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.
Linda Gondosch
A former language arts teacher and Northern Kentucky University instructor, Linda Gondosch has written numerous books for children, including picture books, early chapter books, middle grade fiction and nonfiction published by Lerner Publishing Group, Random House, and others. Who Needs a Bratty Brother? won the Kentucky Bluegrass Award. Also, How Did Tea and Taxes Spark a Revolution? was named an Honor Book by the Society of School Librarians International. Gondosch earned a BS in Education from Ohio University and a Master of Education from Northern Kentucky University. She has spoken at over 200 schools and libraries about books and the writing process.
Many of Gondosch’s books were inspired by her own childhood in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as by the adventures of her four children who were raised in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Today Gondosch lives with her husband in Hebron, KY, near Cincinnati. They enjoy traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe, visiting historic sites. After seeing the Mission of San Francisco, Gondosch was inspired to write her book, Junípero Serra: Founder of the California Missions.
Gwen Goodkin
Gwen Goodkin is the author of the short story collection, ‘A Place Remote.’ She has twice been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and has won the Folio Editor’s Prize for Fiction as well as the John Steinbeck Award for Fiction. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia.
Roger Gordon
The Miracle of Richfield: The Story of the 1975-76 Cleveland Cavaliers is Roger Gordon’s fifth book and his second on the Cavaliers. His Tales from the Cleveland Cavaliers: The Rookie Season of LeBron James was published in 2004. Prior to that, he published books about the Cleveland Browns and one on the Cincinnati Bengals. Gordon lives in North Canton, Ohio.
Genevieve Gornichec
Genevieve Gornichec earned her degree in history from The Ohio State University, but she got as close to majoring in Vikings as she possibly could, and her study of the Norse myths and Icelandic sagas became her writing inspiration. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, she now lives even deeper in the Midwest. The Witch’s Heart is her debut novel.
Visit her website at: https://genevievegornichec.com/
Barry Gott
Barry Gott grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he drew his first books on paint can labels from his dad’s paint factory. After upgrading to real paper he developed a love of humor and cartoons, which led first to a B.F.A. in Painting from Bowling Green State University, followed by a career writing and designing humorous greeting cards for American Greetings. Since 1999 he has illustrated dozens of children’s books and in 2018 his first book as author/illustrator, Honk! Splat! Vroom! was published by Lerner Books. Barry lives in South Euclid with his wife, kids, and an ever-increasing number of small animals.
Chelsea Gottfried
Chelsea Gottfried works as a naturalist and nature-based preschool teacher for the Crawford Park District in north central Ohio. She is an avid gardener and a passionate entomologist. https://www.ohioswallow.com/book/Gardening+for+Moths
John J. Grabowski
John J. Grabowski works as the Krieger-Mueller Associate Professor of Applied History at Case Western Reserve University and as the Krieger-Mueller Chief Historian at the Western Reserve Historical Society. He is the editor of the online edition of The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History and The Dictionary of Cleveland Biography. https://history.case.edu/faculty/john-grabowski/
Carolyn Grace
Carolyn Grace began writing poetry as a child, and has been completely in love with language ever since. Grace graduated from Berea College with an undergraduate degree in English composition and a minor in music performance. She went on to complete her master of fine arts in creative writing through the Bluegrass Writers Studio at Eastern Kentucky University. Grace lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Grant, and their dog, Fitzwilliam, who appears to be aware that he is named after literary royalty and acts accordingly. Grenadine and Other Love Affairs is her debut book of poetry.
Jacob Grant
Jacob Grant is originally from Ohio, but now lives in Chicago with his patient wife and two less-than-patient children. He’s the author and illustrator of No Fair!, No Pants!, and Bear’s Scare, among other books. Most days he can be found in his home studio drawing, painting and writing until something feels story-ish. Learn more at his website: http://jacobgrantbooks.com/
Kelley Grant
Kelley Grant grew up in the hills around Sugarcreek, Ohio. She graduated from Otterbein College with a B.A. in English and college honors. She and her husband now live near Columbus, Ohio on a wooded hilltop with five cats and a dog. She has published the Desert Rising epic fantasy trilogy with Harper Voyager Publishers. Besides writing, Kelley teaches yoga and meditation, sings kirtan with her husband, and designs brochures and media.