Five Saints Boozy Book Fest

Amy Marie Ayres — Instagram

Amy is an author who writes a variety of genres including comic dark romance, women’s fiction, speculative dystopian science fiction, and magical realism based on Irish folklore. She has a background in poetry and was previously an academic. Amy has experience with voice acting, theater, podcasts, and comedy writing. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband, stepson, daughter, and cat. Amy’s debut series: Star Sick, a humorous science fiction novel with talking robot dogs, and Star Lost (described as Divergent meets Diary of Anne Frank) are both available on Amazon. 

Author of: Star Lost, Star Sick (Books 1 & 2 of the Luccee Winterscott Series)

Renee Bess — Facebook

A native Philadelphian, resident of Plymouth Meeting, and former foreign language educator, Renée began her writing career twenty years ago. She writes fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction reflective of her dedication to quality writing, inclusiveness of multi-racial/cultural characters, and timely themes. After the Pulse Nightclub mass shooting, Renée teamed with writer Lee Lynch and produced the Golden Crown Literary Society's Best Anthology Award for their book OUR HAPPY HOURS, LGBT VOICES FROM THE GAY BARS. The next year Renée received the Alice B Readers Award (2019.) During two GCLS Conferences she delivered presentations whose topics were writing about "the other" and the factors and people who shaped her desire to become a writer. For two years she volunteered to facilitate a creative writing group at Gwynedd Estates, an ACTS retirement community.

Author of: Leave of Absence; Breaking Jaie; Re:Building Sasha; The Butterfly Moments; Our Happy Hours; LGBT Voices from the Gay bars; The Rules; Between A Rock and A Soft Place; and her latest, Her Last Secret (historical fiction.)

Derrick T. Billups, Sr.

Derrick T. Billups, Sr. is the author of the books Changing Your Condition not Your Position and Are You Making A Living or Making A Life. Derrick has been in the insurance and financial services industry for over 30 years working with many of the largest and most successful companies. Before entering the insurance field Derrick was a high school teacher and coach. Derrick also spent over 30 years working with students and parents as a site supervisor for the SAT testing services. Derrick is currently the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Chester.

Author of: Changing Your Condition not Your Position; Are You Making A Living or Making A Life 

Cheryl Cantafio — Instagram

Cheryl Cantafio is a poetry and children's book writer from Norristown, Pennsylvania. When she's not writing, she works in information technology, co-hosts a podcast (You Only Go Once), reads gothic horror or thriller novels, or binge-watches movies and television series. Her book My Stay with the Sisters: Poems was her debut as an author and poet in May 2023. Her book, A Place No Flowers Grow, is a book in verse modern-day gothic tale. Barry and the Big Jump will be her debut children's book, set to release in November 2024. Connect with her on Instagram: @cherylc.writer 

Author of: My Stay with the Sisters, A Place No Flowers Grow 

Michele Ceron — Facebook

Michele Ceron lives outside of Philadelphia with her cat. She is a colon hydrotherapist and an esthetician by trade. She has always enjoyed creative writing. When she was a child and young adult she liked to write short stories and short plays. She also enjoyed watching daytime soap operas when she was younger and she remembers as a kid wanting to be a soap opera writer.

Recently she returned to writing her original soap opera, Cape Heights, which she used to write over 15 years ago online with a group of writers. The first 6 volumes are published and she is currently working on Volume 7. She hopes you enjoy her soap opera world! You don't have to be a soap opera fan to be able to enjoy her books.

Author of: Cape Heights Volumes 1-3 

Amy Jane Cohen — Instagram ▪️ X

Amy Jane Cohen is a Philadelphia based educator, writer, and historian. After twenty years as a classroom teacher she became the Director of Education for History Making Productions, a documentary film company. She is a frequent contributor to Hidden City Philadelphia. Her first book Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape was published by Temple University Press in 2024. 

