Category: Uncategorized

Aliyah Jackson is coming to Studio Moonfall’s Kenosha Book Festival 2024 on April 28th, July 28th, and August 25th.

Planting Gardens on the Moon is Aliyah Jackson’s debut poetry collection that explores themes of depression, isolation, and uncertainty in religion, spirituality, and relationships, using vignette-like poems that offer relatable details of the human journey.

Here’s a sneak peek at their book Planting Gardens on the Moon:

Planting Gardens on the Moon is the first full length poetry collection by Aliyah Jackson. It centers around themes of depression, isolation, and the uncertainties behind the refuge in religion, spirituality and interpersonal relationships.

“In Planting Gardens on the Moon, Aliyah Jackson tills the fertile soil of her experiences, her fears, and the quiet that eludes her mind to expose it to the light. With no words wasted, each poem is like its own vignette where you are sure to find the details of your own journey.”

• Esteban Colon
  ’18-’19 Kenosha Poet Laureate
  Author of Hell Creek and Things I Learned the Hard Way

If you can’t wait until you meet the author at this summer’s Kenosha Book Festival, pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.

Stop by Studio Moonfall for more books by local authors and my friends from the indie publishing world, visit https://bookshop.org/shop/studiomoonfall to shop online, or https://www.libro.fm/business?bookstore=studiomoonfall for audiobooks.

Justin O. Rose is coming to Studio Moonfall’s Kenosha Book Festival 2024 on April 28th and June 23rd

Justin Rose is an author from Superior, Wisconsin. You may find his short stories in scattered literary journals and his novels, including his Tales of Rehavan series on Amazon, Smashwords, and numerous other online retailers. Inspired by both the classics of Western literature and the speculative fiction of the 20th century, Rose’s work is a blend of literary art and speculative adventure that interweaves the higher themes of the classics with the adventurous spirit of genre fiction.

Here’s a sneak peek at their book Ariel’s Tear:

“Beauty is always worth protecting.”

Set in the fictional world of Rehavan, Ariel’s Tear tells the story of Reheuel, Captain of the Guards in the small human city of Gath Odrenoch. An aging soldier haunted by memories of his bloody youth, Reheuel lives a sedate but contented life with his family. Disillusioned with warfare and the glories of his nation’s conquests, he raises his children to value beauty and the wonders that enrich their lives.

His peaceful world shatters, however, when a tribe of goblins threatens both Gath Odrenoch and the nearby Fairy City. Intent on saving his family and on protecting the innocence of the childlike fairies, Reheuel sets off on a journey to save both cities. Lifting his sword once more, he rediscovers the true cost of earthly beauty.

If you can’t wait until you meet the author at this summer’s Kenosha Book Festival, pick up your copy at https://bookshop.org/a/9574/9781517289294

Stop by Studio Moonfall for more books by local authors and my friends from the indie publishing world, visit https://bookshop.org/shop/studiomoonfall to shop online, or https://www.libro.fm/business?bookstore=studiomoonfall for audiobooks.

Richard Bell is coming to Studio Moonfall’s Kenosha Book Festival 2024 on April 28th.

Born in Chicago. Joined the Navy at 18. Self-taught the bass guitar. Took six years to get a bachelor’s degree. Worked a variety of jobs. Married at 39. Started writing short funny stories to make myself laugh while wife had leukemia. She survived. Again worked a variety of jobs. Laughter is good medicine.

Here’s a sneak peek at their book Life Seemed Good, But….:

This book is a collection of very short stories with unpredictable endings. It is dedicated to all those who supported someone suffering with cancer or any serious illness with the premise that laughter is good medicine.

Many of the stories come from Bell’s magazine column entitled Modern Fables previously published in Wassup Local Magazine (Lake County IL). He began writing as therapy in 2004 when he was laid off from his job shortly after his wife got leukemia.

Although the category is fantasy humor, Life Seemed Good, But…. contains parodies, elements of the surreal, as well as anti-humor and portrays diverse attitudes and takes on life from a somewhat dark but intelligent and laughable perspective as animals, food and other inanimate objects take on human qualities.

These multi-layered stories offer a glimpse into a life of struggling to cope yet provide a ray of hope in the simple act of continuing on, accepting the good, bad, and frustrating as a part of what we all have to endure and overcome.

