2026 Authors
Supporting local authors is part of our mission! Below are the authors being featured in the 2026 Denton READiculous Book Palooza!
Leslie C. Sewell
the omulus - A boy discovers he possesses the ancient power of the Omulus, and must use it to win the battle between light and darkness.
Lesliecsewell.com
Fantasy
JJ Lynn
a parliament of owls - Private investigator Simone Ravenscroft is happy doing the typical missing persons and cheating spouses gigs. At least until her aunt mysteriously dies. While some early thirty-somethings may inherit jewelry or property, Simone is gifted a family curse, a secret responsibility that might swallow her whole. As her eyes are opened to the world of the paranormal, no matter how tightly she tries to squeeze them shut, Simone must face her role in life. But is it something she will be able to embrace, or will she allow it to consume her?
instagram.com/jjlynnauthor
Dark fantasy 
Raine Oussep, a water wytch, has finally found the answer to save her ghost best friend. On her quest to find a cure for the fading, she befriends a ragtag team of caelestes hellbent on revenge against a sinister force. Pulled into their conflict, Raine learns the dreadful connection between her new allies and the deaths of her family. As locked away memories begin to resurface Raine must unravel the taboo she was forced to create or lose everything in the process.
www.rayemorris.com
Fantasy/urban/darkRaye Morris
In her first cookbook, Shadan Kishi Price guides you through the process of creating your own cookbook club at home with simple tips & tricks and shares mouthwatering plant-based recipes such as: Yogurt Stuffed Eggplant, Broccoli and Feta Soup, Caesar Salad with Fried Artichokes, Easy-Peasy Veggie Chili, Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, and Berry Cream Pie. In no time at all, you can start your own cookbook club to connect and create memories with your friends and community-all built upon a shared love of food.
www.shadancooks.com
Nonfiction/ cookbook Shadan Kishi Price
A source found dead—his skull sawed open by NeuroChip vandals in a Dallas back alley. The sole witness? Reporter Ryker Morris, whose stubborn resistance to a different kind of chip—the globally mandated IDChip—cost him his job, apartment, and credibility. Ryker flees the gruesome scene, a young, homeless technophobe disappearing into a fast-paced city of augmented working stiffs and sexy chipped socialites. But Ryker’s reprieve doesn’t last long. Under orders from a local hacker and tipped off by an invisible tracking device, the vandals kidnap Ryker’s best friend, leaving only a blood-soaked wallet behind. Even worse, they inject Ryker’s brain with a refurbished NeuroChip. Without money or resources, he must find his friend and deactivate the corrupt NeuroChip, before the twisted hacker who programmed it gains full control over Ryker’s own thoughts.
annaldavis.net
Sci-fi horrorAnna L. Davis
Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter - provides an intimate look at the life of the Carpenters' lead singer, detailing her rise to fame, personal struggles, and tragic death from anorexia nervosa in 1983. (I also have books on Judy Garland and Dolly Parton)
www.randylschmidt.com
Nonfiction / BiographyRandy L. Schmidt
When spirited journalist Tessa Lin (FMC) wakes up after a wild night in Vegas with enigmatic, domineering billionaire and security magnate Declan Foster (MMC), neither of them expects to see each other again. But Declan’s company is hired to guard Tessa when her investigation into a corporate scandal makes her a target, forcing the two enemies under one roof. A decade older and keenly protective, Declan soon reveals that the one-night stand wasn’t a fluke; he’d mistaken her identity, believing her a rival reporter. Sparks fly between the sassy, fearless Tessa and the calculating alpha as they clash and co-exist, their forced proximity only heightening their unresolved tension. Everything changes when Tessa discovers she’s pregnant from that one night, upending their arrangement. As danger draws closer and they work as partners to expose the scandal, their differences become their greatest strength. By the time Declan faces down the threat to keep Tessa and their baby safe, he’s realized he can’t live without her. United, they launch a new life together, deeply in love and ready to take on the world as a family.
Contemporary RomanceJade Reed
Each full-length Enchanted Realms novel begins and ends with a magical frame story featuring Aunt Hilde and her curious niece, Marigold. As the two share fairy tales passed down through generations, a larger story slowly unfolds—one that ties all the books together in surprising and meaningful ways. Keep reading to discover the secrets hidden between the stories.
michellemiles.net
Fairy Tale Retellings / Fantasy RomanceMichelle Miles
In a city where loyalty is currency and betrayal is fatal, nobody gets to rise without spilling a little blood on the way up. When power shifts and old enemies resurface, everyone is forced to choose a side—or get crushed in the crossfire. Fueled by ambition, danger, and the unbreakable bonds that can make or break a hustler’s future, this gritty urban tale follows the ones bold enough to chase their come up…and ruthless enough to take back what’s theirs.
readsbyashleywiggins.com
Urban Fiction / Urban Thriller Ashley Wiggins
On the verge of her 23rd birthday and her subsequent wedding, Liviana Peat is attacked by masked men. With the help of a mysterious man, she is able to fight off her attackers and escape to her home. The following morning, she is arrested for crimes again men in her community. When she is found guilty and banished from her community, she is forced to rely on a group of strange men that call themselves traveling merchants. But Liviana is keeping a secret, one that could potentially put her and the men in danger. As she attempts to heal from her trauma and adjust to life outside of her community, dark and mysterious things begin to happen.
