Meet the Authors

O'Junea Brown is an emerging author of Romantasy. A Fate of Onyx and Ivory is her first published novel with many more to come. She was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.

She loves her books, comics, video games, sports (go Cubs!), and anything fitness related. O'Junea has a bit too much dark humor and somewhat of a sailor's mouth, but her husband loves her the way that she is and that's all that matters.

Her baby boy Phoenix and dog Khloe are her only babies.

Follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @ojunea.brown

Adria Fedorov doesn’t kneel—she commands. And so does her creator.

Mz Rylan is an award-winning author of dark, emotionally intense romance where fierce women take control—and keep it. Her debut novel, Bound by Her, won the Bronze Medal in the 2025 IPPY Awards for Romance E-Book, marking her arrival as a bold new voice in independent publishing.

Mz writes stories where power and vulnerability collide, and where strong, unapologetic heroines dismantle the systems built to contain them. Her characters don’t wait to be saved—they take what they want, even when it costs them everything.

Follow Mz Rylan and step into a world where women don’t just survive—they rule.

Chelsea Jean writes short + spicy romance, that gets straight to the point.

She has now published three novels and two novelettes, with more on the way. Chelsea also hosts bookish events and runs a mobile bookstore featuring books and goodies from Midwest indie authors and vendors.

Trae Dorn (they/them) is a human being who makes things.

They are the author of the Mia Graves Saga, a series of queer contemporary fantasy novels. They also currently write the webcomic Peregrine Lake (with the talented Ethan Flanagan providing the art), and previously wrote and drew the popular webcomic UnCONventional, a comic based off of their decades staffing conventions.

Outside of writing, Trae is also the producer and host of a number of podcasts under the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network brand. They can be heard on multiple shows including The Nerd & Tie Podcast, BS-Free Witchcraft, On This Day With Trae, and Stormwood & Associates.

Trae currently lives in Eau Claire, WI with their wife, and is very, very tired.

Sara Furlong Burr is an award-winning author of romcoms filled with angst, heartbreak, and a sprinkle of laughs. She was born and raised in Michigan and currently still lives there with her husband, two daughters, a lively corgi that closely resembles a sack of potatoes, three judgmental cats, and a hedgehog named Juniper who's almost as antisocial as she is. When she's not writing, Sara enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with her family, using her treadmill as a clothes hanger, and mindlessly scrolling through TikTok and Instagram. She's also an advocate for melanoma awareness, having been diagnosed with stage 1b melanoma in 2017.

T.K. grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and found her passion for writing at a young age. Her seventh/eighth grade English teacher was a huge fan of her stories and encouraged her to publish.

During her early years, she devoted her time to writing poetry and short stories. Now she writes everything from blog entries and articles to full-length murder mysteries and romance.

Outside of writing, T.K. loves photography, travel, dancing, and off-roading. She enjoys spending free time with her family and friends, camping, listening to music, and playing games.

Bringing you interracial romances with tons of heat, passion, and a healthy infusion of love ... unapologetically Aunty unapproved and HEA an ALWAYS!

I'm a notorious daydreamer. Ask anyone close to me and they’ll tell you I'm a positive mushy person, too. Enter in ‘writing romance novels’: what began as self-care to overcome personal trauma, ended up evolving into something much more fulfilling. Bringing stories of angst, personal growth, and passion (the steamier the better!) with some snarky humor to romantics all around has become a hunger I can’t seem to satiate. In fact, once I'm done with a story, there’s already another one brewing. I'm also first-generation Bangladeshi—born and raised in the US—so my connection to the motherland is fierce, with sprinklings of a sense of loss in there. I include South Asian nuances/representation in my writing because I want experiences like my own to be seen (that of straddling two very strong cultures and finding one's identity).

When I'm not writing, I manage my local craft business and teach, garden in the spring and summer months, run around with my boys and puppy, and spend time with my hubby and family. I'm also obsessed with murder mystery shows and podcasts.

Ann Schreiber is a freelance copywriter, blogger, and lifelong book lover who turned her passion for words into a thriving business and a growing collection of published work. She’s the founder of Copywriting For You and the author of three books: Perseverance. Reinvention. (2024), a raw and honest memoir; The Top 10 Mistakes I Made My First Year as a Copywriter (2025), a practical guide for new writers; and Emily’s Next Chapter (May 2025), her heartwarming fiction debut about love, family, and second chances. Whether she’s crafting copy for clients or diving into character development, Ann brings curiosity, empathy, and a deep respect for storytelling to everything she writes.

Ashlyn Harmon is the author of swimming sports romances that are full of swoon-worthy moments, all the found family you could want, and characters who are real and relatable. As a queer and plus size author, she loves writing the kinds of characters who are unapologetically themselves and learning to be confident in their bodies. Her books are authentic in the way they depict people and their imperfections.