Author of: Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: Deep Roots, Continuing Legacy 

Marlene Jenkins Cooper

Marlene Jenkins Cooper is an author, publisher, musician, podcaster, and retired public school teacher. She is the author of four books, including Life 101: Money Management and Adulting Made Simple, which won a 2021 Finalist award from American Writing Awards. Ms. Cooper is the host of the podcast Grace Notes: Devotions at the Piano with Marlene. She shares her spiritual insights based on scripture with sacred music. Marlene Jenkins Cooper is also a church musician, choir director, vocalist, and composer.

Having retired from the School District of Philadelphia, Marlene holds an illustrious career spanning thirty-four years. She began as a general vocal music teacher and later embraced the role of a computer specialist/teacher. She has received recognition from various organizations for her passionate teaching style and commitment to education. Ms. Cooper holds music education degrees from Temple University and The King’s College. Additionally, she pursued further graduate studies in computer technology at Temple University. In addition to writing, Ms. Cooper enjoys a diverse range of activities, including reading, traveling, cooking, swimming, and playing tennis. She is the parent of two adult children and a loving grandmother to one granddaughter.

Author of: Life 101: Money Management and Adulting Made Simple; While in the Valley: Walking With God Through Divorce; Grace Notes: Five-Minute Inspirational Devotionals for the Church Choir, Musicians, and Friends of Music; It’s Not Worth The Weight: A 90-Day Weight Loss Devotional.

DBS Press / Dracula Beyond Stoker

Dracula Beyond Stoker is a fiction journal dedicated to celebrating and continuing the legacy of Bram Stoker's Dracula

Author of: Dracula Beyond Stoker Issues 1-4

La'Quita (La-KEY-ta) Garcia, MS, ACC — Instagram

La’Quita is a multi-faceted leader. She is a Global HR Director at a market leader tech company and Certified Professional Coach, Principal & Founder of Lighthouse Coaching Solutions, LLC.  La'Quita also sits on the Board of Directors for NextUp PA, a non-profit organization with the mission of advancing all women. As a life -long learner, wife and mother who enjoys reading, traveling, volunteering in the community and spending time in nature, you can always count on La'Quita to help you reflect and consider things from a different perspective.

La'Quita's first published work, a guided journal, is designed to help readers focus on their self-care, self-love and self-discovery.  This work is in true service, because this focus is exactly what keeps La'Quita grounded and thriving in life. La’Quita always welcomes opportunities to connect and build her network and invites you to engage on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Author of: My Journal: Self-Care *Self-Love* Self-Discovery

Stephanie Guzman — Facebook ▪️ Instagram

Maryland native, Stephanie Guzman resides with her husband and daughter. She has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in Reading from Towson University. She is National Board-Certified Teacher working as a reading and gifted and talented specialist. When she began her teaching career, she noticed there were few books available addressing the many character development issues important today. Her series, Adventures of Oliver the Clownfish, has been honored as a USA Best Book Award finalist and given a Dove award for family friendliness. 

Author of: The Adventures of Oliver the Clownfish: Invitation Slip-Up; The Adventures of Oliver the Clownfish: Acting Cool, The Adventures of Oliver the Clownfish: Sticky Fins.

Slater Harry — Instagram

With a boundless imagination, Slater has always been writing music, creating short films, or painting… but why stop there? 

"If Otis Was POTUS!" is his first venture into children’s literature, and hopes to bring lightness to an often polarizing topic.

Author of: If Otis Was POTUS! 

Karima S. Hyman, M.A.

Karima S. Hyman has a Bachelor’s degree in Education, a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, and a certificate in Broadcasting.  She has worked as a master’s level clinician as well as a clinical research professional.  She is a mother, grandmother, and an aspiring speaker, author, and producer.  Karima enjoys socializing, traveling, dancing, musical-theater, reading, meeting new people, and participating in constant self-improvement like taking leadership, public speaking, and other classes.

Author of: Hope and a Future: A Story of Resiliency, A memoir.

Amy M. Kokoles — Facebook ▪️ Instagram

Amy Kokoles is a Reiki Master Teacher, Certified Angel Guide, International Best-Selling Author, and Motivational Life Coach. With a deep passion for guiding others, Amy creates and holds sacred, safe spaces for women through her empowering workshops and coaching sessions. Her unique approach blends energy healing, spiritual guidance, and personal transformation, helping women align with their highest potential. 