Contains a wealth of hidden trivia and a portion of the proceeds is donated to cancer and Alzheimer’s research. The author describes himself as “”just an ordinary guy and nobody special.””

If you can’t wait until you meet the author at this summer’s Kenosha Book Festival, pick up your copy at https://bookshop.org/a/9574/9780692980460

Stop by Studio Moonfall for more books by local authors and my friends from the indie publishing world, visit https://bookshop.org/shop/studiomoonfall to shop online, or https://www.libro.fm/business?bookstore=studiomoonfall for audiobooks.

Richard Sweitzer is coming to Studio Moonfall’s Kenosha Book Festival 2024 on April 28th and June 23rd.

Richard Sweitzer is an award-winning author, voice actor, morning radio host, and comedy writer.

He received his Master of Arts degree in English/Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he was an Assistant Editor for the school’s literary journal. During his tenure at UWM, his short story collection won the Faculty Fiction Award.

Prior to that he studied English Literature and Creative Writing at UW-Stevens Point, winning the English Department award four years in a row, the L&S Distinguished Achievement Award, and the prestigious Ellen Specht Memorial Scholarship, all while graduating summa cum laude.

He has taught programs on Creative Writing and Publishing, and one of his novel excerpts won the top prize in a nationwide writing contest.

When he is not writing, he hosts a popular morning radio show in central Wisconsin. His decades-long tenure in radio has earned him numerous broadcast awards and significant recognition for his public service.

Here’s a sneak peek at their book ODE: The Scion of Nerikan:

The old stories were true! Ancient tales speak of the fabled Nerikan Prison where fearful creatures were once locked away. These were thought to be simply fantastic stories, but centuries later the lost prison has been found and its last living captive has escaped! A massive and hateful beast has been unleashed unto the world and is once again rampaging towns and hillsides. What it seeks, no one knows; but what it finds is a little girl who is not afraid. And the bold child has one simple request of the monster: to help her find her home.
An ode to timeless fantasy stories of long ago The Scion of Nerikan is an adventure that redefines family and friendship on an epic scale.

If you can’t wait until you meet the author at this summer’s Kenosha Book Festival, pick up your copy at https://amzn.to/3xGd3Ak

Stop by Studio Moonfall for more books by local authors and my friends from the indie publishing world, visit https://bookshop.org/shop/studiomoonfall to shop online, or https://www.libro.fm/business?bookstore=studiomoonfall for audiobooks.

Madeline Crane is coming to Studio Moonfall’s Kenosha Book Festival 2024 on April 28th.

Madeline Crane has been in love with fantasy since childhood, when her father read her The Hobbit as a bedtime story. She has two degrees in English literature (a BA with an emphasis in medieval literature and an MA with an emphasis in education), and she lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two cats. Her first book, Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea, was published in 2022, and The Book of the New Moon Door is her second.

Here’s a sneak peek at their book Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea:

After losing everything in a foolhardy quest to slay a sea serpent, Eske of the Bear Clan journeys across the world to the holy city of Phyreios. There, he meets warriors from faraway lands, a rebel leader with the courage to defy the gods, and a gentle healer whose dreams foretell a great calamity.

While at first Eske seeks only an opportunity to test his strength and a distraction from his grief, he soon becomes entangled in a clash of gods and monsters that will change the fate of Phyreios-and the world-forever.

Inspired by Robert E. Howard’s CONAN THE BARBARIAN and Ursula LeGuin’s EARTHSEA novels, BEYOND THE FROST-COLD SEA is an epic tale of love, loyalty, rebellion, and ruin.

If you can’t wait until you meet the author at this summer’s Kenosha Book Festival, pick up your copy at https://amzn.to/49DVQ7K

Stop by Studio Moonfall for more books by local authors and my friends from the indie publishing world, visit https://bookshop.org/shop/studiomoonfall to shop online, or https://www.libro.fm/business?bookstore=studiomoonfall for audiobooks.

Jessie Rose is coming to Studio Moonfall’s Kenosha Book Festival 2024 on April 28th, May 26th, July 28th, and August 25th.

Jessie Rose is a thriller/horror and fantasy writer who grew up in Appalachia, moved to Chicago (the city of her heart) and made a home in Wisconsin. She is the author of Atomic Love, a psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Emma Cline, Stephen King and rock n’ roll memoirs. She is currently promoting Atomic Love while working on her long awaited vampire series Underneath A Black Sky (A House of Black Novel).

