The Detroit Writing Room Virtual Holiday Book Fair

The Detroit Writing Room is hosting its 2nd annual holiday book fair virtually this year!

On Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 from noon to 5 p.m., nearly 20 local and national authors will give book talks and answer your questions on Zoom!

Participating authors will each have 10 minutes to talk about their book, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A with the audience. Guests will be provided links to order books online.

The book fair is a unique opportunity to meet authors of fiction, non-fiction, memoir, self-help and children's books — and also support writers while taking care of your holiday gift list!

This will be a marathon of book talks, and attendees will be able to pop in and out of the Zoom throughout the day to attend the talks they are most interested in.

Check out the schedule below:

Mystery

12:00 - 12:15 p.m. - Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, "All Rise"

12:15 - 12:30 p.m. - Donald Levin, "In the House of Night"

12:30 - 12: 45 p.m. - Johnny G’s, "Villains ONE: Case of the Smooth Operator"

Memoir

12:45 - 1:00 p.m. - Nan Sanders Pokerwinski, "Mango Rash: Coming of Age in the Land of Frangipani and Fanta"

1:00 - 1:15 p.m. - Tasha Hunter, "What Children Remember"

1:15 - 1:30 p.m. - Tamela Todd, "Emotions of the Mind"

Self-Help

1:30 - 1:45 p.m. - De'Andrea Matthews, "The Overcomers' Anthology: Volume One"

1:45 - 2:00 p.m. - Tamieka Lee, “The World is Yours”

2:00 - 2:30 p.m. - Intermission

2:30 - 2:45 p.m. - Vanessa Shields, "Poetry On Demand"

2:45 - 3:00 p.m. - Carey Purcell, "From Aphra Behn to Fun Home: A Cultural History of Feminist Theater"

Fantasy

3:00 - 3:15 p.m. - Lilith Fox, "A Dream of Therkous"

3:15 - 3:30 p.m. - Mackenzie Flohr, "The Rite of Wands"

3:30 - 3:45 p.m. - Josef Bastian, "Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook: Book 2 - Cave in the Rock"

3:45 - 4:00 p.m. - Elizabeth Weigandt, "Queen Bee"

Children's Books

4:00 - 4:15 p.m. - Yvelette Stines, "Vernon The Vegetable Man"

4:15 - 4:30 p.m. - JuElle Rosewood, "My Growing Family"

4:30 - 4:45 p.m. - Kinyel Friday, "I Am My Hair"

4:45 - 5:00 p.m. - Amy Nielander, "Grama's Hug"

Tickets:

Early bird tickets are $10 until Nov. 8.

General admission is $15.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and organizations. Contact stephanie@detroitwritingroom.com if interested.

Registration for authors to apply is now closed.

Meet the Holiday Book Fair Authors

About the Author:

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1984 after earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Michigan State University in 1979. She began her legal career working in the Michigan Senate as an Administrative Assistant after which, she opened Aquilina Law Firm, PLC. Judge Aquilina became part of Michigan’s history as the first female JAG Officer in the Michigan Army National Guard where she served honorably for twenty years. Judge Aquilina also made history when she allowed 156 Sister-Survivors and other victims for a total of 169 victims to speak over seven days in the People v Nassar case. She, again, made history as the first female professor to speak at the MSU College of Law Commencement in the spring of 2018. 

Judge Aquilina has served as a civilian judge for sixteen years. During her first four, she served as Chief Judge and Sobriety Court Judge in the 55th District Court, during which time she founded the Ingham County Sobriety Court Foundation to assist those in recovery. Judge Aquilina was then elected to the 30th Circuit Court for Ingham County, where she has served for twelve years. Judge Aquilina also serves as an adjunct professor and has received exceptional teaching awards at both Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law School and at Michigan State University College of Law. Additionally, Judge Aquilina is a published fiction author. 

