2026 Festival Authors

Thanks to all who’ve expressed an interest in participating as an author at the festival. We have selected our featured authors for 2026 and the application process is closed. If you would like to make a donation to SEEDs for Autism, click here for details. We encourage you to sign up for our email updates and follow us on social media to learn of upcoming opportunities.

Our 2026 Featured Authors are coming to the festival from 18 Arizona cities.

Keynote speakers to be announced soon!

Neurodivergent Authors

**Idris Goodwin** is an award-winning neurodivergent storyteller for multiple generations. He is the author of picture books, poetry, plays and young adult fiction, as well as a dedicated mentor to emerging writers. Goodwin serves as Associate Professor of Dramatic Writing at Arizona State University.

**Sophie Bernbaum** is a neurodivergent mother of three. When she is not reading or writing (or parenting!), she likes to go to restaurants, listen to Taylor Swift, and nap. In past lives, she was an elementary school teacher and a stand-up comedian. Her all-time favorite author is Judy Blume.

**Jeremy Scholz** is a writer and longtime educator whose work explores resilience, identity, and transformation. A later-life diagnosis of ADHD and dysgraphia unlocked his creativity, bringing his imagined worlds to the page. He lives in Arizona, where he continues to teach and write.

**Melissa Widmaier** is an author on the spectrum who likes to mix a little ink with her magic. Her books focus on the familial bond and exploring the natural world. When not manipulating words, she can be found camping with a camera in hand, getting lost among things green and growing.

Nonfiction Authors

A retired airline pilot, **Dale Arenson** has lived an unusual life. Highschool dropout, ex-biker, world champion rifle competitor and now bestselling, award-winning author of five books, with more to come. Dale’s goal is to help people achieve their dreams: Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, especially yourself.

**Victoria Benoit** has published three books which swiftly reached #1 on Amazon: What Would Love Do Right Now? A Guide to Living an Extraordinary Life in December 2017; Three Magical Words for a Magical Life in January 2021; and No Weeping Widow Here – My True Story in November 2023. “Through these books, I believe I am impacting people on a global scale.”

**Kathy Cano-Murillo**, The Crafty Chica, is a bestselling author, artist, and entrepreneur. Blending art, storytelling, and culture, Kathy writes empowering stories that celebrate Latina joy, resilience, and creativity. Her books spotlight women finding their voice, embracing heritage, and manifesting beautiful lives filled with purpose and sparkle.

Navy veteran and whistleblower **Paula Pedene** tells her powerful true story in A Sacred Duty: How a Whistleblower Took on the VA and Won—a nationally-recognized, award-winning memoir of courage, integrity, and faith that inspired VA reform and a Hollywood screenplay adaptation.

Sri Lankan–born journalist and author **Srianthi Perera** lives in Chandler, freelancing for community newspapers and pursuing creative writing. Her award-winning debut novel A Maiden’s Prayer reflects her roots, and her short stories feature global travel. Her current projects explore literary travel in Arizona, across the U.S., and around the world.

**Anisa Marku** is an author passionate about helping people transform their lives through effective goal-setting and a positive mindset. Her latest book, “Smart Goals Mastery,” provides practical strategies to achieve your dreams. Join her on this journey to unlock your potential and create a fulfilling life!

**Susan Pohlman** is an editor, writing coach/instructor, and the founder of the Phoenix Writers Network. She is the author of Halfway to Each Other: How a Year in Italy Brought Our Family Home and A Time to Seek: Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality at Midlife. Her essays have been published in a variety of print and online magazines and journals.

**Brian Wedemeye**r is a former journalist now working as an elementary school principal in rural Arizona. While watching a documentary, he had one question about the O.J. Simpson murder case, and his search for the answer led him to an unbelievable journey and his first book, titled “OJ’s MOON: Untold True Stories from the Other Side.”

After 42 years of marriage, **Susan Luzader**’s husband developed the annoying habit of dating, and she suddenly became single. She turned to family, friends, her writing, and wine. Stumbling through the first months, Susan saw humor smoothed out the rough edges and allowed her to realize a good story eases the struggle. Today she thrives in Tucson.

**Kerani Marie Lomonaco** is an author, artist, and soulful inner wisdom guide and creative muse whose work awakens the sacred feminine through love, grief, and creative alchemy. Her writing and art invite women to embody wholeness and live as vessels of truth and beauty. She weaves wisdom, art, and ritual into pathways of embodied healing.

