Author Profiles
Ohio has a rich literary heritage as well as some wonderful contemporary authors. Learn more about them here! You can sort by various categories and see who has participated in our annual book festival by using the category search on the left, or search by keyword (including partial author names) by using the search field on the right.
Angela Crook
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Angela Crook lives in Shaker Heights with her son, and three crazy kitties. She served eleven years in the United States Air Force. She is a proud member of a writer’s group of two other up-and-comers (the Literary Llamas) who meet once a month to critique, encourage, and revel in the pursuit of literary greatness. She has three self-published novels: Fat Chance, Chasing Navah, and Maria’s Song. Her short story, Bitter, is featured in the anthology Cleveland Noir (August 2023). Her first traditionally published novel, Hurt Mountain, was released on March 1st, 2024. Angela can be found on Facebook at @AngelaCrookAuthor, on Instagram as @Angela__Crook, or Threads @Angela__Crook
Nathan Crook
Nathan C. Crook, Ph.D., is a cultural anthropologist and Assistant Professor of English and Agricultural Communication at The Ohio State University’s agricultural campus located on the northern end of Ohio’s Amish Country in Wooster. A native to the western United States, Crook is an intrepid traveler and researcher who has been engaged in researching and writing about culinary history and traditions in the Midwest and Ohio for the past decade. He and his family reside in Bowling Green and are active members of their community. He can frequently be found collaborating with the Wood County Historical Museum, attending local art events, and supporting his daughters as they participate in the Bowling Green Bobcat Band and swim team.
Thomas Crowl
Thomas Crowl is an avocational historian who has published two previous books, Murder of a Journalist (published by Kent State University Press) and Opdycke’s Tigers in the Civil War. His articles have appeared in Timeline, Echoes, History Magazine, and the Central States Archaeological Journal.
Paisley Cruz
Paisley Cruz grew up in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. Ever since she could remember, her imagination has taken her on amazing adventures. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she’d end up an author.
As a teen, Paisley began writing love stories and hasn’t really stopped over the years. Writing has been the only consistent activity in her life. As a young adult, Paisley’s dreams wavered from becoming a nurse to pursuing a music career. Instead, she settled on being a stay at home mom and an awesome wife.
Paisley is married to the love of her life and best friend, Mr. Cruz. Together they have two amazing little boys, three rescue cats, and a rescue beagle named BoBo.
When Paisley isn’t running her boys to and from sports, she is either writing or taking in a Cincinnati Reds game.
Dan Cryer
Dan Cryer, a former book critic at Newsday and Pulitzer Prize finalist, is the author of “Being Alive and Having to Die: The Spiritual Odyssey of Forrest Church.” He has contributed to “The Salon.Com Reader’s Guide to Contemporary Authors” and “Good Roots: Writers Reflect on Growing Up in Ohio,” and to many publications, including The New Republic, Salon, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Plain Dealer, and The Boston Globe. A graduate of The College of Wooster, he earned a PhD in U.S. history at the University of Minnesota.
Michael Cunningham
Michael Cunningham was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1952 and grew up in La Cañada, California. He received his B.A. in English Literature from Stanford University and his M.F.A. from the University of Iowa. His novel A Home at the End of the World was published in 1990 to wide acclaim. Flesh and Blood, another novel, followed in 1995. He received the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Award for his novel, The Hours. He has written one nonfiction book, Land’s End: A Walk Through Provincetown. He is the author of Specimen Days, and By Nightfall which has been optioned for the movies. His most recent novel is The Snow Queen and a story collection, A Wild Swan and Other Tales, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, was released by FSG in 2015. His most recent novel, Day, is a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice, A Best Book of the Year from NPR, Harper’s Bazaar, Chicago Public Library, Lit Hub, Paste, and Kirkus Reviews.
Alan Cupp
Alan Cupp loves to create and entertain, whether it’s with a captivating mystery novel or a funny promotional video for his church, he’s always anticipating his next creative endeavor. In addition to writing fiction, Alan enjoys acting, music, travel, and playing sports. His life’s motto is, “It’s better to wear out than rust out.” Alan places a high value on time spent with his beautiful wife and their two sons. He lives his life according to his 4F philosophy: Faith, Family, Friends, and Fun.
Namara L. Dafney
Namara L. Dafney is a professional Executive Business Coach who works with non-profits and the private sector to promote organizational transformation. She is the author of Habits From The Inside Out: A Holistic Perspective.
In her book, Namara uses insights from St. Augustine, Aristotle, and other sage scholars, along with the Bible’s timeless wisdom, and coaching to create a uniquely novel and relevant voice on habits. The book speaks about how to create good habits and change or let go of unhealthy ones.
With a Masters of Arts in Professional Practice in Coaching from Middlesex University in London, England, Namara authored her thesis on: The Impact of Coaching on Habit Development for Sustained Change. She has also written business blogs and delivers impactful presentations about habits for business, community, and educational settings. Namara is also a contributing writer to Leadership Narratives: Reflective Journeys of Sales Professionals (Routledge, publication date January 2024).
Namara L. Dafney is a lifelong learner and on any given day, she can be found reading an enjoyable book, autobiography is one of her favorites. Along with reading, she loves spending time with family and friends, scrapbooking, and challenging herself with new skills such as juggling.
James Dailey , II
A native of Wapakoneta, Ohio, James Dailey II graduated from the School of Advertising Art in Dayton, Ohio. He is curator of the Dailey Archives, an important assembly of artifacts, early photography, and ephemera. It also comprises the largest privately held collection of Ohio prison memorabilia. Inside the Ohio Penitentiary is his debut work as an author.