2025 Attending Authors
McKenzie Kooima
Thriller
McKenzie Kooima brings the old art form of letter writing back with a mind-bending twist in her latest book Letters From Him. This long-lost form of communication becomes the driving force that her characters navigate the dangerous letters from him. When she’s not distracted to find new ideas for her book, you can find McKenzie wandering the shelves of Barnes & Nobles for her next distraction and/or inspiration.
D.E. Carlson
Christian YA Fantasy Romance
Dorothy Emeline Carlson grew up wild and free on the Dakota plains. True to her heritage, she now homesteads with her husband and homeschools her two girls-when she isn't writing, which admittedly isn't often. You can visit her on her website for more Empire of Ash and Song awesomeness (including a free novella with newsletter sign ups!), or you can reach out to her on social media. She loves hearing from her fans!
Camryn Van Lingen
YA Sci-Fi Dystopian Romance
Camryn Van Lingen is an artist and avid reader living in the Midwest with her husband and cats. She thanks the Lord for the opportunity to write her debut novel, Nowhere. She could not have accomplished it without Him. Camryn has a degree in Art Education and teaches high school Media Production and Cybersecurity. If she's not teaching or cuddling her cats, you can find her dreaming up her next book.
Jessica Berg
Contemporary Romance
Cozy Mystery
Jessica Berg, a child of the Dakotas and the prairie, grew up amongst hard-working men and women and learned at an early age to “put some effort into it.” Following that wise adage, she has put effort into teaching high school English for two decades, being a mother to four children (she finds herself surprised at this number, too), basking in the love of her husband of more than twenty years and losing herself in the imaginary worlds she creates.
J.E. Ribbey
Young American Adventures
Christian Post-Apocalyptic thrillers
J.E. Ribbey, a husband & wife team, combine action thriller with character immersion, giving readers an edge of your seat adventure. A combat veteran, outdoorsman, and survival enthusiast, Joel mingles his unique expertise with his passion for homesteading. A homeschooling mom, homesteader, and digital designer, Esther brings the her own skills to the author team. Together with their kids they manage a small farmstead in Minnesota with event venue and small campground.
Candace Simar
Historical Fiction
Candace Simar likes to imagine how things might have been. She's always loved history and her Scandinavian heritage. Her historical novels combine these two passions, taking place in various events during the 1800s.
Candace is a recipient of a Spur Award, Spur Finalist, Will Rogers Gold Medallion, Will Rogers Bronze Medallion, Finalist Willa Literary Award in Historical Fiction, Midwest Book Award Finalist, Laura Awards for Short Fiction, and Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award.
Charity A. Land
Clean Historical Speculative Fiction
YA Fiction
Charity A. Land is an adventurous and enthusiastic author, who enjoys singing, playing instruments, art, historical costuming, and captivating youth with her storytelling. Once a world traveler in a family band, she found the love of her life and now lives in North Dakota with her husband and two boys. Charity writes historical fiction books she hopes will install a love for history, and inspire a deeper relationship with God.
James Best
Fantasy
James Best is a local, self-published author. From a young age, he was inspired to write by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Brian Jacques. In 2022, he began self-publishing a series of fantasy novels. He now has four titles in his bibliography (Astral Paladins, Dead Men Tell No Tales, Chrysandra & Starroc, and Jackstone), all of which he personally illustrated, as well as various short stories and poems.
S.L. Klein
Historical Fiction, Christian Romance
From the moment she could read, S.L. Klein’s nose has been in a good book.
In high school, she discovered her knack for words. Only in the last few years tried her hand with novels. Her debut, Waves of Redemption, released in May 2024. S.L. Klein is a stay-at-home mom in small-town Minnesota. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys baking, being outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and of course, curling up with a good book.
Kendra Paulton
Children's Fiction
Kendra Paulton is a freelance writer and editor, published author. Together with her husband, they're raising their seven children as the fourth generation on the Paulton family ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota. From their working cattle ranch, Kendra ships home-raised Angus beef, fresh roasted coffee, and other goods nationwide. When she's not busy on the ranch with her family, you can find her writing, gardening, or baking...usually with a latte in hand.
Millie Paulton
Children's Fiction
Millie Paulton is a fourth generation ranch kid from the Black Hills of South Dakota. Animals are her favorite, especially cows and horses, and she loves taking her animals to the county fair. When Millie isn't in the barn or out in the corrals, she can usually be found writing or painting. Millie is a South Dakota Junior Beef Ambassador for 2024-2025 and loves sharing her way of life with her community.
