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  • Exhibiting Authors | Wmbg Book Festival

    Read and learn about the talented authors who will be exhibiting. Exhibiting Authors Rachel McRady is an Emmy Award-winning entertainment journalist. She’s had pieces published in The Washington Post, Entertainment Tonight, Time Magazine, E! News, Us Weekly, Teen Vogue, The Huffington Post, Parade, Yahoo Travel, Motherly and more. Her debut novel Sun Seekers has been featured on Good Morning America, Yahoo Life, NPR’s VPM Radio, and was the Book of the Week pick for Maria Shriver’s The Sunday Paper. She has lived in New York and London and currently resides in Richmond, Virginia with her husband Caleb, two daughters, Iona and Isla, and rescue dog, Skye. Robert J. Hooper is an ‘accidental author.' Tasked with preserving the collected poetry, plays and short stories of his Great Aunt Grace Duncan Hooper, Robert was persuaded by a publisher/editor to take Grace’s works and write her story. With the help of other family memorabilia and lifetime of professional research skills, Robert’s first book became a published reality entitled “Finding Grace, Meandering Through The Life and Times of Grace Duncan Hooper." Grace’s story fostered a second book involving Grace’s mother and like-minded, wealthy, New York women poised to provide comfort, education and temporary shelter for a forgotten group of New York’s youngest poor. These young girls at the dawn of the 20th century were left to mind their younger siblings, while one or both parents toiled for meager earnings. These ‘little mothers,' as they were known would soon be given substantial support by caring women who formed the “Little Mothers Aid Association." Robert’s second book, “Born to Responsibility" tells this story. While now working on a third related book, Robert enjoys time with family and friends and is active in a local senior center. Robert is a retired lawyer from Tempe, Arizona, now happily living in Hickory, North Carolina with his wife and best friend Ellen. Their son Matthew lives and teaches in Boston. Dylan West is a Jesus lover, web developer, video game developer, former Navy nuclear operator, foreign language nut, and a nut in general. While other people are busy thinking normal thoughts, he's crafting corny jokes. He lives in Chesapeake, VA, with his wife and daughter. Patti Gaustad Procopi knew she wanted to be a writer the moment she discover the magic of reading at the age of five. Her father was in the Army and she lived the life of a nomad, moving twelve times by the time she graduated from high school. She attended schools on three different continents. At each post, the first place Patti would find was the post library where she would immerse herself in the world of books. In eight years since retiring, she’s written three novels, “Please…Tell Me More” published in 2020, “I’ll Get By” published in 2022 and “Stop Talking” the sequel to her first novel published in 2023. Patti calls her work biographical fiction. Her novels are about families – the good, the bad and the ugly. Her stories are heartbreaking and heart-filling. They will make you cry but also make you laugh. Patti just finished her first murder mystery titled “The Murderer You Know,” which should be out in early 2025. Patti has had stories published in literary journals and won prizes in the Golden Nib and the Keating Award. Patti has presented several talks on “Writing Your Story” for the Virginia Writers Club, Chesapeake Bay Writers and area libraries. Patti also writes articles for “Next Door Neighbors” Magazine in Williamsburg, Virginia. Peyton H. Roberts, M.A. , is an award-winning writer and contemporary fiction and nonfiction author living in Virginia Beach. Her stories have appeared in The New York Times, Modern Love Podcast, Newsweek and more. She holds a Master’s in Communication from San Diego State University and is the recipient of the Col. Darron L. Wright Memorial Writing Award for creative nonfiction. Peyton’s newest release My Dearest Bea (Anchor Line Press, 2024) is an intimate collection of love letters her grandfather wrote aboard the USS Midway to her grandmother in Norfolk, Virginia, in the months following their wedding day. Her social impact novel, Beneath the Seams (Scrivenings Press, 2021), was an Amazon #1 new release, selected as book club picks by Military Families Magazine and Kitabe Club, a literary nonprofit in India. In addition to writer, Peyton’s other roles include communications professional, speaker/presenter, church volunteer, seasoned Navy spouse, and (best of all) mother of two. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, especially when fishing for their dinner and boogie boarding in the ocean on hot summer days. Thomas A. Burns Jr., the author of the Natalie McMasters Mysteries. He writes from Wendell, North Carolina, where he lives with his wife Terri, four cats, and a Vizsla. He has begun a new series featuring Amos Murdoch and the 3M Detective Agency with To Keep Our Honor Clean. The 6th book of the Natalie McMasters Mysteries, Killers!, won the Silver Falchion award for best action/adventure book of 2021 at the Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference and the 7th book, Sister!, was a finalist for the same award in 2023. The 8th McMasters volume, Shooters!, was published in 2024. Tom’s Holmes story, The Camberwell Poisoner, appeared in the March–June issue of The Strand Magazine in 2021, and many others have been published by MX Books and Belanger Books. Tom published his first volume of Sherlock Holmes stories, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: Ten Steps from Baker Street, in 2023 and the 2nd volume, A Peek into Watson’s Dispatch Box, in 2024. Tom has also written a Lovecraftian horror novel, The Legacy of the Unborn, under the pen name of Silas K. Henderson‒a sequel to H.P. Lovecraft’s masterpiece At the Mountains of Madness. Kristin Kisska used to be a finance geek, complete with her MBA and Wall Street pedigree, but now she is a self-proclaimed #SuspenseGirl. She has contributed over a dozen short suspense stories to crime and mystery anthologies. Her debut novel, The Hint of Light, was an Agatha Award finalist for Best First Mystery Novel. Kristin is a Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, and James River Writers member. Kristin lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her family and their moody tabby cat, Boom. She loves hearing from friends, readers, and book clubs at www.KristinKisska.com Ana Moraine was born in Croatia, where she enjoyed climbing the neighbors' apricot trees and running through vineyards. She grew up, went to school, and worked as an insurance underwriter in Hamburg, Germany. Although she loved Europe, she never felt she belonged-until she landed in the United States. She resides in Virginia. ‘Mount Thionx’ is her first novel. In this coming-of-age novel, a young girl is hunted by an evil lord who challenges her and the amazing power she has yet to uncover. Award winning short story author and fantasy writer. Jacqueline T. Johnson has enjoyed advancing her writing career by garnishing several best book award nominations and premier finalist. Her writing has received five star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads for her fantasy series. Originally from Phillipsburg, N.J., Mark Piggott is a 23-year U.S. Navy Veteran. He retired in 2006 and currently works as a writer-editor in Washington, D.C. Since 2009, he has published several award-winning books. In 2021, he signed with Curious Corvid Publishing of Geneva, Ohio. S.K. Ehra is an author of fantasy, horror, and all that lies between. When not reading or writing, she can be found wandering the woods and, while skittish, is friendly when approached. Anna Maylett has completed three books in her time of writing fiction, as well as Illustrated many books previously. She is a full time Mom to eight kids who have inspired some of her characters and help critique her work. She is currently working on her 4th book, (her first historical fiction,) which she hopes to complete soon. "Home is where you park your wheels." An author and translator living in North America and Europe, Virginia native JT Hine grew up in Rome, Italy. After a naval career in cruisers and destroyers, he spent ten years at the University of Virginia, first as Administrator of the Physics Department, then as Director of Housing (Management Services). He left the University with a PhD, to focus full-time on translating and writing. He parks his wheels in Williamsburg when not touring on his bicycle or visiting his son in Charlottesville. He is a member of the Authors Guild, PEN Center America, the Alliance of Independent Authors, Chesapeake Bay Writers, the Virginia Writers Club, the American Translators Association, and Sisters in Crime. His fiction includes adventure crime novels featuring female heroes. His non-fiction includes self-help booklets for freelancers and career-changers. (https://jthine.com/books). JT is available for speaking engagements on price-setting for freelancers, expatriate living in Europe, self-supported bicycle touring and camping, Italian culture, and translation studies. Contact him at: jt@jthine.com Karen Batshaw is the author of three historical novels about Greece during World War II. She currently resides in both Kensington, Maryland and Williamsburg, Va. Karen is available for books group and lectures about the holocaust in Greece and the burning of Smyrna. Karen is a native of Chicago Illinois and loves to travel. David K. Wessel is a retired U.S. diplomat who served at U.S. embassies in Rome, Guatemala City, Budapest and Podgorica (Montenegro). He is an historian and writer of historical fiction whose first novel, Choosing Sides, tells the story of an ordinary family torn apart by Hitler’s Germany. When it comes to writing about the years leading up to World War II he relies not only on his family story, but fifty years of studying how the Weimar Republic shaped the lives of “ordinary Germans." At university, he majored in history with a focus on Germany between the wars and has continued his interest in the subject ever since. After leaving the U.S. Foreign Service, he returned to those studies and dove into the specific research so well reflected in Choosing Sides. Wessel, who spent his high school years in Alexandria, VA and has recently returned to live in that city’s Old Town district, is a member of the American Historical Association (AHA), Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training, Historical Novel Society, and National Council for Social Studies as well as the Northern Virginia Writers Group and the Virginia Writers Group. In 2024, in addition to Choosing Sides Wessel published articles in AHA Perspectives (in April) and the Foreign Service Journal (in November). He is available for delivery of presentations on “Ordinary People in Hitler’s Germany” or “Fact vs. Fiction: The Study of History Through Fiction” to libraries, museums, school groups , historical societies and/or book clubs. He invites reader comments on his book and can be reached at davidkwessel@gmail.com or through his website, www.davidkwessel.com. Kathy Kasunich , originally hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, now calls Williamsburg, Virginia, home. Her debut novel, Always Remembering, is a heartfelt historical fiction romance set against the backdrop of World War II. Inspired by her father’s service as a medic during the war, this captivating work honors the everyday heroes of the Greatest Generation and has earned acclaim, including a bronze medal from the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). Kathy also