Her novel, “Feel No Evil,” made its debut in 2003. “Triple Cross Killer” debuted in December 2017 and is now in its second edition. It is the first in a detective series, and was named in Michigan’s top ten fiction bestsellers in 2018. “All Rise,” a cozy mystery, was released in May 2020. December 10, 2020, is the expected release date of her life story, “Just Watch Me,” with Audible as part of the First Originals from Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine, her most current project. She has five children and three grandchildren and resides in East Lansing, Michigan.  

About the Book:

Arrested by detectives for the murder of the Chief Judge, former Judge Nicoletta Kikkra learns there isn’t any problem that can’t be solved out of her recently opened Ratification Hair Salon, Spa & Café. Nicoletta’s cowboy boots, every-day-is-wedding-hairspray day and sense of humor keeps everyone around her in good spirits even when twelve inexplicable bank accounts totaling $1.2 million are discovered in her name—money that detectives pinpoint as her motive to kill. Nicoletta quickly loses control over her life as former court staff and grateful rehabilitated felons, pets included, transplant themselves into her life to help solve the murder while ensuring her new business succeeds, and she remains a free woman. 

To complicate matters, to the rescue comes ex-husband, Dexter Breckenridge, with a million dollars of bond money and even more reasons to hire Nicoletta’s ex-boyfriend Hunter Greene, a private investigator, to help solve the murder. Throw into the mix her handsome boyfriend, Australian attorney Sebastian Pierce who represents her. The three men who know her best persistently try to solve the murder always trying to outshine each other much to her infuriation. The trail leads to more murders, high-speed car chases, flying bullets, snakes and suspects. Nicoletta quickly realizes Dark Money and court insiders may not only be behind Chief Judge Warren Donnettelli’s murder, but now they want her dead. Order here.

About the Author:

An award-winning fiction writer and poet, Donald Levin is the author of seven Ferndale-based Martin Preuss mysteries: “Crimes of Love,” “The Baker’s Men,” “Guilt in Hiding,” “The Forgotten Child,”, “An Uncertain Accomplice,” “Cold Dark Lies” and the newest, “In the House of Night.” He has also published a novel, “The House of Grins;” two books of poetry, “In Praise of Old Photographs and New Year’s Tangerine;” and poetry and short fiction in print and electronic journals. Now writing full-time, he was professor of English and dean of the faculty at the former Marygrove College in Detroit, and a professional writer with over forty years’ experience.

About the Book:

“In the House of Night” is the seventh book in the Martin Preuss Mystery Series. When the police investigation into the murder of a retired professor stalls, friends of the dead man plead with PI Martin Preuss to learn what happened. The twisting trail leads him across the metropolitan Detroit area into a treacherous world of long-buried family secrets . . . where the painful relations between parents and children meet the gathering storm of domestic terrorism. Will all Preuss’s wits and skills be enough to steer through the hate to find the killer? “Levin is a pro at crafting intriguing plots, memorable characters and scenes that will keep you turning pages.”--5-star Readers’ Favorite review. Order here.

About the Author:

A native of Detroit, Johnny Gilbert graduated from Spec Howard where he studied TV production. His interest in writing was inspired when he saw part three of the "Nightmare on Elm Street" movie and believed he could write a better script. Shortly after, he began writing his first novel, "Villains ONE: Case of a Smooth Operator," based on a persistent dream he had about a criminal in Detroit. He is already working on his next novel, which he says will be science fiction. His long time goal is to have both books made into movies.

About the Book:

The streets of Detroit have become a maze of terror as a serial killer zeroes in on unknowing victims. With time ticking, Detective Avenue is called back on duty to assist five detectives in the hunt for the serial killer who has been murdering girls and leaving them in public places. With the pressure on after a media outlet alerts the public, Detective Avenue must use his skills before the killer finds his next target. Order here. 

About the Author:

Nan Sanders Pokerwinski is a former science writer for the Detroit Free Press and the University of Michigan, whose award-winning work (under the byline Nancy Ross-Flanigan) has appeared in numerous other magazines, newspapers and online publications. A national engineering society once awarded her first place in their writing contest for a piece on potholes. Her work has garnered other awards—from groups as diverse as the Magazine Association of the Southeast and the American Motorcyclist Association—and a Pulitzer nomination.

Her memoir “Mango Rash” won first place in the memoir/nonfiction category of the 2018 Pacific Northwest Writers Association literary awards. In addition, excerpts were finalists for the 2015 and 2017 Tucson Festival of Books Literary Awards, the 2015 Northern Colorado Writers Top of the Mountain Book Award and the 2017 New Millennium Writings Literary Awards, and have been published in Colere. Other work has been published in The Prompt, The Bear River Review and In Celebration of Mothers (anthology).

About the Book:

From Nowhere, Oklahoma to Pago Pago: A true-life tale of transformation on a tropical isle.

Moving to a South Pacific island from small-town Oklahoma, sixteen-year-old Nancy Sanders trades cruising Main Street in search of tater tots for strolling sandy shores with islanders who feast on sea worms and summon sharks with song. With a dash of teenage sass, “Mango Rash” chronicles Nancy's search for adventure—and identity—in two alien realms: the tricky terrain of adolescence and the remote U.S. territory of American Samoa. Against a backdrop of lava-rimmed beaches, frangipani-laced air and sensual music, Nancy immerses herself in the 1960s island culture with a colorful cast of Samoan and American expat kids. 

But life is not one big beach party, Nancy soon finds, when she clashes with her parents over forbidden boys and discovers double standards in the expat community. Samoa, too, is experiencing growing pains as ancient customs collide with 20th-century ways. In the midst of all this, a hurricane shatters the peaceful paradise, delivering lessons in attachment and loss, strength and survival.

Like Nancy, readers of this unforgettable memoir will fall in love with Samoa's biscuit-tin drum serenades, its mountains like mounds of cut velvet cushions and its open-hearted people, who face adversity with grace. And just as Nancy does when her own health crisis thrusts her into a very different kind of unfamiliar territory, readers will draw strength from fa'a Samoa: the Samoan Way. Order here. 

About the Author:

Tasha Hunter is an Air Force veteran with a master's degree in public administration and social work. She's a licensed clinical social worker and resides in Goldsboro, North Carolina, with her husband and daughter. She specializes in the treatment of PTSD, depression, anxiety and stress, and works to eradicate the stigma of mental health by speaking to others at workshops and seminars about trauma and related mental health topics. Driven and well informed by personal experience, her mission is to spread awareness about complex trauma and to give survivors a safe space to heal. Her practice integrates mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health.

About the Book:

“What Children Remember” is a personal account of surviving complex developmental trauma. This memoir poignantly sheds light on the virulent emotional effects of childhood abuse. Following the author through her years of struggling with issues of abandonment and post-traumatic stress, her story brings to life her search for meaning, acceptance and love. As a mental health advocate who now specializes in the treatment of PTSD, she provides a unique perspective on the importance of building relationships with one’s self, with others and with God. Her story validates the emotional pillars of faith and forgiveness in one’s lifelong recovery. This true story is a modern-day fairy tale that movingly describes one seeker’s quest to overcome the Goliaths in her life in order to find her true purpose. Order here.

About the Author:

Sharing your story releases you from your past and propels you into prosperity. Through her transparency, author Tamela Todd inspires others to recognize the value in their testimony. As a passionate mental health awareness advocate, she is respected for her courage to shun the stereotypes and stigmas. With keen insight, she understands the effects of physical, emotional and mental trauma. She is sought after to speak at events such as Detroit Startup Week and self-care workshops. She delivers sage advice while challenging others to process uncomfortable life situations.

As the founder and executive director of Brown Girls Read Book Club, her love for reading shapes future leaders. Her organization promotes literacy and life skills, with interactive activities for its members. Her dedication shines through her accolades, which include an International Women’s Day of Detroit Award; Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Detroit; and Spirit of Detroit Award. She has also honed her business sense with the completion of Retail Boot Camp at Tech Town Detroit and Build Basics at Build Institute.
Her memoir, “Emotions Of The Mind,” is a candid guide to shifting the narrative on mental health awareness. 