Gary Weitgrefe
Non-fiction
Historical Fiction
Poetry
Gary W. Wietgrefe (pronounced wit’grif) is one of America’s most diverse authors. He is a military intelligence veteran and attended three Universities before establishing a career in agriculture. Wietgrefe is an inventor with six patents, international researcher, economist, agriculturalist, systems developer, societal explorer, outdoorsman, and author of ten books. He and his wife Patricia live and travel from Rapid City, South Dakota.
Kari Trumbo
Christian Romantic Suspense
Kari Trumbo is an international bestselling author of historical and contemporary Christian romance and romantic suspense. She loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one's listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota—where the trees and lakes are plentiful—with her husband of over twenty years, two daughters, two sons, a few cats, and a bunny who’s the star of one of her books.
Emily Watson
YA Fantasy
Emily G Watson is an author of young adult fantasy, urban fantasy, and historical fiction. Since there are no new continents to discover, and buried treasure is pretty scarce these days, she seeks new adventures as a park ranger in the Great Outdoors and as an author, creating her own worlds to explore.
Shannon McNear
Historical Romance
Transplanted to the north after more than two decades in the Deep South, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. She’s the author of twenty novels and novellas, not all of them in print, but her favorite roles are retired military wife, mom-of-many, mother-in-law, and grammie. When not cooking, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, hanging out with her grandbabies and basking in the beauty of the northern prairies.
Kathy Yoder
Children's Fiction
Kathy Yoder started writing in the third grade and hasn't stopped. Her stories have been published in various magazines over the years. She’s been writing a weekly Faith column for the Sioux City Journal since 2004. She writes Christian children’s books with special stories she says come directly from the Lord. Her goal: “To write stories that honor God and also spread the love and knowledge of our Lord.”
C.S. Kjar
Romance & Mysteries
C.S. Kjar is an award-winning author who lives out west where the antelope, deer, and bison play. Her wholesome books are about small-town people who face big decisions they wish they didn't have to make, but in the end, they are stronger for it. The stories are sweet and wholesome, fun and light-hearted, with touches of humor and wisdom. Her last name is pronounced "care" which she loves. It's what we should all do: care for each other.
Rebecca Lemke
YA Dystopian
Rebecca Lemke is a dystopian writer and author of the Geneshifters series. She spends her days dreaming of mythological shifters and scientific mad men. Rebecca loves exploring crises of identity, love, and morality in her books. When she’s not writing, she can be found sketching, hanging out with her loved ones, and playing music on piano or guitar.
Lainey Ross
Small Town Romantic Comedy
Lainey Ross is a small town romance author. After her family was hit by a rain-wrapped tornado in 2022, she found herself plagued by weather anxiety. She wrote Tornado Ally the very next tornado season while waiting out storms. Lainey loves her family, animals, and good food.
Joyce Wheeler
Christian Fiction: Historical, Western, Romance, & Juvenile
Joyce Wheeler is the author of romantic and historical fictions books, plus a children's fiction. She and her husband Justin enjoy their family ranch in western South Dakota and her novels reflect the uniqueness of prairie communities and the people who live there. Mystery, humor, romance, and Christian values are usually portrayed in her fast-action stories.
Elizabeth Maddrey
Contemporary Christian Romance
USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
M.N. Stroh
Christian Historical Fiction
M.N. Stroh is fueled by her love for storytelling and history. She writes Christian Historical Fiction, to inspire the downtrodden and outcasts through adventure-laden escapes leading them back to their First Love, as showcased in her debut series, Tale of the Clans. M.N. serves as Co-host and Director of Communications for Writers Chat, and she is a member of ACFW and Historical Novel Society’s Interviews Admin Team. Connect with her at mnstroh.com and social media.
Morgan Sauer
YA Fiction
Morgan Sauer calls the rolling prairie of the Midwest home though you can find her anywhere she can get a full view of the sky. When she isn’t fighting off the next story idea, she’s usually petting cats, messing around on a woodworking project, reading fourteen books at a time (no lie), out running or hiking, or adventuring with family and friends. She has a bachelor’s degree in history.
Debra Bean
Historical Christian Fiction, Devotionals
Debra Bean is a writer of Christian stories and poems. With a ranching history behind her and now retired, she lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota. As a child her two grandfathers shared many stories with her. Debra grew to love and appreciate the family history. This history is the backbone of two of her novels. As a Christian author her stories are rooted in her own faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. Debra is the mother of three, the grandmother of six and the great-grandmother of two little boys.