Romance Authors

**Brittney Coon** graduated Magna Cum Laude from ASU with a BS in Communication and a minor in Film & Media Production. Brittney has always been creative and turned to writing to share the stories playing in her head. In her spare time, she reads, attends rock concerts, and writes horror features. She lives in Arizona with her spoiled cats.

**Ginger Scott** is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Peoria, Arizona. With more than 45 novels, she has built a reputation for creating characters and romances that stay with you long after the last page. In addition to writing, Ginger is passionate about autism and mental health.

Kacey Shea is a USA Today bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance. She enjoys writing strong and smart heroines, heroes with hearts of gold, and stories that deliver a satisfying, well-earned happily ever after.

**Allison Trebacz** is a dark fantasy romance author who specializes in stories about yearning, swords, (mostly) dead gods, and little more than kissing. Her works include: The Emerald Dawn, Sapphire Noon, and Who Calls Me Villain.

Fiction Authors

Contemporary, Fantasy, Historical, Mystery, Thriller, YA

After graduating from NAU, **Amanda Adam** traveled the world. She got her start in book adaptation scripts. She bought the rights to GP Taylor’s Tersias and moved to the UK while developing the script. She published her first novel in 2019, the first of a trilogy. She resides in Prescott, Arizona, and owns Bear & Dragon, a literary themed cafe and restaurant.

After a tour as a nuclear electrician’s mate in the US Navy, **Vermilion H Baine** now works in the semiconductor industry. She writes fantasy, low and high, and tries to sprinkle in humor between the extreme bouts of angst. She lives with two very codependent rescue dogs, her grumpy, can-fix-anything husband, and her Viking-sized sons.

**Wanda Penalver Bevan** was born in Ithaca, New York. A graduate of Northwestern University, she’s the author of three books. Her latest novel, The Rains of Wishton, is second in the Wishton series, following Their Souls Met in Wishton. She is also the author of A Slow Dance in Memoriam, a contemporary poetry anthology. Wanda lives in Phoenix.

**Jon C. Gabriel** is a former U.S. Navy submarine nuclear reactor operator, and author of the novel “Sink the Rising Sun.” He’s a full-time scriptwriter and columnist whose work has been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, CNN.com, and the Arizona Republic. Jon graduated summa cum laude from ASU’s Cronkite School of Journalism.

**Sabrina Grimaldi** is an Arizona-born author, journalist, and editor. Her debut YA novel, We Are Not The Same, released in May 2025. She is the creator of The Zillennial Zine, where she mentors emerging journalists, and her reporting has appeared across Arizona in the Arizona Daily Sun, Flag Live!, and Arcadia News.

**Heidi Herman** writes women’s fiction, cookbooks, and Icelandic-inspired non-fiction and folklore. Born in the United States, Heidi cherishes the Icelandic heritage passed down from her mother, adding a touch to each of her books. Her commitment to making positive change accessible shines through in her writing.

**Tony Fuentes** and **C.S. Kading** are two accomplished authors recognized for their ability to weave captivating narratives for over 20 years. Emphasizing the richness of non-Western myths and legends, Tony and C.S. strive to incorporate elements of Mexican and Central American culture into their works, expanding the realms of Fantasy for readers.

Dharma Kelleher writes Arizona-based crime thrillers and urban fantasy where queer women kick ass. As the most prolific transgender author in her genre, she entertains readers with action-packed stories and a diverse cast of characters, while exploring themes of justice, trauma, community, and moral conflict.

With degrees in government and education, and a career in communications, **Kristina Makansi** started a small press in 2011. Since then, as both editor and designer, she has worked on more than 160 book projects including many award winners. Under the pen names Marie K. Savage and K. Makansi (as a co-author), she writes romance with magical, sci-fi, and dystopian elements.

**Betty Webb** is the author of 20 mysteries; the Lena Jones Arizona-based mysteries, the California-based Zoo series; and the 1920s Paris-based mysteries.

Laura Maurer has degrees in English and Comparative Religion from the University of Iowa. She is a Pilates teacher and jewelry designer who has sold literature-related jewelry in libraries and theaters throughout Southern California. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband and son where she teaches Pilates and writes at her local library.