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 2026

Steven Christiansen

Steven Christiansen is the author of The Blue Line Letters, which was a 2025 Foreword Indies Finalist for YA Fiction and a 2025 Multnomah County (Portland) Best Book for Teens. The novel is also a 2026-2027 Idaho Battle of the Books choice at the high school level. Steven grew up in Idaho and currently lives in Portland, Oregon. 

SECOND KEYNOTE SPEAKER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON!!!

AUTHORS from our 2026 Session

Abigayl Martin

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

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.

Arthur Thomas Lee

Arthur Thomas Lee came into the world near the end of 1979. He closed the decade out, he likes to say, like a tiny sprig of cilantro atop an already-well-seasoned chili. Washington-born and -raised, he currently resides in Idaho, surrounded by nature. He has a degree in English from BYU-Idaho. He is a full-time dad. He has, over the years, been lucky in writing and business but even luckier in love. With the benefit of hindsight, he says, we are all able to look back and recognize moments when our lives changed for the better. That was true for him when each of his boys were born. He thought he could not get any luckier. Then he did. After a period of heartache and hardship, he met Renee. She was not in his life, he says, and then, one day, suddenly, she was. That, too, became true for her three kids. Arthur and Renee married in 2024, finding purpose in the paths preceding their union, and a set of hands to hold along the path that lies ahead. And that is really all that matters. Onward!

Benjamin Schwarting

Benjamin Schwarting is a fantasy author, high school English teacher, and co-owner of Williams & Rose Publishing. Author of The Sum of Ages series, Ben's work emphasizes writing complex fantasy cultures that highlight real-world issues of systemic oppression and social injustice. After earning his MAT, Ben has taught as an adjunct professor of Education at the College of Idaho and designed creative writing and young author's courses for high schoolers.

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. 

Brendon Taylor

BIO AND PICTURE TO COMING SOON!!!

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. 

D.C. Contor

D.C. Contor has been telling stories since the moment she could string a sentence together. Her very first books, “Cat” (about a cat) and “Dog” (about a dog) were also self-published in 1996. Her mom owns the original and singular copies. She got her BA in English from BYU-Hawaii and now lives in Idaho with her husband and four kids. The Legend of the Salt of the Earth series is (besides a mouthful) a project D.C. has been working on over the last fourteen-ish years. With the first three books published (A Change of Tide, An Obscured Glass and The Cleaving Earth), the series is on schedule to be completed in May of 2028! Follow her on Instagram @d.c.contor.writes to stay in the loop! 

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.

Haley Bono

I have a love of fairy tales. With a degree in criminal justice, I’m captivated by the tension that challenges a person’s morals and ethics. Most criminals have a tragic backstory, and every victim deserves justice. I’ve woven these experiences into my storytelling. When I’m not pouring my soul into blank pages, I’m spending time with my wonderful husband, two young kids, and our two chubby cats.

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”. 

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.

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.

Kalee Schwarting
Kalee Schwarting writes poetry & fiction when she isn't parenting or seeing clients at her clinical practice. She deals daily with a severe case of justice sensitivity and isn’t sure what makes writing harder, executive dysfunction or kids.
Kalee lives in Idaho with her husband, who is also a writer, her young children, who are also passionate about fairness, and her two dogs, Sage and Ellie.

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.

Marla Melior

Marla Melior was born and raised in Idaho Falls and currently lives in Shelley. She is a lover of all things historical and enjoys bringing the past into the current through her novels. As the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, she has a deep love and appreciation for this nation and those who have sacrificed so much for it. You will find her novels to be loaded with historical events, nostalgia, and pop culture... leading readers of all ages down memory lane, all while celebrating family, faith and our heroes. She promises a clean read... always. Marla is currently serving as the president of the Eastern Idaho Writers League. Her novels include "When Walls Talk", "The Broken China Necklace", "Somebody's Rose", and soon-to-be-released, "The Boys of Brady Falls".

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.

Megan Mary

Megan Mary is an award-winning international bestselling author, metaphysical minister, host of Women's Dream Enlightenment podcast, and founder of Inner Realms Publishing and Literary Ladies. In addition to a career spanning over twenty-five years creating and marketing websites, she holds master's degrees in English Literature and Metaphysical Sciences, and is pursuing her PhD in Transpersonal Counseling. She is a member of the International Association for the Study of Dreams, Coalition of Visionary Resources, the Women's National Book Association, and the Author’s Guild. She lives in Idaho with her husband and two cats. Her metaphysical trilogy, Witches of Maple Hollow, blends the genres of mystery, fantasy and speculative fiction: Book 1: The Dream Haunters, Book 2: The Dream Mirrors & Book 3, The Dream Dimensions. Visit MeganMary.com

Ramina Wilkerson

A survivor of war and a witness to history, Ramina Wilkerson is a speaker, author, and life coach dedicated to helping others find strength in their own stories. After escaping execution in Iraq and seeking refuge across multiple borders, Ramina was brought to safety by the U.S. military, an experience that redefined her understanding of hope and survival. She now uses her journey of overcoming unthinkable odds to guide others through their own trauma and heartbreak. Through her coaching and advocacy, Ramina teaches people how to use their past as a bridge to a better future, proving that our stories aren't just what happened to us, they are the tools we use to overcome life's challenges.  

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 Publishing and has worked for the Deseret Book Company publishing imprints for seventeen years. She’s been reading every spare moment she’s had since elementary school and has been fascinated by grammar rules since high school, and those passions woven seamlessly into a career of editing (and reading even more books). A 2024 ACFW Editor of the Year finalist, she collaborates with extremely 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. She has done so with many dozens of authors and hundreds of books. 

Samantha graduated with honors in English from BYU–Idaho. She currently lives in Rigby, Idaho, and dedicates her nonwork life to 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 force behind @magicalbooknook on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, where she entertains over 180k followers. A lifelong fantasy fanatic, she occasionally dabbles in other genres (just don’t tell the dragons).

She’s taught at writers' conferences such as Storymakers and StoryCon, served on conference boards, and twice placed in the Storymakers First Chapter Contest. She lives in Idaho with her husband and their seven book-loving children, surrounded by precarious stacks of books.

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; Brits 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 almost forty books. She’s a USA Today best-selling author, a RONE award winner, and her books have been finalists for Foreward Reviews Book of the Year and Whitney Awards.

Steven Christiansen

Steven Christiansen is the author of The Blue Line Letters, which was a 2025 Foreword Indies Finalist for YA Fiction and a 2025 Multnomah County (Portland) Best Book for Teens. The novel is also a 2026-2027 Idaho Battle of the Books choice at the high school level. Steven grew up in Idaho and currently lives in Portland, Oregon. 

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.