Author Conference
Saturday, February 22
9 am - 4 pm
Kimberly Brock
A. J. Finn
Chris Pavone
Steven Rowley
Maurice Carlos Ruffin
Tommy Tomlinson
Stacy Willingham
Tickets $45
Steven Rowley
The Guncle Abroad
Kimberly Brock
The Fabled Earth
A. J. Finn
End of Story
Steven Rowley
Steven Rowley delivers stories that blend humor and heartfelt exploration of relationships, identity, and loss. His breakout novel, The Guncle, won the Thurber Prize for American Humor, while other works like The Celebrants and Lily and the Octopus have cemented his reputation as a master storyteller. Rowley’s novels are widely translated, and his keen observations on love and friendship resonate with readers across the globe. A graduate of Emerson College, he lives in Palm Springs, California where he continues to write with wit and warmth.
A. J. Finn
Best known for his blockbuster debut The Woman in the Window, A. J. Finn has made a significant mark in the psychological thriller genre. His gripping, Hitchcockian storytelling earned him international acclaim, with the book published in more than 40 languages and adapted into a Netflix film starring Amy Adams. A former editor and literary scholar, Finn draws on his academic background in English literature to craft stories rich in suspense and emotional depth. His second novel, End of Story, was published in February 2024.
Kimberly Brock
Kimberly Brock weaves intricate, emotionally resonant tales that have earned her widespread acclaim. Her novel The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare was a finalist for the Townsend Prize for Fiction, while her earlier work The River Witch won the Georgia Author of the Year Award. Brock is also a dedicated mentor, founding the Tinderbox Writers Workshop to support emerging authors. A proud Georgia native, she continues to connect deeply with her Southern roots in her latest novel, The Fabled Earth.
Chris Pavone
Two Nights in Lisbon
Maurice Carlos Ruffin
The American Daughters
Chris Pavone
Chris Pavone combines his sharp editorial background with a flair for intrigue in his globe-trotting thrillers. Known for The Expats, The Travelers and The Paris Diversion, Pavone’s novels have won Edgar and Anthony Awards and been lauded for their clever plotting and nuanced characters. His time living abroad informs the richly detailed settings in his stories. Splitting his time between New York City and Long Island, Pavone is at work on his next gripping tale with several adaptations in development for film and television.
Maurice Carlos Ruffin
Maurice Carlos Ruffin paints vivid and poignant portraits of life through his critically acclaimed novels and essays. His latest work, The American Daughters, is earning praise for its vibrant depiction of antebellum New Orleans. Previous books like We Cast a Shadow and The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You delve into social commentary with sharp wit and insight, cementing his reputation as one of today’s most thought-provoking authors. Ruffin, a New Orleans native, shares his expertise as a Creative Writing professor at Louisiana State University.
Tommy Tomlinson
Dogland
Stacy Willingham
Only If You’re Lucky
Tommy Tomlinson
Tommy Tomlinson explores deeply personal and universal themes in his work. His latest book, Dogland, examines the enduring human-animal connection through the lens of the Westminster Dog Show. Previously, he published the memoir The Elephant in the Room, a candid reflection on obesity and the challenges of self-acceptance. A Pulitzer Prize finalist, Tomlinson also hosts the acclaimed SouthBound podcast and writes the popular newsletter The Writing Shed. His journalism has appeared in Esquire, Sports Illustrated and Garden & Gun.
Stacy Willingham
Stacy Willingham crafts page-turning thrillers that have captivated readers worldwide. Her novels, including A Flicker in the Dark, All the Dangerous Things and Only If You’re Lucky, have been translated into over 30 languages and earned her accolades as a rising star in suspense fiction. With a background in copywriting and brand strategy, Willingham brings a sharp eye for storytelling to her work. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina where she writes stories full of tension and heart.