About the Book:

With the suicide deaths of Kate Spade, Robin Williams, Anthony Bourdain, and the emotional distress of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Ryan Tedder, it is evident that the people are suffering from mental health illness and emotional distress. It’s not just plaguing celebrities, but it has reached down into the lives of today’s youth and even everyday heroes. We have finally taken notice that society as a whole is suffering because of what we don’t know about mental and emotional health.​​

Now that the big names have gotten our attention, we are open to receive the information needed, and it’s my desire to help us all understand the issues. With a schizophrenic dad and a narcissistic ex-husband, I have been given some insider clues as to what the minds of the mentally ill and emotionally distressed look and sound like, and I’ve decided to share my knowledge and my story in my book. ​Let’s get better together! Order here.

About the Author:

Dr. De'Andrea Matthews is an author, educator and international speaker. She is the author of seven books, seven book chapters and two academic articles in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Matthews is a member of the NonFiction Authors Association and The Authors Guild. Most recently, she was selected to receive one of the Top 100 Leaders in Education award from the Global Forum for Education & Learning and the 2020 Diversity Business Leader award from Corp! Magazine.

Dr. De'Andrea Matthews is the founder and CEO of Claire Aldin Publications, where she turns manuscripts into masterpieces for first-time authors from underrepresented backgrounds. Claire Aldin Publications is an award-winning hybrid publishing company that is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association.

About the Book:

Tearing down facades to expose a life of unspeakable strength, faith and courage, these overcomers make their debut by sharing riveting details of their life’s stories. Transparent and empowering, “The Overcomers’ Anthology” is the first volume of stories written to encourage you to ascend your current limitations, recognize your power and realize that you, too, can be an overcomer! Order here.

About the Author:

Detroit native Tamieka Lee (T. Lee for short) is fully dedicated to empowering others to plan for purpose-filled lives of success. Whether mentoring college-bound youth or coaching leaders in the development of next-level strategies, her unique approach inspires all to break free from limitations and overcome obstacles to experience life transformation and lasting success. As an author, speaker and empowerment coach well versed in the art of persistence, Tamieka knows the pathway to destiny and readily leads others on a journey to achieving their wildest dreams.

About the Book:

You owe it to your future to persist! You read correctly. Your future will look exactly like your past unless you persist towards success. Don't worry! "The World Is Yours" is Tamieka Lee's refusal to allow you to give up. Tamieka has spent more than 25 years mastering the art of achieving goals. Through education, dedication and perseverance, she has maximized the pathway to success and developed implementable strategies to help others do the same."The World Is Yours" was written with you in mind. Yes, you! Today, determine that settling is no longer an option for you. You are meant for far more than mediocrity! Do you feel passion and purpose rising up in you? It can be seen in your eyes! T. Lee is here to walk with you into destiny, but you have to take the first step by committing to the process. Then let's get started...Order here.

About the Author:

Vanessa Shields is the owner of Gertrude’s Writing Room - A Gathering Place for Writers. You can find her mentoring, editing, teaching and writing at Gertrude’s or having a dance party in her kitchen with her handsome husband, two amazing kids and two golden retrievers. Her newest collection of poetry, “Thimbles”, releases in the spring of 2021 from Palimpsest Press. Visit her website www.vanessashields.com.

About Poetry On Demand:

Vanessa Shields has been writing “Poetry on Demand” for over fifteen years. It is how it sounds! You give Vanessa four to six words and she uses them to write you a poem ON DEMAND! The whole process takes three to five minutes and you get to hear Vanessa read you the poem made especially for you! She will also send you an email with the poem so you have it forever! “Poetry on Demand” is a unique way to create poetry with a poet—where your words are part of the creative process! Think about the words you'd like Vanessa to use in your personal poem on demand! Here’s more information on “Poetry on Demand.”

About the Author:

Carey Purcell is a New York based writer, reporter and theatre critic. She has contributed to The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, The Nation, The Village Voice, Politico, The Guardian, Salon, Playbill.com, TDF Stages, People.com, Marie Claire, Elle, Glamour, Teen Vogue, Dame Magazine, Bust.com, American Theatre Magazine, Paste Magazine, Alternet.org, Broadway Style Guide, HowlRound.com, Out.com, TheaterMania.com, NewYork.com and WHERE New York magazine. She has been a featured guest on TODAY With Megyn Kelly, “AM Joy” and “Good Morning America.”