Fantasy Rachel Oslin Bradford
Embark on a darkly humorous journey of reality TV meets the macabre. On the set of The Groom, a group of women must compete for the heart of Midwestern bachelor Tristan by spending a week in a haunted house. Divorcee Linda, resigned to her role as the show's underdog, finds her resolve cracking when she begins to fall for fellow castmate Charity. Meanwhile, Sabrina, groomed by her witchy mother to deliver their family from poverty by marrying a rich man, sees winning the competition as her predestined path. But after a shocking demise, the game takes a sinister turn. As the remaining contestants grapple with their desires for love and survival, they uncover dark secrets within and without the house's walls. Trapped in a twisted new competition, they must confront their own demons or face elimination.
bonniejostufflebeam.com
HorrorRachel Oslin Bradford
The Hidden Sunshine shows a collection of inspiring poems depicting a healing process. Become part of the stories when reading the poems and be transported to the places that the author's photos included. If you have gone through a difficult time, and you did your work, then you know you are resilient.
thehiddensunshine.com
Growth, grieving, healing Iveth Valera
Children’s booksDeDe Gale
Children’s book series with two published titles thus far. The series is called Lucky Duck and Friends Jeep Adventures. It is a about ducking jeeps from the diva perspective!
The Land of Icilia suffers under the Blood-soaked Sorcerer, whose evil is so great that it has blotted out the sun. There is no end to his cruelty in sight. Until, amid this darkness, the Almighty sends a savior, the blessed Quest Leader, Lucian. Following the call of his destiny, Lucian gathers together four companions and begins his campaign to retake his world, nation by nation, province by province, heart by heart. But are there some evils even the Divine cannot conquer?
amenajamali.com
Epic FantasyAmena Jamali
DAUGHTER OF ASH AND MYTH (YA Urban Fantasy) essa Whitley is a normal, asthmatic Texas teen—until a stalker threatens her life, fire refuses to burn her, and the god of death starts rearranging people’s fates. When she discovers she’s the daughter of a Greek god, her world spirals into chaos worthy of a Buffy-meets–Percy Jackson showdown. School, friendships, and first crushes get a lot more complicated when you’re suddenly the next Hercules. MAGICBOUND (epic fantasy) A runaway mage with forbidden dark magic becomes the target of a ruthless regime after a massacre wipes out her kind. When she crosses paths with a half-elven bounty hunter torn between duty and conscience, the two are forced into an uneasy alliance that threatens to unravel the truth about magic itself. In a world where power comes with consequences, surviving may cost more than either is willing to pay.
www.ccsjones.com
FantasyC.C.S. Jones
When a tiny, hungry stray kitten appears on Calgary's back porch, the gentle housecat knows he has to help. Day after day, Calgary watches through the window as his mama brings food and water to the frightened little kitten. Slowly, Nigel learns to trust, coming closer each time until finally, he finds the courage to ask for what he needs most—a home and a friend. This heartwarming tale, based on a true story, follows the growing bond between two cats as they show young readers the power of patience, kindness, and opening your heart to someone in need. Perfect for children ages 4-8, "Nigel Needs a Home" gently introduces themes of pet adoption, animal rescue, and the special friendships that develop when we care for others. With charming illustrations by Al Austin, this story will resonate with any child who has ever loved an animal or dreamed of helping a creature in need.