Sage RelleAnne is an author who resides in the Florida Panhandle. She writes both dark and diet dark why choose romance. While all of her books are saturated in suspense, a happily ever after is always guaranteed. She will be signing her books, including special edition copies, so come by and say hi!

Based in Minneapolis, Cozy Dubois (they/them) is a queer, trans, and neurodivergent author of queer adult romance, full of sweet and spicy happily-ever-afters for everyone under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella. They hope to bring more books into the world that represent the complex and entangled relationships between friends, lovers, and chosen family found in the queer community they love.

Adrianna Schuh is a Mexican American author who writes romance of all kinds. Adrianna is a former librarian and stay-at-home mom. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, son, and their seven pets. In her free time, Adrianna enjoys completing 2,000 piece puzzles and binging true crime podcasts.

Jennifer DeVries is a Minnesota-based indie author of six paranormal mystery novels, written under the pseudonym Brenda Lyne: Ripple Effect, Charlie's Mirror, Sister Lost, and the Raegan O'Rourke Mysteries series: The Thirteenth Cabin, Angel Baby, and Fool's Gold. Brenda was an Anoka County Library Featured Author in 2022 and 2023, she is a Teaching Artist at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, and five of her novels are Readers' Favorite Five-Star Review recipients. Learn more at brendalyne.com.

E. H. Lupton (she/they) lives in Madison, WI with their family. They're the author of the Wisconsin Gothic series, the first book of which (Dionysus in Wisconsin, 2023) was shortlisted for a Lambda Literary Award. Their poems have been published in various journals, including Asimov's Science Fiction, Utopia Science Fiction, Paranoid Tree, and House of Zolo’s Journal of Speculative Literature. They are one half of the duo behind the hit podcast Ask a Medievalist. In their free time, they enjoy running long distances and painting.

Ronni Davis grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from The Ohio State University with a BA in Psychology, she worked in insurance, taught yoga, and became a cat mom.
Now, she lives in Chicago with her son Aidan. By day she edits everything from TV commercials to billboards, and by night she writes contemporary teen love stories. When she’s not writing, you can catch her playing the Sims, Stardew Valley, or Animal Crossing, eating too much candy, dreaming about Paris, or planning her next trip to Disney World. She has an MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University.

Her debut novel, WHEN THE STARS LEAD TO YOU, was released by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in November 2019, and the anthology YOU TOO?, in which she is a contributor, is available now. Her latest book, THIS NIGHT IS OURS, was published in 2024 from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

She is represented by Eric Smith of Neighborhood Literary.

Dakota Monroe lives in a dark world and dreams of even darker fantasies. She has been a fantasy-obsessed reader since she was a child and now brings hers to life through her writing. As a neurodivergent woman, Dakota has always felt out of place with her thoughts and ideas; but books have been her savior, and a nonjudgmental place for her to escape the colorless world we call reality. She hopes her characters, and stories, provide an outlet for others, even if just for a little while.

Stéphanie C. is a passionate author of angsty contemporary love stories with assertive female leads, who go toe to toe with alpha heroes. Her love for romance stems from her teenage years, when she used to secretly read her grandmother’s harlequin books under the covers, coupled with spending every weeknight avidly watching telenovelas with her mother.

She has been writing romance books since she was a teenager, in french, her first language. Fast forward to a few years ago, she finally found the courage to pick her pen back up and write romance stories in English.

She grew up in the Caribbean and currently lives in Illinois. Her favorite pastime is spending time with her cat, a romance book in hand.

Lindsey Rockey is a former accountant studying psychology to be a therapist, much like the life she’s been writing for her characters. To escape the day to day monotony of finance, she found creative expression in writing. Her characters experience life passionately and in spite of the challenges life always throws at them, there’s usually a happy ending to make it all worth while. Lindsey identifies as gender non-conforming and a member of the LGBTQIA+ and Neurodivergent communities.

Katherine is a romance author and California native who loves fluffy animals, energy drinks and happily ever afters! When she’s not writing her next romance novel she’s enjoying a day at a local theme park, spending time with her dog or locating her next sweet treat. You can find her on most social media platforms at @authorkatherinebelle.

Jessica Schoettle is a Wisconsin-based author, entrepreneur, and mother whose writing speaks to the heart of real life — the messy, beautiful, overwhelming, and sacred moments of motherhood, identity, and personal growth. As a mom raising children across different stages of life, Jessica writes with honesty, compassion, and deep emotional connection for women who are doing their best in the middle of it all.

Her books focus on themes of anxiety, kindness, parenting, family dynamics, emotional healing, and finding peace in the chaos. Through her words, Jessica creates a safe space for readers to feel seen, understood, and less alone.

