of her published works depicting her journey with Christ. Connie is a popular speaker, has been interviewed on television and radio. She was also a weekly inspirational newspaper columnist in five newspapers for several years. Contact her on Facebook or at www.conniecameron.com.

Burton Cole

Author and humor columnist Burton W. Cole grew up on a small farm outside of Conneaut, Ohio, and attended a small-town church with a slew of cousins and buddies. That boyhood inspires his colorful and comical novels today about a collection of adventuresome kids and their crazy escapades on a farm in northeast Ohio.

 

His debut novel, Bash and the Pirate Pig (2013), was a finalist for the prestigious 2014 Selah Award for Best Children’s Book and Christian Retailing’s Best Award for Children’s Books, and was translated into Norwegian. Bash and the Chicken Coop Caper (2014) won the 2015 Selah Award as Best Novel for Middle Grade Readers, and the third book, Bash and the Chocolate Milk Cows (2015), became a popular choice in the LifeWay Christian Resources’ 2016 national summer R.E.A.D. program for kids.

 

“I love sharing the silliness and pure joy of the goofy stunts my siblings, cousins and I pulled growing up in the country, and how the discovery of God and His love was such a natural part of all those awesome adventures,” Cole said.

 

The series of “faith, fun and farm pranks” novels for tweens (and adults who haven’t quite grown up) is published by B&H Kids (LifeWay).

 

Cole is Features Editor at the Tribune Chronicle in Warren, Ohio. His award-winning humor column, “Burt’s Eye View,” has been appearing weekly in the Star Beacon, Ashtabula, Ohio for 24 years and in the Tribune Chronicle for 21 years. He has earned more than 50 writing awards, including a nomination for a Pulitzer Prize.

 

Cole also is a song leader at his church, a reformed runner, and an occasional trombone player. He and his wife, Terry, live outside of Garrettsville, Ohio.

Sandra Merville Hart is Assistant Editor for DevoKids.com where she contributes many historical articles. She is also the column writer for "History in the Making" at the popular and growing site, www.AlmostanAuthor.com. Her debut book, A Stranger On My Land, IRCA Finalist 2015, is a Civil War romance published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Her newly released Civil War romance, A Rebel in My House, is set during the famous Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.

 

She has written for several publications and blogs including The Secret Place, Harpstring, Splickety Magazine, Pockets Magazine, and ChristianDevotions.us. Sandra has contributed to five books including Jesus Encounters, a Jim Bell/Bethany House book, 2015. She loves to find unusual facts in her historical research to use in her stories and drags her husband along on her adventures. Thankfully, he also enjoys these fact-finding missions.

Sandra would love for you to follow her blog, Historical Nibbles,

 https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/

Sandee L. Hemphill is an educator and life-long learner. Her love of writing spans several years and she has a flourishing writing career. Sandee has published five books to help authors focus on writing and promoting their books, as well as two Christian books. She conducts workshops and book marketing trainings for authors of all genres.

 

Sandee was a Chapter Leader for the Nonfiction Authors Association and serves as a mentor for local writers. She is a huge fan of British movies in print, audio, and video.

 

Sandee’s latest book, Night Shift Author - Optimize Your Time, Upgrade Your Skills, and Write Around Your Day Job, was released in August of this year. The Atlanta native now lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her family.

 

You can contact Sandee L. Hemphill by any of the following means:

Website:  http://www.workyourbook.com

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeehemphillauthor

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/workyourbook

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/SandeeHemphill1
 

Bill Higgs is a lapsed academic, former engineer, and avid storyteller. He also admits to being a nostalgic baby boomer, with a keen interest in how things past can teach lessons for the present. He lives in Kentucky with his wife, author Liz Curtis Higgs, and her two cats. Eden Hill is his first novel. Visit Bill online at www.billhiggs.com.

Rosanna Huffman is a member of a Brethren church and wears a head covering that often incites the question, “Are you Amish or Mennonite?” She writes women’s fiction, spinning tales of single women in their 30s and 40s who live happy and fulfilled lives, whether or not romance comes their way by the end of the book. In any spare minute Rosanna can be found designing and crocheting award-winning afghans in Dayton, Ohio (or wherever she happens to be at the moment). Find out more at RosannaHuffman.com.

Janell Jones

Janell Jones is an author, certified life coach, and a speaker. She is very compassionate about helping others and empowering them to be their best self, no matter their age. She believes that it's important to build children up as well as adults and teach them how to speak and act positively in order to live out your dreams. Her books, coaching, and publishings all fall under her brand, Janell Jones Empowers. She holds an associate degree in psychology and bachelor and master degrees in Social Work.

Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction set in the United States because there are so many stories in American history. There are strong elements of faith, romance, suspense and adventure in her stories. She currently has two novellas published, “A Christmas Promise” and “Resurrection of Hope”, and one novel published, “Alice’s Notions”. Her second novel, “Red Sky over America”, is scheduled for publication in February. She has received 2nd place in the NOCW contest, 3rd place TARA writer’s contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest and has other novellas in print. She’s been married for 37 years to the love of her life, Rick, and has two married adult children and two grandchildren. Visit her online at http://tameralynnkraft.net.

Sharyn Kopf

Sharyn Kopf didn't find her voice until she found a way to turn grief into hope. For her, that meant realizing it was okay to be sad about her singleness. In doing so, she was finally able to move past her grief and find hope in God. 

 

It also meant writing about the heartaches and hopes in being an older single woman. She published her first novel, Spinstered, in 2014, and a companion nonfiction version titled Spinstered: Surviving Singleness After 40 in 2015. The sequel to the novel, Inconceived, released in September 2016 and, one year later, she finished the series with Altared. Her current project is a follow-up novella that will be part of an anthology Sharyn and several other authors plan to release next May.

 

Besides writing and speaking, Sharyn is an editor and marketing professional. She loves to connect with readers and singles on Facebook or email and plans to start a monthly newsletter soon. In her spare time, she enjoys goofing off with her nieces and nephews, making—and eating!—the best fudge ever, long walks on the beach or through the woods, and playing the piano. 

On the road to publication, Michelle fell into fandom (a recovering Trekker), and has 40+ stories in various SF and fantasy universes. She has a BA in theater/English from Northwestern College and a MA focused on film and writing from Regent University. She has published 60+ books and novellas with multiple small presses, in science fiction and fantasy, YA, and sub-genres of romance. Her official launch into publishing came with winning first place in the Writers of the Future contest in 1990. Her training includes the Institute for Children’s Literature; proofreading at an advertising agency, and working at a community newspaper. She freelance edits for a living, but only enough to give her time to write.

Tara M. Rigsbee

Tara Rigsbee is a writer, motivational speaker, and certified life coach, and is currently working on her second book. She is the author of The Day Life Changed A Bloom Of A Butterfly, which is her first published book.  Her book is a memoir and inspirational story that tells the personal story of her cheating death after a life threating motorcycle accident.  Her book details the struggle through pain and depression as she makes her way back to the light after the storm.  Tara decided to write her book to inspire all ages to never give up on life, and to continue to always hold onto hope and faith when a storm passes through life. Tara has recently started a business in life coaching, Butterfly Bloom Dream Builder LLC, and is also pursuing her dream as a motivational speaker.  Tara Rigsbee recently moved back to Columbus, Ohio after living in Virginia Beach, Virginia for thirteen months to write her book, and to refocus on life. 

Yolonda Tonette Sanders

Yolonda Tonette Sanders is an Ohio native whose writing career officially began in 2005 with the release of her first book, Soul Matters. In 2008, Yolonda launched Yo Productions in order to create a stage adaptation of her debut novel. Over the years, the company has evolved into a multi-faceted organization that offers a variety of services for novice to experienced writers. She is the co-founder of the Faith and Fellowship Book Festival, and she also serves with several community organizations in Columbus. Yolonda is happily married to David and enjoys being the mother of Tre, Tia, and her paw child, Paco. Learn more about Yolonda's works at www.yoproductions.net.  Also, keep up with her on social media via Facebook (www.facebook.com/yoproductions) and Twitter (@ytsanders).  

Colleen Scott resides in Marysville, Ohio with her husband, four children, two cats and one Border Collie. She enjoys reading, writing, walking, and spending time with her family and friends. She is active in both her church and two homeschool groups. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and The Light Brigade (An online writing accountability group). Colleen’s debut novel, Misconceptions, was published in January of 2016. Colleen loves connecting with her readers, and you can find out more information about her books by stopping by her website: www.colleenscottfiction.com

  

N. Michelle Sutton

N. Michelle Sutton a.k.a. Michelle is a native of Columbus, Ohio and a graduate of Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia. She has served on numerous family-based organizations, including the National PTA, the State of Ohio Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council, and various committees for the Columbus City School District and Board of Education. She is a national speaker, wife, and mother who shares her parental wisdom, humor and mentoring skills to connect with diverse groups around the country.

 

 

Michelle's sincere impact to help others has resulted in honors from former First Lady Michelle Obama; former Columbus, Ohio Mayor Michael B. Coleman; Radio One; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc; and the Columbus Board of Education. Michelle is a recipient of the Clark Atlanta University Alumni Community Service Award. She was also selected by the Small Business Administration (SBA) of Central Ohio for a program designed to assist women developing faith-based businesses. Michelle and her family are members of First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio.

Cindy Thomson is the author of eight books. Pages of Ireland is the sequel to her popular novel Brigid of Ireland. She is also the author of the Ellis Series and writes for genealogy magazines. The past is her passion as she writes from her home in Ohio. Visit her at www.cindyswriting.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cindyswriting and on Twitter: @cindyswriting.

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