She is co-founder/writer/editor for The Beautiful Wild Magazine which focuses on music, art, culture and social justice. Co-founder of Love Letters to Russia, a project created to support Russian LGBTQ+ youth. She also writes with Stefanie Leigh for Write Furiously, a writing resource site to help new authors. In other words, she’s busy! She’s also a mom to two cats, the beautiful & hilarious Oli & equally funny partner Bryan (The Grizz).

Here’s a sneak peek at their book Least Likely Suspect:

Prepare for a mind-bending ride in Jessie Rose’s latest thriller, Least Likely Suspect. Rose, known for gripping twists and tales of love gone wrong, once again delivers a page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Imagine someone you once loved is a killer.

And his victims look like you.

Indiana Sebring’s life takes a sinister turn when her ex-fiancé, Jacob Ballentine, emerges as the prime suspect in a series of violent crimes. As the chilling truth unravels, Indiana grapples with the shocking revelation, and her existence becomes a twisted puzzle of past love and present danger.

Local news reporter Stella Foxworth, hungry for her breakthrough moment, uncovers a connection to the killer that hits uncomfortably close to home. Stella’s relentless pursuit of the truth propels her down a dangerous path, each step bringing her face-to-face with the darkness lurking in the shadows.

Rose once again delivers a novel that will keep you guessing until the final page. Least Likely Suspect challenges everything you thought you knew about love, exposing the hidden darkness of those you trust most.

Must read for fans of Freida McFadden and Gillian Flynn.

If you can’t wait until you meet the author at this summer’s Kenosha Book Festival, pick up your copy at https://amzn.to/4azN1N7

Stop by Studio Moonfall for more books by local authors and my friends from the indie publishing world, visit https://bookshop.org/shop/studiomoonfall to shop online, or https://www.libro.fm/business?bookstore=studiomoonfall for audiobooks.

D. Lieber is coming to Studio Moonfall’s Kenosha Book Festival 2024 on April 28th, June 23rd, and September 22nd.

D. Lieber has a wanderlust that would make a butterfly envious. When she isn’t planning her next physical adventure, she’s recklessly jumping from one fictional world to another. Her love of reading led her to earn a Bachelor’s in English from Wright State University.
Beyond her skeptic and slightly pessimistic mind, Lieber wants to believe. She has been many places—from Canada to England, France to Italy, Germany to Russia—believing that a better world comes from putting a face on “other.” She is a romantic idealist at heart, always fighting to keep her feet on the ground and her head in the clouds.
Lieber lives in Wisconsin with her husband (John) and cats (Yin and Nox).

Here’s a sneak peek at their book The Curse of Moonseed Manor:

A haunted hotel. A skeptical photographer. A deadly curse that could cost her everything.

Wren’s life is a disaster—rife with tragedy and hardship. So when she’s offered a job at Moonseed Manor, a Gothic revival mansion that’s never welcomed visitors, it seems suspicious.

The gloom that hangs over Moonseed Manor is enhanced by its cold yet alluring owner, Mr. William Courtland Bennings. And the spooky tales of the flirtatious caretaker, Watt, play up that feeling.

Love, death, secrets, and lies await in this gothic romance.

If you can’t wait until you meet the author at this summer’s Kenosha Book Festival, pick up your copy at https://bookshop.org/a/9574/9781951239299

Stop by Studio Moonfall for more books by local authors and my friends from the indie publishing world, visit https://bookshop.org/shop/studiomoonfall to shop online, or https://www.libro.fm/business?bookstore=studiomoonfall for audiobooks.

Christopher Kolon is coming to Studio Moonfall’s Kenosha Book Festival 2024 on April 28th and June 23rd.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Kenosha Poet Laureate, 2023/24, Christopher Kolon spent much of his adult life in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he worked as a cook and chef before transitioning to a career as a magazine publisher and freelance feature writer for regional and national publications. His practice of Zen Buddhism and shakuhachi honkyoku music, as well as poetry writing, allows him to explore the mystery in the so-called mundane. “”Poetry has been, for me, a sacred space where I can whisper, and sometimes shout, the truth I see in the world around me.”” He’s participated in poetry workshops and readings in Kenosha, Santa Fe, The Cuyamunge Institute in Pojoaque, NM, and the Esalen Institute in California.