contributes articles to WIlliamsburg's Kingsmill magazine, where she shares her insights and reflections with the local community. In addition to novels, Kathy’s short fiction is featured in the recently released anthology Christmas on the Bay. She was also honored as a finalist in the 2023 Golden Nib Awards for her poetry. Currently, she is crafting a new novel set in 18th-century Williamsburg, inspired by her love of history and the vibrant stories of her surroundings. As a dedicated member of the Chesapeake Bay Writers, the Writers Guild of Virginia, and the Williamsburg Library Writing Group, Kathy actively engages with the literary community to promote creativity and collaboration. In her spare time, she draws inspiration from photography, nature, and music, weaving these passions into her creative work. Joyana Peters is the Indie author of the best-selling novels, The Girl in the Triangle and The Girl From Saint Petersburg. The Girl in the Triangle won the YA Spark Award from SCBWI, the Ben Franklin Award for Historical Fiction from IBPA, the Book Excellence Award for Multicultural Fiction and was a Top Five Finalist for Shelf Unbound’s Indie Best Book of the Year. Dr. Kimberly A. Matthews received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from George Mason University and a Masters in Adult Education and Doctor of Philosophy in Education, both from Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Kimberly A. Matthews is the author of Forever Friends: Angela released in 2023, Images of America: Richmond’s First African Baptist Church, released in 2023, Forever Friends: Kimberly released in 2022, Forever Friends, released in 2020, Images of America: The Richmond 34 and the Civil Rights Movement, released in 2020 and Images of Modern America: The Richmond Crusade for Voters, released in 2017. Her projects focus on empowerment, diversity and inclusion, and leadership, with the goal to engage and educate a new generation to the sacrifices of our ancestors and to encourage a continued quest for empowerment and equality for all. Heather S. Cole is a writer and public historian living in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. She is author, most recently, of "Virginia's Presidents: A History & Guide" and "Ohio's Presidents: A History & Guide," both published by The History Press. She works as an editor for Bridgewater College and runs a small publishing company specializing in local and family history (RockStreetPress.com). Joanna Wolford is a horror writer. She is a graduate of SNHU with a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. She was a semi-finalist in the 2019 TSL Free Screenplay Writing Contest for her short script, The Boy and the Son of Dracul, and in 2015, her short story, Borrowed Time was performed at the Grace Street Theater in Richmond, Virginia. I Kept a Piece of You (2023-2024 Reader Views Classics: Gold Award Winner for Horror, 2023 Readers’ Favorite Finalist in Horror and 2022 IAN Book of the Year Finalist), is her debut novel. Pamela K. Kinney gave up long ago trying not to ignore the voices in her head and has written horror, fantasy. science fiction, a children’s fantasy picture book, poetry, nonfiction ghost books, and a nonfiction cryptid/indigenous mythology book, Werewolves, Dogmen, and Other Shapeshifters Stalking North America, ever since. Her horror short story, “Bottled Spirits,” was runner-up for the 2013 WSFA Small Press Award and is considered one of the seven best genre short fiction for that year. Her poem, “Dementia,” that was in the HWA Poetry Showcase Vol VII, got her a mention in Best Horror of the Years, Vol 13. Her faerie children’s picture book, Christmas Magic, took second place in the Children’s-Holidays category of the Book Fest Awards, Spring 2024. She has a story and a poem in The Haunted Zone, a charity horror anthology with stories and poetry written by women military veterans, a horror story published in the horror anthology, Vinyl Cuts, a story in Halloweenthology: Witches' Brew, and a poem included in the Terror at Miskatonic Falls anthology—all three anthologies were released in 2024. Her YA dark fantasy novel, first in the Moon Ridge, Virginia trilogy, Demon Memories, was released October 15, 2024. She is working on a new nonfiction ghost book for Schiffer Publishing, about ghosts/cryptids/UFOs on or near the Appalachian Trail. Pamela and her husband live with one crazy black cat (who thinks she should take precedence over her mistress’s writing most days). Along with writing, Pamela has acted on stage and film and investigates the paranormal for episodes of Paranormal World Seekers for AVA Productions. She is a member of Horror Writers Association, Virginia Writers Club, and James River Writers. Learn more about her at https://PamelaKKinney.com. Educator and entrepreneur Lee Knapp was born during the loudest reverberation of the Baby Boom in suburban Richmond, Virginia, where the symbols and legacy of the Civil War defined that city. After graduating from high school there in America’s bicentennial year, she went on to study history at the historic College of William & Mary, where it was not uncommon to see Patrick Henry, George Wythe, or James Monroe throwing back beers at the Greenleaf Cafe before riding their mopeds off towards Jamestown Road. Despite a professor’s admonition that “there’s no future in history,” Knapp’s life has been unavoidably circumscribed by it. Knapp began her teaching career in 1980 and by 1986 had three sons. She took a seventeen-year hiatus from education during which she ran a studio art business and launched grammarRULES! (www.grammarstuff.com), gift items that address common grammar pet peeves. In 2003, Baker Books published Knapp’s Grace in the First Person, and she returned to the classroom at her alma mater. This formed the inspiration for her second book, I’m History…but do I repeat myself? Knapp retired from public education in 2021. She now lives in rural Virginia and revels in her views of horses and mountains, and in traveling with her companion. She relishes time with her sons and their families who endlessly fascinate her. Carolyn McGrath is a writer of fiction and non-fiction. Two Faces of the Moon – A Small Island Memoir was released in July 2023 by Brandylane Publishers. Queenbird was one of six books short-listed for the Faulkner Wisdom Prize in creative nonfiction in New Orleans in 2017. Stories from her collection, Do Not Go Gently, have been published in various venues. McGrath has a degree in Classics from the University of Iowa, an M.A. in Creative Writing, and taught for 25 years in the Dept. of English at Stony Brook University where she directed Stony Brook’s $1000 Short Fiction Prize for undergraduates in the U.S. and Canada. She now lives in Charlottesville where she has taught and formed a book club in a high security prison for women. David Gorman writes about a setting he’s very familiar with: the amusement park his family owns and operates. His Waldameer Mystery Files series follows siblings Seth and Julia as they solve mysteries at the park with their friends. He lives in Richmond, Virginia. Teresa Inge is an award-winning mystery author. Her work appears in over a dozen anthologies and novellas including First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder, Murder by the Glass, Virginia is for Mysteries, Mutt Mysteries, and Coastal Crimes. Her non-fiction essay appears in Promophobia, an Agatha award-winning collection. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Short Mystery Fiction Society, and Virginia Writer’s Club, and she blogs regularly on Sand in our Shorts and Writers Who Kill. Teresa grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries. Combining her love of reading mysteries and writing professional articles led to writing crime fiction. By day, she works for a global financial firm as an admin assistant, corporate reporter, and notary administrator. When not writing, she can be found showing her 1955 Torch Red Thunderbird at car shows. She lives in Southeastern Virginia with her husband and mixed-shepherd Luke and can be reached at www.teresainge.com Through the years, Heather Weidner has been a cop’s kid, technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager. She writes the Pearly Girls Mysteries, the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, The Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries, and The Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries. Her short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, Deadly Southern Charm, Murder by the Glass, and First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder, and she has non-fiction pieces in Promophobia and The Secret Ingredient: A Mystery Writers’ Cookbook. She is a member of Sisters in Crime: National, Central Virginia, Chessie, Guppies, and Grand Canyon Writers, International Thriller Writers, and James River Writers, and she blogs regularly with the Writers Who Kill. Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers. Robert Archibald is Chancellor Professor of Economics and Public Policy Emeritus at the College of William & Mary. Bob was born in New Jersey, grew up in Oklahoma and Arizona, and was educated at the University of Arizona (BA) and Purdue University (MS and PhD). At William and Mary, where he was on the faculty for 41 years, he held several administrative positions: Department Chair, Director of the Public Policy Program, and Interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, but was always honored to be promoted back to the faculty. While there are those who thought his academic writings contained some fiction, upon retirement he started writing books which were intentionally fictitious. He has published six novels with Blue Fortune enterprises: Roundabout Revenge (2019), Guilty Until Proven Innocent (2020), Crime Might Pay (2021), Who Dung It? (2021), Illusion of Truth (2022), and Fractured Frame (2024). Bob lives in Williamsburg and is married to his wife of 51 years, Nancy. They have a son and daughter and four delightful grandchildren. Lee Clark is the author of the Matthew Paine Mystery series of classic murder mystery novels, including Dead Spots, Prefer Death, MIA, Christmas Punch, Iced, Forbidden Relics, and the upcoming Killer Convergence to be released in the spring of 2025. According to multiple reviews across the book series on Goodreads and Amazon, Clark "writes like Agatha Christie," and is reminiscent of Margaret Maron and Louise Penny. A North Carolina native, Clark grew up in Raleigh with family roots in Virginia. An admitted chocoholic and coffeeholic, Lee Clark still resides in North Carolina with spouse, two mostly grown children who are in and out, and a dwindling petting zoo of geriatric dogs and cats. Lee Clark attended Campbell University, obtained a degree in Journalism from East Carolina University, and then a Master’s in Technical Communication from North Carolina State University. Following a twenty-year career in the software development industry of corporate America at IBM, Clark turned to writing fiction in 2021 with the release of Dead Spots, the first in the Matthew Paine Mystery series. The Matthew Paine character is a beloved character to the author. Though a fictional character, Matthew was inspired by two very important men in the author’s life, brother Sean and son Will. Both will catch glimpses of themselves in the character and identify with some of Matthew’s struggles. Chris Register served in the Peace Corps, graduated Georgetown Law, and litigated cases in federal court before bicycling some 16,000 miles to connect with everyday Americans from walks of life. His Conversations With US series now invites readers to ride