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.
Anietra Hamper
Anietra Hamper is an award-winning published travel writer and photographer and owner of ThreeWordPress.
Her travels take her around the world covering destinations, adventure travel and fishing for regional and national publications including AAA, USAToday, Game & Fish, PlanetWare.com, FIDO Friendly magazine, TourismOhio.com, Columbus Parent Magazine and official Visitor Guides for several counties in Ohio. Anietra’s quick rise in the travel writing industry led to her admission into the prestigious Society of American Travel Writers.
As a Columbus, Ohio native and owner of ThreeWordPress, Anietra writes corporate marketing content for websites, blogs, videos and Apps. She is also an executive speech coach and on-camera talent for corporate videos as well as commercials and television shows.
Before starting her own business, Anietra spent nearly 20 years as a top-rated television news Anchor and Emmy nominated investigative Reporter. Her stories ranged from investigations into the dangers of commercial popcorn flavoring to interviewing presidential candidates to pulling 9G’s in an F-16 fighter jet with the U.S. Thunderbirds.
Anietra has won numerous industry awards for travel writing and television news reporting. She is also a recipient of the YWCA Women of Achievement Award, Jefferson Award and Congressional Award.
Anietra and her dog Sunny live in Gahanna.
Eric Hanna
Eric Hanna, born in Youngstown, Ohio, was a walk on basketball player at the Ohio State University (1994-95, 1996-98) who earned a scholarship for his senior season, making the first start of his entire life in the last game at historic St. John Arena on February 28, 1998. Eric was a two time Academic All-Big Ten selection (1997-98), Fred Taylor Award Winner (1998) and John Havlicek Award Winner (1998). He currently teaches American History at Shanahan Middle School in the Olentangy Local School District where he has earned the Battelle for Kids Celebrate Teaching Distinguished Educator Award in 2013. Eric has been an assistant coach at Capital University (1998-2001, 2002-2009) and at Vassar College (2001-2002). Currently the youth basketball director for the Plain City Area Ball Association, Eric has continuously coached basketball at every level from kindergarten to college since his collegiate playing experience. Eric earned the 2019 Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for Non-Fiction Sports Books for his publication of Fight to the End.
Pauletta Hansel
Larry C. Hansgen
Larry Hansgen and his wife Marty live in northeast Columbus. Before retiring he worked in sales and sales management. He also worked in radio as a disc-jockey and weekend newsman, and was a freelance sports writer in the early 1990s. In addition to The Ohio State University Buckeyes, he is an avid Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns fan. Since retiring he has been active as an actor in community theatre. A Buckeye Remembers is Larry’s first book to be published. His memoir as a lifelong Buckeye fan intertwines everyday life in Columbus, Ohio, with the excitement of following Ohio State athletics. Larry brings his readers an enjoyable perspective and recollection of the ups and downs of the university’s gridiron and hoops.
John Harder
John D. Harder is associate professor emeritus in evolution, ecology, and organismal biology at The Ohio State University, where he taught upper-division courses in mammalogy and conservation biology. His research on the reproductive biology and ecology of mammals has focused on marsupials and involved field studies in Ohio, Venezuela, and Amazonian Peru.
Larisa Harper
Larisa Harper has been a higher education professional for more than 25 years with experience and leadership in academic affairs, student services, assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, workforce development, research, policy, and grant writing. Dr. Harper is the Chief Academic Officer for Zane State College in Zanesville.
Dr. Harper enjoys researching historical aspects of her community and participates in executive boards focused on education and history, mental health and recovery services, and cancer awareness. She lives in Zanesville, Ohio with her husband, Aaron. She has one son, A.J. Harper of Fort Wayne, Indiana; two daughters, Cassie Harper, Columbus, Ohio; and Jordee Harper, Zanesville. Learn more at her website: https://larisaharper.wordpress.com/
Brett Harper
Brett Harper is the son of Charley and Edie Harper. He is the executor of the Charley and Edie Harper Estates and the director of the Charley Harper Art Studio. He is also an artist.
Karen Harper
A lifelong Ohioan, Harper taught English before writing full time. She is a NYTimes bestselling author who has won the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She writes both historical novels and contemporary suspense. Karen and her husband make their home in Columbus but love to travel. Her author collection is housed in Rare Books and Manuscripts at The Ohio State University.
Steve Harpster
Steve Harpster lives in Cincinnati Ohio and travels the country teaching kids how to draw, create, and Imagine.
John Harris
John M. Harris grew up in Coshocton, Ohio, and graduated from Wittenberg University in 1976. He worked for more than twenty years as a reporter, photographer, and editor. He is an associate professor of journalism at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington.