Meet hometown authors, learn about the publishing world, the unique facets of genre styles and creative mediums, and purchase signed copies of creative materials and enjoy a knowledge-filled afternoon.
Publishing World Panel Discussion
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
These knowledgeable panelists will discuss the many avenues to publishing, providing insight into this murky realm.
Dyanne Davis
A multi-published, award winning author of 24 novels, several novellas and anthologies. She has presented at numerous workshops and hosted the local cable television show to give writing tips to aspiring writers.
Shana Drehs
Editorial director for Sourcebooks and Sourcebooks Landmark, the adult nonfiction and general adult fiction imprints of Sourcebooks, Inc., an independent publisher located in Naperville. Books that she has acquired and edited have been on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists and Indie Next and Library Reads Lists.
Bryan Ogg
Author and former curator of research at Naper Settlement, former history teacher at Illinois Central College, and staff member at the Peoria Historical Society. He is a frequent guest lecturer at local schools and colleges, service groups, clubs and organizations.
Susan Hammerman
A member of the Executive Committee of Sisters in Crime Chicagoland and a 2017 recipient of the Mystery Writers of America Midwest Hugh Holton Award.
Breaking Boundaries Panel Discussion
2:30 - 4 p.m.
Esteemed panelists from different genre and media styles will discuss the wide variety of ways to reach audiences using different forms of creative media.
Raymond Benson
Author of nearly 40 books and most well-known for being the third - and first American - author of the continuation James Bond novels (1997 - 2002), and for his acclaimed best-seller "The Black Stiletto" series.
Sonali Dev
An award-winning author who writes Bollywood-style love stories that explore issues faced by women around the world while still indulging in a happily ever after. She has won the American Library Association's award for best romance, the RT Reviewer's Choice award for best contemporary romance, the RT Seal of Excellence, and is a RITA® Finalist.
John Everson
Award-winning author and founder of the independent press Dark Arts Books. Winner and finalists of the Bram Stoker Award, his short stories have appeared in more than 75 magazines and anthologies.
Tracy Townsend
A past chair of the English Department at the Illinois Methematics and Science Academy and current teacher of creative writing and science fiction and fantasy, and a monthly columnist for the feminist scifi magazine "Luna Station Quarterly."
Visiting Authors
- Amanda Adams
- Robyn Bachar
- Nancy Bandusky
- Barbara Barnett
- Wendy Bryne
- Pat Camalliere
- Kristina Cowan
- David Eisley
- Alexia Gordon
- Cheryl Honigford
Individual tables will be held by