along and discover the landscapes and people of our shared nation. Visit spokewordbooks.com and conversationswithus.com to learn more. Kathleen P. Decker is an award-winning poet, fiber artist, physician, and musician. She is a past president of the National League of American Pen Women, Seattle Branch, and Vice President of the Poetry Society of Virginia, Eastern Region from 2019-2023 and 2024-current. Dr. Decker was a member of the Williamsburg Poetry Guild from 2018-2022, and Haiku Society of America since 1996. She authored several books of poetry including Russian Reverie, Whispers on Paper, and Essence of Woman, Updraft, and Fishmas: Twelve Days of Christmas by the Sea, in addition to multiple poems published in national and international publications. She edited and published an online and print international haiku journal called Chiyo’s Corner and was an editor for the World Haiku Association. She edited two haiku anthologies: My Neighbor’s Life (Laughing CyPress, Seattle, WA, 1999 On Crimson Wings (Laughing CyPress, Seattle, WA, 2001). With three other poets, she created a poetry/music/art film Shedding Winter Coats from a 100-line renku. She has edited three anthologies for the Poetry Society of Virginia: Quilted Poems, Views of Virginia, and Blended Voices. Her non-fiction publications include the book Fit, Unfit, or Misfit: How to Perform Fitness for Duty Evaluations in Law Enforcement Personnel (Thomas, Springfield, IL, 2006) and over 60 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Dr. Decker is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Juanita Graham , an ordained minister and counselor, 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. Rochelle Ransom grew up in a small rural town in western New York with little access to TV. This led to an overzealous imagination, a memorable and cherished childhood, and plenty of time to craft stories. In college Rochelle recognized her pastime may suit her as a profession. Caterina Novelliere is passionate about history, music, romance, old languages, and travel. She regularly intertwines these subjects in her writing. A musician, martial artist, and dog lover, Ted Hale works as a cyber-security analyst and software engineer. He writes Science Fiction novels and short stories to keep his sanity. He lives in the woods of Virginia with his wife, Donna and their Pit Bull, Bella. Like many people, Ted finally got inspired to write during the Coronavirus lockdown of 2020. The result was Carronia Incursion, his first full length novel to be published. Along with camping and playing guitar, Ted likes to spend his time creating electronic gadgets. He is an active volunteer, teaching electronics and programming to children at the local Makerspace. Though he is retired now, Ted was a certified Taekwondo instructor for over a decade and holds the rank of 3rd Dan in the World Taekwondo Federation. Like his main character, he is quite proficient with a bo staff. Vanessa Jones is a voice actor and former English and theatre teacher. After being diagnosed with adult ADHD when she was 42, Ms. Jones did a deep dive into ADHD research. She applied this knowledge to her teaching practices with ADHD students, and she wrote down her own stories to help other ADHD adults understand the impact of ADHD on their lives. John Molino is a native of Brooklyn, New York and the author of six suspense-filled novels. After retiring from the Army, his professional life included stints in trade and non-profit organizations, the US Senate, and service as a deputy under secretary of defense in the Pentagon. John and his wife, Eileen, live in Virginia. James A. Scott is the author of three acclaimed spy/political thrillers. "The Blood of Patriots and Traitors" (2023) and "The President’s Dossier" (2020). Both won the American Book Fest competition for Best Thriller/Adventure Novel for their respective years. His first novel, "The Iran Contra-dictions," was a Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Finalist. He lived in Europe for twenty years and traveled from Ireland to North Africa, through the Baltic nations, Asia, and Australia. His thrillers reflect those travels and his experience in oversight of Pentagon intelligence activities. He is a retired Army officer, combat veteran, and former paratrooper. Scott also edits articles and writes book reviews for a prize-winning community magazine. He lives in Virginia. M. Angel resides in Southeast Virginia, originally from central New York, he joined the U.S. Military just three days after graduation. That decision resulted in many years of travel, as well as meeting people from many different cultures and walks of life. These experiences are what he hopes to bring to his writing. In her Potomac Shores eco-fiction series, Carolyn McBride draws inspiration from the places she lives and loves, from South Florida’s blue waters to Virgina’s historic Potomac River. Her debut novel, The Cicada Spring, weaves tales of the natural world with the complexities of human relationships and celebrates the delicate balance between humanity and nature. McBride is a professional copywriter and a former editor and columnist for National Geographic Traveler. A graduate of the College of William and Mary, she is completing an MFA in fiction writing at Lindenwood University. 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 aide. She currently lives in the Washington D.C. suburbs with her husband and three children. When not writing, she's re-reading Jane Austen novels, sailing the Chesapeake Bay, playing Star Wars Monopoly, or unloading the dishwasher. Her debut novel, Friends with Secrets is an Amazon Best Seller, and a July First Reads Pick. Readers call it "a timeless, beautiful, relevant, laugh-out-loud funny homage to motherhood." Maureen Wlodarczyk (www.past-forward.com ) is an author, columnist, genealogist, speaker and admitted history and genealogy addict. She is retired from a career as a senior vice president and director of operations in commercial real estate and investment banking. Maureen has been a featured columnist for Garden State Legacy and Irish Lives Remembered e-magazines and was selected for 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2020 Excellence-in-Writing awards by the International Society of Family History Writers & Editors. She has presented over 125 programs to various groups and organizations on a variety of genealogy and history topics, has taught classes for the William and Mary OSHER Lifetime Learning Institution, and has appeared on local television and radio programs to speak about genealogy and her writing. She is the author of 7 books, each having family history and women’s personal struggles as pivotal elements, including Scarlet Letter Lives, a National Indie Excellence Awards finalist. Maureen’s writing is informed and inspired by her work in rediscovering true stories of people and events lost to time through her work as a genealogist, history researcher, and storyteller. Maureen has helped many people discover their own unique family histories and the lives, experiences, and challenges their ancestors faced. Leslie Eva Tayloe is an award-winning children’s picture book author. Her inspiration for writing, I’m Fishing with Pop-Pop Today, Save the Trees, and The Attic Door come from her personal life experiences. Save the Trees is a Moonbeam, Bronze Medal Winner! She’s a former analyst with the federal government and worked as a substitute teacher for elementary school-aged children. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Maryland. Leslie lives in Virginia, with her partner, Michael, two cats, and a dog. She loves to fish on the Rappahannock River, read, take long walks with her black lab Frankie, and craft anything. Mary, known as Motivational Mary , is a dynamic author and inspirational force with over a decade of writing experience. As a devoted wife and mother, she embodies resilience, having triumphed over domestic violence and bullying. Her mission is to empower individuals to cultivate healthy relationships, live with purpose, and embrace the joy of lifelong learning through Christ. With six published books to her name, Mary has not only made a significant impact in the literary world but has also been recognized for her contributions to the community. She was nominated for the 2019 Top Female Author Award by TheAuthorShow.com and was a finalist for the IALA 2018 Indie Author of the Year for Education. Her accolades include multiple nominations for the ACHI Magazine's prestigious awards and recognition as a semi-finalist for the 2016 NAACP Image Hometown Champion Award for RVA. Mary's influence extends beyond the page; she has been featured on prominent platforms such as WWBT Channel 12 News, WRIC Channel 8 News, and 105.7 Kiss FM radio. Through her work, she helps others share their stories and regain the confidence to move beyond past hurts and failures. With a passion for relationship-building, parenting, and self-help, Mary is a beacon of hope and empowerment, inspiring many to rise and thrive. Michael Gryboski was born and raised in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. He graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor of arts and then a master's, both in history. In addition to writing fiction, Michael also writes news articles for a living. Michael would rather be correct than widely accepted. Amy M. Reade is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of cozy, historical, dual timeline, and domestic suspense mysteries. A former practicing attorney, Amy discovered a passion for fiction writing and has never looked back. She has penned seventeen novels, including the Cape May Historical Mystery Collection, the Juniper Junction Cozy Holiday Mystery Series, the Libraries of the World Mystery Series, the Malice Series, and three standalone novels of domestic suspense. Her stories and essays have appeared in several anthologies of fiction and non-fiction. In addition to writing, she loves to read, cook, and travel. Amy lives in New Jersey and is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Alliance of Independent Authors. You can find out more and follow her on social media by visiting her website at www.amymreade.com. Bill Shea, a former Madison Avenue Creative Director and original Creative Director at Autism Speaks, steps into the literary world with the release of his debut book, A Grandpa Joe Day! This enchanting tale, based on a true story, brings to life the enduring spirit of positivity and love that Bill experienced firsthand as a boy. Bill Shea takes readers on a memorable journey, showing that memories are made when we focus on the good that life has to offer. A Grandpa Joe Day! is a heartfelt tribute to Bill's grandfather, Joe, who served as a beacon of unwavering support and love. Through the pages of this book, readers are invited to join a journey that captures the essence of sharing love and creating lasting memories. In addition to his illustrious career in advertising, Bill Shea has dedicated himself to making a difference. As the original Creative Director at Autism Speaks, he played a pivotal role in shaping the organization into the leading autism charity in the country. Beyond his professional endeavors, Bill channels his creativity into producing impactful videos for nonprofit organizations. Bill Shea's diverse talents as an artist, former Creative Director, and philanthropist converge in this touching narrative. The book not only showcases Bill's storytelling prowess but also reflects his deep-rooted commitment to spreading positivity and making a meaningful impact. One of Bill’s favorite things to do is ride rollercoasters. May you always have a Grandpa Joe Day!