If you can’t wait until you meet the author at this summer’s Kenosha Book Festival, pick up your copy of Finding Voice at https://amzn.to/3Jl1WiF

Stop by Studio Moonfall for more books by local authors and my friends from the indie publishing world, visit https://bookshop.org/shop/studiomoonfall to shop online, or https://www.libro.fm/business?bookstore=studiomoonfall for audiobooks.

Amy McNulty is coming to Studio Moonfall’s Kenosha Book Festival 2024 on April 28th and September 22nd!

Amy McNulty is an editor and author of books that run the gamut from YA speculative fiction to contemporary romance. A lifelong fiction fanatic, she fangirls over books, anime, manga, comics, movies, games, and TV shows from her home state of Wisconsin. When not editing her clients’ novels, she’s busy fulfilling her dream by crafting fantastical worlds of her own.

Here’s a sneak peek at their book Nobody’s Goddess:

Winner of The Romance Reviews’ Summer 2016 Readers’ Choice Award in Young Adult Romance. A novel readers are calling “”spectacular and heartbreaking.””

In a village of masked men, each man is compelled to love only one woman and to follow the commands of his “goddess” without question. A woman may reject the only man who will love her if she pleases, but she will be alone forever. A man must stay masked until his goddess returns his love—and if she can’t or won’t, he remains masked forever. Seventeen-year-old Noll’s childhood friends have paired off and her closest
companion, Jurij, found his goddess in Noll’s own sister.

Desperate to find a way to break this ancient spell, Noll instead discovers why no man has ever chosen her. She is in fact the goddess of the mysterious lord of the village, a man who refuses to let Noll have her right as a woman to spurn him. Thus begins a dangerous game between the choice of woman and the magic of man.

The stakes are no less than freedom and happiness, life and death—and neither Noll nor the veiled lord is willing to lose.

Fans of Tamlin in A Court of Thorns and Roses, Rhys in A Court of Mist and Fury, the Darkling in the Grisha Trilogy’s Shadow and Bone, and Jareth in Jim Henson’s Labyrinth will devour this Beauty and the Beast-style romantic adventure.

If you can’t wait until you meet the author at this summer’s Kenosha Book Festival, pick up your copy at https://amzn.to/3Jk3B8c

Stop by Studio Moonfall for more books by local authors and my friends from the indie publishing world, visit https://bookshop.org/shop/studiomoonfall to shop online, or https://www.libro.fm/business?bookstore=studiomoonfall for audiobooks.

Maria Bellefeuille is coming to Studio Moonfall’s Kenosha Book Festival 2024 on May 26th and August 25th!

Maria Bellefeuille was born in Oak Park, IL, and spent the majority of her childhood in Melrose Park, IL. She lived a seemingly normal life. It was not until her adolescent years that Cystic Fibrosis started to have a noticeable impact on her daily routine. As a result, she spent countless hours in the hospital when things were bad. When things were not so bad, she spent a substantial portion of her time at home trying to regain the strength and energy that her peers seemed to have in droves. Writing became her outlet and her release.

Maria now lives in Winthrop Harbor, IL. She has educated herself on her disease, and with the help of new medications, she has learned to live life to the fullest. She is overly optimistic and hopes that by sharing these poems with you, you can sense the spirit she was in as she wrote them and, perhaps, be inspired to rise above the challenges that you may face.

Here’s a sneak peek at their book Making Invisible Visible Again:

Life does not always need to be serious. The assorted poems refer to many topics from self-discovery, love, heartbreak, family, and friends. Throughout life, these moments were precious to me, and I hope that these poems speak to you as the reader.

What is family to you? Family to me is not only the ones we are born into, but family is also those we choose for ourselves. Throughout the years, I have chosen family that were first friends but also four-legged. My four-legged children throughout the years have been my emotional support in good times and in bad. Remember, there is a big world out there; nobody deserves to feel alone. These poems are dedicated to all those moments and more.

If you can’t wait until you meet the author at this summer’s Kenosha Book Festival, pick up your copy at https://amzn.to/4aES6Ui

Stop by Studio Moonfall for more books by local authors and my friends from the indie publishing world, visit https://bookshop.org/shop/studiomoonfall to shop online, or https://www.libro.fm/business?bookstore=studiomoonfall for audiobooks.