Featured Authors

 The best way to learn a skill is from the professionals and by practicing - a lot! 

Find out more about the amazing authors who will be here and the sessions they will be teaching.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Cynthia Hand

Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for teens, including the Unearthly trilogy, The Last Time We Say Goodbye, The Afterlife of Holly Chase, The How & The Why, and With You All The Way. She also writes the Jane books with fellow authors Jodi Meadows and Brodi Ashton: My Lady Jane, My Plain Jane, My Calamity Jane, My Contrary Mary, My Imaginary Mary, and My Salty Mary. Before turning to writing for young adults, she studied literary fiction and earned both an M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in fiction writing (although please don't refer to her as "Dr. Hand," because that sounds like a cartoon supervillain.) She currently resides in Boise, Idaho, with two kids, two cats, one crazy dog, and a mountain of books. 

Jeff Wheeler

Jeff Wheeler is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of epic fantasy and thrillers and has sold over 6 million books. More importantly, he is a husband, father of five, and devout member of his church. He lives in eastern Idaho.

AUTHORS

Abigayl Martin

Abigayl Martin has helped put together teen writer conferences in Idaho. She currently works as a producer for Local News 8 and previously wrote for BYU-Idaho Scroll. When she’s not reporting, she writes historical fiction and runs Sandcastle Editing, her freelance editing business.

A.S. Godin

Alecia is a writer, an artist, and an over-thinker. Since winning a class competition for best story in first grade, she has discovered a love for stories. As a child, there was nothing more exciting than ordering a new book from the school catalogs, and now, she probably has more books than shelf space. Throughout her life, Alecia has moved around from place to place until finally settling in Idaho where she is happily married and the proud mamma of three fur babies. Much of her inspiration comes from dreams, though sometimes her stories stem from a wish to read a book not yet written. When she isn’t cozied up with a good book, she enjoys the outdoors, rock-hounding and foraging, as well as occasionally indulging in playing music, or creating art.

Allison Anderson

Allison Anderson lives her best life as a wife, a mom, a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and author of The Cartographer’s War series. As a life long fantasy nerd, she finds it natural to create stories of her own and you can often find her jotting down new story ideas or talking about dragons. She’s spent most of her life across the southwestern United States.

Audrey Morgan

Audrey Morgan is a young adult whose debut novel, "Epitome", was published at 16. She loves all things about life; dogs, critters, plants, etc. and strives to tell stories that will leave an impact on people. Her aim is to become a storyboard artist for Pixar, and a self-published author on the side, as she's always writing whenever she has time on her hands. She is currently attending college and majoring in Illustration, with an emphasis in entertainment design. On a typical day, you can usually find her curled up with a nice book or working on an art project.

Bonnie Jo Pierson

Gifted with a short attention span, Bonnie wants to experience and do as much as she can. Using the great powers of YouTube she’s taught herself how to knit, crochet, paint with oils, acrylics, and watercolors, coach volleyball, play the piano and cello, ride a motorcycle, renovate a house, sing, sew, raise livestock, bake, and most importantly how to write. With a degree in biology, she’s a lover of all things science, especially in the microscopic world. She and her Navy veteran husband have four children and spent several years bouncing around to various locations in the United States. Now she’s made her home in small-town Idaho, where she’s attempting to resurrect her great-grandparents one hundred year-old farm. 

Brenda Stanley

Brenda Stanley is a former television news anchor and investigative reporter for the NBC affiliate in Eastern Idaho. She has been recognized for her writing by the Scripps Howard Foundation, the Hearst Journalism Awards, The Idaho Press Club and the Society for Professional Journalists. She is a graduate of Dixie College in St. George, Utah and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She is the mother of 5 children, including two sets of twins. Brenda and her husband Dave, a veterinarian, live on a small ranch near the Snake River with their horses and dogs.

Colleen Story

Colleen M. Story writes award-winning historical fantasy, supernatural thrillers, and motivational books for writers. She grew up on a Colorado ranch making up stories on horseback, which probably explains a lot. A lifelong musician, she still plays French horn in the local symphony and teaches music on the side. She’s also a longtime freelance health writer and the go-to “medical expert” for friends and family (no pressure). When not writing, she’s catching the latest sci-fi or spy thriller and inventing games for her very clever German shepherd. 