  • Featured Speakers | Wmbg Book Festival

    Read about the amazing speakers that will be presenting at the festival. Featured Speakers Tj O'Connor, “Life Adventures that Wrote My Novels” Tj O'Connor is the award-winning author of The Hemingway Deception, The Consultant, The Dead Detective Casefiles series, New Sins for Old Scores, and others. The Whisper Legacy will be released February 2025 and Dying With A Secret in Summer 2025 from Level Best Books. Tj is an international security consultant specializing in anti-terrorism, investigations, and threat analysis—life experiences that drive his novels. He is a Harley pilot, aman-about-dogs, and a lover of adventure and cooking. Tj’s work has been recognized with: The American Legacy Award for Political Thrillers; the American Fiction Awards for Political Thrillers & Mystery/Suspense; Gold Medal from theIndependent Publishers Book Awards (IPPY) for mysteries; Gold Medal Winner—MilitaryWriter’s Society of America; Gold Medal Winner—Readers Favorite Book Awards; BronzeMedal Winner from the Reader’s Favorite Book Awards; and a finalist for The Silver Falchion Award Finalist for Mysteries and Thrillers; Foreword Reviews’ INDIEFAB Mystery Book of theYear; and the Deadly Ink’s David Award Finalist for Best Mystery/Thriller. Marni Graff "Attracting Readers Through Great Covers" Marni is the author of screenplays, stories, essays and poetry, in addition to two mystery series. Her creative nonfiction was most recently seen in the book of collected essays The Who, The What and the When; Southern Women’s Review; Fine Line Anthology; and Shelf Pleasures. Her poem about Amelia Earhart is part of an anthology of poems dedicated to the pilot that is on display in Earhart’s hometown museum. Marni’s background as a registered nurse of thirty years always encompassed her love of writing. She was a feature writer for Nursing Spectrum for six years and editor of a nursing journal for three. Her favorite nursing position was as a medical consultant for television and motion pictures, working on scripts from home and medical scenes on set in Manhattan. Leaving nursing to pursue writing full time has taken Marni to study literature six times at the University of Iowa and one summer at Oxford University, as well as courses at New York University, Harvard, and Radcliffe. She has taught Creative Writing and Memoir in North Carolina, and has done book reviews for Raleigh’s largest paper, The News and Observer. Marni edits manuscripts, conducts writing workshops, and has twice been the recipient of month-long writing residencies at the Vermont Studio Center. Marni grew up on Long Island in Floral Park, NY. Marni currently resides in rural North Carolina, and lives on the Pungo River, part of the coast’s Intracoastal Waterway, with her husband and two Aussiedoodles, Seamus and Fiona. Juanita Graham "Find Your Voice/Find Your Healing" Our voice, that is, what matters to us and what we are willing to speak out about is formed in many ways. It is cultivated by our values, experiences, joys, pains, culture, perspectives, passions and more. It is shaped by the things that propel us, shake us, disturb us and define us. When we reflect on, question, and embrace these aspects of ourselves … WE FIND OUR VOICE. Then this priceless discovery of our voice … releases acceptance … births authenticity … strengthens weaknesses … encourages us to live ready … promotes balance … brings purpose to our paths and … WE FIND OUR HEALING. Writers and readers alike reach greater understanding and create healthier connections when they explore, establish and express their voice. Journey with me as I speak and share my poetry that is designed to encourage one to Find Your Voice and Find Your Healing.

  • Sponsor | Wmbg Book Festival

    Our sponsors help our festival happen! Sponsor us and help support the Williamsburg literary community. Sponsor Promotion Our sponsors are featured in our festival promotional materials and on our website. The festival poster and handout will promote sponsors to event attendees. Posters will be displayed at local businesses in addition to the Williamsburg Community Center. Ads placed in local publications will feature our festival sponsors. Why Sponsor? Connect with a diverse audience of readers and writers. Sponsorship provides excellent brand visibility and helps promote literacy and community engagement in Williamsburg. Join us to make a positive impact while gaining valuable exposure! Please click on the button below to determine how you can best support the festival. Sponsor Information

  • Search | Wmbg Book Festival

    17 items found for "" Exhibiting Authors | Wmbg Book Festival Exhibiting Authors https://paul-awad.com/ ​ https://twitter.com/Paul_Awad1 Paul Awad Paul Awad is an award-winning writer and filmmaker. His science fiction thriller, WHEN EARTH SHALL BE NO MORE, was co-written with his wife, Kathryn O’Sullivan, and won the 2023 IPPY Bronze Medal Award in Science Fiction. It is the first in a planned trilogy. Recent films include the award-winning documentary, BICENTENNIAL BONSAI: EMISSARIES OF PEACE, and the feature crime drama, A SAVAGE NATURE. Paul's directing/cinematography work has won recognition from the Telly Awards, International Academy of Web Television, ADDY Awards, The Kodak Company, and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Paul is a cinema professor at Northern Virginia Community College. He lives in Reston, Virginia with his wife and their rescue cats, Maggie and Andy. www.loreleibrush.com Lorelei Brush After writing hundreds of government reports, Lorelei Brush stepped into the glorious freedom of fiction. She loves to occupy a comfy coffee house chair and imagine her characters acting out each scene. Uncovering rolled from her pen following a two-year stint in Pakistan when her Islamabad office was just blo cks from the Red Mosque, whose explosion is featured in the novel. The commitment of her staff to bringing modern educational techniques to the mountains was so impressive that she had to memorialize them in an inspiring story. Chasing the American Dream stemmed from her father's stories of being a spy in World War II. All the stunning stories he'd told her were lies. He failed to be the superhero he had described to her, so her story made him one in the 1950's. For more of an introduction into her process of solving life's conundrums through writing novels, please see www.loreleibrush.com . I3mdetectiveagency.com ​ https://www.facebook.com/groups/541595279667727 ​ https://www.instagram.com/3mdetective/ Thomas A. Burns Jr. Thomas A. Burns Jr. writes from Wendell, North Carolina, where he lives with his wife Terri, four cats and a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. He grew up in New Jersey, attended Xavier High School in Manhattan, earned two B.S degrees from Michigan State and a M.S. from North Carolina State. Tom has written fiction as a hobby all of his life, beginning with Man from U.N.C.L.E. stories in marble-backed copybooks in grade school. He built a career as technical, science and medical writer and editor for nearly thirty years in industry and government. Currently a full-time novelist, he’s excited to publish the Natalie McMasters Mysteries, as well as Sherlock Holmes stories. The sixth book of the Natalie McMasters Mysteries, Killers!, was released in September, 2021, and won the Silver Falchion award for best action/adventure book of 2021 at the Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference. The 7th book, Sister!, was a finalist for the same award in 2023. Tom’s Holmes story, The Camberwell Poisoner, appeared in the March–June issue of The Strand Magazine in 2021, and many others have been published by MX Books and Belanger Books. Tom also published his first volume of Sherlock Holmes stories entitled Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: Ten Steps from Baker Street, on March 1, 2023. Tom has also written a Lovecraftian horror novel, The Legacy of the Unborn, under the pen name of Silas K. Henderson‒a sequel to H.P. Lovecraft’s masterpiece At the Mountains of Madness. http://www.ellenbutler.net https://www.facebook.com/EllenButlerBooks https://www.instagram.com/ebutlerbooks/ ​ ​ Ellen Butler Ellen Butler is the international bestselling author of the Karina Cardinal mystery series. Her experiences working on Capitol Hill and at a medical association in Washington, D.C. inspired the mystery-action series. Book critics call the Karina Cardinal mysteries, “intelligent escapism” and “electrifying yet light-hearted and humorous.” Her latest mystery, Spectral Revelations, takes place in Williamsburg, VA. Butler also writes historical spy fiction. Her WWII spy novel, The Brass Compass, won a 2022 Speak Up Talk Radio Firebird Book Award for historical fiction. The second book in the duology, Operation Blackbird: A Cold War Spy Novel, is inspired by true events, and won a Next Generation Indie Book Award gold medal for historical fiction. Reviewers are calling it “riveting,” and, “a thrilling adventure.” https://www.drpamm.com/mindful-moments-with-maude ​ https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmomentswithmaude/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-cappetta-26199411/ Pamela Cappetta In addition to being an award-winning children's author, PAMELA CAPPETTA, EdD, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She has been in private psychotherapy practice in Williamsburg, Va. s ince 1985. After researching current children’s books on mindfulness to use in her practice, Cappetta discovered that they lacked an engaging narrative that would appeal to children. She then wrote a picture book with a gentle story—Mindful Moments with Maude—that weaves mindfulness; her love of animals; and a close bond between a girl, her grandmother and a dog. Cappetta also introduces the concept of a Mindfulness Day—a day without electronics and busyness. The title character, Maude, is inspired by the author’s beloved therapy dog. Cappetta loves to present interactive mindfulness to programs to children and families. Her degrees include a Doctorate of Education in Professional Counseling from the College of William & Mary. She also holds a certificate in Mindfulness from Duke Integrative Medicine. Heather S. Cole Heather S. Cole is a writer and public historian living in Staunton, Virginia. She runs a small business providing writing, editing and archival management services and publishing local history and memoirs. She is author of several local history books, including "Virginia's Presidents: A History & Guide" (The History Press, 2023) and the forthcoming "Ohio's Presidents: A History & Guide" (The History Press, 2024). https://heatherscole.