Marla Ballard
The public is invited to Scottsboro Public Library on Nov. 9 for the second annual North Alabama Author Festival. The literary event will host over 20 authors from all genres for both adults and children to enjoy. Book lovers, aspiring authors, and those looking for a community event will have an opportunity to discover new stories, engage in discussion with authors, purchase books, and support local talent. The authors from the region are writers of suspense, science-fiction, horror, fantasy, non-fiction, poetry, and children’s books.
MEET THE AUTHORS
Shelley Justice is a romantic, suspense author. She has authored “Knights Journey,” “Knights Rescue,” “Knights Holiday,” “Knights Seduction,” “Knights Fall,” “Knights Temptation,” “Knights Desire,” “Knights Haven” and more.
Nina Soden has written a series of books designed to help authors of all ages find their way though the writing process. Check out “Just Write,” “So You Want to Write a Book,” and “The Invisible You.”
Stacy Kingsley has written five books, three in her “Do Zombies Win?” series, a humor book, and a standalone science fiction/horror novel.
Ilene Holder writes contemporary romance, time travel romance, urban fantasy, steampunk, sci-fi, and general fiction. She has sold several stories to True Confession Magazine.
Irene J. Steele’s debut novel, “Some Glad Morning,” received excellent reviews from book clubs and readers. Her first children’s book “Timothy Talks to Jesus,” was a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards 2022.
S.M. Schuster has been a writer and editor for various publications since 2007. He is an author and anthologist with a focus on fantasy, sci-fi, and post-apocalyptic adventures. His books can be found at River’s Edge Gallery in Scottsboro.
A.S. Mackey is an internationally published award-wining author. She has written multiple children’s stories on a contract basis with Tiny Readers Publishing in Houston (the NoMeLoMe) series. Her award-winning debut middle grade novel “The Edge of Everywhen” was published in 2020.
Marlon Hethcoat is a self-published author with four books on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). He is the author of the Science-Fiction book “Ranson’s Destiny” and “Emotive Poetry,” a collection of poetry written with the intent to evoke emotion from loss and grief to joy and laughter. His most recent print is “Spiritual Renewal Bible Studies.”
Beth Ann Hill writes historical women’s fiction inspired by little-known places and people tucked along the backroads of Alabama. Her stories feature women discovering their strengths, a love of family, a sense of belonging, and a hint of romance. Her first publication was “Tracing the Spirit.”
Dawn W. Hogan is a full-time author. Her debut novel was “Unbroken Bonds,” a story of four teenage girls who meet in a home for unwed mothers in 1950s Tennessee. Learn more at dwhogan.com or follow her on Facebook D.W. at Hogan Author and on Instagram at dawnhoganauthor.
Rayburn Hall is the author of “Raised on Pinto Beans and Cornbread” and “Reminiscing the Good Ole` Days.” He was raised in Jackson County and his books share his memories of growing up poor in the 1940s – 1960s. He is working on his third book.
John Powell writes fiction with a unique blend of financial expertise and vivid storytelling. Powell draws on his background as a CFO and Controller to infuse realism into his stories. He draws inspiration from true events in his past and weaves his memories with imagined stories to create a compelling story.
Anne Kacie is a children’s book author who endeavors to help parents see they can help their children achieve the impossible. Her books teach children that it is okay to be different. She writes the “Hugggy Douggie Collection.” “Huggy Duggy: The Boy Who Gave Too Many Hugs” is about a little boy who wants to hug everyone he sees.
Heather C. Morris is the author of multiple stories for children, including “Trunk Goes Thunk! A Woodland Tale of Opposites.” “The Haunted States of America,” is an anthology which contains Morris’ ghost story “White Thing.”
Gordon Horton, AKA Gordon Richardson. Richardson is the pen name used to write the two-part auto-biography, “I Drove a Crooked Mile.” Part-one is subtitled “Outside the Box,” and part-two, “Between the Lines.” His writing reflects his over-the-road career as a long-haul trucker.
Jessie Rose writes dark thrillers, horror, and tales of love gone wrong. Her latest serial killer thriller, “Least Likely Suspect,” was released this year.
Mark White has worked as a police officer, author, journalist, radio host and writes children’s books which include “Rylee’s Big Challenge.”
Jane Mitchell grew up in a small Alabama town that centered around a cotton mill. She writes mystery novels set in a fictional version of that town and depict various aspects of living in the south from the early years of the 20th century to the 1990s.
Mark Brooks debut novel was “Laying Autumn’s Dust,” where the plot features murder, suicide, mystery, and vengeance, as well as love, hope, and charity. The novel is told in three first-person voices to make the reader feel like they are part of the family.
Ollie Ann Barnett wrote “Her Blood, Their Battle” after being tired of seeing the same worn-out tropes in books with vampires and angels, she decided to create a story that pitted the two creatures against one another.
Vanessa Hancock says from the age of nine she knew writing was as much a part of her as breathing. She lives in Section and has written many novels and short stores which can be found on Amazon.
Holly Jo Flora wrote “Same God, New You: Devotions for Personal & Spiritual Growth.” She is also the author of “Jack the Bad Crow” series.
Teresa Smyser writes with the hope that her words will not only entertain but inspire people to turn to Christianity.
Judith Christian-Moon writes poetry and dabbles in podcasting. She hopes her life experiences and poetry will inspire others.
Amy Avant wrote the “Sage Advice” to help children (and adults) learn how to grow and use herbs.
WJR Miller has written, directed, and produced over two-dozen stage plays about everything from horror to comedies.
Susan Beddingfield, the mother of four, shares her personal experience of being the parent of a child with a specific learning difference.
The festival is 9 a.m. – noon. The Scottsboro Public Library is located at 1002 S. Broad St., Scottsboro.
