2026 Featured Authors
Originally from Washington, D.C. with a BFA from the Jordan College of Music (at Butler University), Chicago area author Mim Eichmann has found that her creative journey has taken her down many exciting, interwoven pathways as an award-winning published lyricist and songwriter, professional musician, choreographer, former journalist for The South Bend Tribune and on staff at the Cooperative Dept. of Speech and Drama at University of Notre Dame/St. Mary's College and fiction author.
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Featured book: A Sparrow Alone
Mim Eichman
(Historical Fiction
book author)
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​Mim Eichman will be signing books on Saturday,
June 13th, 2026
from 11:00 am
to 1:00 pm
in the author's booth #TBD
Writer & Editor
Author of The Sleepers (Regal House Publishers, September 2026)
Copyeditor, American Academy of Pediatrics
University of Chicago Editing Program (2019)
PhD Philosophy, DePaul (2009)
Molly Sturdevant
(Historical Fiction book author)
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​Molly Sturdevant will be signing books on Saturday, June 13th, 2026
from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
in the author's booth #TBD
Yanet Platt is the author of Young Adult novel, Forbidden Fairytale: The Complete Trilogy, and the Adult novels, Dimensional Jumper, Destines’ of Lancaster, and the forthcoming The Baker and the Art Thief. When she is not typing at local coffee shops, or browsing the bookstores with latte in hand, she is enjoying life reading, watching K-dramas or Anime, and spending time laughing with family and friends.
Yanet Platt
(Fantasy / Young Adult book author)
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​Yanet Platt will be signing books
on Saturday,
June 13th, 2026
from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
in the author's booth #TBD
Amy Skala Tishmann
(Children's book author)
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More information will be
added about this author as it becomes available
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Amy Skala Tishmann will be signing books on Saturday, June 13th, 2026
from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
AND
on Sunday, June 14th, 2026
from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
in the author's booth #TBD
KARLA CLARK writes fiction for adults and children. She’s the author of 17 books, including four novels and eight children's picture books. She lives in Rockford, Illinois, with her husband, son, and Shih Poo puppy. When she’s not writing, she creates paper collages and digital art that she sells at art fairs.
Karla Clark
(Children's book author)
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Karla Clark will be signing books
on Saturday, June 13th, 2026
from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
in the author's booth #TBD
Karen Doornebus
(Children's & Fiction book author)
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​Karen Doornebus
will be signing books
on Saturday, June 13th, 2026
from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
in the author's booth #TBD
Roberta Gates
(Historical Fiction book author)
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More information will be
added about this author as it becomes available
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Roberta Gates will be signing books
on Saturday, June 13th, 2026
from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
in the author's booth #TBD
S.P. (Shyreen) Lowe
(Children's & Fiction book author)
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More information will be
added about this author as it becomes available
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S. P. Shyreen Lowe will be signing books on Saturday, June 13th, 2026
from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
AND
on Sunday, June 14th, 2026
from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
in the author's booth #TBD
Caroline Woods lives in Riverside with her husband and two daughters. She is the author of the novels The Mesmerist (a 2024 NPR Book of the Year), The Lunar Housewife, and Fräulein M. She holds an MFA from Boston University and has taught fiction writing at Loyola University Chicago, Boston University, and the Boston Conservatory.
Caroline Woods
(Historical Fiction book author)
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Caroline Woods will be signing books
on Sunday,
June 14th, 2026
from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
in the author's booth #TBD
Laura Bityou Beriau is driven to make a positive and lasting impact on others. As a first-generation Assyrian American, Laura learned an invaluable lesson from her parents: education is the only thing no one can take from you. This lesson resonated with Laura and ignited her passion for reading, writing, and equity in education.
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Before writing children’s books, Laura dedicated her life to education as a teacher and school administrator. Now, she is a mother of two who is continuously inspired by the love of her children and husband and fueled by the relationships with her family and friends.
Laura Bityou Beriau
(Children's book author)
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​Laura Bityou Beriau
will be signing books
on Sunday,
June 14th, 2026
from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
in the author's booth #TBD
Sara’s debut middle grade novel, Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign, is everything Sara loves—a heartfelt friendship tale, a scientific exploration, and a call for compassion. Sara also writes picture books, as well as magazine articles and educational nonfiction for kids. A former classroom teacher, she currently tutors kindergarteners through high schoolers. Sara is a passionate volunteer and works to turn the tide on climate change and political polarization.
Sara F. Shacter
(Children's book author)
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​Sara F. Shacter will be signing books
on Sunday,
June 14th, 2026
from 11:30 am
to 1:30 pm
in the author's booth #TBD
Dale Kaczmarek is an investigator and President of the Ghost Research Society since it's founding in 1977 and author of "Windy City Ghosts", "Windy City Ghosts II", "A Field Guide to Spirit Photography", "Illuminating the Darkness: The Mystery of Spooklights", "Field Guide to
Ghost Hunting Techniques" and "Field Guide to Haunted Highways and Bridges" Ghost Research Society http://www.ghostresearch.org Homepage of the Ghost Research Society Press; publishing books on the paranormal and mysterious phenomena since 2004.
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In 2023, Dale Kaczmarek was awarded a 50 year Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the paranormal field.
Dale Kaczmarek
(Paranormal
book author)
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​Dale Kaczmarek will be signing books on Sunday,
June 14th, 2026
from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
in the author's booth #TBD
Allison Buccola writes psychological suspense. Her books have been praised by the Washington Post, the Seattle Times, and Katie Couric Media, and her latest thriller, The Ascent, was recently optioned for television. She lives in La Grange Park with her husband and two children.
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Allison's book:
Allison Buccola
(Thriller book author)
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​Allison Buccola will
be signing books
on Sunday, June 14th, 2026
from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
in the author's booth #TBD
Grace Daly (she/her) is a Bram Stoker Award-nominated disabled author with multiple invisible chronic illnesses. She lives near Chicago and spends most of her free time with her dog, who is a very good boy. Her debut horror comedy novel, “The Scald-Crow”, is currently available and her fantasy novella, “The Star of Kilnaely”, is forthcoming in 2026. She has also been published in anthologies by Ghost Orchid Press and Sliced Up Press, as well as the podcast Tales to Terrify, among others.
Grace Daly
(Young Adult Thriller/Mystery book author)
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​Grace Daly will be signing books
on Sunday, June 14th, 2026
from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
in the author's booth #TBD