2026 Heart of California Book Faire Authors

NOVELLA DEAN Novella Dean’s passion for storytelling took root in Trinidad and Tobago, her birthplace, where rich folklore is a national treasure. Despite her academic journey leading her to graduate as a scientist, her heart always gravitated towards artistic expressions. Currently residing in California with her husband and two children, Novella continues to weave enchanting tales, blending her scientific background with a profound appreciation for the arts.

DEBORAH JOHNSON “I was born and raised in Northern California. I moved to Madera, CA about four years ago. I love spending time with my two rescue dogs; Scarlett Marie, and Rhett. I spend my free time volunteering with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office as both a Chaplain and COPS (Citizen’s on Patrol)
My books are about my rescue dogs and I am currently working on a series about the K-9’s of the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.”

REBECCA LANGSTON-GEORGE is the author of 19 books for children including For the Right to Learn: Malala Yousafzai’s Story. While known for children’s nonfiction, Rebecca recently branched into fiction with her picture book Rover Rolled Over and a middle grade historical novel One Fine Voice. Rebecca is the Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators in Central-Coastal California and serves on the board of the California Reading Association. www.rebeccalangston-george.com

KAREN McCOY is an author and librarian who currently lives in Northern California. She sold a feature article to School Library Journal entitled, “What Teens are Really Reading” and contributed a chapter to Now Write! Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. Her debut middle grade novel, The Etiquette of Voles, was published in June 2025 through Artemesia Publishing/Kinkajou Press and was a finalist in the 2025 New Mexico Book Awards. It is also available in audiobook.

MERRY MILLER-GASS is a children’s book illustrator who believes stories have the power to heal and connect. Her work blends humor, heart, and a touch of whimsy, celebrating individuality, empathy, and community. She has illustrated several traditionally published picture books (and one very handy self-published Picture Book Planner for fellow creators). Her art has appeared in magazines and galleries throughout California, from cozy bookshops to bright community spaces. Merry is represented by Liz Nealon of Great Dog Literary.

MARIA POWELL fell in love with picture books as a child and never outgrew that passion. She is the morning librarian at an elementary school and delights in helping kids find the joy of reading. Mrs. Powell writes books for and about the kids she loves and is excited to share her stories.

SHELLY SMITH, mother, teacher, and self proclaimed race nerd. She is combining her love of race cars to teach life lessons through the adventures of a sprint car driving ferret.

JANELL COBERLY started writing stage plays at the age of 10 for her siblings who would act them out on a makeshift stage. She writes in many different genres for different ages, including a children’s series and is in the process of creating a new chronicles series for her newest character, Tarri Rivers. Her books can be found on Amazon.

MATT LEEDY is a former newspaper reporter for The Express-Times, The San Bernardino Sun and The Fresno Bee. His novella, “Dugout Dreams” is a fictionalized telling of the success and strife inherent in competitive travel sports from the prospective of young players, parents, coaches and even an umpire who serves as a moral compass.

BILLIE HANSON-DUPREE “Billie Hanson-Dupree’s debut novel, Still Kickin’ is set in the San Joaquin Valley of California where she was born and raised.. She is currently completing her second novel Some Greens for my Blues set in post-WWII Oakland, California.
A retired educator and literacy coach, Billie calls writing her ‘retirement vocation.’ Billie enjoys family, attending blues and jazz concerts, and traveling.

ANABELL CAUDILLO is a Central California author who blends crime, mystery, and the supernatural into her fiction. A lifelong storyteller, she began writing fanfiction as a teen before creating original worlds of her own. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology, which inspires the murder and investigative elements in her work. When not writing, she enjoys true crime, paranormal stories, exploring haunted locations, and spending time with her dogs.

YEIRI FARIAS resides in the California Central Valley. She loves reading romance, cozy mysteries, and horror books. Her work has been published in Gypsophila Zine; Vial of Bones Zine; Flies, Cockroaches, and Poets; San Joaquin Review; Furrow; Micromance Magazine, and others. She is the Editor-in-chief of Abundance Literary Magazine.

M. J. McHATTON is an indie fantasy and romance author from California. As a lover of all things books, she grew up writing for fun but started to pursue it as a career late 2023.
When she isn’t reading or writing, she’s bouncing random ideas off of unsuspecting friends and family.

VERONICA GIOLLI has been a writer for many years. She has written articles for the Fresno Bee and Newsletter for Sisters in Crime . She has published Whispers in the Wind a paranormal mystery and Deep Thoughts a flash fiction for fun.

RHONDA D. HERB has always been fascinated by the crossroads of medicine and storytelling. After a long career in healthcare communications, she now writes novels that weave suspense, romance, and history into page-turning tales. She is the author of Deadly Relations, a contemporary romantic thriller, and two historical romantic thrillers, The Jewel of Paradise and The Healer’s Secrets. Shadow on the Vines reflects both her professional background and her love of suspenseful fiction.

