Attending Authors
Meet the indie authors bringing bold stories, fresh ideas, and big feelings to Indie BookFest. From fantasy and romance to thrillers, nonfiction, and everything in between, these writers are the heart of our festival. Browse the lineup below to discover new favorites, support small bookish businesses, and connect with the voices shaping today’s indie lit community.
Jay W. Farley
Jay Farley is a lifelong fan of fantasy and sci-fi now writing in the genres he loves. Living in south central Pennsylvania with his romance author wife, Jay spends his time trying to build a food forest and playing tabletop games.
Camelia Bennett
I grew up in a small town where nothing ever really happened. So, I found my adventures through reading. Life passed by: marriage, kids, and work all taking me away from the wondrous worlds I used to visit. After raising two daughters who were starting their own lives, I began to feel a bit lonely and lost. That was until my youngest reminded me that you’re never too old to do what you love. After discovering an entire online world where people just like me shared their stories, I decided to take a chance and write my first book. And not just one! A three-book series! I never imagined that I was capable of creating characters and a world that were solely my own. A few amazing years later, I now have friends all over the world, a hobby I love, and a life I can be proud of.
William LJ Galaini
William LJ Galaini is an Author and tabletop game writer with 15 years of published experience. Short stories, novellas, novels, RPGS, and boardgames are all in his backlist with more to come. His preferred genres are historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy. Each of his works maintain grounded, real relationships and meticulously researched detail aggregate from interviewed professionals and direct experiences. You can learn about his work as well as download free short stories at www.williamljgalaini.com
V. Sanz
PA native V. Sanz has always loved writing, drawing, and creating in general, so the art and stories of the revolutionary games of the 90's left a lasting impression. While these games inspired her, they more importantly brought her closer to other people. Years later, much hasn’t changed and her favorites still hold very special places in her heart. Inspired by incredible games and nostalgia, Prismalore is a story that she has dreamed up over the course of more than a decade, and she’s excited to finally bring it to life on the page.
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Selina Violet
Selina Violet is a writer, entrepreneur, and author. She is passionate about sharing her stories with others. She has lived in several metropolitan areas: Pittsburgh, Chicago, Kansas City, and Washington D.C. Her favorite things include: 80s music and movies, concert tickets, and Hershey Kisses. Selina lives in Pennsylvania with her children and a spoiled rescue dog and cat. Find out more about her on her website: https://selinaviolet.com On Instagram: @selinavioletauthor On Tik Tok: @selinavioletauthor
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Deanna L. Rowley
Deanna has loved to read all her life. She was in the third grade when she fell in love with books while working in the school library. She turned that love of reading into writing. Now Deanna can be found in her writing cave, sharing her keyboard with her furbaby, reading, or plotting more books to write.
Tmonique Stephens
Nobody’s perfect, especially the characters Tmonique writes about in her contemporary and paranormal series. Flawed characters who reflect the emotional baggage we all carry interests her the most. She doesn’t write about wilting flowers who needs a strong man to save them from the world. Her heroines like to fight, fuck and have fun. They have opinions and aren’t afraid to express them. At any given time, you can find her on Facebook and TikTok. Her favorite paranormal authors are JR Ward, Gena Showalter, and Kresley Cole. Her favorite contemporary authors are Natasha Knight, Theodora Taylor. She also enjoys Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Preston & Child. Her favorite shows are Game of Thrones, Supernatural, Stranger Things, and anything Star Trek.
Nicole Zoltack
Nicole Zoltack loves to write in many genres, especially romance, whether fantasy, paranormal, or regency. She's also an editor for MuseItUp Publishing and works as a freelance editor. When she's not writing about knights, superheroes, or witches, she loves to spend time with her loving husband, three energetic young boys, and precious baby girl. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they're unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire, dressed in garb. She'll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV shows are The Walking Dead and Arrow. To learn more about Nicole and her work, visit www.NicoleZoltack.com. She can be found on most any social media site under Nicole Zoltack. Stalk away!
