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Sweet & Greet

Wednesday, September 20  -  8:30 - 10:00 pm

Columbia Event Center B

Sponsored by Shelf Awareness                                                                                                                               Open to all badged attendees

Kemper Donovan  /  The Busy Body / Kensington Books
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In The Busy Body (A John Scognamiglio Book/PRH), a whodunit worthy of Agatha Christie, writer and podcaster Kemper Donovan spins an intelligent and witty tale of a ghostwriter hired to help former Senator and presidential candidate Dorothy Gibson write her memoirs. But when a neighbor is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Dorothy is determined to find the killer. And of course, a ghostwriter’s job is to collaborate. The Busy Body will be published in January 2024.
Miriam Landis  /  Lauren in the Limelight / Rhododendron Press

Lauren in the Limelight (Rhododendron Press), by Washington dancer and writer Miriam Landis, is the perfect coming-of-age story for tween readers of the classic novel Ballet Shoes. Lauren and her friends will have to find firm footing as they compete for roles in the Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s spring recital. Miriam Landis is a faculty member of the Pacific Northwest Ballet, as well as the author of two previous young adult novels, Girl in Motion and Breaking Pointe.
Julie Chavez  /  Everyone But Myself / Zibby Books

For any parent who has ever felt stretched a little thin, Julia Chavez’s debut memoir Everyone But Myself (Zibby Books/IPS) is a wonderful antidote; a funny, unflinchingly open account of love and loss, comically negligent doctors, husbands who can't read minds, family outings gone wrong, and the life-affirming joy of a life well-loved and well lived. Julia Chavez is an elementary school librarian in Northern California. Everyone But Myself will be published in January 2024.
​Melody Carlson  /  A Royal Christmas / Revell

Perfect for a little holiday get-away, Melody Carlson’s A Royal Christmas (Revell/Baker Pub. Group) is a romantic tale that has it all: a charming village, a fairy tale palace, plenty of family mysteries and royal jealousies, and a handsome member of Parliament. And, of course, a chance at a real life happily-ever-after. Melody Carlson is the bestselling author of more than 250 books, and is the recipient of a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award.
​Andrea Carlisle  /  There was an Old Woman / Oregon State University Press

Oregon writer and educator Andrea Carlisle offers some insight and wisdom to anyone approaching or living in old age in There Was an Old Woman (Oregon State Univ. Press), a new collection of personal essays. Carlisle shows us that old age is not another country where we can expect to find the Old Woman grimly waiting, but is instead an expansion of the borders in the country we’re most familiar with: ourselves.
​Sharon Virts  /  Veil of Doubt / Girl Friday Books

Based on a shocking true story, Sharon Virts’ Veil of Doubt (Girl Friday Books/IPS) is part true-crime thriller, part medical and legal procedural. A young widow in Reconstruction Era Virginia is accused of poisoning her husband, children and aunt. Enter a young, soft-spoken defense attorney determined to uncover the truth behind the family’s tragic fate. Virts, a successful entrepreneur recognized nationally for her business achievements and philanthropic contributions, is also the author of Masque of Honor.
​Anu Chouhan  /  Hair Oil Magic / Bloomsbury Children's

In Anu Chouhan’s Hair Oil Magic (Bloomsbury Children’s Books/Macmillan), it’s always a special day when Mommy mixes sweet-smelling oils and massages them into Meena’s hair. But when Meena tries to mix the oils by herself, the magic just isn’t there! Canadian Anu Chouhan is a writer, illustrator and animator. She is the illustrator of A Dupatta Is… and the graphic novel adaptation of Aru Shah and the End of Time. Hair Oil Magic will be published in February 2024.
​Keely Grand  /  Troublemakers and Superpowers / Sasquatch Books

From Greta Thunberg to Ed Sheeran to Trevor Noah to Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Troublemakers and Superpowers (Little Bigfoot/PRH) introduces middle grade readers to 29 people who turned their childhood struggles into strengths. Each vibrantly illustrated profile will engage and inspire young readers; parents and educators will find the book’s additional information, including definitions and resources, very helpful. Portlander Keely Grand is a writer and personal trainer, as well as the creator and host of the podcast Keely’s Gym.
​Pauls Toutonghi  /  The Refugee Ocean / Simon & Schuster

Pauls Toutonghi, himself the son of immigrant parents, grapples with what it means to be an immigrant in The Refugee Ocean (Simon & Schuster), a beautiful story that moves across time and distance to explore displacement, healing and the role of art and music in the resilience of the human spirit. Pauls Toutonghi is the author of several novels, including Evel Knievel Days, and his work has appeared in The New Yorker, Granta and Tin House.
​Faith Capalia / Melvina Whitmoore (More or Less a Horror Story) / HarperCollins

