Local Authors

Jordan Riley Swan is a wild word hunter living in the far and dangerous reaches of rural Ohio. He spends his nights tracking down big-game stories, capturing them in paper cages, and training them to be better tales.

He and many other talented authors belong to Story Garden: an independent writing and publishing group based in Columbus, Ohio.

The Heart’s Bidding was the first novel he’d dared to use the keys of his typewriter to release back into the wild.

Diane Callahan is a writer and editor who also happens to work at an art gallery. On her YouTube channel, Quotidian Writer, she provides advice for aspiring authors. She serves as the managing editor for Story Garden Publishing and was the former fiction editor for Consequence, a literary magazine centered on the consequences of war.

David Dixon has been writing both fiction and non-fiction for over twenty years. A husband, father of two, and Army veteran whose combat days in Iraq are long behind him; he lives in Northern Virginia where he does his damndest not to waste your tax dollars at work.

Some days are more successful than others.

Right now he’s probably reading or drinking whiskey—or both.

Erica Carlson is a children’s entertainer who has written over ten magic and storytelling shows that she performs with her live, magical sidekick, Sedgie the Hedgie; this book was inspired by her pirate-themed magic show. She earned her Master of Education at The Ohio State University and is a former language arts educator.

Erica loves sparking creativity and refueling people’s joy. When not sculpting balloons or performing, Erica finds adventure in the day-to-day flow of life, enjoys outdoor picnics with her family where they eat “tastes like summer” (tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil), and runs with their dog, Clover. Sedgie the Hedgie and Clover live with Erica in Hilliard, Ohio along with her husband and three children.

Marie Weller and Paula Vertikoff are a dynamic duo committed to promoting social-emotional wellness for children and the adults who support them. With a combined experience of fifty years in the field of education, they have witnessed firsthand what research has confirmed — social emotional wellness plays an integral role in academic achievement and overall success in life.

Their beloved “Cranium Critters” picture book series introduces two endearing characters who explore the fascinating world of the brain and its crucial role in managing emotions, fostering focus, and accomplishing goals. Scout, the brain’s safety pup, imparts valuable lessons to children on calming their minds and effectively managing their emotions through mindfulness and other evidence-based techniques. Einstein, the brain’s head thinker and problem solver, equips children with skills to overcome distractions and stay focused on what truly matters.

Driven by their passion for empowering young minds, Marie and Paula founded Cranium Kids Media, to share video lessons, stories, blog articles, and activities to help young people learn little life lessons and develop big life skills needed to lead happier, healthier lives.

Marie resides in Columbus, Ohio, with her loving husband and takes pride in being a mother to three grown children. Paula calls Hilliard, Ohio, her home, where she lives with her husband, two sons, and a feisty beagle named Mila, who served as the inspiration for Scout, the brain’s safety pup.

Shelby Leigh is a mental health poet best known for her #1 bestselling poetry collection, Changing with the Tides. With a mission to help others feel less alone through poetry, she tackles themes of self-love, insecurities and acceptance, relationships, anxiety and more.

Her new book, From Sand to Stars, released October 2024, is an exploration of time and overthinking — perfect for you if you feel anxious and overwhelmed.

Her third poetry book, Girl Made of Glass, released in 2023 with Central Avenue Publishing as a #1 bestseller, and uncovers how our past — past relationships, memories, and ourselves — can haunt us.

In addition to writing, Shelby loves anything chocolate, collecting house plants, traveling, and supporting the author community.

My name is Mesha Griffith, and as a first-time author, I’m excited to share my passion for writing children’s books with you.

My journey to becoming a children’s book author began with the birth of my own son, who is now two years old. As I spent time reading to my child, I realized just how much joy and wonder children’s books can bring into our lives. This realization ignited a desire within me to create my own stories that would capture the imaginations of young children.

In my writing, I aim to create stories that are both entertaining and educational for toddlers. I believe that early childhood is a crucial time for learning, and I strive to make my books fun and engaging while also helping children develop important skills.

I hope you enjoy reading my book as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

New York Times #4 bestselling author Kristy Boyce lives in Columbus, OH and teaches psychology as a senior lecturer at The Ohio State University. When she’s not spending time with her husband and son, she’s usually writing, reading, putting together fairy gardens, or watching happy reality TV (The Great British Bake-Off and So You Think You Can Dance are perennial favorites).

Cora Masters is the creation of three USA TODAY bestselling authors who love dark, suspenseful romance. If you’re looking for your next dark romance, you’ve come to the right place!

Meet Daphne Moore, a USA Today bestselling author who has been spinning tales since before she could even read. Her love for storytelling has only grown stronger since then, and now she spends her days searching for the perfect story idea and furiously typing away at her keyboard, hoping to catch all those fleeing plot bunnies.

When she’s not lost in the world of her imagination, you can find her in her small Ohio suburb, playing with her son’s pup. She’s also the proud aunt to several humans and two adorable dogs. The dogs all insist they’re the true muses behind her writing.

As a writer of speculative fiction, Daphne adds just the right amount of romance to make your heart skip a beat.

So if you’re looking for a good laugh, a thrilling adventure, or a heartwarming romance, Daphne Moore is the author for you. Just don’t distract her from her writing process or you might become a character in her next book!

She’s even got a free short story waiting for you on her website, so you can get a taste of her writing before diving headfirst into one of her amazing books.

With a love for coffee and her chai tea topped off with a double shot of espresso, V. M. Pire thrives off of the sass of her favorite books’ characters and is fueled by her anxiety and absurd levels of overthinking (not to mention awful dad jokes). She can pull random TV show or movie references out of nowhere, and belt out some of the cringiest songs known to mankind with those that she’s closest to. All in all, she is chaos, a mess express with a million thoughts, who said screw it and decided to get her thoughts and ideas out into the world.

All the young Tim A. Mills wanted to do was write and fence. From the time he was six, he would sneak downstairs to watch Errol Flynn movies in the middle of the night. Tim missed his first opportunity to fence as a teen at a military academy, which was a good thing because he is not a 5 a.m. bounce-a-quarter-on-the-bed kind of guy. At night, he read and wrote historical fiction by candlelight or flashlight under the covers at 3 a.m. (another reason 5 a.m. was a bad thing). Eventually, he gave up candlelight and yellow legal pads for computers, although an errant candle may still sneak in occasionally for ambiance.

Elena Koneska writes like she has nothing to lose and everything to say. These are not poems for polite applause. They’re battle cries, confessions, late-night breakdowns, love letters, and punchlines sharp enough to cut through the noise. Mental health, queer identity, immigration, friendship, rage, longing, trauma, joy, and the absurdity of daily life are all here without filter or apology.