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.
- You are searching within category(ies): Young Adult
Echo Brown
Echo Brown is the award-winning author of Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard, which was named a William C. Morris Award Finalist, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, a New York Public Library Best Book of the Year, a CCBC Choice Title, and a Rise: A Feminist Book Project Selection, among other honors. A performer and playwright, Echo created the acclaimed one-woman show Black Virgins Are Not for Hipsters. She is a Dartmouth alumna and the first female college graduate in her family. Learn more at: https://www.echobrown.com/
Tiara J. Brown
Tiara J. Brown grew up in Northeast Ohio and studied media at Ohio University. Although The Tales of Alexandria Stecklar: The Locket is her first published novel, she has been held captive by the art of story-telling since she was twelve-years-old. When she is not writing or reading, you can be found swing dancing, hiking, or traveling.
E.A. Burnett
E.A. Burnett is an epic fantasy author who writes evocative tales set in lush worlds full of magic, animals, and strong female protagonists. Her passion for nature and experience working with wildlife shines through in fantastical worlds where animals and humans are close-knit. Silverglen and Isle Of Wings are two standalone novels set in the same universe—one full of magic and shapeshifters. Of Gryphons And Runes is the start of a new epic fantasy trilogy in a world created by Enchanters—one where humans are bound to other life forms. Her shorter works received an Honorable Mention (2013), a Silver Honorable Mention (2022), and a Finalist Award (2016) from the international L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. Today, Burnett lives in the beautiful forests of Ohio with her husband, two little people, two corn snakes, and two rambunctious Labradors. Visit her at her website: https://www.eaburnett.com/, on Instagram (eaburnett_author) or Facebook (eaburnett.author).
Alejandra Campos
With Chinese, Panamanian, and Salvadorian heritage, Alejandra Campos is a Hispanic voice like no other. Her polemic views on the subject of migration are a direct result of her personal experiences while living in El Salvador (one of the most violent countries in the Americas), Mexico, and the U.S.A. Traveling the world from a very young age, Alejandra settled in the United States and eventually became a naturalized citizen. Although her legal status has always been legitimate, her “adventures” in this country have mirrored those of illegal aliens in many ways. Alejandra’s outstanding academic background includes an Industrial Engineering degree, a M.S. in Food Science, and multiple academic awards. For more, visit amazon.com/Alejandra-Campos
Rae Carson
Rae Carson is a young adult novelist. Her debut novel, The Girl of Fire and Thorns received the first official Ohioana Young Adult Book Award. Publishers Weekly’s starred review of The Girl of Fire and Thorns. It was named one of ALA’s Top Ten Fiction for Young Adults books for 2011 and finalist for the Morris, Cybils, and Andre Norton Awards. The second book in the trilogy, The Crown of Embers, released in September 2012, also received a Publishers Weekly starred review and readers praise. Carson grew up in California and always wanted to be a storyteller. In 2004, Rae joined the Online Writing Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror where she found her calling, made many friends, and met her future husband. She now lives in Arizona with her husband, noted author C.C. Finlay, and step-sons. Visit Rae’s website at http://www.raecarson.com/.
Sarah Anne Carter
Sarah Anne Carter is a lover of books. She is an avid reader and is a book review blogger. Writing stories since she was little, she is constantly thinking of ideas that could be used as a plot for a novel. She is a journalist by trade and has written numerous newspaper articles. She has also worked in the public relations and marketing fields. She grew up as an Air Force brat and has lived in many states and countries. Currently residing in Ohio, she spends her time enjoying her family, reading and writing. She is a lover of travel and cats.
Jody Casella
Jody Casella is a former high school English teacher. Her first novel, Thin Space, a paranormal YA mystery published by Beyond Words/Simon & Schuster, received a starred review from Kirkus. She lives with her husband and two teenagers in Columbus, Ohio. In addition to writing books, she visits schools, libraries, and book clubs to talk about the creative/revision process. Visit her website at http://www.jodycasella.com.
e.E. Charlton-Trujillo
Described as “a force of nature” by Kirkus Reviews, author, filmmaker and youth literacy activist e.E. Charlton-Trujillo has written several books for teens and children, most notably the ALA Winning and Choose to Read Ohio series Fat Angie. Their celebrated co-authored picture books with NYT Bestseller Pat Zietlow Miller include: Lupe Lopez: Rock Star Rules, Lupe Lopez: Reading Rock Star, and A Girl Can Build Anything. Trujillo’s short fiction appeared in the Read Across America selection Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican In America and the lauded anthology The Collectors edited by A.S. King. They are the co-founder of the literacy nonprofit Never Counted Out and a Madriana with Las Musas.
Craig M. Chavis , Jr.
Craig M. Chavis Jr. is an award-winning author and interdisciplinary coach on a mission to help entrepreneurs discover, embrace, and transform their purpose into profits. At the core of Craig’s coaching philosophy lies the mantra – Become the Entrepreneur of Your Life. Through this lens, he coaches through an alternative and holistic perspective cultivated from over a decade of first-hand experience launching and managing multiple businesses in Ghana, Costa Rica, Peru, and the United States of America. He is a serial entrepreneur, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, a former division-1 collegiate athlete, and received his BSBA from Samford University and MBA from the University of Tampa. Craig is also a super foodie, world traveler, lifelong learner, and currently resides in Columbus, OH.
Kara H.L. Chen
Kara H.L. Chen is a Taiwanese American writer who received her MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College. She is the author of LOVE & RESISTANCE (Quill Tree/Harper Collins, 2023) and ASKING FOR A FRIEND (Quill Tree/HarperCollins, 7/23/24). She grew up in Ohio but now lives with her husband and two daughters in Northern California. She can be found online at karahlchen.com.