Speakers and Demonstrators at the 2008 BookFest(More updates to come)
Megan Abbott (Historical Fiction)
Megan Abbott is the Edgar-nominated author of the novels QUEENPIN, THE SONG IS YOU and DIE A LITTLE. Her stories have appeared in DAMN NEAR DEAD: AN ANTHOLOGY OF GEEZER NOIR, WALL STREET NOIR, DETROIT NOIR and QUEENS NOIR. Her nonfiction book, THE STREET WAS MINE; WHITE MASCULINITY IN ARDBOILED FICTION AND FILM NOIR, was published in 2003. She is also the author of the Edgar-nominated A HELL OF A WOMAN: AN ANTHOLOGY OF FEMALE NOIR (2007). A Michigan native, she received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. Visit her at http://www.meganabbott.com
Jamie Agnew (Midwest Noir)
Jamie Agnew owns and operates Aunt Agatha’s Mystery, Detection and True Crime Bookstore with his wife, Robin. They live in Ann Arbor and have two children, Margaret and Robert, and a pug named Snap. He’s read many noir novels over the years.Suzanne Arruda (Historical Fiction)
Author of the Jade del Cameron mystery series, Suzanne Arruda grew up with two older brothers who lived, breathed, and played all things Tarzan which went a long way towards influencing her writing. Suzanne invites you to come with her to the kasbah in search of mystery and adventure in the newest installment, The Serpent’s Daughter, set in 1920 Morocco. Suzanne is an avid hiker and an avowed fan of chipmunks. The former zookeeper and science instructor traveled to exotic Morocco to research this latest book, but calls on her past experiences as a zookeeper and high school teacher when it comes time to write about anything dangerous, such as the time she saved her boss’ life from rattlesnake bite and learned to drive stick shift at the same time. For more information, visit the author’s website, www.suzannearruda.com and her historical blog, “Through Jade’s Eyes,” at http://suzannearruda.blogspot.com/
Cordelia Frances Biddle (Historical Fiction)
Cordelia Biddle grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs, a member of the branch of the Biddle family that historians refer to as "The Romantics". The term denotes a predilection for spectacular, if chancy, careers. The other side is known as "The Solids". Enough said One very notable "Romantic" Biddle was Nicholas Biddle, who edited the Journals of Lewis and Clark and later became president of the Second Bank of the United States. The other half of Cordelia’s Philadelphia ancestry are the Drexels; her great-great grandfather founded Drexel University. Her career path took her first to New York where she acted on stage and on television, playing a small role on the daytime drama One Life to Live. Her first novel, THE CONJURER, set in 1840's Philadelphia, grew out of her love of drama and history. Some of the themes of poverty touched on in the novel are inspired by her work with the Episcopal Community Services. THE CONJURER was chosen as a "Killer Book" by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association. Her second Philadelphia mystery comes out in July 2008. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband Steve Zettler, with whom she wrote the Nero Blank crossword puzzle mysteries. Visit her at http://www.cordeliafrancesbiddle.com
Eve Aronoff (Talking with Chefs)
Eve Aronoff began cooking professionally while attending Brandeis University in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating with a BA in Comparative Literature, she continued her hands-on experience, creating a working curriculum for herself - from fish markets, to the pastry kitchen, from prep cook, to line cook, to chef. Eve later attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France where she received diplomas in French Cuisine and Wine and Spirits and is currently working towards becoming a Master of Wine through the WSET in London. She is the author of eve-Contemporary Cuisine - Methode Tradionelle. Eve lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she is chef/owner of eve the restaurant.Joe Borri (The Art of the Short Story, Book Cover Judge)
Joe Borri is the author of a collection of short stories, EIGHT DOGS NAMED JACK. Joe is a 45 year old artist and writer, is the son of a Detroit policeman and a homemaker gifted in the culinary arts. He and his three older siblings grew up on Detroit’s East side, along with his parents, both first generation Americans who were also raised in Detroit. After endutring 12 years of Catholic schools, he received his BFA from Northern Michigan University (‘84) entering the illustration field. The married father of four now lives in the Detroit area on the West side. Working the last 17 years at Skidmore, a creative studio in Royal Oak, his past jobs include laborer, landscaper, house painter, dishwasher and keyliner. He has written three articles for the Detroit Monthly and Michigan woman, four as yet to be produced screenplays, Chasing 56, Quarterbounce, Dre in the House and Bow Season, and one yet to be published novel, THE CLAW, adapted from Quarterbounce. EIGHT DOGS NAMED JACK is his first book. Visit Joe at http://www.joeborri.net or his blog at http://www.eightdogsnamedjack.blogspot.com
