2026 SPEAKERS
Mark Leslie Lefebvre
Mark Leslie Lefebvre has worked in the book industry since 1992 as a bookseller, bookstore manager, publishing executive, author, consultant and educator. He is the author of more than forty books, including horror, urban fantasy and true ghost stories all under the name Mark Leslie. Under his full name his books for authors include Wide for the Win, Publishing Pitfalls for Authors, and An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries and Bookstores. In addition to his ongoing writing, Mark serves as a part-time consultant in the role of Director of Business Development at Draft2Digital. A former president of the Canadian Booksellers Association and the founder of Kobo Writing Life, he hosts the long-running Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing podcast and speaks regularly at conferences across North America and Europe on the business and craft of building a sustainable author career.
Angela J. Ford
Angela J. Ford is a bestselling fantasy romance author who writes mortal × immortal forbidden romance featuring Black heroines in worlds where gothic cinema meets fantasy. Angela's standalone novels deliver steamy yearning, atmospheric world-building, and complete emotional satisfaction in one book. No cliffhangers. No waiting years for sequels. No series commitment required. Perfect for readers who love the ache of mortal/immortal romance, want meaningful Black representation in fantasy, and prefer complete standalone stories over multi-book series commitments. When she's not crafting fantasy romance worlds, Angela can be found with her nose in a book, curating romantasy book boxes for readers, or exploring new ways to bring her stories to life through signed editions and immersive book experiences. Visit her website for signed hardcovers, exclusive book boxes and luxe bookish candles.
Andrea Waltz
Andrea Waltz is the co-author of the bestselling book Go for No!, a publisher, fiction and nonfiction author, and an international speaker. Through her books, speaking, and decades of experience in publishing and entrepreneurship, Andrea has helped writers, business owners, and professionals rethink rejection, persistence, and the creative process. Alongside building Go for No! into a long-term success story, Andrea also writes fiction under the pen name Diandra Archer, where she continues her quest to someday turn the paranormal mystery series into a Netflix hit despite the publishing universe not fully cooperating yet. She is passionate about the emotional side of writing, publishing, creativity, and staying in the game long enough for success to catch up.
Kevin Tumlinson
J. Kevin Tumlinson is an award-winning and bestselling novelist, and a prolific podcaster and public speaker. He's also the Chief Branding Officer for Author Anchor. Through his podcasts and public talks, and his decades-long work in the industry, Kevin has helped thousands of authors to start, build, and grow their successful writing careers. Now he's on a mission to help writers find the perfect author assistance, so they can offload marketing and other tasks, and "Just Write."
Joe & Sibella Giorello
Joe Giorello, a former history teacher, writes the Great Battles for Boys series. The bestselling YA nonfiction series—edited by his wife, novelist Sibella Giorello—began as a rescue mission for their son who was a reluctant reader. There are now 10 books in the series, an academic curriculum, and an animated series streaming on the Angel Network. Find out more at www.GreatBattlesForBoys.com.
Stuart Grant
Stuart Grant is the founder and CEO of Digital Authors Toolkit, a UK-based digital agency that specializes in helping authors build powerful websites as part of their marketing strategy. He’s the top-rated web designer on Reedsy, the go-to marketplace for authors seeking service providers, with glowing reviews to match. As a proud partner of Alli and other leading organizations, Stuart brings a wealth of expertise to the table.
Seth Norris
Seth Norris, CPA, is the founder of Norris CPA, a fully virtual accounting firm that helps independent authors understand their numbers, pay less in taxes, and build more profitable businesses. A former bank CFO and certified Profit First Professional, Seth works alongside his wife Jessica, a full-time author and homeschool mom to their five kids.
Kevin T. Johns
Kevin T. Johns is a writing coach, editor, and author who helps genre fiction writers finish and market their novels. He's the author of 7 books, the host of The Writing Coach Podcast (226 episodes), and the founder of The Writer's Craft Summit. Over the past decade, he's helped hundreds of writers complete manuscripts, reach bestseller lists, and build the kind of author platform that gets them taken seriously — by readers, collaborators, and event organizers alike. Kevin is the creator of the C.R.A.F.T. Content System, a five-step framework that helps authors stay visible online without living online. The core idea: one conversation can generate a month of marketing content — without burning through the creative energy you need for your actual writing. He teaches the system as part of Signal Boost, his marketing program for authors, which covers the full journey from building an online presence to converting readers into fans. Kevin lives in Ottawa, Canada. You can find him at kevintjohns.com or on The Writing Coach Podcast, wherever you listen to podcasts.
Kathleen Sweeney
Kathleen Sweeney is the Chief Operating Officer at Book Brush and has presented to more than 350 author groups. She loves helping authors discover creative ways to promote their books without making marketing feel overwhelming. She lives in central Illinois with her husband, three active boys, and the two most handsome cats on the planet. Her hobbies include eating tacos and turning socks right side out.
Michael LaRonn
Michael La Ronn is the author of 45 books, spanning science fiction, fantasy, poetry, and nonfiction. He's a YouTuber, podcaster, and professional speaker, and is also the U.S. ambassador and outreach manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors where he co-hosts a show with Orna Ross on self-publishing advice. His books for authors include Be a Writing Machine, Mental Models for Writers, and 150 Self-Publishing Questions Answered. You can find Michael La Ronn at AuthorLevelUp.com and on Twitter @MichaelLaRonn. He's also on YouTube at Author Level Up.
Reagan Rothe
Reagan Rothe is a publishing executive and owner of Black Rose Writing with more than two decades of experience helping authors navigate the ever-changing publishing landscape. He has worked with hundreds of authors across a wide range of genres, guiding projects from manuscript development and production to marketing, distribution, and long-term career growth. Drawing on extensive experience in traditional and independent publishing, Reagan is a sought-after voice on industry trends, author branding, book marketing, and the business of publishing.
Audrey Derobert
Audrey Derobert is a product marketer on the BookBub Partner Marketing team, where she educates authors, publishers, and book marketers about how to effectively use BookBub’s suite of tools to achieve their marketing goals.
Dr. Judith Briles
Dr. Judith Briles is the author of 49 books and known as The Book Shepherd to thousands of authors she’s worked with. She empowers authors and works directly with those who want to be seriously successful. Her construction tools are her words and imagination.
Judith is a book publishing expert, coach, author, and podcast host of AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing with over 22 million downloads. Ranked in the Top Ten by Feedspot for Book Marketing and in the Top 10 by Goodpods, a new show is released every Thursday.
Her latest books for authors include The Author’s Walk: Finding and Using Your Voice to Create Publishing Success, How to Avid Book Publishing Blunders, and How to Create a Million Dollar Speech. Her personal memoir is When God Says NO: Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present.
Rolling up her fiction writing sleeves, she writes historical fiction with Brian Barnes. Three books are now available: The Secret Journey, The Secret Hamlet, and The Secret Rise. The Secret Awakening will be available in 2026. Last year, she debuted her foodie skills with Cooking with Judith, followed by Appetizers with Judith available this summer.
Calling Colorado home, when she is not writing, she is most likely planning events for authors, in the garden or kitchen. Her websites are www.TheBookShepherd.com and www.JudithBrilesBooks.com .
Tara September
Tara September is an award-winning contemporary romance author and former PR executive for The Walt Disney Company and communications manager for WWE. She holds a Master’s degree in journalism & communications from New York University and a B.A. from Wheaton College in Massachusetts. Her popular college sports, new adult series and contemporary romance standalones are all available in audio. Tara is also the current President of the Southwest Florida Fiction Writers group.
Chelle Honiker
Chelle Honiker has spent over two decades helping creative professionals build smarter businesses. As Publisher of Indie Author Magazine, and Managing Partner of Indie Author Training, Author Automations, and the Wide for the Win community, she leads a media and training ecosystem dedicated to helping indie authors take charge of both their craft and their careers.
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