Amy is a proud recipient of The President's Volunteer Service Award for her volunteer work in her community and has been interviewed for numerous articles and podcasts. Amy is married to her best friend John, and they live in the suburbs of Philadelphia Pa with their much-loved and spoiled fur babies.

Author of: Wild Woman's Book of Prosperity; Wild Woman's Book of Alchemy 

Jennifer M. Lane — Facebook ▪️ Instagram

Jennifer M. Lane is the author of historical, contemporary, and women's fiction. She has a master’s in museum studies from the University of Delaware where she wrote her thesis on the material culture of roadside memorials. She is a member of the Authors Guild and the Historical Novel Society, and her first book, Of Metal and Earth, won the 2019 Next Generation Indie Book Award for First Novel and was a finalist in the 2018 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards in the category of Literary / General Fiction. 

Author of: Of Metal and Earth, Downriver, Stick Figures from Rockport, and The Collected Stories of Ramsbolt Series

Anna Maria Manalo — Instagram ▪️ Website

Anna Maria Manalo is the author of supernatural thrillers based on real events. Award-winning artist in residence, Chateau d’Orquevaux 2025, author of bestseller Haunted Heirlooms, and she is a former screenwriter of sci fi and horror. 

Author of: Against The Forbidden Darkness; The Infernal; Haunted Heirlooms; Unholy Structure; The Way Through The Woods; and The Night Visitants.

Andrew McCoy

Andrew McCoy is a fifteen year old boy who loves to tell jokes that he creates to his family members. He is talented at creating his own jokes, and this encouraged him to write his own joke book when he was eleven years old.  If many of his family members laughed at the joke, then he would add it to his joke book. He is also interested in science, math, space, and especially rockets. He enjoys reading, swimming, and learning about NASA, rockets, and the planets. He volunteers monthly at the library and during the summer teaching children how to play chess. 

Author of: Jokes that STEM from a Child: A Family Joke Book

Stephen McCoy

Stephen McCoy is a creative twelve year old boy who likes math, reading, cooking, baking, and swimming. He also loves computers and coding. He enjoys spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking with his family. He volunteers monthly at the library and during the summer working with children who want to learn to play chess. He has been dedicated and working hard on the cookbook since he was eight years old. 

Author of: Cooking for Fun: An Interactive Cookbook for Children

Dr. Avis R. McGhee, Phd — Facebook

Dr. Avis R. McGhee is the author of The Bad Seed Produces Good Fruit. She has degrees in Human Service, Social Science, Organizational Management, a master's in Nonprofit Management, and a Doctorate degree in Divinity. In addition to serving as an International Certified Chaplain and a Chaplain of the Norristown Police Department, Dr. McGhee is also the CEO of Jazzy Lady Fashions LLC, ARM Enterprise LLC, WOW Enterprise LLC and the COO of A Bag of Warmth, LLC. Her career in the behavior health field working in residential drug and alcohol spanned over thirty years. She has mentored many women and their children during her career and even now in retirement. 

Author of: The Bad Seed Produces Good Fruit. 

Samantha Leigh Miller — Facebook

Samantha Leigh Miller is a Social Studies teacher whose creative work has appeared in several literary magazines including Talking Writing, Indolent Books, and Raving Dove.  Miller has also co-authored research in peace pedagogy for Teaching of Psychology and presented her work at conferences around the country.  Along with writing, travel-on-a-budget is her passion, having already visited five continents.  She is currently working on a historical fiction novel based on a real-life 1855 unsolved murder in her hometown of Pottstown, PA.