Beyond writing, Jessica is also a business owner, creative, and community builder who believes deeply in lifting others through encouragement, authenticity, and connection. Her mission is simple but powerful: to help moms breathe easier, love deeper, and believe they are never failing — they are growing.Upload Logo/Author Photo and One Book Cover Photo*

"Local award-winning author Starr Z. Davies is an accomplished author with a diverse literary portfolio. With 17 published books under her belt, she has garnered acclaim for her work in dystopian, fantasy, and historical fiction genres. Several of her novels have received prestigious awards, cementing her status as a notable figure in the literary world.

Starr is known for writing action-packed, character-rich, inclusive tales featuring LGBTQ and neurodivergent characters. Known as the "Character Assassin," she fearlessly pushes her characters to their limits. No character is immune to her penchant for emotional turmoil, making her a true literary force to be reckoned with.

Residing in the picturesque north woods of Wisconsin with her husband, two children, and a collection of robotic pets, she balances her writing career with home improvement projects, swimming, and voracious reading."

Melissa Baron is a contemporary romance writer with a background in technical writing and editing. She holds a B.A. in English and a Denver Publishing Institute certificate in Publishing. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two cats. Her romance books tend to be on the emotional, angsty side with a dash of something speculative: a little bit of time travel here, a sprinkle of suspense there, a smidge of horror or fantasy added for good measure. Her debut novel TWICE IN A LIFETIME came out in December 2022.

C.L. Cossette writes spicy, emotionally intense romance with a dark, addictive edge. Her stories blend slow-burn tension with heart-wrenching twists, morally gray characters, and a touch of the poetic. Known for crafting heroines who are guarded but powerful and love interests who love like a storm, her work explores themes of desire, healing, and what it means to be chosen. When she’s not writing or daydreaming about her next obsession-worthy couple, she’s curled up with her dog Bo and a book that ruins her in all the best ways.

Jessie Rose writes dark thrillers, horror and tales of love gone wrong. Jessie grew up in Alabama, moved to Chicago and made a home in Southeast Wisconsin near Lake Michigan. Their debut novel Atomic Love, a psychological thriller about domestic violence, set in the 1980s L.A. heavy metal scene, was published in 2019. Rose’s serial killer thriller Least Likely Suspect was released in 2024.

They write LGBTQ+ horror and fantasy under the pen name Finley Rose. Jessie is a graduate of Northeast Alabama Community College & City University of New York.

Hi, I’m J.B. Corgard — a sci-fi/fantasy author, gamer, and unapologetic world-builder from Sheboygan, WI. I’ve always been fascinated by the way stories can reshape the world around us, letting us explore questions of survival, identity, and belonging through new realms. Writing is how I open doors to those realms and invite others inside.

I grew up loving stories that blended the impossible with the human — from epic adventures like Lord of the Rings to immersive games like Fallout: New Vegas. Those influences shaped how I write today: worlds that feel lived-in, layered with danger and wonder, where every character’s choices matter.

Outside of writing, I’m a collector of experiences. I love thrifting for treasures that spark inspiration, hiking trails that remind me of the vastness of the world, and cooking (though mac & cheese will always be my comfort go-to). I’m also not shy about color — pink is my favorite, because even in the coldest worlds, a little brightness belongs.

For me, being an author isn’t just about telling stories — it’s about building worlds rich enough that readers feel like they could step into them. That’s what I strive to do with every project I take on.

Annika Authoress likes to think of herself as a woman who loves stories and wants to share them with the world.

In addition to being a sweet and swoony fantasy and fairytale author, she has particularly strong feelings about the Oxford comma, loves dramatic music, and firmly believes that fairytales are for all - not just children. When not reading or writing, you can often find her making something (whether that be a crocheted blanket or a much neglected cross-stitch project), spending far too much time watching hockey with her friends, and enjoying all things pink and sparkly. As of recent, she has graduated with her BA in English literature and writing (with honors) and lives in the Twin Cities with her beloved family.

Kate crafts fast-paced, spicy contemporary romance and romantic comedy. Growing up as one of five kids, she mastered the art of escaping into fictional worlds, often by "borrowing" her mom’s Nora Roberts books. These days, when she's not busy creating her own swoon-worthy tales, she's devouring Meghan Quinn and Elsie Silver novels like they're the hottest gossip at a family reunion.

When she's not embroiling her characters in yet another laugh-out-loud disaster, you can usually find her surrounded by animals or with her nose buried in a spicy read. Her pets behave as if they're the real brains behind her stories, but Kate remains unconvinced—though she admits they do have a knack for comedic timing.

Follow Kate on social media and sign up for her newsletter to hear Ollie’s life advice and book reviews. Disclaimer: Ollie is a German Shepherd. His judgment is questionable. Kate strongly advises against following his advice—unless you’re a dog, in which case, bark away.