Bill Castanier (Moderator, Michigan Notable Books)
What do the dancing chicken, the Sesqui Bear, the world’s largest peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich, Tom Sawyer’s picket fence and the Belle Isle Bear have in common? Answer: their creator, Bill Castanier, who used all these vehicles to attract public attention in his more than 30 years as a public relations, advertising and marketing practitioner. Castanier has written thousands of speeches and media releases, produced award winning videos and ad campaigns, edited numerous publications and when necessary donned bear and chicken costumes. He has worked on such varied projects as the Michigan Sesquicentennial Celebration and special assignments for the governor ranging from the Task Force on the Future of Higher Education to the landmark High Technology Task Force. He has earned numerous awards including the Addy, the National Gold Screen Award, the Publisher’s Auxiliary Award - Top Special newspaper section and the National Economic Development Program of the Year 1998. He has participated as a member of such varied community associations as the Michigan State University Alumni Association, the Friends of the Lansing Library, the PTA, the Greater Lansing Food Bank, the Cub Scouts, the Get a Clue Mystery Reading Club and the Lansing Housing Coalition. He helped launch Lansing’s first community read program, One Book: Many Voices, and is on the Michigan Humanities Council Selection Committee for a Read Michigan Program. He has, in addition, interviewed scores of authors for the Lansing City Pulse and for www.spartanpodcast.com. He has a love of literature, including cheap, tawdry pulp mysteries, and he lives in Lansing with his wife.
Peter Ho Davies (The Art of the Short Story)
Peter Ho Davies is the author of the novel THE WELSH GIRL (2007) and the story collections THE UGLIEST HOUSE IN THE WORLD (1997) and EQUAL LOVE (2000). His work has appeared in Harpers, The Atlantic Monthly, The Paris Review, The Guardian, Independent, Washington Post and Chicago Tribune, among others. His short fiction has been widely anthologized, including selections for PRIZE STORIES: THE O. HENRY AWARDS 1992 and BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES 1995, 96 and 2001. In 2003 Granta magazine named him among its twenty "Best of Young British Novelists". THE WELSH GIRL was "long listed" for the Man Booker Prize 2007, and short listed for the Galaxy British Book awards. Davies is a recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown. Born in Britain in 1966 to Welsh and Chinese parents, Davies now makes his home in the US. He has taught at the University of Oregon and Emory University and is now on the faculty of the MFA Program of Creative Writing at the University of Michigan
Betty DeRamus (African American Writing)
A former Detroit News columnist, Betty DeRamus is the author of FORBIDDEN FRUIT: LOVE STORIES FROM THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, a collection of true stories about enslaved and free couples (most of them black but a few interracial) who battled mobs, slavecatchers, bloodhounds and social taboos to avoid separation. It was published in 2005 by Atria books, and is now in development as a Broadway production. DeRamus is now completing a second collection of underground railroad stories titled BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.
In 1990, the former journalist was among the handful of print journalists who were on the scene as Nelson Mandela walked out of prison. For her coverage of Mandela’s release, she received a second place award for international reporting from the National Association of Black Journalists. In 1993 she was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in commentary for a series of Detroit News columns about the Los Angeles riots and other subjects. Other awards have included first prize for commentary from the Overseas Press Club in 1981; the Deems Taylor Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers for an Essence Magazine profile of Roberta Flack; the Eugene Pulliam Fellowship for editorial writers in 1986 and first prize in the Michigan Press Association’s 2001 competition for her Detroit News series on the Underground Railroad. Her essays have appeared in THINKING BLACK, THE DARDEN DILEMMA, and CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN’S SOUL. Visit her at www.bettyderamus.com.
