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< Back T.J. O'Connor Tj O'Connor is an award-winning thriller and mystery author of The Whisper Legacy, The Dead Detective Casefiles, and other thrillers and paranormal mysteries. He’s an anti-terrorism consultant—life experiences that drive his novels. He has lived and worked around the world and now lives with his wife and Labrador companions in Virginia. www.tjoconnor.com Next

< Back Patti Gaustad Procopi Patti Gaustad Procopi is a former army brat who lived all over the world before settling in Gloucester, Virginia. After retiring from two area history museums, Patti finally had time to do what she always wanted - write. Patti’s first novel “Please…Tell Me More” was published in 2020. She’s had two more contemporary fiction novels published and in 2025 Patti’s first mystery, “The Murderer You Know” was released. She’s won awards for short stories. Patti enjoys interacting with her fellow writers and has presented l talks on “Writing Your Story” for the Virginia Writers Club, Chesapeake Bay Writers and area libraries. Next

< Back Jess Renae Sherer Jess Renae Sherer resides in the suburbs of Atlanta, Ga, but is plotting her escape to the Appalachian Mountains. She holds a degree in sociology and a master’s in creative writing, and loves telling stories that move readers. In her debut novel, when a cyberattack plunges the nation into darkness, devout Jenna Covington shelters a desperate stranger. Told through shifting perspectives, The Height of Darkness is a fast-paced psychological thriller where faith, family, and hidden truths collide as the world outside—and Jenna’s inner one—begins to unravel. Find her on social media @jessrenaesherer or at jessrenaesherer.com. Next

< Back Hugh Lessig Hugh Lessig worked as a reporter for the Daily Press in Newport News for 23 years, covering the General Assembly and the military. That was followed by five years in public communications for Newport News Shipbuilding. His debut crime novel, Fadeaway Joe, was released in 2023 from Crooked Lane Books. His short stories have appeared in numerous crime-themed anthologies over the years. A native of the Slate Belt in eastern Pennsylvania, he is now retired and lives in Hampton with his loving partner, Shana, and their three dogs. Next

< Back Plot Twists and Persistence: A Thriller Author’s Journey and Lessons Learned From Northern Virginia roots to an optioned debut, Yasmin Angoe shares a road‑to‑publication story with the momentum of a thriller. She maps the rejections, rewrites, and lucky breaks behind the Nena Knight series, then shows how her process evolved—protecting voice, building discipline, and balancing ambition with life. Energizing, candid, and packed with actionable advice for aspiring and published writers. About Yasmin: Yasmin Angoe is an Anthony Award–nominated author of the Nena Knight action‑thriller series, which begins with Her Name Is Knight, and the domestic psychological suspense novel Not What She Seems. Her work has been optioned for film and television and featured in the New York Times, Oprah Daily, the Guardian, and PopSugar. A finalist for the Library of Virginia People’s Choice Award and a 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards nominee, she serves on the Sisters in Crime board. Born and raised in Northern Virginia, she lives in South Carolina. Previous Next

< Back Juanita P. Graham Juanita Graham is the author of Find Your Voice Find Your Healing. Her book of poetry, which includes pictures and reflection questions, focuses on helping people explore what makes up their voice and how expressing that voice facilitates healing. After graduating from William & Mary with a M.Ed. in Agency Counseling, Juanita entered the ministry and is currently serving as an associate minister at the historic First Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. As a counselor, she works with survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and she conducts educational presentations in the Greater Williamsburg area. Juanita is also on the Advisory Board for the Let Freedom Ring Foundation and is a member of the Williamsburg Book Festival Board. She is a genealogical enthusiast and has traced her family history back to 1840. She also likes reading, crafting, and listening to music. Next

< Back Dead Broke, Deeply Weird, and Still Iconic: Why Poe Endures Edgar Allan Poe suffered a lifetime of tragedies, then died broke and misunderstood—but he's become one of the most enduring literary brands of all time. In this funny, myth-busting talk, Catherine Baab uncovers the real Poe: his Virginia roots, the craft choices that make his work unforgettable, and the life choices packed with lessons more timely than ever. Come for the juicy lore; leave with some surprisingly useful takeaways. About Catherine: Catherine Baab is a writer and journalist whose work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Slate, CNBC, and NBC News. She is the author of Poe for Your Problems: Uncommon Advice from History’s Least Likely Self-Help Guru (Hachette, 2021), a finalist for the Library of Virginia People’s Choice Award and a Barnes & Noble Holiday Catalog pick. A frequent guest on NPR, she lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she writes the Substack newsletter “Poe Can Save Your Life” and is at work on her next book. Previous Next

Support the Williamsburg Book Festival Donations help support author programming, youth engagement, event logistics, and the resources needed to keep the festival free and accessible to the public. By contributing, you are helping foster a love of reading, uplift writers, and strengthen a vibrant literary culture in Williamsburg. Every gift—large or small—helps ensure the festival continues to inspire readers and storytellers for years to come. Donate Now

< Back Ellen Butler Ellen Butler is the international bestselling author of the Karina Cardinal mystery series, hailed by Publishers Weekly as “intelligent escapism.” Drawing on her firsthand experience working on Capitol Hill and with a national medical association in Washington, D.C., Butler delivers high-stakes, fast-paced thrillers rich with authenticity, intrigue, and insider detail. Beyond contemporary suspense, Butler is also the acclaimed author of the Ariadne Winter historical mystery series and multiple award-winning works of historical spy fiction. Her novel The Brass Compass earned widespread recognition, including the IndieReader Discovery Award and a Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal for Historical Fiction. The sequel, Operation Blackbird: A Cold War Spy Novel—inspired by true events—captured the prestigious Next Generation Indie Book Award Gold Medal for Historical Fiction, cementing Butler’s reputation as a master storyteller across genres. Next

Take a look at last year's festival pictures! Authors, poets, attendees & more 2025 Event Photos IMG_2111 IMG_2116 IMG_1883 IMG_2111 1/44

< Back Sally Stiles Sally Stiles has called four continents, six countries, nine states and a small trawler home. She holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has taught and published non-fiction, fiction and poetry. A former editor of national magazines, her work includes eight published books and hundreds of magazine articles. Locally, she has served on the executive board of An Occasion for the Arts and The Williamsburg Book Festival. Next

< Back Larry Walsh Larry Walsh’s writing chronicles epic cross-country cycling journeys and the personal transformation they inspired. A U.S. Army veteran, former pharmaceutical executive, and current Williamsburg, VA resident, Walsh reinvented his life after a career setback by pursuing long-distance bike adventures across the United States. His #1 New Release memoirs, Suit to Saddle and Forty to Finish, explore resilience, purpose, and self-discovery on the open road. Walsh now works in the medical supplies industry and is a motivational speaker, encouraging others to chase bold goals at any stage of life. Next