Local Author Fair: Meet Our Adult Nonfiction Authors
There’s something special about reading a book that feels close to home. Not just emotionally, but geographically—where childhood experiences, world events and pop culture reading trends became the inspiration to generations of writers. That’s exactly what makes local authors so important. They capture the rhythms of our communities, preserve regional voices and remind us that meaningful stories don’t only come from big cities or bestseller lists—they’re being written right here by our neighbors.
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., we are hosting our Local Author Fair. This isn’t just a chance to browse books. It’s an opportunity to meet the people behind them—the authors who draw inspiration from the experiences that connect us all.
Leading up to our event, we are featuring the authors who look forward to sharing their books and experiences with you at the fair. Get to know them now!
Greg Archer
Title: Grace Revealed
Subject Matter: History
Synopsis: What begins as a search into his Polish roots quickly unearths a chilling chapter of 20th-century history: the mass deportation of nearly 1.5 million Polish citizens to Siberian gulags under Stalin’s regime, an atrocity rarely taught or acknowledged. As Greg retraces the vexing path of his ancestors—through exile, endurance, and improbable survival—he finds himself walking a tightrope between past and present. But when fate intervenes with an unexpected international adventure, he must ask: Can uncovering the truth bring healing? Can telling the untold restore dignity to the silenced?
Bakul Banerjee
Title: Cartography of Curiosities
Subject Matter: Poetry and Essays
About the Author: Bakul Banerjee is an award-winning Chicago-area poet, Pushcart Prize-nominated author and scientist. Her blog serves as a digital literary space where she shares her published poems, essays and experiential short stories. I hope my audience sees, through my motto, that love for all sentient beings lubricates the wheel of life.
Michele Birk
Subject Matter: Fiction and Metaphysical Self-Help
About the Author: Michele Birk is a multi-genre author whose work blends metaphysical insight, personal healing and emotionally driven storytelling. From memoir to dark romance and fantasy, her books explore themes of transformation, resilience and self-discovery. Her writing invites readers to connect with both their inner strength and their deeper spiritual path.
Peter Deuschle
Title: Are You A Good Egg?
Subject Matter: Youth and Self-Help
Synopsis: Whether you’re feeling on top of the world or a little bit grumpy, Are You A Good Egg? reminds kids that big feelings are totally normal. Packed with whimsical illustrations and fun rhymes, this charming book shows readers of all ages that moods come and go, but a good heart stays the same. Its gentle, reassuring vibe makes it a wonderful tool for boosting self-esteem, making it a favorite for parents, teachers and therapists alike. It is also an absolute must-have for neurodivergent children and those on the autism spectrum.
Rosemary Garcia
Titles: Palabras de Uso Frecuente & Learn to Read With Sight Words
Subject Matter: Children’s Education/Bilingual
Synopsis:
Palabras de Uso Frecuente is an educational book created to build foundational literacy skills in bilingual learners. Through engaging, targeted activities, it helps you master essential Spanish sight words, increasing reading fluency and confidence. Blending instruction with practice, this resource serves as an invaluable tool for early Spanish language learners.
Learn to Read with Sight Words is an engaging educational book designed to help early English language learners master foundational high-frequency words. Through a series of interactive and targeted activities, the book builds essential literacy skills, boosting both reading fluency and confidence.
Nikki Green
Title: Chameleon Mindset
Subject Matter: Self-Help
Synopsis: Life and Business Resiliency Expert Nikki Green’s entire life was filled with change and adaptation. After experiencing nonstop environmental shifts and life-changing events, she began coaching others to build the mental resilience needed to adapt amid chaos. Drawing on her success, psychology and pop culture, Nikki wrote Chameleon Mindset for others seeking clarity as they acclimate to new situations. This entertaining yet research-based guide to transitions will open your mind to unique strategies for finding purpose and achieving your goals.
LaVerne Hardman
Titles: Dating After 50 Is Fu**ed Up & Finding Peace With My Pieces
Subject Matter: Memoirs
Synopsis:
Dating After 50 Is Fu**ed Up is a candid look at my dating experiences in my later years. It is a heartfelt and sometimes hilarious exploration of love, loss and resilience.
Finding Peace With My Pieces is about finding peace in all aspects of my life: spiritually, physically and emotionally.
Melanie Holmes
Title: A Hero on Mount St. Helens
Subject Matter: Biography
From the Author: As I wrote about my friend’s brother, David Johnston, who died too soon, I found myself grieving for my own brother, also gone too soon. And I grieved for Dave’s mom, who lost her brother young. And there was another fatality of the eruption, whose sister wrote a tribute to her lost brother. Losing a sibling is like losing an arm. They are our family before spouses or kids. I tried to give voice to that feeling.
Check out Melanie’s book, 100 Things to Do in Illinois Before You Die
Teresa S. Navas
Title: School Tips for Hispanic Parents
Subject Matter: Parenting/Bilingual
Synopsis: Do you want your children to succeed in elementary school? Do you want to help your children have a better future? If yes, School Tips for Hispanic Parents is written for you! With this simple Spanish guide, you can follow the steps of the Garcia family and their three children, Maya, Carlos and Olivia. Through their experiences, you will learn how to help your children prosper.
