Our 2026 Lineup
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED, BEST SELLING AUTHOR, STEVEN JAMES
KEYNOTE
Steven James is a critically acclaimed author of twenty-one novels and numerous nonfiction books that have been translated into six languages and have won or been shortlisted for dozens of national and international awards. In addition, his stories and articles have appeared in more than eighty different publications, including the New York Times. He is also a popular keynote speaker and professional storyteller with a master’s degree in storytelling.
Since 1996, James has appeared more than two thousand times at events spanning the globe, presenting his stories and teaching the principles of storytelling to writers, speakers, teachers, and leaders.
He also hosts the weekly podcast The Story Blender, on which he has interviewed more than 200 of the world’s leading writers and storytellers. In 2020, he was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame for excellence in fiction writing. Publishers Weekly has called him a “master storyteller at the peak of his game.”
When he’s not writing or speaking, you may find him playing basketball or disc golf, or hiking near his home in the Appalachian Highlands of East Tennessee. He may or may not watch too many science fiction movies while eating bottomless bowls of chips and salsa.
Attend Steven’s and Robert Dugoni’s Novel Writing Intensive this November, in Nashville, TN.
Listen to Steven’s podcast The Story Blender wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Follow him on social media @ReadStevenJames & #ReadStevenJames
LAURIE DOVE
Laurie L. Dove is the author of MASK OF THE DEER WOMAN, an Instant USA Today Bestseller that The New York Times called a “best new release” and The Seattle Times called “a powerful read for fans of dark, riveting stories rooted in justice and resilience.” The novel was selected as a No. 1 Amazon Hot New Release, a BookBub Best New Mystery, a Goodreads Book Recommended by Readers, and was featured in industry publications such as Library Journal, Publishers Weekly and Shelf Awareness. In addition, The Washington Post called it an “audiobook to whisk you away.” Dove is an award-winning journalist and professor who earned a graduate degree from an Ivy League University in Creative Writing and Literature. The second novel in the Carrie Starr series arrives Summer 2026. Dove is currently writing two additional novels and traveling the U.S. speaking to writers.
TAMARA GRANTHAM
Tamara Grantham is the author of more than twenty books and novellas, including many multi-award-winning fantasy novels for middle-grade through adult readers. Many of her novels launched as #1 bestsellers on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Some of her awards include two first place Rone awards, a Praiseworthy award, and an Indiefab book of the year award for fantasy.
Born and raised in Texas, Tamara now lives with her husband and five children in Wichita, Kansas. When she gets a moment to relax, she enjoys reading fantasy novels and watching every Star Wars or Star Trek movie ever made.
DAVID LANE WILLIAMS
David “D.L.” Williams is a public safety veteran with assignments including paramedicine, patrol in high-need areas, helicopter rescue, mental health liaison, and violent crime investigations as a detective.
During his thirty-year career, Williams was twice named Officer of the Year by the Fraternal Order of Police, and he has been recognized by Rotary Club, the American Legion, and the National Coalition Against Sexual Violence for his work with families and children in crisis.
Williams is a monthly columnist with Killer Nashville Magazine. He teaches criminology at the University of Arkansas, and he is the bestselling author of Fighting for Her Life: What to do When Someone You Know is Being Abused and Textbooks, Not Targets: How to Prevent School Shootings in Your Community. He and his family have settled in the Ozark Mountains where they offer a haven for donkeys and horses who previously endured a rough life.
JILL MONROE
Jill Monroe is the international best selling author of over fifteen novels and novellas. She writes both sweet and spicy romance, tipped her toes in the paranormal waters, added cozy mysteries with her best friend Gena Showalter and co-authored a series of books geared for new writers called All Write Already.
Her books are available across the globe and The Wrong Bed: Naked Pursuit has been adapted for the small screen for Lifetime Movie Network. When not writing, Jill makes her home in Oklahoma with her husband, enjoys daily walks with her dog Zoey, texting with her two daughters who are away at college and collecting fabric for items she’ll sew poorly.
GENA SHOWALTER
Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over one hundred wildly addictive novels. Though she’s known for weaving heart-racing romance into paranormal, fantasy, contemporary, and young adult tales, she’s also ventured into the world of co-authoring quirky cozy mysteries, as well as a guide for writing a novel in a year, and voice acting a podcast as a fictional character come to life.
When she’s not plotting epic love stories or slaying deadlines, she wears the titles of mom, grandma, and fur-mom of a menagerie of rescue animals. There’s a high possibility she’s currently working on her next swoon-worthy book and already has a serious crush on the hero.
SUSAN KEENE
Susan Keene is an Award-Winning and Amazon Best Selling author. She has written ten cozy mysteries, two stand alone novels and four children’s books. She won the National Poetry Award and is a Fellow in the National Society of Poets.
A sought-after speaker and teacher, Susan taught a twelve week course on How to Write a Novel, for the University of Missouri Extension. She has spoken for numerous events including, Tulsa Night Writers, The Craft of Writing Conference, Ozark Chapter of Christian Writers, Joplin Writers Guild, and Ozarks Creative Writing Conference as well as many writer’s organizations around the region.
Susan loves to teach and has a wide variety of writing and author-based presentations. She is president of Ozark Romance Authors and past present of Sleuth’s Ink Mystery Writers.
CHILDREN’S BOOK PANEL
Presented by Solander Press, this children’s book panel workshop will offer expertise from children’s authors, publishers and illustrators.
Panel Members: David L. Harrison, Sherry Roberts, Dawn Young, Kelly Reddin and a surprise guest: moderator, Clarissa Willis
MARLON S. HAYES
Marlon S. Hayes is a multi-genre author who has thirteen published collections or novels (independent and traditional), and over 200 writing credits. His latest release A Man Named Purse is a Western novel, available in print, digital, and audio.
Hayes has added another thing to his list of creativity. He has delved into being a professional audiobook narrator. He has successfully narrated 14 and has some in queue just waiting for his voice.
His hobbies are barbecuing, watching sports, and traveling. Marlon lives in Chicago, Illinois with his wife, four dogs, three cats and enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren.
His work can be found online where books are sold and he can be followed at Marlon’s Writings on social media, and marlonswritings.com.
RUTH WEEKS
Ruth Weeks (aka R H Burkett) is an international speaker and tarot card reader. She is an award-winning author of seven books who draws from her Cherokee and Cajun roots to write tales of the paranormal. She’s taught and spoken on various writing topics at conferences such as Oklahoma Writing Federation Inc., in Oklahoma City, Ozark Creative Writers, and Ozark Writers League, as well as serving on their Board of Directors.
From her travels to ancient stone circles in rural Ireland to the French Quarters of New Orleans, she tells stories that encompass her love of all things mystical.
Ruth lives in Northwest Arkansas with her familiar, Fred.
SHORT STORY AND ARTICLES SUBMISSION PANEL
This panel of authors will offer tricks and tips on how to submit articles, short stories and more to print and online publications like Women’s World, Chicken Soup, Ellery Queen and many many more. Bring questions and join them.
Panel members: Linda Apple, C. A. Simonson and Shirley McCann. Moderator, Clarissa Willis