Contemporary Author

Debut novelist Seth Goodman lives in the eastern U.S. with his wife and a rotating cast of rescue cats and dogs. He discovered his love of writing in eighth grade after winning a schoolwide contest and later built a career as a newspaper columnist, food and wine critic, freelance lifestyle writer, and educator. When he’s not writing, he’s usually in the kitchen experimenting with recipes or shouting at the TV during football season.

Regency Romance Author

Addie Bealer is certain she should have been born in an English garden in the late eighteenth century and is, naturally, a devoted lover of Jane Austen, classic British literature, and poetry in all its forms. She is the author of Amblewilde, the first book in the New Beginnings series, as well as short contemporary romances in multiple anthologies and a collection of poetry, some of which has been published to her humble delight. Originally from New Orleans, she now lives in South Carolina’s upstate, where she can be found writing, creating in her art and sewing studio, or traveling in search of inspiration, rest, and good red wine.

Pirate Romance Author

Kennedy Sutton was recently informed by her editor that, with twelve published books, she can no longer call herself an emerging author—a claim she firmly disputes, given how much she still longs to learn. A homebody at heart, she prefers adventures from her keyboard and can often be found in her Tennessee backyard, watching her children play and becoming deeply invested in the lives of birds, rabbits, and honeybees. Though her imagination spans many genres, when she writes what she knows, she puts her characters on tall ships and sends them out to sea, remaining thrilled to share her stories with the world.

Adult and YA Thriller Author

Nichole Heydenburg is the author of The Shadow Bound Chronicles and other thriller and fantasy novels for adults and teens, and she is also the owner of Poisoned Ink Press, where she provides editing services to indie authors. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in writing from Adrian College in 2014. Nichole lives near Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, Zed, and their energetic rescue dog, Mr. B, and enjoys exploring new cities, reading, and sipping iced mochas when she isn’t writing.

Dystopian Romance Author

S. Renea writes dystopian romance charged with genetically engineered soulmates, emotional rebellion, and the fragile hope that survives in broken worlds, blending cinematic scope with sharp emotional nuance. Based in Texas with her soulmate and a small menagerie of fur and scales, she crafts stories that linger—haunting, tender, and fiercely human.

Historical Romance and Christian Fiction Author

Allison Wells writes historical and contemporary fiction that weaves together faith, love, and the charm of Southern living, creating stories rooted in hope and heart. Her work has been recognized by the Firebird Book Awards and the Independent Author Network. After publishing four novels with small presses, she founded her independent imprint, Well Versed Publications, to continue sharing uplifting fiction with readers.

Spicy Romance Author

Author Stella Price has spent over twenty years in the publishing industry, writing and co-writing more than thirty novels along with countless novellas and short stories. She is also a graphic artist, web designer, and literary convention director, and writes across multiple genres under a variety of pen names, specializing in spicy romance. Stella lives in South Carolina with her husband and her dog, Poe.

Young Adult Fantasy Author

Emily Golus is an award-winning fantasy author with nearly twenty years of professional writing experience, crafting cinematic worlds filled with diverse cultures and authentic characters. Her work aims to engage and inspire, highlighting how small acts of courage and love can spark meaningful change. She lives in Greenville, South Carolina, with her husband, Mike, and their two energetic sons.

Sweet Romance and Cozy Mystery Author

USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Susan Boles writes vivid, character-driven novels set in small-town Southern communities where life may be slow but never boring. Spanning cozy mysteries, romance, and romantic suspense, her stories bring both characters and towns richly to life. She has received multiple awards for her Lily Gayle Lambert cozy mystery series, along with accolades for her romance novels.

Contemporary Romance Author

Sarah has been writing fiction since she was ten years old, when she received her Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and was eager to find a way to escape reality. She never seems to have fewer than three writing projects going at a time and wouldn't have it any other way. In her free time she enjoys traveling, baking, and counting down until Halloween. She lives in upstate South Carolina.

Sports Romance Author

Allie is a queer, AuDHD writer with a strong focus on inclusivity and representation in her work. A San Diego native now living in South Carolina, she balances her love of books with watching sports—especially Michigan football, the Detroit Lions, and the Boston Bruins—and spending time with her nephews. She loves the color purple and maintains she is deeply allergic to cold, rain, snow, and mosquitos.