Loren D. Estleman (Historical Fiction)
Loren D. Estleman is the author of more than fifty novels (all of which were written on a manual typewriter), American Detective (2007) being the nineteenth to feature private eye Amos Walker. His other novels include Nicotine Kiss, a Michigan Notable Book Winner for 2007, the Undertaker’s Wife, and Little Black Dress. His work has earned him four Shamus Awards, five Golden Spur Awards, and three Western Heritage Awards thus far. He currently resides in central Michigan with his wife, author Deborah Morgan. Visit him at www.lorenestleman.com
Mike Fornes (Notable Books)
Mike Fornes is the author of MACKINAC BRIDGE: A FIFTY TEAR CHRONICLE, 1957-2007, for which he won a 2008 Michigan Notable Book Award. "The Mackinac Bridge means Michigan to so many people", Fornes says, "Over the past 50 years there have been some pretty incredible stories that have taken place on the bridge, over it and underneath it". Fornes has covered the bridge for more than 20 years for several media outlets in Northern Michigan, including radio and television stations and the Cheboygan Daily Tribune. A resident of Mackinaw City, Fornes is also frequently in demand as a guest speaker and presenter to tour groups, cruise ship organizations and historical societies. He estimates that he has given more than 1,500 tours of the Mackinac Bridge from motor coaches, cruise boats and shore based presentations. He is also the author of USCGC MACKINAW WAGB 83 - AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF A GREAT LAKES QUEEN, published in 2005.
Chris Grabenstein (Mystery Fiction)
Chris Grabenstein did improvisational comedy (with Bruce Willia) in New York befoe James Pattersonhired him at the J. Waletr Thompson advertising agency. His Anthony Award winning debut John Ceepak mystery TILT A WHIRL was followed by MAD MOUSE and WHACK A MOLE. HELL HOLE will be published in 2008 by St. Martin’s Minotaur. Chris has also written two thrillers, SLAY RIDE and HELL FOR THE HOLIDAYS, as well as THE CROSSROADS, a Middle Grade ghost story. His dog, however, has better credits: he once starred in Broadway in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Visit him at www.chrisgrabenstein.com
Kathyrn Miller Haines (Historical Fiction)
Kathryn Miller Haines is an actor, mystery writer, and award-winning playwright. She grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and received her BA in English and Theatre from Trinity University in San Antonio and her MFA in English from the University of Pittsburgh. She’s a member of the Mary Roberts Rinehart chapter of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. She’s the author of the Rosie Winter mystery series, set in the theatre community of World War II New York. The first book, THE WAR AGAINST MISS WINTER, was released in June, 2007. The second in the series, THE WINTER OF HER DISCONTENT, will be released in June, 2008. Books three and four will be released in 2009 and 2010.Anne Harris (Science Fiction)
Anne Harris is a science fiction and fantasy author whose novels include ACCIDENTAL CREATURES, which won the Spectrum Award for glbt.sf, and INVENTING MEMORY, a Book Sense pick. Her short story. "Still Life with Boobs", was a 2005 Nebula Award finalist. She also mentors grad students in Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction program. As Jessica Freelt, Harris writes erotic romance. Visit her at friskbiskit.com.Lorri Hathaway and Sharon Kegerreis (Michigan Notable Books)
Authors Sharon Kegerreis and Lorri Hathaway share a passion for Michigan that was ignited in the northern Michigan lake communities of Charlevoix and Leelanau Peninsula, respectively. Degrees were earned at Central Michigan University before Sharon and Lorri launched successful corporate careers, traveled to other parts of the country and world and settled down in southeast Michigan, where they met over shared business interests in 1997. Soon after, a newfound appreciation for "all things Michigan" was sparked with the discovery of Michigan wine country. Corporate careers were chucked as Sharon and Lorri launched Michigan Vine in 2003 to exclusively promote wine travel in Michigan. The taste of wines with Great Lakes panache inspired Sharon and Lorri to capture the colorful, eclectic stories of Michigan's winemakers in From the Vine: Exploring Michigan Wineries. A 2008 Michigan Notable book, From the Vine has earned rave media reviews and won the hearts of its readers, instigating a reprint six months after its release. Sharon and Lorri reside in Chelsea and East Lansing, respectively, with their families, where they continue to write from the comfort of their homes - often with a glass of Michigan wine by their sides.Jim C. Hines (Science Fiction)