Cynthia Hand

Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for teens, including the Unearthly trilogy, The Last Time We Say Goodbye, The Afterlife of Holly Chase, The How & The Why, and With You All The Way. She also writes the Jane books with fellow authors Jodi Meadows and Brodi Ashton: My Lady Jane, My Plain Jane, My Calamity Jane, My Contrary Mary, My Imaginary Mary, and My Salty Mary. Before turning to writing for young adults, she studied literary fiction and earned both an M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in fiction writing (although please don't refer to her as "Dr. Hand," because that sounds like a cartoon supervillain.) She currently resides in Boise, Idaho, with two kids, two cats, one crazy dog, and a mountain of books. 

Daris Howard

Daris Howard is an author and playwright who grew up on a farm in Idaho. He associated with many colorful characters, including cowboys, farmers, lumberjacks, and others. Besides his work on the farm, he has worked as a cowboy, mechanic, in the timber industry, and is currently a college math professor. He was a state champion athlete and competed in college athletics. He also lived for a time in New York. Daris and his wife, Donna, have ten children and were foster parents for several years. He has also worked in scouting and cub scouts, at one time having eighteen boys in his scout troop. His plays, musicals, and books build on the characters of those he has associated with. He also writes a popular weekly syndicated shorty-story column called Life’s Outtakes, which is published in various newspapers and magazines in the U.S., Canada, and around the world.

Don Shirts

Don Shirts grew up in beautiful Bountiful, Utah, and still resides there with his wife and four of his five children. His oldest son and daughter-in-law also live nearby. Don loves movies, books, and chocolate. He also has a fondness for dad jokes and good puns. His favorite scent is garlic sautéing in olive oil. He doesn't care so much for loud noises, long to-do lists, and winter campouts.  "Sean Dirts and the Hidden City" is his debut novel. He says the ideas that eventually coalesced into this story originated while daydreaming during his daily paper route when he was eleven and with his teenage obsession with Star Wars.

Ellie Lerum

Ellie Lerum is a fantasy author whose stories blend redemptive hope, emotional depth, and a touch of whimsy. A devout Christian and mother of dragons (well, griffins… and two spirited little girls), she writes tales that wrestle with grief, healing, and courage through richly imagined worlds. Ellie draws inspiration from her faith, real-life loss, and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien to craft narratives that are both adventurous and deeply human. Whether writing or exploring Idaho with her family, she finds the greatest joy in connecting with readers who see themselves in the stories she tells.

Heather Hayes

Heather Hayes is proud to be an Idaho Falls native. She is happily married and living just outside of Ririe with five beautiful daughters who are leaving the house faster than she can keep up with them. As a mother, she wanted her children to read books that entertained, yet inspired them to be good people. She wrote her first book, Unexpected Magic, as a Christmas gift for her children in 2013. She was delighted to have it published a year later. She now has 11 published books and truly loves the dystopian genre. When Heather isn’t teaching English and Creative Writing at Bonneville High School, you’ll find her reading, writing, four wheeling in the mountains, planning parties and trips, and cooking delicious food.

HR Jackson

HR Jackson lives happily ever after in Eastern Idaho with her husband. She graduated with a BA in Literature from Idaho State University in 1998. She continues on her journey, trying to survive “stupid”. 

Jeana Atkison

Paper Seed Press was founded with the goal of providing children with meaningful and fun stories that give back to the community. It all started with the Atkison family who live in Idaho with two dogs, too many chickens, and a library card that maxes out every week. After reading thousands of books to her four kids at bedtime for many years Jeana saw a need for books that were more than fun, but also not an outright lesson. With her experience as a curriculum writer she decided to create books that are fun AND meaningful; books that kids love and parents appreciate.

Jeff Wheeler

Jeff Wheeler is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of epic fantasy and thrillers and has sold over 6 million books. More importantly, he is a husband, father of five, and devout member of his church. He lives in eastern Idaho.

Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Jennifer Shaw Wolf grew up in the tiny town of Wilford, Idaho. She milked cows during cold Idaho winters, took Hunter's Education as part of her sixth grade curriculum and took two weeks off from school every October for Potato Harvest. Her teen summers included bridge jumping and dragging main. She read her way through life, learning the who, the what, the where, the why, and the how dunnit, from some of the best—Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Allen Poe, and Daphne du Maurier. She looked up from her books long enough to graduate from BYU, fall in love, get married, and have four amazing kids (all of whom have betrayed her by becoming adults.) She lives with her Prince Charming and an incredibly spoiled (but also very charming) dog in the mysterious green forests of the Pacific Northwest. Her favorite things are reading, writing, and spending time with her family which now includes three wonderful in-law kids, a beautiful granddaughter and adorable grandson.