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cole-714645217/ https://www.instagram.com/heatherscole/ S.K. Ehra S.K. Ehra is a writer of fantasy (The Fox and the Dragon), horror (Call from the Crossroads), and all that lies between. When not reading, writing, or daydreaming, she can be found wandering the woods and, while skittish, is friendly when approached. https://skehra.com/ https://www.facebook.com/p/SK-Ehra-100075656900639 https://twitter.com/SKEhraAuthor ​ https://www.juanitagraham.com/ Juanita Graham Juanita Graham, an ordained minister and counselor, 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 an associate minister at The Historic First Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. As a counselor, she has worked for the last 20 years counseling survivors of domestic and sexual violence as the Director of Outreach Services for Avalon Center. As a minister and experienced counselor, she conducts educational presentations and workshops in the Greater Williamsburg area. Juanita is also on the Advisory Board for the Let Freedom Ring Foundation. She is a genealogical enthusiast and has traced her family history back to 1840. She also likes reading, crafting, and listening to music. terryjoegunnelsbooks.com Terry Joe's books, FaceBook.com. Terry Joe Gunnels Terry Joe was born in 1951 in Columbia, South Carolina and grew up in Hampton, Virginia. Terry started writing only 2 years ago, but he has already written and published five books, and his books were featured in the 2022 L.A. Times Festival of Books. The following year, he appeared for a personal book signing at the University of Southern California. He participated in panel discussions for Indie authors and was interviewed by Kate Delaney for The America Tonight Radio Show. He also appeared on the Book of the Month Show on PTWWN Television based in Atlanta, Georgia. For the past 46 years, he and his wife have invested in rental real estate from Delaware to North Carolina. He is a licensed building contractor, licensed in four states doing commercial store build outs. Presently, he is semi-retired but still manages their property in multiple states. He presided over an investment group and conducted real estate investment seminars with his own workbooks. The Landlord’s Inheritance is his first novel and is loosely based on his experience in managing his real estate holdings. He received a diploma from Eastern Baptist College, and a degree from Central Baptist Bible College in Religious Education (BRE). His hobby is Rolls Royces and antique cars. Currently, he is working on sequels to the “Landlord” series. Ted Hale A musician, martial artist, and dog lover, Ted works as a cyber-security analyst and software engineer. He writes Science Fiction novels and short stories to keep his sanity. He lives in the woods of Virginia with his wife, Donna and their Pit Bull, Bella. Michael J. Hebert Michael J. Hebert served in Vung Ro Bay, Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. He was the coxswain of the River Patrol Boat (PBR) Magic Christian. Mr. Hebert has been involved in the maritime field ever since departing Vietnam, serving four years in the South Pacific aboard an Atomic Energy Commission research ship, then spending the remainder of his career stateside serving aboard dredges, tugboats, crewboats, ferries, and tour boats. He currently resides in Gloucester, Virginia https://www.michaelhebert-author.com ​ https://www.instagram.com/michaelhebertpbr https://www.michaelhebert-author.com ​ https://www.instagram.com/michaelhebertpbr Tim Holland Tim Holland is the author of three Sidney Lake Lowcou ntry Mystery Novels, including The Rising Tide, What the Mirror Doesn't See, and The Murder of Amos Dunn. His fourth novel, Deception, was released in June 2022 by Black Opal Books. He is a director of the Williamsburg Book Festival, a past director of Chesapeake Bay Writers, a member of Mystery Writers of America, and The Brontë Society of Haworth, England. He recently received a Keating award for his short fiction. Earlier this year he was one of the featured authors at the Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival. Over the years, his freelance articles have appeared in a wide variety of newspapers and magazines, as well as having written book reviews and literary criticism for Recorder Publishing’s eight newspapers in New Jersey (while working in New York in the world of global trade finance). He has given speeches and presentations in 12 countries and 22 states, and served as president of the lifelong learning program at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, where he also taught a course on the Brontë sisters. Visit him at www.tim-holland.com https://www.sonnyhudsonauthor.com ​ facebook.com/sonnyhudsonauthor ​ instagram.com/sonnyhudsonauthor Sonny Hudson Sonny Hudson is the author of crime/murder mysteries and politic al action thrillers. Readers compared his debut novel, Let the Truth Be Told, to such masters as Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, and Vince Flynn. The Murder Game, the first in the Jessica Jansen Thriller series, debuted in December, 2022 and was an immediate hit with its tight, fast moving story and strong, compelling characters. Reviewers compared it to best-selling authors like David Baldacci, James Patterson, Stuart Woods, and J. D. Robb. Glitz. Glamour. Murder. is a sequel to The Murder Game and continues to raise the bar for taut, tense psychological thrillers. Sonny is a resident of his native Virginia and has spent a long career in the technology world. His writing weaves technology into action-driven stories, but never lets technology, or any of his characters, become all-powerful or omniscient. He lives by the words, 'Perfection is boring; it's our weaknesses and flaws and capacity to fall short that makes life, and characters, interesting." Book #3 in the Jessica Jansen Thriller series is targeted for a summer, 2024 release. www.teresainge.com https://www.facebook.com/teresa.h.inge Teresa Inge Teresa Inge grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries. Combining her love of reading mysteries and writing professional articles led to writing short fiction, novellas, and novels. She is president of the Sisters in Crime Mystery by the Sea chapter and a member of the Short Mystery Fiction Society. Teresa is an author in Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, Murder by the Glass, Mutt Mysteries series, Coastal Crimes series, Malice, Matrimony & Murder, and First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder. By day, Teresa works for a global financial firm as an administrative assistant, corporate reporter, event planner, and a notary administrator. When not writing Teresa can be found at car shows showing her 1955 Torch Red Thunderbird. Teresa resides in Southeastern Virginia with her husband and two dogs. She can be reached on all social media or by visiting her website at www.TeresaInge.com. Jacqueline T. Johnson Award winning writer with a passion for fantasy, action and adventure writing. www.jt-johnson.com https://kathykasunich.us2.authorhomepage.com/ ​ https://www.pinterest.com/kathykas/world-war-ii-love-story/ ​ Kathy Kasunich Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Steeler Country), Kathy Kasunich traded her snow boots for sandals and now lives in Williamsburg, Virginia with her husband. When she is not writing, you can find her in the great outdoors, listening to music, volunteering or capturing momen ts in time with her camera. At times, she does all of them together. As a reader, she is an enthusiastic fan of historical novels and enjoys books that draw her in and make her part of the scene while teaching her something new about the past. After writing articles for local newspapers, she took a leap and wrote her first historical fiction novel, Always Remembering, which takes place during World War II. She is researching material for her next book, which is set during th e 1700s in Williamsburg. You can find more information on her website at kathykasunich.com. Kristin Kisska KRISTIN KISSKA used to be a finance geek, complete with MBA and Wall Street pedigree, but now she is a self-proclaimed #SuspenseGirl. Kristin has contributed short suspense stories to a dozen anthologies, including Malice Domestic’s Agatha Award-winning anthology, MYSTERY MOST EDIBLE. Her debut novel, THE HINT OF LIGHT, was released in fall 2023. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and Sisters in Crime-Central Virginia. Kristin lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family and their moody tabby cat, Boom. She loves hearing from friends, readers, and book clubs at www.KristinKisska.com https://www.kristinkisska.