Jim C. Hines has lived in Michigan for over 30 years. He’s been writing for twelve of those years. He won first place in the Writers of the Future Contest in 1998, and has since sold close to 40 short stries to markets such as Realms of Fantasy, Sword & Sorceress, and Turn the Other Chick. His latest novel is GOBLIN WAR, which concludes his humorous trilogy about a nearsighted goblin runt named Jig. He recently signed a contract to write three more books in a new series, so he’s going to be busy for quite some time. Visit him at www.jimchines.com
Beverly Jenkins (African American Writing)
Beverly Jenkins is an African -American historical romance writer. She and her family live in Southeastern Michigan. Born in Detroit, she graduated from Cass Technical High School and attended Michigan State University. Ms. Jenkins has written 16 books to date and has received numerous awards, including the Detroit Free Press Book of the Year, three Waldenbooks bestsellers awards, two career acheivement awards from Romantic Times magazine, and a Golden Pen award from the Black Writer’s Guild. In 1999 Ms. Jenkins was voted one of the top Fifty Favorite African-American writers of the 20th century by AABLC, the nation’s largest online African-American book club. Along with publishing two novels for young adults, Ms. Jenkins has also been published in many national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, People, The Dallas Morning News and Vibe magazine. She speaks widely on both romance and 19th century African-American history at libraries, schools and organizations. In 2004 her first novel of romantic suspense, THE EDGE OF MIDNIGHT. In April of 2008 her latest novel, JEWEL, was released. Visit her at www.beverlyjenkins.net.
Rob Kantner (Mystery Fiction)
Born in Ohio, raised in North Georgia, Rob Kantner has spent most of his adult life in Michigan. He served as a journalist in the US Naval Reserve, and graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in English and journalism. Rob’s business career included a series of management positions for small manufacturing and service firms. Since 1995 he has been self employed as a small business management consultant. He is the acclaimed the author of the Ben Perkins mysteries, set in Detroit. The latest installment, FINAL FLING, was published in 2007. His work has also appeared in Ellery Queen Magazine and the anthology MYSTERY MUSES. Visit him at www.robkantner.comTed A. Kluck (Notable Books)
Ted Kluck is the winner of the 2008 Michigan Notable Book Award for PAPER TIGER: ONE ATHLETE’S JOURNEY TO THE UNDERBELLY OF PRO FOOTBALL. Ted’s work has appeared in ESPN the magazine, Sports Spectrum Magazine, ESPN.com Page2, and several small literary journals. His first book, FACING TYSON: 15 FIGHTERS, 15 STORIES, was published by Lyons Press in October 2006, and published internationally by mainstream publishing in 2007. His next two books, PAPER TIGER and GAME TIME: INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL were release in September, 2007. Additionally, Ted has written three WGA registered screenplays and an award-winning short fil,. He has played professional indoor football, coached hish school football and taught writing courses at the college level. He lives in Grand Ledge, Michigan, with his wife Kristin and son Tristan. Visit Ted at www.tedkluck.comLee Meadows (Moderator, African American Writing)
Lee Meadows spends his time as a Professor of Management at Walsh College. He is an avid mystery reader and loved the idea of writing a novel. Though originally from Detroit, Ann Arbor has been his home for eleven years. He is a proud graduate of Michigan State University, proud husband of Phyllis and proud father of Garrison. His Lincoln Keller mystery series is based in Detroit and the character represents all the things he’s not, but wished he could be.Margaret Noori (Native American Poetry Panel)