Jessica Earley

Jessica Earley Copywriter & Communications Pro Jessica Earley is a professional writer who helps companies tell their stories in creative and meaningful ways. With over seven years of experience, she’s written everything from social media posts and websites to emails and magazine articles—sometimes even for executives behind the scenes! She currently leads social media and email marketing for Thor’s Chocolate (yes, it’s as fun as it sounds) and has worked with brands in wellness, interior design, and more. Jessica studied journalism and communications at BYU–Idaho and loves sharing with others how writing can be both a creative outlet and a powerful career path. 

Josh Allen

Josh Allen checks under his bed before switching off the light each night. He’s the author of three books for young readers: OUT TO GET YOU: 13 TALES OF WEIRDNESS AND WOE; ONLY IF YOU DARE: 13 STORIES OF DARKNESS AND DOOM; and ONCE THEY SEE YOU: 13 STORIES TO SHIVER AND SHOCK. His writing has been praised by The Wall Street Journal, The American Library Association, The Children’s Book Council, The Junior Library Guild, Kirkus Reviews, and more. He’s a creative writing professor at BYU-Idaho, where he’s taught for more than twenty years.  He likes ice cream and pumpkin-chocolate-chip cookies. He likes good books and good movies, and he thinks the coolest movies ever are The Empire Strikes Back and Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse.

Kaitlyn King

Kaitlyn King writes Christian fantasy adventures full of courage, hope, and a spark of wonder. When she’s not plotting daring rescues or cheering on reluctant heroes, you can find her with a good book and a warm mug in hand, ready to dream up her next story.

Laikyn Meng

Laikyn Meng, a Japanese-American indie author, has transcended borders with her literary accomplishments. With over fifty publications to her name, she has left an indelible mark on the hearts of readers worldwide. A prose weaving vibrant, diverse characters, each with a depth and authenticity that resonates with readers.  Laikyn's unique storytelling style has become an iconic symbol of her work. In her world, love transcends boundaries, and every tale is a testament to the power of the human experience, weaving a symphony of emotions that resonates long after the final stanza. Join her as she continues to redefine the literary landscape, one rhythmic love story at a time.

Lee Falin

Lee Falin is a best-selling middle-grade and young adult science fiction author, and the host of My Cousin Jane — a podcast about Jane Austen and her works. Lee has a PhD in Genetics from Virginia Tech, but it didn’t take him long to realize that real science wasn’t anything like Star Trek, so these days he writes more fiction than research. Lee's claim to fame is that he is the caretaker of a small children's lending library.

Lindsay Hiller

Lindsay Hiller is a contemporary romance author, freelance editor, and president of the Typewriters chapter of the League of Utah Writers. She’s also the CEO of Writing Inspired, an organization dedicated to teaching the craft of writing to aspiring authors. Lindsay lives in Utah with her husband and six children.

Louise Davis
Louise Davis is an up-and-coming, young adult and children's book author who has an innate ability to instantly draw readers into her stories with her dramatic realism. By combining a commercial and accessible writing style with highly-riveting and twisting plotlines, Louise’s novels are truly unique works of literary art. Her recent manuscript artistically showcases her wide-range of writing skills weaving in romance, mystery, and suspense all in one thrilling book. It is through Louise’s profound character development and realistic storylines that she’s able to not only entertain her readers, but also teach them valuable life lessons in the process. Although she was born in a small Idaho town, Louise has been all over the United States.  She loves animals and currently has a horse (from Hawaii), two llamas, two dogs, two cats, and a leopard gecko. She lives in Rigby, Idaho with her husband and five children. She has always loved reading books to her children and received a bachelor's degree with a focus in creative writing to write her own books.   ​Her family's Gunstock Ranch on Oahu and her time spent there with her Grandpa inspired her first children's book, Grandpa's Boots.

Madelyn Smith

Madelyn Smith has loved romance books since she was a teenager, and dreamed of writing one. She started plotting out romances in 2023 and hasn’t stopped since. She’s published three romantic comedies, with many more planned for the coming years, and has dabbled in fantasy romance books under her pen name M.K. Felix. When she’s not reading or writing romance, she’s often found beta reading for friends, and hanging out on Bookstagram in her limited spare time. While writing and reading is her passion, her life revolves around her loving children, devoted husband, and dedication to following Jesus.