 To learn more about the author, along with a complete list of works referenced in The Goose Waltzer, upcoming releases, and much more, visit http://www.samanthaleighmiller.com/

Author of: The Goose Waltzer 

Suhaiba Neill — Facebook ▪️ LinkedIn

Suhaiba Neill is an author, speaker, consultant, and certified behavioral assessment specialist. Her book, Like A Girl: 22 Leadership Lessons for Women on the Rise is based on her own experience of growing up with all brothers and working in all male-dominated industries for over twenty-five years. She shares her lessons to encourage and empower other women on the rise to life authentically based on their own personal definitions of leadership. 

Author of: Like A Girl: 22 Leadership Lessons For Women on The Rise 

Ayanna Patterson — Facebook ▪️ Instagram

Ayanna Patterson is a lover of Jesus, a devoted wife to her husband, MarKeith, and the mother of Elijah, 8 and Eliana, 6. She holds both a Bachelor's and Master's in Chemical Engineering and has worked in Quality Assurance supporting manufacturing for over a decade.  She leverages the analytical skills learned throughout her schooling and career for managing the household, including the family finances in partnership with her husband. Ayanna wrote Faith Family Financial Freedom to share gospel-centered anecdotes and strategies to show how dependence on God is ultimately the answer to many relational and financial challenges. She hopes that readers will come away feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to achieve your definition of financial freedom.

Author of: Faith Family Financial Freedom: A Young Couple's Gospel-Minded Journey Out of $230,000 of Student Loan Debt 

Monica L. Seibert — LinkTree ▪️ Facebook ▪️ Instagram

Monica L. Seibert is the author of 3 fiction books for elementary school children. She has a BA in Law/Justice from Rowan University and Associate degrees in Liberal Arts, Claims and Insurance Services. Monica Seibert resided in West Norriton, PA with her family. 

Author of: Hair o' the Dog; Pool Party; The Piper Boy, A Ghost Story

Tiffany Semmons — Facebook ▪️ Instagram

Tiffany Semmons is a creative writer and former childcare director based in Northeast, MD. Passionate about social-emotional development, she started her own publishing company, So Much Semmons, to create literature that resonates with children, parents, and teachers. In March 2022, she launched her first children's book, What Did We Miss? a hilarious take on what children think parents do at bedtime.

Author of: What Did We Miss? (children's book)

Phoenix Ward — Website

Phoenix Ward is an indie black writer, and educator from Philadelphia. He has worked in the field of education for over five years, teaching all grades Mathematics and English. When he’s not writing, he is composing music using Logic Pro X, or tutoring children on subjects they struggle in. Currently, he lives in Philadelphia with his dog and cat.

An avid world-builder, Phoenix has created many stories from youth to adulthood, but none have captivated him as much as his latest work Sins of the Fire, which combines his passion for storytelling with his deep understanding of human nature. He draws inspiration from the vibrant city life of Philadelphia and his own experiences as an educator, infusing his narratives with authenticity and depth.

In addition to his work as a writer and educator, Phoenix is committed to supporting young creatives in their journeys. He actively encourages students and adults alike to seek a way to create their own stories. Everyone has a message to share, and doing so in story is the best way to do so.

Author of: Sins of the Fire

Amber L. Werner — Facebook ▪️ Instagram

Amber L. Werner loves to write about magic, monsters and mythical creatures. She lives in Norristown, PA with her husband and two children. The Palisade Trilogy is her debut series. 

Author of: Shadows That Bind Us, Muses That Align Us, Lines That Drew Us, Bloodfeather Lullaby, Bloodfeather Heartsong 

Martina Williams — Facebook ▪️ Instagram

Martina Williams is a true creative. She’s a talented singer/songwriter and event planner. In her free time she enjoys crafts, crocheting and tackling challenging DIY projects. As a wife and mother of three boys, She draws inspiration from her children and her many nieces and nephews.  She has a knack for story telling, and delights in creating magical stories that capture the hearts and imaginations of young readers. Martina's book, “Are You Holding A Grudge?” has been praised for its creative characters, imaginative storyline, and timeless message of friendship and forgiveness. She hopes to continue inspiring young readers for many years to come. Her goal as a writer is to entertain young readers, while helping them to understand and navigate real life situations.

Author of: Are You Holding A Grudge?