www.misfitpages.net/shop/books-by-amy-n-kaplan/SYTHASY3TOC7L2FLXYIVYMRO
children's/fantasy/RPG/thrillerAmy N Kaplan
Thirteen-year-old Cammie Fields lost her arm in a car accident and thinks her life's story is already written. Even with a new state-of-the-art bionic arm, Cammie still prefers the comfort of Steelwing, her favorite video game, to the real world. But when her mom arrives home with a gift from work, moments later they’re both swept into the game. Experiencing the game world from the inside is Cammie’s dream, even if it’s with her mom who’s a total noob. But things turn serious when they find out her dad is trapped in the clutches of the unbeatable metal dragon. The world gets even more dangerous when a shadowy villain’s magic spreads, corrupting Steelwing and even her quest. Can Cammie find a way to write her own ending to save her dad and get everyone home? The quest timer is ticking…
buildingworlds.blog
FantasyMatthew Rollins
A Dark Urban Romantasy, set in the picturesque mountains of Tennessee, where hidden magic and hidden pasts collide. Our FMC, Kinley, is a plus size 27 year old who has no idea her past is filled with mystery and an evil entity that covets her powers and her. The Maiden, Mother, and Crone keep the Clan’s magic alive. They are the woven links to the Goddess herself. When those threads are severed, the Clan is lost. The Goddess Calls for her Chosen. When she calls, who will answer? A yearning for love leads to a fateful meeting, setting in motion more than what Kinley bargained for—instantaneous attraction, insatiable desire, and urges that she can’t even begin to understand. Nothing in her once quiet life is as it seems. Magic exists and Kinley now has no idea what or who she is. She must break free from the geas that bind her powers and take her rightful place within her Clan. If she can’t, the dark entity from her forgotten past will claim her for himself, and all that she holds dear will suffer. The threads of fate are unwoven. The Song of the Goddess is Calling. Will the Chosen be able to reclaim all that she has lost?
Www.leximacqueenauthor.com
Dark Urban Romantasy Lexi MacQueen
Kevin Stiles was told he would go through two months of intense astronaut training and then have his memories uploaded into a computer. After that, he would go home to his family and continue with his life. And long ago and impossibly far away, he assumes he did that. But this version of Kevin finds himself on a ship in deep space, a clone of himself with all his old memories, on a mission to propagate the human species. His old life no longer exists. In all likelihood, Earth no longer exists. Kevin must forge a life for himself and his female companion on a world where humans are the aliens.
dhjonathan.com
Naturist, psychological thriller, science fictionD. H. Jonathan
Historical FictionBill Sanford
Historical saga of ancient and modern civilizations related in the words of an ancient historian
www.billwsanford.org
The Vision Resurrection (subtitle: Rid Yourself of Reading Glasses, Chronological Decline is Not Your Destiny! restores the gift of perfect vision. It presents the spiritual truths that we are miracles--under the auspices of Awe. Awe is the salve that will heal our eyes. The beloved Sufi poet, Rumi, divined this truth centuries ago. It is time to resurrect it and transform these optic crutches called glasses into soul-stirrers! The realization that we are miracle, that miracles and vision go together leads the reader away from the world's sorry script of near-sightedness, far-sightedness, presbyopia and macular degeneration. All of these are false terms and beliefs, not facts! " If the Blind Can See, Why Not the Blurred?" is just one of the moving chapters that lays down the law with proof galore that perfect vision is a gift from God. It does not have an expiration date or a falling-off point. Perfect Vision is now and forever. An inspiring cast of characters features beloved Rumi, Albert Einstein, the twentieth century's most illumined teachers and healers, Lilliam De Waters and Marie S. Watts and the fiery Blur Busters led by Holy Smokes Horseradish Root himself! There are cameo appearances by the Eyes of the Soul, the Single Eye of Spirit, the Eyes of Faith and the compassionate visionary ophthalmologist William H. Bates. What a glorious cast of witnesses to the fact that our names are writ in starlight and our vision set forever in the same sparkling, undimmed radiance!
Mystical non-fiction, Mind, Body, SoulKaren Foley
The Shoes Come First is the first book in the fun and frantic Jennifer Cloud time travel romance series. If you like magical portals, sassy heroines, and dashing defenders, you’ll love Janet Leigh’s lighthearted tale.
Janetleighbooks.com
Time Travel RomanceJanet Leigh
PETDEMONIUM: A SCI-FI ADVENTURE - Aliens disguised as pets invade Earth. SIDEWAYS WISHES - Kit finds a magic stone that grants wishes. Or does it? Because every wish comes out a little bit sideways. AND I have ten more books for children plus craft books.
Kaygoodnight.com
Children's (chapter books and middle grade); Cross Stitch BooksKay Goodnight
What started as a celebration becomes a disaster as Lexi Whitlock and her friends begin to realize that something isn't quite right on the cruise they are on. As the bodies continue to pile up and Lexi takes it upon herself to solve whatever is happening, she realizes that she has put a target on her back...and everyone with her.
www.ray-stern-books.com
Horror/ThrillerRay Stern
Lavelle Carlson—retired speech-language pathologist, children’s author, and creator of SLP Storytellers.