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinkisskaauthor/ Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/KristinKisskaAuthor https://mikejkrentz.com/ www.facebook.com/MikeJKrentzAuthor https://www.instagram.com/mjkrentz/ Mike Krentz Mike Krentz writes medical suspense, psychological thrillers, and military fiction featuring complex characters and relationships. Born and raised in Arizona, Mike earned a classical degree in English from the University of San Francisco, a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and a Master of Public Health Degree from Johns Hopkins University. Following a civilian career as an emergency physician, Mike rededicated his professional life to serve the men and women of America’s Navy and Marine Corps and their families. His last active duty assignment was as 7th Fleet Surgeon on board the flagship, USS BLUE RIDGE, deployed throughout the Western Pacific. After retiring from the US Navy, Dr. Krentz continued his service as a consultant supporting the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center. Upon completion of that mission, he returned to his earliest life passion as a full-time writer. Dr. Krentz sits as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Muse Writers Center in Norfolk, VA, where he teaches fiction writing and leads an advanced fiction studio. Mike’s seven novels, published or under contract, include the DR. ZACK WINSTON SERIES of medical conspiracy thrillers, the MAHONEY & SQUIRE SERIES of military women’s fiction, and a standalone psychological thriller, ANGELS FALLING. drkimberlyamatthews.com Facebook: @kimberly.matthews5667 Instagram: @kimberlymatthews28 Dr. Kimberly A. Matthews Dr. Kimberly A. Matthews received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from George Mason University and a Masters in Adult Education and Doctor of Philosophy in Education, both from Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Kimberly A. Matthews is the author of Forever Friends: Angela released in 2023, Images of America: Richmond’s First African Baptist Church, released in 2023, Forever Friends: Kimberly released in 2022, Forever Friends, released in 2020, Images of America: The Richmond 34 and the Civil Rights Movement, released in 2020 and Images of Modern America: The Richmond Crusade for Voters, released in 2017. Her projects focus on empowerment and leadership with the goal to engage and educate a new generation about the sacrifices of our ancestors and to encourage a continued quest for empowerment and equality for all. www.annamaylett.com ​ ​ https://www.facebook.com/AnnaMaylettBooks Anna Maylett Anna Maylett is an up and coming Author and Illustrator with an active imagination and an ancient soul. Her favorite Authors include Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens and Owen Wister, who inspire her to write like them. Her father's love of books helped encourage her to become the person she is today. Her first book, The Social Experiment, has been praised with comparison to a Hallmark movie. With her second book she has created a new world full of kingdoms and civilizations, which continues into her third book. Anna is married to a wonderful man, Chris, and is the mother of eight children. Forever Friends: Kimberly released in 2022, Forever Friends, released in 2020, Images of America: The Richmond 34 and the Civil Rights Movement, released in 2020 and Images of Modern America: The Richmond Crusade for Voters, released in 2017. Her projects focus on empowerment and leadership with the goal to engage and educate a new generation about the sacrifices of our ancestors and to encourage a continued quest for empowerment and equality for all. https://www.douglaslutz.com ​ https://www.facebook.com/douglas.lutz.18, ​ https://www.instagram.com/1cookingwriter/ ​ D.J. Lutz Douglas “D.J.” Lutz is a Virginia-based writer, storyteller, and decent cook. As a younger lad, he spent more late nights than he cares to admit as a line cook, bartender, and bouncer at one of the largest country western honky-tonk bars on the east coast. There he acquired a quick wit, a strong liver, and enough material for a library of tales beyond belief. Author of the Winnie Kepler Culinary Mystery Series, Douglas lives in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia with his wife, rescue dog, and two sneaky cats. Heather Mihok Heather Mihok lives in a charming, historical little town (like most) in Virginia, full of ghosts that keep her company an d inspire her work. She particularly loves spooky stories and real-world horror, and that reflects in her writing. Heather is a member of the Horror Writers Association and has participated in every National Novel Writing Month since 2002. https://www.heathermihok.com ​ http://www.instagram.com/heathermihok http://www.tiktok.com/heathermihok John Molino John Molino is a native of Brooklyn, New York, and the author of five suspense novels: "Murder Gets Even", "Death in the Dune," "From a Distance," "Distant Light," and "Standing Stones." After retiring from the Army, John’s professional life included stints in trade and non-profit organizations, the US Senate, and service as a Deputy Under Secretary in the Pentagon. John and his wife, Eileen, live in Virginia. Ana Moraine Ana Moraine was born in Croatia, where she enjoyed climbing the neighbors' apricot trees and running through vineyards. She grew up, went to school, and worked as an insurance underwriter in Hamburg, Germany. Although she loved Europe, she never felt she belonged - until she landed in the United States. Embodying all countries, it truly feels like home. https://www.sarahnewlandbooks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sarahnewlandwrites/ https://www.youtube.com/@sarahnewlandbooks Sarah Newland Sarah Newland is an award-winning young adult fiction author and licensed veterinary technician from coastal Virginia. Her complete series, The Coelacanth Project, is a locally based beach thriller that navigates the trials of newfound powers, conquering inner demons, and dredging up long-lost family secrets. Newland has received multiple awards for her writing, including the honor of her books Extant and Chymist being selected as the 2021 and 2022 Virginia Author Project’s YA Fiction Winners. As a passion project of her love for animals and books, Newland also hosts Books and Beasties on YouTube, which features a spoiler-free analysis of the role animal characters play in the plot development of various novels. When Newland isn’t writing, she can be found on impromptu adventures with her family, drinking copious amounts of peppermint hot cocoa, or defending her popcorn from her two very mischievous, popcorn-addicted cats. https://beperfectly-imperfect.com/ ​ https://www.facebook.com/people/Vyoma-Nupur/100007310988449/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/vyomanupur ​ Vyoma Nupur Vyoma Nupur is a former journalist and author of the book "Be Perfectly Imperfect". She has written for various newspapers including The Pioneer and Times of India. Writing is her true pass ion, and she freely expresses this commitment via writing books, articles and poetry on the power of happiness, self-love, laughter, and the compelling flow and ebb of human emotions that make life a unique and vastly inspiring journey. She has contributed to Thought Catalog, an online magazine for millenni als and has written for Medium.com. Vyoma grew up on a rich diet of fantastic tales and legends of Indian mythology and world fiction including British classics, Native American tales, European legends and Brazilian folklore, which flavor her various short stories. Vyoma hosted her own radio podcast - the Perfectly Imperfect Talk Show - with a rapidly growing global audience and 100 + episodes. She has interviewed an impressive guest list of authors, inspiring sportspeople, healers, culinary experts, artists, meditators, destiny architects, alchemists, marketers, CEOs, and renowned life coaches. Vyoma has an MBA in Marketing from Rutgers University in New Jersey and a Post Graduate Masters Diploma in Journalism and a Masters Degree in International Relations. Vyoma lives with her husband in beautiful Virginia, in a leafy environment where it is easy to commune with Nature. Connect with her via email at evyonup19@gmail.com and on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Quora. Caterina Novelliere Caterina is passionate about history, music, romance, old languages, and travel. She regularly intertwines these subjects i n her Servants of Morrigan: Four Horsemen Series and in Tale of Rouen, a romantic tale that combines fantasy, time travel, and historical fiction. https://caterinanovelliere.com ​ ​ https://linktr.ee/catnovelliere ​ www.tjoconnor.com ​ https://www.facebook.com/tjoconnor.author2 https://www.instagram.com/tjoconnorauthor/ ​ TJ O'Connor Tj O'Connor is the award winning author of The Hemingway Deception, The Consultant, and four paranormal murder mysteries. He also has a pending new political thriller and paranormal murder mystery coming! Tj is an international security consultant specializing in anti-terrorism, investigations, and threat analysis—life experiences that drive his novels. With his former life as a government agent and years as a consultant, he has lived and worked around the world in places like Greece, Turkey, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and throughout the Americas—among others. Tj is a Harley Davidson pilot, a man-about-dogs, and a lover of adventure, cooking, and good spirits (both kinds). He was raised in New York's Hudson Valley and lived around the world. He lives with his wife and Labrador companions in Virginia where they've raised five children who are supplying a growing tribe of grands! www.tjoconnor.com https://fromeagletoeagle.com ​ https://www.facebook.com/mark.ogle.75 linkedin.com/in/mark-ogle-264030207 Mark Ogle About the Author Born in Chapel Hill, NC Mark Ogle