Carey is a member of the League of Professional Theatre Women, the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle. She is a graduate of Emerson College, where she received degrees in Print and Multimedia Journalism and Writing, Literature and Publishing.

About the Book:

Theatre has long been considered a feminine interest for which women consistently purchase the majority of tickets, while the shows they are seeing typically are written and brought to the stage by men. Furthermore, the stories these productions tell are often about men, and the complex leading roles in these shows are written for and performed by male actors. Despite this imbalance, the feminist voice presses to be heard and has done so with more success than ever before.

In "From Aphra Behn to Fun Home: A Cultural History of Feminist Theatre," Carey Purcell traces the evolution of these important artists and productions over several centuries. After examining the roots of feminist theatre in early Greek plays and looking at occasional works produced before the twentieth century, Purcell then identifies the key players and productions that have emerged over the last several decades. This book covers the heyday of the second wave feminist movement—which saw the growth of female-centric theatre groups—and highlights the work of playwrights such as Caryl Churchill, Pam Gems and Wendy Wasserstein. Other prominent artists discussed here include playwrights Paula Vogel Lynn and Tony-award winning directors Garry Hynes and Julie Taymor. The volume also examines diversity in contemporary feminist theatre—with discussions of such playwrights as Young Jean Lee and Lynn Nottage—and a look toward the future.

Purcell explores the very nature of feminist theater—does it qualify if a play is written by a woman or does it just need to feature strong female characters?—as well as how notable activist work for feminism has played a pivotal role in theatre. An engaging survey of female artists on stage and behind the scenes, "From Aphra Behn to Fun Home" will be of interest to theatregoers and anyone interested in the invaluable contributions of women in the performing arts. Order here.

About the Author:

Lilith Fox is a polyamorous Michigan-born, transgender author, LGBTQIA+ Community Leader, co-founder and a leading practitioner for The Circle of Arcadia intersectional faith community, teacher of magickal arts and snake mother based in Michigan. She has inspired many in the community through trials of life and mental illness, and done a fair amount of charity fundraising and community work to aid in the development of Kitchens of Arcadia food pantry and The Arcadia Collective.

In 2020, she found new determination to take her dreams to the pages presented now in her novel series “The Lone Path Trilogy,” beginning with “A Dream of Therkous,” set to release in December 2020. “Book One” was fully funded via the Indiegogo Campaign and self-published with the help of her partners and friends.

About the Book:

“A Dream Of Therkous” is the first book in a three book trilogy I am writing. It is an inclusive fantasy novel set on a different version of our world, in a time similar to Victorian times. The world is full of devilish characters, fantastical creatures, magic and access to another realm while people sleep: Therkous. Therkous is the dream realm, the plane of possibilities. A place where one can create anything they wish, for the cost of their physical well being. 

The book is a walk in the life of the main character, Seracill, a genderless being from a species of changelings. They search for companionship in a world full of people with ulterior motives. They face a suppressive church that controls the country they live in. They make all the right choices with all the wrong people on their quest to not be alone. They face their building insanity and the consequences and struggles it brings. Will they find the company they have always searched for? Or will the world and their mind consume them before they get the chance? Order here.

About the Author:

Mackenzie Flohr is the multi-award-winning author of the popular young, adult fantasy series “The Rite of Wands.” A storyteller at heart, she loves to inspire the imagination. Her previously published works include “The Rite of Wands,” “The Rite of Abnegation,” “The Binge Watcher’s Guide to Doctor Who: A History Of Doctor Who And The First Female Doctor” and her short stories appear in the anthology collections “The Whispered Tales of Graves Grove and Unknown Realms.” She is an in-demand speaker at conferences and conventions. Mackenzie makes her home in Mount Morris, Michigan, where she is currently penning her next adventure.