Mark Carlson

Writer of Christian fantasy.   Born and raised in Idaho, Mark found a natural leap to creating fantastical worlds and strange creatures in his mind while finding inspiration from his favorite place to be – the mountains. This combined with his unique training from the Marines and his overactive imagination has created a recipe for adventure he is excited to share with his readers.  The Restoration Series is rolling out. It's Mark's trilogy of trilogies. 3 different continents with 3 different heroes. They don't know one another, they didn't even know other lands existed. Until an existential threat was unleashed that horrified even the Gods. Brought together by the Heralds, infused with magic, they band together to save not only the world, but the existence of all the God's creations.

Marla Melior

Faith and family are the two most important things to Marla Melior. She and her husband have been married over thirty years and have three adult children. They have recently added two sons-in-law and two super cute grandsons to the mix. Marla is a lover of all things historical and enjoys bringing the past into the current through her novels. She is thrilled when she meets readers who say “I loved your book… because I lived it!” As a daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, she holds a deep respect and sense of gratitude for this country and those who sacrificed so much for it. Her hobbies include playing the piano, reading, and watching movies. She is an HGTV junkie and loves old houses and home decor and design. You can often find Marla at a hometown football game or strolling through a good classic car show. She loves Mexican food, huckleberry ice cream, and anything chocolate!  Her dream is to someday spend the winter months sitting on a warm beach writing books!

Matt Taylor

Hailing from the lava-sculpted wilds of Southeast Idaho, Matt Taylor is the mastermind behind The Vault of Kings—a fantasy series where elemental magic gets a serious upgrade. Inspired by a love for the elemental chaos of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Matt created a world where teens don’t just bend fire or water—they command a whole periodic table of awesome. When not crafting epic tales, he can be found adventuring with family, exploring the great outdoors, or rolling nat 20s in Dungeons & Dragons. A proud RuneScape veteran and die-hard sports fan, Matt also finds joy and purpose in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ—and occasionally wonders if Idaho potatoes could be a legitimate magical element.

McKenzie Wagner

McKenzie Wagner is a six-time published author, best known for the Benotripia series. She is now working on a new YA novel and lives happily in southeast Idaho with her husband and very large, orange cat. 

Megan Clements

Megan Clements is a born and bred Idaho girl with a love for writing across genres. She is Senior Editor at Waypoint Authors and the co-author of two nonfiction books on writing: From Spark to Story and Plot Your Novel. She is a Certified Book Coach for Author Accelerator and teaches Middle School English at Alturas Academy. In her spare time, she works with the nonprofit Operation Literacy to get books in the hands of kids. When she’s not working with authors or students or writing conferences, you can find her chasing her six kids or lost in the mountains (literally lost—she has a terrible sense of direction). 

Megan Mary

Megan Mary is an international bestselling metaphysical author and founder of Inner Realms Publishing which provides book marketing services to women authors. In addition to a career spanning over twenty-five years creating, managing and marketing websites, she holds a BA and an MA in English Literature, certification in British Studies, BMsc in Metaphysical Sciences, and is pursuing her PhD. She is a member of the International Association for the Study of Dreams, the Author’s Guild and the Independent Book Publishers Association.  Her metaphysical fiction trilogy, Witches of Maple Hollow, blends the genres of mystery, fantasy and women’s fiction.  Her podcast, Women’s Dream Enlightenment, has been voted as one of the Top 20 Spiritual Awakening Podcasts You Must Follow. When she’s not dreaming or weaving digital webs, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two magical cats. 

Meghan Scoresby

Meghan Scoresby is a freelance editor with a knack for bringing out the best in any manuscript. Her most recent project was as Content/Line Editor for a nonfiction book set to release this month! Prior to that, she edited Southern Idaho Kids monthly magazine and served as the grant writer and curriculum developer for the Children's Museum of the Magic Valley. She got her start working one-on-one with students at the BYU-Idaho Writing Center, and it's still her dream job. No draft is too rough; she’ll help you take it to the next level!

Nathan Gewondjan

Nathan is a best-selling author, business owner, and an investor. He was born and raised in California and has been studying and applying principles of entrepreneurship and investing since his early teens. Nathan is passionate about setting the human mind free and allowing people to do what they love. He is passionate about uncovering the meaning and motives behind our basic actions to live a life with greater meaning and purpose.