Author and illustrator Faith Capalia makes her debut with Melvina Whitmoore (More or Less a Horror Story) (HarperCollins), a lively and ever-so spooky picture book about an old lady who is afraid of everything - from spiders and snails to her own shadow. But Melvina is sure she will be perfectly safe in her new house, until some very strange things start to happen. Portland-based Faith Capalia is an illustrator, author, preschool teacher, and spooky story aficionado.
​Steven Hawley / Cracked: The Future of Dams / Patagonia

The damming of rivers, however well-intentioned once, has now become a contentious issue fraught with ecological disaster and injustices. Writer and filmmaker Steven Hawley addresses this history and its consequences in Cracked (Patagonia/IPS). Despite the loss and degradation of ecosystems dams have contributed to, Haley points out several success stories in dam removal. Hawley wrote and co-produced the award-winning documentary, Dammed to Extinction, and is the author of the book Recovering a Lost River.
​Karen Spears Zacharias / No Perfect Mothers / Mercer University Press

Central Oregon writer and educator Karen Spears Zacharias appears at the show to present her forthcoming book No Perfect Mothers, to be published by Mercer University Press in April 2024. Zacharias’ debut novel Mother of Rain received the Weatherford Award for Best in Appalachian Fiction, and her work has been features on NPR, CNN, the New York Times and in numerous anthologies. She lives in Deschutes County at the foot of the Cascades.
​Julia Park Tracey / The Bereaved / Sibyline Press

The darkest side of the 19th Century orphan trains is illuminated in Julia Park Tracey’s The Bereaved (Sibylline Press/IPS), a mesmerizing novel about Martha, a woman who loses her husband, her home and finally, her children. Even as the Civil War erupts around her, Martha determinedly sets out to reclaim those she has lost. Author or editor of six previous books, Julia Park Tracey is also a partner and the Executive Director of Sibylline Press.
​Christina Suzann Nelson / What Happens Next / Bethany House Publishers

A cold case of a missing girl is the catalyst for reconciliation and healing in Christina Suzann Nelson’s newest novel, What Happens Next (Bethany House Pubs./Baker Pub. Group). Re-opening the case means true crime pod-caster Faith Byrne will have to examine old wounds and long-buried secrets surrounding the disappearance of her childhood friend. Christina Nelson has published several novels, including Shaped by the Waves and the Christy Award-winning The Way It Should Be. She lives near Corvallis.
​Mark Fearing / Last Exit to Feral / Holiday House

Two girls try to get to the bottom of their small town’s secrets in Mark Fearing’s graphic novel for middle graders, Last Exit to Feral (Holiday House/Peachtree), sequel to Welcome to Feral. Mark Fearing has himself never been bitten by a werewolf, a zombie, or a vampire, but he was bitten by the creative bug, which is far more dangerous. He is the illustrator of the Middle School Bites series, and the author/illustrator of the award-winning Castle Gesundheit.
​Marissa Moss / Talia's Codebook for Mathletes / Walker Books US

Marissa Moss, creator of the internationally bestselling Amelia’s Notebook series, returns to the comics diary format with Talia’s Codebook for Mathletes (Walker Books US/Candlewick), a STEM-oriented tale for middle grade readers. Talia may know math, but can she crack the code of being cool in middle school AND lead her Mathlete Mermaids team to victory? Marissa Moss has written more than seventy books for children, from picture books to young adult novels. The paperback edition for Talia’s Codebook for Mathletes will be published in February 2024, while the hardcover edition published this past June.
​Stephen Bramucci / Race for the Ruby Turtle / Bloomsbury Children's

Race for the Ruby Turtle (Bloomsbury Children’s Books/Macmillan) by Oregon writer Stephen Bramucci is a heartfelt eco-adventure novel for middle graders, filled with humor and heart. Jake and his new friend Mia are on the trail of a turtle that may only exist in myth – but they’re not the only ones searching. Stephen Bramucci is a travel and adventure writer, as well as the author of two previous books for children.
​Mason Deaver / Okay, Cupid / PUSH

In Mason Deaver’s new young adult novel Okay, Cupid (PUSH/Scholastic), Jude is a cupid with a problem. Currently on probation for stepping over the line, Jude’s new assignment is a tough one – one that definitely does not need the complication of Jude themselves falling in love. Mason Deaver is the author of several novels for young adults, including the bestselling I Wish You All the Best. Okay, Cupid will be published in January 2024.