About the Book:

One boy…One rite… And a world of deadly secrets that could change the course of history—forever. And so begins the tale of Mierta McKinnon. When a horrible fate reveals itself during his Rite of Wands ceremony, he must find a way to change not only his destiny but also the land of Iverna’s. Forbidden from revealing the future he foresees to anyone, he is granted a wand and his magical powers, but still must master the realm of magic in order to save himself and those he loves.

But, Mierta is not the only one with secrets…especially when it’s impossible to know who to trust. Order here.

About the Author:

Josef Bastian is a master storyteller and creator of the Folktellers Universe. He holds advanced degrees in instructional design and learning technology from Oakland University, the University of Detroit-Mercy and Oxford University in England. He is also an award-winning, internationally published author and poet with 15 books currently in print, with a new storytelling series set for film and television.

About the Book:

Some things should never be opened... Ever. You have been warned. In “Book I: Phases of the Moon,” we discovered that Folktellers are travelers of time and space, sharing the stories people need to hear. Much has been revealed since Aaron, Wendy and Jake first uncovered Pap’s secret and learned the importance of the phases of the moon. But their adventures are far from over. In “Book II: The Cave in the Rock,” Aaron continues to learn what it means to be a Folkteller, while Wendy makes new friends and discovers that stories can be just as powerful and dangerous in her own dimension. Elsewhere, in the Folktellers Universe, an ancient evil continues to fester, as more phantoms try to claw their way out of the Shadow Realm in pursuit of the mysterious Guidebooks. In a tale where three worlds collide, Aaron, Wendy, Jake and Eddie Little Bear must come to grips with the fact that their troubles are growing, their lives are intertwined and an even greater horror waits for them—just inside the Cave in the Rock. Order here.

About the Author:

Elizabeth Weigandt lives and writes in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. She is an author who likes to explore the different ways that humans—and sometimes animals and insects—live and work together. She especially enjoys creating characters, such as Manuka, who make their dreams come true through ingenuity, grit and determination. Fans of “Queen Bee” will be delighted to learn that it is the first in a trilogy that will follow the adventures of Manuka and her friends.

About the Book:

Queen Bee is a middle-grade, fantasy adventure for kids, 8-12, that takes place in the world of honeybees. The story follows Manuka, a young female worker bee and her quest to save her dying hive. 

As a young bee in a hive of thousands, Manuka knows she’s supposed to do her job and not make trouble. But, when a mysterious disease brought on by poisoned honey spreads, sickening everyone, she can’t stand mute. When she and her best friend, Cotton, try to warn their queen, the evil Acacia steps in and banishes them. Now they must find a cure while fending for themselves among predators in a treacherous world. On their adventures, they meet new friends: the brave bumblebees, the fierce killer bees, a lovesick male bee and a fast-talking hummingbird, to name a few. But, before anything can be resolved, Manuka must face Acacia again and deal with her deadly horde of wasps.

“Queen Bee” is a celebration of the power of individuals, ideas, and teamwork. Young people will thrill in experiencing the amazing world of honeybees up close for the first time. 

“Queen Bee” is being considered as an animated film or TV series. Recently, the author joined Bespoke Film Group in partnership to bring “Queen Bee” to the big screen in a way that will delight and entertain in the visual arts as much as it does on the page. Order here.

About the Author:

Yvelette Stines is an author, communications specialist and educator. She has written about health, wellness, lifestyle and business for publications such as Essence, Uptown, Heart & Soul, Hispanic Executive Quarterly, Ebony, Green Build Design and Mind Body Green. From 2007 to 2017, she started and ran Calming Corners, a blog that encourages readers to live a calm and healthy life, and gave it a reboot in 2020. She teaches adults and children on wellness and writing. Her books are based on health and wellness. “Vernon the Vegetable” is a children’s book. “Be Calm:31 Mindful Affirmations and Reflections for Living a Peaceful Life” is a guidebook for living a calm life. In public relations she worked on campaigns for Spike Lee, Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), FX Network, TNT and more. Her clients have been featured in INC Magazine, Business News Daily, NPR, Fox2, WDIV 4, Essence and more. Stines enjoys working with youth, writing and doing her part to leave the world a better place. She holds a B.A. in Communications, M.Ed Education and M.S. in Holistic Nutrition.