Calliope Parrish
Calliope Parrish is the name used by two authors Delilah K. Stephans and Antonia Tiranth. After years of being writing buddies and co-writers they decided that they wrote better as a team. One name, two authors, better books.
AJ Elliott
AJ Elliott writes young adult sci-fi and fantasy with powerful characters. Her first novel, Windrider, released in December 2025 and was a 2026 Realm Awards Semi-Finalist. Growing up in semi-rural Pennsylvania, AJ wanted to travel the world since she was 12. Since international travel was out of reach for a preteen’s income, she wrote her adventures instead. In college she studied international relations and eventually embarked on journeys of her own. She got lost in Gangnam, rode a tuk-tuk through Beijing, and although she is not especially fond of alcohol, once drank mystery liquor with the Arch Bishop of Prague and the Czech Police–at the same time. No one can explore the world without discovering its dark spots, and AJ began to study the spiritual side of human affairs. Now she writes stories to provide a vision of what a powerful Christian could look like, focusing on strong, determined characters and mysteries of the spirit. She also hosts the Teach Me to Kill Monsters podcast to help Christians become more skillful in personal spiritual warfare. AJ is a 17-year military veteran and is married to a guy who liked anime before it was cool.
Stephanie Julian
Stephanie Julian is a USA Today and New York Time best-selling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. She writes stories with sultry heat and sweet heart.
Cathryn Lyons
Cathryn Lyons loves novels. Seriously loves them. Especially romance. This includes reading (often devouring) them…and writing spicy contemporary romance novels of her own. She has been writing since before she could even properly hold a pen. She is happily married to her real-life Happily Ever After. They share three sons and the world’s best and derpiest rescue Golden Retriever (from Turkey!). She is a lifelong Marylander, but wonders if her short stint in London counts as being cosmopolitan (the attribute, not the drink; although those are quite delicious). Cathryn fills her creative bucket by writing steamy stories she hopes bring as much joy, laughter, escapism…and sexy feelings…that she herself has experienced through the gift of others’ words. She hopes you love her stories, and welcomes hearing from you.
Melissa F. Miller
USA Today bestselling author Melissa F. Miller is a former attorney who traded the practice of law for the art of telling stories. She writes fast-paced, twisty mysteries, thrillers and suspense and emotional, resonant romantic comedies for readers who believe light drives out darkness, love is brave, and kind is strong. Her strong, resilient characters tackle serious issues and themes with heart and laughter.
Rachel Eck
Rachel Eck is a poet and romance writer. Her debut poetry collection Dear Silly, released in June of 2026, combining her emotional truth and raw vulnerability with the metaphorical. While her poetry became a catharsis book, she now learns towards writing steamy romance. Her debut romance novel is in the works, planning for a late 2027 release. As the youngest student to ever go through the program, she is an alum of the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing and holds her MA in fiction. She enjoys spending her free time weight lifting, doing heated yoga, and reading steamy romance novels. On occasion, she finds herself back in the beauty pageant circuit, unwilling to retire her ball gowns. She lives in Pennsylvania with her five loving cats. You can find more information about her and her work on her social media at @rachele_writes.
Eren Viau
Eren Viau is an indie author from western NY. Publishing their first book, War of Silence, at seventeen traditionally before turning indie years later. Eren just wanted to be able to see characters like themselves in fantasy. Chronically ill or queer characters were not common until the last few years and they couldn’t be happier to have so many wonderful colleges. Now working with a fantastic team Eren loves spending time diving into the worlds they create and bring stories to people who will enjoy them.
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T.M. Ford
T.M. Ford is a YA fantasy and adult fantasy author just wrapping up his debut series. He started his writing journey to prove to himself, and his son, that you can do anything you set your mind to. His debut series explores the delicate balance of keeping fantasy stories entertaining and engaging for a seasoned reader, but easy enough for a new book lover to understand. T.M. Ford works in Telecommunications by day, spends time with his family in the afternoon, and crafts exciting worlds at night.