M argaret Noori received her PhD in English and Linguistics from the University of Minnesota. Her work primarily focuses on the recovery and maintenance of Anishinaabe language and literature. She also holds an MFA in Creative Writing and is an active member of the Native American Journalist Association. Current research interests include language proficiency and assessment, and the study of indigenous literary aesthetics and rhetoric. For more information or to view current projects visit www.umich.edu/~ojibwe/ where she and her current students have created a space for language that is shared by academics and the native community. She served as Chair of the 14th Annual Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium and also serves as current Chair of the Indigenous Languages Sub-Committee for the Association for the Study of America Indian Literatures. Most importantly, she is a part of a busy and happy household in Ann Arbor, Michigan which includes her husband Asmat, and daughters Shannon and Fionna.Dorene O’Brien (The Art of the Short Story)
Dorene O’Brien is a fiction writer and a teacher of creative writing at the College for Creative Studies and Wayne State University in Detroit. She has won the international Bridport Prize, the Red Rock Review’s Mark Twain Award for Short Fiction, the New Millennium Writings Fiction Award and the Chicago Tribune Nelson Algren Award. She was also awarded a creative writing fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Her short stories have appeared in the Connecticut Review, the Chicago Tribune, Carve Magazine, Ellipsis, Passages North, Cimarron Review, Detroit Noir, and others. VOICES OF THE LOST AND FOUND, a short story collection featuring many of O’Brien’s prize winning short stories, was published by Wayne State University Press in June 2007. She is currently working on a novel featuring fossil hunters in Ethiopia.Steven Harper Piziks (Science Fiction)
Mr. Piziks was born in Saginaw, Michigan, but he moved around a lot. Currently he lives with his wife and three sons in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He’s also lived in Wisconsin and Germany. His novels include In the Company of Mind and Corporate Mentality, both science fiction published by Baen Books. Writing as Steven Harper for Roc Books, he has produced The Silent Empire series. He's also written movie novelizations and books based on Battlestar Galactica and The Ghost Whisperer. Mr. Piziks currently teaches English in Walled Lake, Michigan. When not writing, he plays the folk harp, dabbles in oral storytelling, and spends more time on-line than is probably good for him. Visit his web page at http://www.sff.net/people/spiziksTheresa Schwegel (Mystery Fiction)
Theresa Schwegel was born and raised in the Chicago area where she received her Bachelors in Communication, Magna Cum Laude, from Loyola University. During her undergraduate studies, she interned for an independent commercial production company, which sparked her interest in all things Hollywood. In 1998, she moved to Southern California and soon after pursued her Masters in Film/Screenwriting at Chapman University. While working on her degree, Ms. Schwegel also founded a small theater company. She wrote, directed and acted in a number of shows, her favorites always David Mamet’s. During this time she also covered scripts for an Academy Award winning production company. In 2002, under the guidance of her teacher and mentor Leonard Schrader, she began rewriting her thesis screenplay, OFFICER DOWN, as a novel. Three years later, OFFICER DOWN was published by St. Martin’s Minotaur and went on to win the 2005 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Novel. Her third novel, PERSON OF INTEREST, was released in 2007. Before her books were published she worked as a personal trainer, a freelance writer, and a bartender. Today, she writes full time, which is most likely better for all those trying to get in shape, make movies, or get drunk. She is now back at home in Chicago. Visit her at www.theresaschwegel.comDr. Frederic Svoboda (Hemingway in Michigan)
Frederic Svoboda is Professor of English at the Flint campus of the University of Michigan, where he has taught since 1980, focusing on American Literature and Culture and serving as Chair of English and Director of the Graduate Program in American Culture. He recently served as senior faculty advisor to UM-Flint’s chancellor and also recently completed two terms as Treasurer of the Ernest Hemingway Foundation, which sponsors a literary prize in honor of the author, organizes international conferences and is currently involved in publishing a complete edition of Hemingway’s collected letters. Svoboda holds the Ph.D. in English from Michigan State University and studied the publishing industry at Harvard University. He is the author of editor of several books, some on Hemingway. He wrote the catalog that accompanies the current traveling exhibit on Hemingway and Nick Adams.