Lynette Wermager
Christian Adventure - Rooted in Historical Family Roots
Lynette has enjoyed writing short stories, memoirs, and creative prose for years. Her love of writing is evident in her published works, since retiring from teaching. She has been an advocate for women’s emotional health, has a deep faith in God, and believes she has the most wonderful grandchildren on earth. Native Minnesotans, she and her husband have raised three sons. They make their home in South Dakota enjoying the outdoors.
Akaysha Mynes
Christian Romance
Akaysha Mynes loves bringing joy to people’s lives by sharing the stories in her head with anyone who will read! Her books are filled with kind men and strong women as well as cute animals and moments of suspense!
Drew Taylor
RomComs,
Women's Fiction
Drew Taylor writes modern closed-door romance stories from a Christian worldview. She believes faith-based romance can be full of heart, humor, and hope while showcasing the reality of our fallen human condition. Her redemptive and engaging stories point to the One who embodies true love–Jesus Christ. Drew lives in Mississippi where she teaches high school English. She enjoys reading, baking, researching conspiracy theories, and spending time with her people.
Izzy James
Christian Historical & Contemporary Romance
Izzy James grew up on the shores of Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay. Inspired by stories of the well-worn traces of the place she still calls home, Izzy writes historical romance filled with strong, faith-filled women and the men who come to love them.
Izzy loves to travel the country with her husband of over thirty years visiting their grown children and grandchildren, checking out historic sites, and sampling new yarn shops as she goes.
Candice Sue Patterson
Modern-Vintage Romance
Candice lives in Indiana with her husband, three sons, and her first grandchild. She studied at the Institute of Children’s Literature at age sixteen. Her novels have been recognized by Midwest Book Review and Publishers Weekly. When she’s not tending to her chickens, snuggling with her Great Pyrenees, drinking coffee, or dreaming of Maine, she’s working on a new story. Candice writes Modern-Vintage Romance--where the past and present collide with faith.
Janetta Fudge Messmer
Christian Comedy
Turning Life into Comedy is Janetta Fudge Messmer’s tagline. She loves to laugh, and it’s why she writes Christian Comedy (with a touch of Romance). She’s also published a Christian Historical and a Devotional. For Janetta, writing and traveling go hand in hand since she, her hubby (Ray), and their pooch (Maggie) are full-time RVers. Most days, you’ll find them out sightseeing…but first Janetta has to sit down and write a few words.
Lillian Joubert
Clean RomComs
Lillian Joubert is a passionate storyteller, who writes RomComs for those who love clean romance stories anchored in hope, heart, and humor---to bring light into her readers lives. Her creative sanctuary is nestled on the prairies of North Dakota—where she shares her life with her husband and a charming entourage of furry companions. Lillian loves to transport her readers into enchanting tales of happily ever after and true love lasts.
J.E. Joubert
Fantasy, Clean RomComs
After growing up in South Africa, then a decade long stretch in Australia, J.E. Joubert has finally (for now) settled in the plains of North Dakota. Johan likes to read and write everything from the quirks of everyday life to the majesty of worlds yet to be imagined.
Sheila Muldoon-Faxon
Christian Children's Picture Books
Sheila Muldoon-Faxon is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She desires to share the message of Jesus’ love to children all over the world. She lives with her husband in Wyoming.
Esther Wallace
Fantasy
Esther Wallace lives in Connecticut. When she's not writing, she’s working at Barnes and Noble or illustrating. Her award-winning series, The Black Phantom Chronicles, carries such themes as she is passionate about, themes of heroism, strong females, healing, and true love. In her leisure time, she might be found at a Renaissance Faire, hiking the East Coast’s green mountains, or, when she’s able, with a horse. You can find out at her website below.
Carrie Brownell
Middle Grade Fiction
Carrie Brownell lives in the rolling hills of northern Idaho with her husband Jonathan and their five children. She loves to travel (mostly to England), drinks copious amounts of tea, and knows more about the British monarchy than she would like to confess. Dabbling in words is one of her favorite activities. Island of Stars is her debut Middle Grade Fiction. A Light at the End of the Woods will be released Fall 2025.
COMING SOON!
More authors coming soon!
As a clean-fiction event, we're looking for books everyone in the family can enjoy such as: fantasy, romance (closed-door), children’s, devotionals, non-fiction, suspense, and more. We do not accept horror, explicit sexual language/content, or gratuitous violence. If you have questions, feel free to contact us.
If you're interested in joining our event as an author, we'd love to hear from you. Please fill out the inquiry form below.