NANNETTE POTTER Nannette Potter is the award-winning author of the Blade Broussard international thriller series. Beyond writing, she loves spending time with family and traveling the globe, where she dreams up future high-stakes conspiracies. Potter’s second book, Deception’s Edge, won first place in the CLUE thriller and suspense award and won the Literary Titan Book Award. Her debut thriller, Pierce the Darkness, earned an Honorable Mention in the Writer’s Digest 12th Annual Self-Published E-Book Awards.

JOHN BOWERS discovered his love of writing in the seventh grade. He began his first novel at age 13 and before he graduated high school, he wrote four more. Today he is the author of three popular science fiction series: the Starport series; the Nick Walker, U.F. Marshal series; and the Fighter Queen saga. Bowers is married and lives in California with his wife and two cats.

Rising Star Award winner Jeff Cates leads the Valley Writers Group. He’s a former sixth grade teacher, track coach, and forest firefighter. Nearly eighty of his paid stories and articles have been published in North America and Europe.
His highly rated science fiction novels and children’s books are available on Amazon.
Free samples of his writing and author interviews can be found atJeff Cates’s Authors’ Showcase at https://jeffcatesauthorshowcase.com

JAMES GARCIA, JR is the 1994 winner of the Writer’s International Network/Writers’ Inter-Age Network writing contest in the horror category (Fresno). To date, he has written and self-published six novels. They are typically horror or paranormal books with an edgy or crossover slant. Kingsburg or the California central valley are the setting.

ROH MORGON writes dark fantasy with a bit of horror and is a past winner of the International Vampire Film & Arts Silver Stake Award. She’s best known for her supernatural suspense series The Chosen, which includes Monster, Watcher, Runner, and the upcoming Seeker, along with the related novellas The Last Trace and The Games Monsters Play. You can find Roh and her books on Amazon, Facebook, or her website, www.rohmorgon.com.

ALBERT AVEDISSIAN grew up in Los Angeles. He volunteered ten years for an international Ngo. He studied real estate in college and has been a licensed contractor since 1999 and a active notary public in the central valley for 14 years. He has been involved in martial arts and meditation, art for many years. After many near death experiences and losses which led to extreme anxiety and depression Albert went on a spiritual quest and discovered ways to conquer anxiety and now thrives in life and is exited to share his experiences with easy steps to read and follow in his book called 21 ways to release anxiety.

JEAN CHAFFEE Dr. Paul Chaffee (Doc) changed my life. I grew and thrived as he opened his world of animals and travel to me. In 1988, I joined the Rain Forest Ranger program using my teaching skills. He passed away in 1990 after just 5 years of marriage. In 1997, I retired to research his legacy and the zoo’s history. The result is 7 children’s books and the Apes to Zebras to Nosey history stories.

WAYLAND BRYANT JACKSON, 94, storyteller, poet, and artist, has been publishing for years, inspiring readers to explore the depths of the human experience. With three books on Amazon books and a fourth on its way, I invite you to immerse yourself in my diverse collection of writings, art, and videos. Each of us has unique views on life, and I encourage readers to share their views as I have mine, including their reactions to my writings.

LAWRENCE F. LIHOSIT was born in the southern suburbs of Chicago in 1951. His family later moved to Arizona where he graduated from grade school, high school and Arizona State University. He reluctantly served in the U.S. Army Reserves during the closing years of the Vietnam War and enthusiastically volunteered for the Peace Corps   His travels and work took him from the salmon spawning Alaskan river basin to the Argentine Pampas. 

PRINCE MARSHALL is an educational leader, author, and speaker with more than 20 years of service in education. From janitor to Assistant Superintendent, his journey reflects resilience, purpose, and growth. He is the author of From the Ground Up: A Look into the Janitor’s Closet, inspiring readers through authentic leadership lessons and real-life experiences. Through his DaGroundUp (DGU) brand, Prince empowers others to lead with purpose, perseverance, and lasting impact.

ERIC QUEK Dr. Eric Quek, B.Sc., M.B.B.S., is a retired physician, integrative health educator, and certified Qigong instructor at Kaweah Health Lifestyle Fitness Center. Drawing on more than 30 years of clinical and wellness experience, he teaches breath-led Qigong, Tai Chi, and practical approaches to healthy aging. He is the author of two educational books, Gateway to Calm and The Breath Whisperer, and has published articles exploring diaphragmatic breathing, Qigong, recovery, and sustainable health.

ALENA A. HAIRSTON Dr. Alena A. Hairston is an award-winning author, scholar, and educator.  Please visit her website at https://alenahairston.com

ALICE MCMURTRY is a poet, author, and believer in the power of words to transform lives. Her debut collection, Friction Strikes a Light Within, explores love, loss, and triumph through poetry. Her guided journal, Dandelion Stars: A Guided Journal, is a call back to your creative self and a reminder that we are not just wish makers but creators of our own reality.

DANNY ROMERO Danny Romero’s latest book Mi Vida Oakland (and other poems) won a 2024 Josephine Miles Award for Excellence from PEN Oakland. He is the author of the novel Calle 10 and another book of poetry, Traces.