For many years, I worked with children who struggled with speech and language, helping them find their voices through play, laughter, and stories. That passion never left me.
www.slpstorytellers.com
Children's ages 0-8Lavelle
A headstrong princess must marry a mysterious prince and the situation looks bleak, but a deposed magician’s vengeful plans might just be the catalyst they need for a chance at love.
tjfisherwriter.com
Adult FantasyT.J. Fisher
Beth Is Dead is a modern reimagining of "Little Women" as a YA mystery-thriller in which Beth March is found dead in chapter one.
katiebernet.com
YA mystery-thrillerKatie Bernet
Rhonda Eudaly is an award-winning American author based in Arlington, Texas, known for her work in speculative fiction, including science fiction, fantasy, and horror. She has published over a dozen novels and numerous short stories across various anthologies and magazines.
rhondaeudaly.com
Adult Fantasy, science fictionRhonda Eudalt
Follow a journalist and TV producer from 48 Hours and 60 Minutes as she carves out a career in the ruthless, knives-out world of true crime television . . . one killer story at a time. Serial killers. Homicidal spouses. Sociopathic criminals. Claire St. Amant has met them all. She spent nearly a decade in network television chasing the biggest true crime stories in the country, including the murder of Chris Kyle, plastic-surgeon-turned-murder-for-hire suspect Thomas Michael Dixon, the Parkland high school mass shooting, the disappearance of Christina Morris, and serial killer Samuel Little. Bringing a true crime story to network television requires quick thinking and tenacious stamina, and in her debut memoir, Claire offers true crime fans a rare in-depth look from the other side of the yellow tape.
www.clairestamant.com
True Crime / Memoir Claire St. Amant
Book 1: A Post-Apocalyptic Urban Fiction book about a young adult male who enters a gang war in the zombie apocalypse (18+), Book 2: Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic Novel about a young girl growing up in a Post-apocalyptic city who sneaks out to find her long lost mother (13-18), Book 3: Post-apocalyptic novel about a group of survivors who try to learn how to survive naturally after zombies destroyed the Earth and nature has reclaimed everything.
www.halfdeadbooks.com
Post-Apocalyptic / DystopianO.J. Dyer
Throughout history, humanity confined itself to a small fraction of the Earth—the land. In the future, we take to the sea. These fifteen tales, written by a former submarine officer, chronicle humanity’s 21st-century struggle to colonize the seas. Read about pioneering attempts to own and defend sectors of the ocean, scrambles over vast mineral resources, and quests by oppressed populations to live free. Follow fierce sea battles over boundaries, experiments with unique forms of government, and efforts to forge a new, ocean-based culture. Meet the bold and quirky characters who defy continental powers and their innate, land-adapted nature to settle and thrive in the water. Explore the seasteads where they live, their shining aquatic cities—some fixed and some mobile—on and under the ocean. View life from their perspective, a world where water isn’t just for travel or temporary work—it’s home. As Ray Bradbury did with Mars and J.R.R. Tolkien did with Middle Earth, Steven R. Southard presents a new world, but it’s our Earth with fresh borders within its oceans. Welcome to The Seastead Chronicles.
www.stevenrsouthard.com
Science FictionSteven R. Southard
Cindy J Vanous
Children’s Picture BooksZiva the Great - A shy Maine Coon cat learns to trust again through a special friendship with Elsie, a gentle girl who understands the healing power of patience and kindness.
CindyVaniusBooks.com
Amy Jivani
Children’s realistic fiction More Than Words is a social emotional themed book that takes kids through a rhyme about reading body language. Meera’s Flowers and Kanji for your Heart are books that have themes around culture, family, and love.
Www.amyjivani.com
Katlyn Bates
Young Adult Action-AdventureHer sixteenth birthday looming, Seattle urbanite Charley Kensey recklessly invites herself to her Pap’s West Texas sheep ranch, a man she’s never met, a man her mother has always distanced her from. If her dad were still around he could’ve stopped her. Her mom can’t. Pap is a hard and difficult man, and the Llano Estacado—the Texas Staked Plains—is every bit as hostile. Charley would turn right around and go home except for the mysterious horse that shows up on the ranch. Things quickly spiral out of control when Pap vows to shoot the blind animal she believes came to the ranch to be hers. Now she can’t leave—she must stand in the way of Pap’s bullet! Against orders, Charley turns to local veterinarian, Dr. Ben, for information about the horse, but his harmless reminiscing dismantles everything Charley thought she knew about her family when he portrays a mother she doesn’t even recognize, and innocently exposes the secret that split her family apart. Charley’s the only clueless party: “Everybody in this little town of Quitaque knows your mother’s business,” affirms veterinarian summer assistant, cowboy-crush Brett Littleton. Except for Brett, the summer would be lost. When Pap’s savage anger turns violent, Charley and her horse bolt for the open plains, and flee to the very place she’s been warned not to go. Nightflower of Comanche Mound is a contemporary action-adventure-thriller steeped in conflict, tension, and family dysfunction between three generations. 2025 Western Writers of America Spur Finalist for Juvenile/Young Adult 2024 Reader’s Favorite 5-Star Reviews. 2022 Writers’ League of Texas Manuscript Finalist for Action-Adventure-Thriller category
KatlynBates.com
Catrina Bell
cozy monster romanceCatrina like loves to write sweetie pie monsters who bring the heat.
www.catrinabell.com