Rachel Pickett

Rachel Pickett is a former English teacher turned freelance copy editor with a sharp eye for detail and a deep love for storytelling. She has worked with indie authors across a variety of genres—including mystery, fantasy, and thriller—helping them refine their manuscripts into polished, publication-ready works. Rachel is passionate about partnering with writers to bring out the best in their stories, ensuring every sentence shines.

Rachel Skousen

Rachel Skousen has worked as an editor for over a decade: doing freelance work for a publishing company, acting as content manager for a large website, and, most recently, working with Indie authors to polish up their books for publication. She loves working with both fiction and nonfiction authors, but has recently taken a step back from editing to focus on her own writing projects. This year she published a self-help book, Love Yourself to Life, in which she shares the wisdom she gleaned during years of struggling with, and ultimately overcoming, chronic fatigue.

Sally O'Keef

Sally O'Keef has been writing fiction for 12 years. She studied photography at USU and realized she loved the thousands words it took to describe the picture more. She's taken several courses on writing, Deep Point of View, Editing, Romance, and everything in between. She works for a small-press publisher called Oliver-Heber Books where she does social media, acquisitions, and everything in between. She lives in Idaho with her handsome husband, six wonderful children, dog, and recently adopted cat. When she's not reading, editing, or writing, she loves playing volleyball and watching her children achieve their dreams.

Samantha Millburn

Samantha Millburn is the senior editor at Shadow Mountain and has worked for the Deseret Book Company imprints for sixteen years. A 2024 ACFW Editor of the Year finalist, she collaborates with dozens of talented, award-winning authors and cherishes not only her friendships with them but also the honor it is to help mold their manuscripts into masterpieces. Samantha graduated with honors in English from BYU–Idaho. She currently lives in Rigby, Idaho, with her husband, Matthew, and their five beautiful children. Besides reading, Samantha enjoys watching and playing sports, cooking, and being with family.  

Serene Heiner

Serene Heiner is the creative soul behind the growing Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts @magicalbooknook where she does all kinds of weird things with her eyebrows. A fantasy fanatic at heart, she occasionally dabbles in other genres—just don’t tell the dragons. She’s a proud mother to seven readers and lives with them and her husband in their Idaho home surrounded by teetering stacks of books that may or may not be load-bearing.

Sian Ann Bessey

Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales, and now lives in Southeast Idaho. Americans think she has a British accent; British people think she has an American accent. She can’t hear her accent at all but the name of the small Welsh village, "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch,” still rolls off her tongue.   Sian has published over thirty books in a variety of genres. She’s a USA Today best-selling author, and her books have been finalists for Foreward Reviews Book of the Year, RONE awards, and Whitney Awards.

Steven Christiansen

Steven Christiansen is a writer and high school counselor. Originally from St. Anthony, Idaho, Steven gravitated toward books and literature from a young age and taught high school English in the Portland area for fifteen years before transitioning into a counselor role. A coming-of-age story about the power of relationships and community, The Blue Line Letters is the author’s debut young adult fiction novel and the Multnomah County Library Writers Project 2023 choice, as well as the Distinguished Favorite of the 2024 Independent Press Award. When he’s not working, Steven enjoys spending time with his wife, a playwright and director, and their kids. He loves mass transit and otters.

Stevie Claxton

Stevie is a social worker at heart, devoted wife, and mother-of-three based out of the farmland in Rigby, Idaho. I am an avid lover of everything abandoned, old, and forgotten. I was a creative and eclectic child growing up. I always had a pencil in my hand and an idea floating around in my head. From an early age, I dreamed of sharing my creative nature with others. I always loved to read, but my imagination always longed for something more. I am excited to take this journey and see where the road takes me. Hopefully, the road takes me somewhere where time has withered everything away and my mind can write up stories.

Toby Hayes

Toby Hayes is a Rigbyite and local business owner, but has worked in journalism and publishing. He worked for the Deseret News and Daily Spectrum (St. George, Utah), getting his big break by writing a front page story about and meeting country music legend Kenny Rogers. He has also self published a biography on his father who coached eight future Olympians.

Vanessa Thurgood

Vanessa is the award winning author of the young adult epic fantasy series, THE COMSTOCK CHRONICLES. A farmer’s wife by day and writer by night, Vanessa still finds time to explore in the rugged mountains of Idaho that inspire her rich worldbuilding through motorbiking, horseback riding, and snowboarding. When she’s not roaming the wilds, you will find her selling produce in a roadside stand with her family and her border collie named Ruby.