The introduction. All the authors were seated in the audience, along with future authors, and were asked to state who they were and what they wrote.
Stacey Klemstein seated in the classroom where we sold our books. She's promoting her novel "The Silver Spoon," which I'm currently reading.
My father, Irv, poses for a photo with Raymond Benson on the left and Dan Brawner on the right.
Poet Michelle True with "True Reflections," one of her books of poetry.
Tony Perona with his books "Second Advent," and "Angels Whisper."
Joyce and Jim Lavene, co-authors of 40 novels, with 4 of their books. Their fiction is a blend of romance, mystery and suspense.
Rachel Madorsky with her book, "Create Your Own Destiny! Spiritual Path to Success."
I've known Jeanine Berry for a few years online. This was the first time I met her in person. Jeanine is the author of "The Secret Sky," "Dayspring Dawning," "Dayspring Destiny." She's also contributed to "Twilight Crossings," and "Twilight Crossings II."
Libby Fisher Hellmann and J.A. Konrath continue to support each other. J.A.'s first book "Whiskey Sour" just came out in paperback and his latest release "Blood Mary" is now on sale. Check it out!
T.A. Stone is the author of "Close to Home, "Kriegspiel," and "No Place Like Home." Todd is a former Army Airborne/Ranger Infantry officer. I attended one of his mystery workshops at a Love Designers conference awhile back.
Ellen Hart's first novel "Hallowed Murder," was published in 1989, and since then this prolific writer has penned 19 more mysteries in two different mystery series.
Before Carl Brookins turned to a full time career as a mystery writer, he was a freelance photographer, a public television program director, a Cable TV administrator, and for 25 years, a counselor and faculty member at Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul. Both Ellen and Carl are members of the Minnesota Crime Wave group.
The first annual Gotta Write AuthorFest was held on June 25th at the Schaumburg Twp. District Library in Illinois. Plans for the second AuthorFest will begin in a few months. Authors interested in participating may write me at Netera@aol.com. The fest primiarily featured mystery, romance and thriller authors. Very interested in seeing children's book authors, publishers, book editors, creative writing teachers, horror authors and non-fiction authors.
Denise Fleischer
Romance authors Melody Thomas and Dyanne Davis display their novels. I bought Melody's "Must Have Been The Moonlight," and "In My Heart." Dyanne has written "The Color of Trouble" and "The Wedding Gown."
Luisa Scala Buehler, author of "The Rosary Bride: A Cloistered Death," and "The Lion Tamer : A Caged Death," is a member of the Mystery Mavens.
Left, Eleanor Taylor Bland with her novels "Fatal Remains," "Windy City Dying," and "Whisphers in the Dark." Eleanor spoke in-depth about her writing and their settings. Below, autographed books arranged in gift baskets were given to 15 lucky people. A big thank you to all the authors that gave donations!
Lonnie Cruse has set her novels in Metropolis, Illinois. Check out "Murder in Metropolis," "Murder Beyond Metropolis," and "Married in Metropolis."
"Love is All Around," published by Kensington in 2005, is Lori Devoti's novel.
Inspirational romance author Lyn Cote spends her days writing books that show the healing power of divine as well as human love.
Co-worker and best friend Mary Dobbins, r., lent a hand at the AuthorFest as a greeter and she did a wonderful job setting up the author name tents on the panel tables. I'm on the left. Learn more about my novel, "The Guardian," by logging onto author webpage. A big thank you for my father, Irv, and daughter, Lauren for helping during the fest's set-up stage and to Susan Gibberman for putting up with me for 9 months!
Family Therapist and YA author Mary Kay Thill with her first novel, "Wablenica," which is the tale of a Lakota Orphan who is caught up in Chicago's foster care system.
Margaret Broderick, author of "Passion v. Arrogance," communicates with humor and passion a message which everyone can learn from when business battles institution, woman versus man, right versus wrong and passion versus arrogance.
Denise Swanson, author of the Scumble River Mystery series with members of the Minnesota Crime Wave: Carl, Ellen and William Kent Krueger. William was actually wearing handcuffs! His novels are: "Iron Lake," "Boundary Waters," "Purgatory Ridge," "The Devil's Bed," and "Blood Hollow."
That's J.A. Konrath, Tony Perona, Margaret Broderick and Rachel Madorsky on the "Myths About Publishing" panel. Two tables of authors actually particpated!
I wasn't able to take pictures of all the authors. If members of the audience and those authors that attended have photos of Allie Pleiter, Linda Mickey, Margie Gosa Shivers, Jeannine Van Eperen, Robert Walker and Curtis Webley, please email them to me at Netera@aol.com and I'll add them to this webpage.
Brian Pinkerton is the author of three suspense novels: "Vengeance," "Abducted" and "Killing the Boss."
Robert Allison with his novels. He's written, "The First Suitor," "The Preacher," and "Scholarly Pursuit."
James Bond author Raymond Benson and Karen Kruse, author of "A Chicago Firehouse: Stories of Wrigleyville's Engine 78." Thanks for the picture, Karen!
