From the pool of applicants, 25 writers were chosen, comprising 19 children’s and teen authors and six adult authors to appear at Grand Lake Area Literature Festival.
Kids and Adults get to meet real authors, hear stories come to life, and realize that the people behind their favorite books are just as imaginative and passionate as the stories they create.
There were so many wonderful authors on site, each bringing something unique. I was able to listen to Sam Subity and capture a small moment of Wendy Day talking about fantasy, which gave a glimpse into the creativity behind those magical worlds.
Jana Chantel is the author behind that dystopian young adult series, which includes titles like Surviving Red, Fighting Red, and related works in the same storyline.
Scott Geisel, the author of the Jackson Flint mystery series, the Appalachian noir suspense novel Miller Knew, short stories, and other works of fiction, was happily greeting fans at the festival.
Tricia Springstubb was busy signing copies of her books when I passed her table a few times.
I also got to watch Katie Mazeika share her book Maybe Just Ask Me with a group of children, and it was such a meaningful experience. The way the kids listened, reacted, and connected—it felt like watching something click for them.
And one of the sweetest parts was how many authors offered little gifts to young readers—tiny dragons, fun stickers, and small keepsakes that made the experience even more memorable.
What I love most about the Literature Festival is the way it encourages reading. The festival reminds me so much of being young and searching for that one perfect book—the one that pulls you in so completely you lose track of time, the one you carry everywhere, the one that quietly turns you into a reader for life. Watching kids at the festival, you can see them right on the edge of finding that for themselves, and it’s such a special thing to witness.
The festival isn’t just about books—it’s about helping people of all ages discover their love for reading.
