Author Fair 2025

Zeke and Nate are the co-authors behind the banana bread cookbook Going Bananas. Their philosophy on kitchen etiquette is that the camera should always eat first, and the best way to get a recipe right is to bake your own mistakes.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zekeandnatebake  

Instagram: @ZekeandNateBake  

TikTok: @ZekeandNateBake  

YouTube: @ZekeandNateBake  

Author Website: https://www.zekeandnatebake.com/  

Sandrine Pilaz is a hospital chaplain and wellness facilitator dedicated to fostering connection and mindful living. She creates spaces for healing and authentic self-expression.

Author Website: https://nourish-collective.com/

Sanaa Abourezk is a chef and restaurateur based in Sioux Falls, SD renowned for her mastery of Middle Eastern cuisine in the heart of meat-and-potato country. Born in Syria, Sanaa's culinary journey began at a young age, influenced by the fresh ingredients and rich flavors from her homeland. Despite pursuing a bachelor's degree in engineering, her passion for cooking led her to explore and refine her skills, eventually establishing herself as a respected chef and author.

Author Website: https://www.sanaacooks.com/sanaa  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanaasgourmet/  

Instagram: @sanaacooks27  

X: https://x.com/sanaacooks  

YouTube: @sanaacooks  

Emersyn Park was born, raised, and still lives in the Midwest. All five of her novels are set in our tri-state area. With a delicate blend of thriller and family saga, Emersyn takes readers on a page-turning journey into small-town scandals.

Author Website: https://www.emersynpark.com/  

Facebook: https://facebook.com/EmersynPark  

Instagram: @emersynjulespark  

 CK Van Dam is a daughter of the Dakota prairies. With degrees in History and Journalism from South Dakota State University, she has embarked on a second career to create stories about the strong women who have built our nation and our world.

Author Website: https://ckvandam.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CKayVanDam  

Instagram: @ck_vandam  

Threads: @ck_vandam  

As an author-historian, Fadness has written on the art, science and history of ballooning in a book titled Balloons Aloft: Flying South Dakota Skies. Recent books are The Long, Long Road Back to Love, Capturing the Younger Brothers of the Jesse James Gang, and The Ku Klux Klan in South Dakota.

Carrie Taylor Goldberg, B.A., U of Waterloo, hails from Toronto - not South Dakota. This Canadian author/photographer/speaker has one published book, A Taste of Israeli Life, and another soon to be published on KDP Amazon. Her real-life stories reflect her love for the beauty of God's creation, shared through witty humor.

Christine Mager Wevik is the award-winning South Dakota author of the Brynn Young mystery series, including Borrowed Memories, recipient of the Silver Falchion Best Supernatural and Best Book of the Year. Her non-fiction books include It’s Only Hair, a humorous, self-help book about coping with hair loss, and bestseller, Someone Knows, detailing 52 of SD’s many cold cases

Author Website: https://christinemagerwevik.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinemagerwevik/  

Scott Johnson is a writer, reader, husband, and Midwestern dad who talks about sports too much. He’s the author of Essays Out of Left Field, a collection of wholesomely humorous and occasionally inspirational personal essays about everyday life. Since 2016, Scott has written the back-page column for Vital by POET magazine, where he shares random epiphanies, tangents, and mostly-true stories. His work draws from his South Dakota farm roots, his faith, a passion for sports, and an overwhelming desire to be ridiculous.

Author Website: scottjohnsonauthor.com  

Instagram: @scottjohnsonsd  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/scottjohnsonauthorsd

TikTok: @scottjohnsonauthor  

James Best is a Christian fantasy author who likes to blend elements from other genres. He began by self-publishing three novels in 2022, followed by a fourth in 2024, and is currently working on a fifth.

X: https://x.com/_JamesCube  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.best.35175  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51413672.James_Best  

David Kemp has been the publisher of Mariah Press since 1993. His baseball book, Kermit Wahl was created for a community celebration in Columbia, SD.

MJ McMillan is a poet, author, and semi-retired rancher living near Murdo. A lifelong resident of South Dakota, the self-proclaimed ‘Poet for the Common Man’ currently has three books in print, Poems for the Common Man, Volumes One, Two, and Three.

Mary Winters is the Edgar Award-Nominated author of the Lady of Letters historical mystery series. She is also the author of two cozy mystery series set in South Dakota, and her short fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and Black Cat Weekly.

Author Website: MaryWintersAuthor.com and MaryAngelaBooks.com  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/marywintersauthor

Instagram: @marywintersauthor  

Graham Wrightson is professor of history at SDSU. He has written over 50 academic papers on ancient warfare, including three sole authored books and seven edited volumes, as well as a textbook. Originally from the UK, he studied at Cambridge University and Calgary in Canada before starting at SDSU. He is currently finishing his first historical novel about the Wars of the Roses as well as another sole authored book about the ancient Macedonian pike of Alexander the Great.

Joan is an 8th grade reading teacher at West Central Middle School, in Hartford, SD. She has a master's degree in reading and is passionate about instilling the love of reading in her students each school year. Lisa, who is fascinated by genealogy and has traced her families back to the 1400’s and 1500’s. She is a Certified Personal Trainer and runs the Rock Steady Boxing program for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s in Sioux Falls, SD.

Author Website: Mueller-Sisters.com  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mueller-Sisters-Writing-Adventures/61557920866945/  

Instagram: @Muellersisterswritingadventure  

Kelly Lucero, a former primary literacy coach and now Professional Learning Specialist, brings over 20 years of experience helping learners succeed and bridging gaps in early literacy. With a master’s degree in Reading & Literacy, she consults for leading education organizations and writes children’s books that inspire young readers.

Author Website: KellyLucero.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-z-lucero/  

Larissa Deedrich's fervent dedication to storytelling, her commitment to assisting others, and her profound affection for horses have culminated in a richly adventurous life. As an enthusiastic equestrian and competitor, Larissa's empathy permeates her professional endeavors. Her writings frequently explore the complexities of social dynamics, adding depth to her narrative style.

Author Website: https://www.larissadeedrich.com/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larissa-deedrich-261157134/  

Susan Young-Anderson is a southeastern South Dakota raised farm girl who has not forgotten her roots. She has been an artist most of her life with sweet, prairie themed paintings, drawings and photo-illustrations. She has more recently published many books including some with Christian inspiration and prairie-based story lines.

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About the Author

J. W. Jesser is a former teacher who lives and writes in rural South Dakota.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/J-W-Jesser-100076207236544/

Charli Cardenas, SPHR, has worked and volunteered in the HR field for 20 years. She holds a Master's in Science in HR and currently volunteers on Community Conservation's board in her free time.

Leah Simmons is a genre writer/screenwriter from South Dakota specializing in horror and sci-fi that ranges from the deep exploration of humanity's darker nature to laugh out loud funny. In 2024, she self-published her first novel, THORNA: BOOK ONE, and then followed-up in early 2025 with THORNA: BOOK TWO.

Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/LeahFromSouthDakota  

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/leahfromsd.bsky.social  

Duncan B. Barlow is the author of AWRY: STORIES, A DOG BETWEEN US, THE CITY, AWAKE, OF FLESH AND FUR, and SUPER CELL ANEMIA. His fiction has appeared in The Denver Quarterly, The North American Review, The Collagist, The Collagist, Wordriot, Tinge: Temple University, Calamari Press, and Meat for Tea.

Stephanie Logue writes YA and New Adult contemporary literature for girls and women who feel like they never quite fit in. She is the author of Not Without You, a New Adult contemporary novel about mental health. As an eldest daughter, she has a Substack called The Eldest Daughter Says in which she discusses family, writing, and pop culture moments.

Author Website: stephanieloguewrites.com  

Instagram: @stephanielogue_writes  

Chris Poore has been telling stories in one form or another his entire life. It just took a global pandemic to finally get him to put them down on paper. Chris has been a journalist, entrepreneur, and a technology leader. He lives just outside of Omaha, Nebraska, with his wife Sue, two children, and two rescue dogs.

Author Website: https://linktr.ee/chrispoorewrites?

Author Machelle Berglund is a longtime artist / writer who prides themselves on being an absolute oddball, a real weirdo (the good kind, not a creep). They tend to dabble in many genres and have a knack for poetry.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMachelleBerglund/  

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/spookyxpickle.bsky.social  

Lori Sheldon is a wife, mother and bestselling author. In her book Change of Heart she shares a personal family journey as she persevered through the role as caregiver for her husband.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lori.j.sheldon/

The author currently lives in the land beyond, beyond, a world past hope and fear and a place where only dreamers dare to dream beyond all we know as reality.

Morgan Sauer calls the rolling prairie of the midwest home though you can find her anywhere she can get a full view of the sky. When she isn't fighting off the next story idea, she's usually petting cats, messing around on a woodworking project, reading fourteen books at the same time (no lie), out running or hiking, or adventuring with family or friends.

Author Website: www.themesswrites.com  

Instagram: @themesswrites  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themesswrites/  

Ciera McElroy is the author of Atomic Family (2023), the Southern Literary Book of the Year. She is also the founder and CEO of Clover and Bee Communications, a boutique agency specializing in film marketing, serving clients like Kingdom Story Company, Lionsgate, and Sony Pictures.

Author Website: cieramcelroy.com  

Instagram: @cierahmcelroy  

Dr. Rich Lofthus is Professor Emeritus of History at Mount Marty University, where he taught for thirty-six years. His presentation on his book can come to your community through the South Dakota Humanities Council Speaker's Bureau.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/From-Wentworth-to-the-Western-Front/100064047402840/#

A.E. Dinsmoor is the author of the fantasy adventure series Battle for Neverland as well as a growing collection of imaginative works for children and moms. She writes to edify, engage, and spark wonder in readers of all ages.

Author Website: https://aedinsmoor.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aedinsmoor  

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/aedinsmoor_author  

X: http://www.twitter.com/aedinsmoorbooks