About the Book:

“Vernon the Vegetable Man” is a book with vivid colors and wonderful lessons on goal setting, sportsmanship and healthy living. Children, parents and educators will enjoy the lessons in this story. This is a book that will motivate children to eat healthy and enjoy the wonderful health benefits of fruits and vegetables. This book will help children create healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Order here. 

About the Author:

JuElle Rosewood is a wife and a mother of soon to be three beautiful children. She is an activist for Jesus Christ and has a passion for family—whatever the word “family” looks like to you. Founder of BelieversLinkUp, LLC., which hosts faith-based events throughout the year to bring believers together in her hometown of Detroit. She is currently a stay-at-home mom to Joel (4 years) and Juliet (1 year) and Jada (3 months). Life is very busy and exciting at the moment, but every day is a blessing. Writing has always been a positive outlet for JuElle, but for the very first time she has decided to act on this passion and dedicate a book to her very own “GROWING FAMILY!”

About the Book:

Explore a fun and engaging story that uses words like BIG, LOVED and HAPPY to connect with children and ensure the emotions they may be feeling! Preparing for a new baby in the home can sometimes be a struggle. This book embraces growing, blended families with a positive light! As well as acknowledges the constant changes a family can experience! This book is an easy read for babies, toddlers and all children. Order here.

About the Author: 

Kinyel Friday is the author of “I Am My Hair,” which serves as book 1 of 6 in the “Believe In Me Series.” “I Am My Hair: Coloring Book” and bookmarks followed up soon after to accompany book 1. She earned a B.A. in Psychology, and a Masters in Social Work and in English. She began her career as a school social worker, and later accomplished her dream of becoming a published author. Besides owning her own professional organizing business, Task & Basket, Kinyel's an avid reader who loves to write compelling stories, shop and watch movies. Visit www.KinyelFriday.com to sign up for her monthly newsletter for updates and sneak peeks!

About the Book:

“I Am My Hair” is about a young girl named Tanya who is excited about her first day of school, but runs into an issue after her new "friends" make fun of her hair. Tanya learns a valuable lesson about self-love. Her parents help her appreciate the uniqueness of her hair and of herself as a whole. This is a fun and quick read that allows girls of color to truly recognize their self-worth while they’re young. Order here. 

About the Author:

Amy Nielander graduated from College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan. Before becoming an illustrator, she worked as a product designer and digital sculptor in the automotive industry. She earned international recognition as the only U.S. finalist for her entry in the 2014 Silent Book Contest. Her submission debuted at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair and traveled to Milan, Italy, for exhibition. “The Ladybug Race” picture book was published by PomegranateKids in 2015 and received a Bronze Medal Book Award in the Children's Picture Books All Ages Category by Independent Publisher. Her second picture book, “Grama’s Hug” (Page Street Kids 2020), received a starred review from Booklist. Amy fuses her talents to deliver high quality art, design and playful stories for kids. She pushes her creativity to explore what makes characters unforgettable, storylines stick and fictional worlds delight. Her mission is to spread joy, inspire and fuel imaginations, little and big.

Amy is also a Detroit Writing Room children’s book coach who provides feedback on picture book manuscripts, query letters and more. Sign up for coaching at detroitwritingroom.com/coaches.

About the Book:

May and Grama are a team. They do everything together, from birdwatching to preparing for the annual space fair. And they never, ever say goodbye without a hug. May’s love of science takes her far as her inventions win year after year, helped by Grama’s support, effort and love. She travels to space camp and eventually beyond, earning her spot as the first kid astronaut to journey into space. As May prepares for her mission to explore the cosmos, she seems ready to go without looking back. Will she forget to leave without saying goodbye to Grama? This picture book explores the importance of treasuring even the smallest moments with people you love. Readers will enjoy the heartwarming illustrations, expressive characters and delightful touches of whimsy. Order here.