graduated from the US Coast Guard Academy in 1986 and the Naval War College in 2007. During his career, he traveled to seventy-six different countries and sailed with the Second Fleet, training numerous Navy boarding teams in route Desert Storm. He also led the White House - ordered armed landing party amidst gunfire to rescue seventy-seven barricaded tourist on the island of ST. Croix. Throughout his command tours and as a boarding officer, he made over sixty narcotics seizures that included the first drug-laden semi-submersible, the first liquid cocaine load and - at the time - the largest maritime bust in history. His San Diego - based unit seized over 130 tons of cocaine worth $3.2 Billion in three years. Eleven of his twenty-seven active duty years were in command. He retired as a Coast Guard captain and the chief of future operations for the Atlantic Area, where he was responsible for providing oversight of all operational missions which span from the Rocky Mountains east to the India/Pakistan border. Following his retirement from active duty in May 2013, he continues to support the Coast Guard as a civilian training specialist and course adminsitrator for the Sector Commander, Sector Department Head, and International Maritime Operations Courses. Nicole Ordway ​ Nicole R. Ordway resides in Virginia Beach, VA, with her partner and their two dogs. She enjoys local history, Orcadian folklore, native plant gardening, and a well-told story. Following this festival her debut novels, "Hollow Thunder" and "The Loyalty of Dew," will be discontinued from Amazon.com, so take advantage of your final guaranteed chance to obtain signed copies! https://nicolerordway.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nicolerordway/ https://kathrynosullivan.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathrynOSullivanWriter Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/KthrynOSullivan ​ Kathryn O'Sullivan Kathryn O’Sullivan is an award-winning writer and filmmaker. Her science fiction thriller, WHEN EARTH SHAL L BE NO MORE, was co-written with her husband, Paul Awad, won the 2023 IPPY Bronze Medal Award in Science Fiction, and is the first in a trilogy. Kathry n is also a Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel winner and author of the Colleen McCabe mystery series. Her short stories and plays have been published in several anthologies. Recent films include the award-winning documentary, BICENTENNIAL BONSAI: EMISSARIES OF PEACE, and the crime drama, A SAVAGE NATURE. Kathryn is a professor emerita of theatre at Northern Virginia Community College. She lives in Reston, Virginia with her husband and their rescue cats, Maggie and Andy. https://joyanapeters.com/ https://www.facebook.com/JoyanaPetersAuthor and https://www.instagram.com/joyanapetersauthor/ ​ Joyana Peters Joyana Peters is the Indie author of the best-selling novels, The Girl in the Triangle and The Girl From Saint Petersburg. The Girl in the Trian gle won the YA Spark Award from SCBWI, the Ben Franklin Award for Historical Fiction from IBPA, the Book Excellence Award for Multicultural Fiction and was a Top Five Finalist for Shelf Unbound’s Indie Best Book of the Year. Joyana got her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of New Orleans in 2014. She has taught literature and composition on both the secondary and university levels. She also writes non-fiction and has been published in digital and print publications nationwide. Joyana currently lives in Northern Virginia where she takes in the sights of DC with her two kids, husband, and goofy Yellow Lab, Gatsby. You can follow her adventures at JoyanaPeters.com or on Facebook and Instagram @JoyanaPetersAuthor. authormarkpiggott.com linktr.ee/authormpiggott Mark Piggot Mark Piggott, a native of Phillipsburg, N.J., enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1982, beginning a 23-year career. He served on four aircraft carriers and various duty stations as a Navy Journalist before he attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He retired from active duty in 2006. He and his wife, Georgiene, live in Alexandria, Virginia. They have three children. His first novel, Forever Avalon, was published in 2009, followed by several self-published novels. In 2021, he signed with Curious Corvid Publishing as a new author with this small, independent publisher. His novels have won several book awards, including the Firebird Book Award Grand Prize for Fiction from the Authors Marketing Group. Pattiproauthor.com Facebook - Patti Gaustad Procopi Instagram - Patti.pro Patti Procopi Patti is a former army brat who lived all over the world including many years in Germany. She and her husband, Greg settled in Gloucester, Virginia. They raised three daughters and numerous cats and dogs in their home on Cedar Bush Creek. Patti worked at two area history museums for thirty-two years. After retiring she finally had the time to do the things she always wanted to do – write! She always loved reading and at each army post, the library was one of the first place she’d discover. Over the years Patti took writing classes but it was a bit of a learning curve to write a novel. She joined a local writing organization and a critique group and she finally figured it out. Patti’s writing is about emotional connections, friendship and family. She was thrilled when Blue Fortune Enterprises published her first novel, Please…Tell Me More in 2020. Her second novel, I’ll Get By came out in 2022 and her third, Stop Talking will be out in late 2023. Patti has had a story printed in a literary journal and one produced on a podcast and has won a couple of awards. She has been featured on Launchpad and Writers over 50. She also writes articles for Next Door Neighbors Magazine. In her spare time she likes to garden, do yoga and enjoys nature photography. She and her husband, Greg, also love to travel and spend time with their children. https://peyton-roberts.com/ https://www.facebook.com/rochelleransombooks/ Instagram - Patti.pro Rochelle Ranson R ochelle Ransom has been writing books since she was a young girl. She grew up in a small rural town in western New York with little access to TV. This led to an overzealous imagination, a pet chicken named Superchick and a memorable and cherished childhood. After graduating from the S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University and obtaining her masters in writing from Emerson College, she went on to work in various advertising and marketing positions. There was little time for writing stories once her life became consumed with career, marriage, and four kids. After much support and encouragement from her family she returned to storytelling. Drawing from her time living in a small town in Western New York she brings you her fourth book in her collection of stories set in Laketown, NY. Driven by a need to explore what makes good people do bad things, her characters are often everyday people trapped in difficult situations. Bad choices make good books. Rochelle lives in Florida with her family and two dogs, Truffles and Husker. https://peyton-roberts.com/ ​ Peyton H. Roberts Peyton H. Roberts, M.A., is a creative writer, communications professional, and proud Navy spouse. Her stories have appeared in The New York Times, Stars and Stripes, Modern Love Podcast, and more. Her novel Beneath the Seams (Scrivenings Press, 2021) is contemporary women’s fiction about a popular dressmaker who gets tangled up in the dark side of the global fashion industry. Inspired by her sewing hobby and true events that unfolded while leading service trips overseas, this social impact story debuted as a #1 Amazon new release and was selected as a book club pick by Military Families Magazine and Kitabe Club, a women’s literary nonprofit in India. Peyton’s forthcoming nonfiction, My Dearest Bea (Anchor Line Press, 2024), is an intimate collection of love letters her grandfather wrote to her grandmother aboard the USS Midway after embarking from Norfolk, Va., in the weeks following their wedding day. When the letters are found generations later, a timeless love story leaps off the page, and Peyton stumbles upon the priceless gift of meeting her grandparents in a new season of life—one she now shares as a Navy spouse herself. A beach lover and expert boogie boarder, Peyton lives in Virginia Beach with her husband and two adventurous kids. Aside from writing, she looks forward to reading in the sunshine, traveling to magical places, and sharing home-cooked meals with family and friends. https://www.findingnapoleon.com https://www.facebook.com/MargaretRodenberg.author https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln-JwrCHaS8 Margaret Rodenberg Margaret Rodenberg's award-winning historical fiction, Finding Napoleon: A Novel, includes an intriguing adaptation of Napoleon Bonaparte’s real attempt to write a romantic novel. Her passion for French history began when she lived in France as a young teen with her US Navy family. An avid traveler who has visited over sixty countries, she journeyed more than 30,000 miles to conduct Napoleonic research, including to St. Helena Island in the remote South Atlantic where Finding Napoleon takes place. She's a former businesswoman and a director of the Napoleonic Historical Society, a non-profit that promotes knowledge of the Napoleonic era. Ron Shafer Ron Shafer is a Williamsburg freelance writer for the Washington Post and a former Wall Street Journal Washington political features editor. His book "Breaking News All Over Again. The Histo ry Behind Today's News" is a collection of his Washington Post Retropolis columns. His book "The Carnival Campaign. How The Rollicking Campaign of Tippecanoe and Tyler Too Changed Presidential Elections Forever" is about the 1840 presidential campaign of William Henry Harrison. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ronald-G.-Shafer/author/B00287M54M?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true ​ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083876165831 ​ CONNECT WITH MARY Follow her on twitter at: Aviatrix @mshipko Follow her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/shipkom Mary Shipko Mary Shipko grew up in an aviation family, her dad, a flight instructor owned a grass strip in Dania Florida. She wanted to learn to fly at a very young age, but would have to wait. At sixteen she soloed, that day she knew she wanted to fly forever. She set her sights on the goal of becoming an airline pilot. Over the next ten years she amassed 3,000 flight hours, numerous FAA certif icates and ratings: private pilot, commercial, instrument, multi-engine, sea plane and glider rating and then Airline Transport Pilot. She was a charter and cargo pilot flying out of South Florida to destinations i n the Bahamas and Caribbean. She persevered through years of limited opportunity. In 1976 after completing a Bachelor of arts at Florida international University she was offered the opportunity to realize her dreams. She made history when she stepped into the cockpit as the first woman pilot for Hughes Airwest. Today Mary is an inspirational speaker and available to tell her story. She hopes to inspire young wo men to fly. She is a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), as well as of the Chesapeake Bay Writers. ​ PeterGStipe.com ​ Facebook: PeterGStipe publisher: blue-fortune.com. ​ Peter Stipe Peter Stipe has enjoyed varied career that has included fourte en years in educa tion as a public high school history teacher and track coach. He also has worked for many years in Human Resource Development and Training for a variety of businesses. Most recently he worked for AAA as Director of Training and Development for the New England region. He has a Bachelors degree in History from Boston University and a Masters in Education from Tufts. Peter has published five books of contemporary fiction. His first book, “Finding Our Way”, published in 2015, is a collection of short stories. “The Art of Love”, his second book, and first full novel, is a love story set in Providence, RI. “Remember Me”, follows Peter’s search for his family roots and traces what might have been the lives of his great grandfather and great grandmother. His fourth book, “The Fairy Garden”, is a fantasy/coming of age story of a woman who discovers fairies living in her grandfather’s garden in Virginia. Peter’s fifth book, released in 2022, is “Bennett Falls”. This novel follows the changes that happen when a young couple moves to a small town in New Hampshire and converts an old house into a Bed and Breakfast. Peter is a member of the several local writing groups. He is the president of the Board for the annual Williamsburg Book Festival. A New Englander for most of his life he now lives with his wife in Williamsburg, Virginia. gracetopping.com ​ https://www.facebook.com/GraceToppingAuthor/ https://www.facebook.com/TheLauraBishopMysterySeries/ ​ Grace Topping Grace Topping is a USA Today bestselling author and Agatha Award Finalist. A recovering technical writer and IT project manager, sh e was accustomed to writing lean, boring documents. Let loose to write fiction, she is now creating murder mysteries and killing off characters who remind her of some of the people she dealt with during her career. Fictional revenge is sweet. She is the author of the Laura Bishop Mystery se ries. Grace is the former vice president of the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime (SINC), a steering committee member of the SINC Guppies, and a member of Mystery Writers of America. She lives with her husband in Virginia. https://www.amazon.com/author/erwinthomas https://www.facebook.com/erwinkthomas/ Erwin K. Thomas About Erwin K Thomas For over 25 years Guyanese-born Erwin K Thomas, Ph.D., was a professor and graduate director of International Journalism & Broadcasting at Norfolk State University, VA. He previously taught courses at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and SUNY–Oswego. Thomas has published 14 books on Interfaith devotionals, mass media with co-editor Brown H. Carpenter, an autobiography, and novel. He has had book signings at Meyera Oberndorf Library, Virginia Beach, Slover Library, Norfolk, North Suffolk Library, Suffolk, and Williamsburg Book Festival, Williamsburg, VA. For over 50 years he has been married to Mary Louise Barta of Scappoose, OR. They live in Charlottesville, VA. Dylan West I am a Jesus lover, web developer, video game developer, Navy Vet, foreign language nut, and a nut in general. While other people are busy thinking normal thoughts, I’m crafting corny jokes. I live in Chesapeake, VA, with my wife and daughter. Williamsburg Book Festival 2025 Williamsburg Book Festival February 22nd Celebrating 10 years of Stories, Authors, and Readers at the Williamsburg Book Festival! Our Mission At the Williamsburg Book Festival, our mission is to celebrate and support the art of literary composition while connecting authors with the reading public. Join Us Our annual, family-friendly event showcases a diverse range of authors, speakers, illustrators, and publishers from Virginia and beyond. Enjoy a day filled with literary engagement at the Williamsburg Community Building, and immerse yourself in a community that promotes reading. Exhibit Share your stories in a vibrant literary community Experience Connect with passionate readers and uncover exciting new literary voices Empower authors and readers: contribute to help support the love of reading Support Festival Flashbacks... 1/1 We Ar e authors readers publishers writers dreamers creatives book lovers poets students ... Williamsburg is more than just our home. Williamsburg is where history and literature intersect. The town’s charming colonial ambiance provides the perfect backdrop for the Festival. Experience an energizing event in a place that inspires creativity and honors tradition. Up 2025 Book Festival | Wmbg Book Festival 2025 February 22nd Save the date! Book Festival What Can I Expect at the Event? Book Fair 40+ Nationally & regionally renowned authors Children's books, romance, self-help, poetry, historical fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller & so much more! The Williamsburg Book Festival has exceptional offerings from cover to cover. Workshops & Presentations Workshops, panels, and presentations take place throughout the day. Focused on both readers and writers, the workshops and presentations illuminate library resources for book clubs, the craft of writing, the music of poetry, and the mechanics of the book industry. Poets Laureate of Virginia A special presentation from the Poetry Society of Virginia. Publishers' Alley Virginia publishing companies display their books and host their authors and editors. For the aspiring author, submission guidelines will be available for each publishing house. Stay updated... Our Board | Wmbg Book Festival Our Board ​ ​ Peter Stipe – President Tim Holland – Treasurer ​ Susan Williamson – Member At Large Andrew Smith – Community Partner – Williamsburg Library Sara Brandt – Community Partner – JCC School District ​ Jennie Kelly - Communications Specialist ​ Sophia Rossen - Digital Specialist ​ ​ Applications | Wmbg Book Festival 2025 Author & Publisher Applications Please review our exhibitor information HERE before applying. Click on the titles below to access the forms. Authors Publishers Partners | Wmbg Book Festival Thank You to Our Partners! The Williamsburg Library William & Mary Libraries An Occasion for the Arts York County Arts Commission ​ Williamsburg Area Arts Commission Pale Horse Books Student Writing Contest | Wmbg Book Festival Student Writing Contest To be announced! Schedule of Events | Wmbg Book Festival Schedule of Events To be announced! Contact | Wmbg Book Festival Contact Us Submit Thank you! We will get back to you as soon as possible! Featured Speakers | Wmbg Book Festival Featured Speakers To be announced! Exhibit | Wmbg Book Festival Exhibit at the Festival ​ Why Exhibit? Join us at our book festival and showcase your work to an enthusiastic community of readers, authors, and publishers. As an exhibitor, you'll have the unique opportunity to:​ ​ Reach a Targeted Audience Connect directly with hundreds of passionate book lovers and potential readers who are eager to discover new voices and stories. Engage with New People Meet fellow authors and publishers, fostering valuable connections. Present Your Work Share your books and interact with readers face-to-face. Experience a Celebratory Atmosphere Enjoy the lively, welcoming environment that celebrates the love of books and the joy of reading. Great Location: The Williamsburg Community Building The festival is in the Community Building at City Square (412 North Boundary Street - next door to the Williamsburg Regional Library and across the street from the Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance building). The facility has a large open exhibit area and plenty of natural light. We have a separate meeting room for workshops and panels throughout the day that add to the festival's offerings. ​ ​ ​ ​ Want to exhibit? Swipe to learn more about THE APPLICATION PROCESS Volunteer | Wmbg Book Festival Volunteer The Williamsburg Book Festival is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. We thrive because of our volunteers. Contact Us First name Last name Email Phone How would you like to help? * Set up the day of the event Tear down the day of the event Greet visitors Other Write a message Submit Thanks for submitting! Previous 1 2 Next

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