Jennifer Lynn Alvarez is the award-winning author of eleven novels, and her young adult thrillers have been translated across the globe. She's a UC Berkeley English Literature alum, a longtime SCBWI volunteer, a writing coach, and a speaker. She lives outside Nashville with her husband and a cat with a misspelled name.  

• Web: www.jenniferlynnalvarez.com 
• IG: @jennifer_lynn_alvarez 
• Facebook: JenniferLynnAlvarez  
• TikTok: @authorjen 

Books

• The Trespassers  
• Friends Like These 
• The Guardian Herd: Starfire (book one) 

Sharon Cameron is the #1 New York Times best-selling, award-winning author of eight novels, including  The Light in Hidden Places  (2020), Bluebird (2021) and Artifice (2023). The Light in Hidden Places was a 2020 Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick and has been sold in 19 countries. Though her passion for history and words has taken her across the globe, what Sharon loves most is living with her family in Nashville, Tennessee, on the same street where she grew up.  

• Web: sharoncameronbooks.com  
• IG: @sharoncameronbooks 
• Facebook: sharoncameronbooks/facebook.com 
• Bluesky: @sharoncameronbooks.bksy.social 

Books

• The Light in Hidden Places  
• Bluebird  
• Artifice 

Caroline Brooks DuBois has been recognized as an MNPS Teacher of the Year and a Nashville Blue Ribbon Teacher. The Places We Sleep, an NCTE Notable Book in Poetry and A Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year, is her debut middle-grade novel and received a Starred Review from School Library Journal. Her second middle-grade verse novel, Ode to a Nobody, is set in the backdrop of the 2020 Nashville tornados and received Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal. Ode to a Nobody is a Volunteer State Book Award Nominee, A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, and a Missouri Truman Reader Award Nominee. DuBois lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and works as a teacher. Her forthcoming novel All the Sunshine in the World publishes this summer.

• Web: www.carolinebrooksdubois.com
• IG: @carolinebdubois

Books

• The Places We Sleep
• Ode to a Nobody

Called the "queen of heartbreaking prose" by Paste Magazine, Helene Dunbar is the author of WE ARE LOST AND FOUND (Sourcebooks, September 2019), THE PROMISE OF LOST THINGS (July 2022), and PRELUDE FOR LOST SOULS (August, 2020) as well as BOOMERANG, THESE GENTLE WOUNDS, and WHAT REMAINS. Over the years, she's worked as a drama critic, journalist, and marketing manager, and has written on topics as diverse as traditional Irish music, court cases, and theater. She lives in Nashville with her husband and daughter, who is a student a Lawson (go Lightning!)

• Web: www.helenedunbar.com
• IG: @helenedunbar

Books

• We Are Lost and Found
• Prelude for Lost Souls
• The Promise of Lost Things

Nathan Hale is the author and illustrator of the Eisner-nominated, New York Times bestselling graphic novel series on American history Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales. He also created the sci-fi horror comics ONE TRICK PONY and APOCALYPSE TACO.

He is the illustrator of the graphic novel RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE and its sequel, CALAMITY JACK. He also illustrated Frankenstein: A Monstrous Parody, The Dinosaurs' Night Before Christmas, and many others.

He lives in Utah.

• Web: www.nathanhaleauthor.com

Books

• The Mighty Bite
• Apolalypse Taco
• One Trick Pony
• Rapunzel’s Revenge
• Calamity Jack

Greg Howard was born and raised in the South Carolina Lowcountry, where his imagination and love of stories blossomed at an early age. Originally set on becoming a songwriter, Greg followed that dream to Nashville, Tennessee, where he spent years producing music for others before eventually returning to his childhood passion of writing stories. Greg writes for and about LGBTQ+ youth, focusing on writing the kind of books he wishes he’d had access to as a gay kid growing up in the South. He lives in Nashville with his two fur babies, Sadie and Riley.

• Web: www.greghowardauthor.com
• Facebook: @greghowardbooks
• IG: @greghowardbooks

Books

• The Whispers
• The Visitors
• Middle School's a Drag: You Better Werk!

J. Kasper Kramer is the author of the critically-acclaimed middle grade historical novels The Story That Cannot Be Told, The List of Unspeakable Fears, and Eyes on the Sky. Her next book, Serpent on the Mountain (S&S/Atheneum), releases in 2026. Kramer received the 2024-2025 Georgia Children's Book Award and was the inaugural recipient of the Children's Literature Artist Fellowship in Tennessee. Originally from Nashville, Kramer began her career teaching and writing in Japan. Now, she lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and too many pets. When she’s not lost in a story, Kramer teaches college English, mentors aspiring authors, plays video games, and fosters kittens. Visit her at jkasperkramer.com.

• Web: www.jkasperkramer.com
• IG: @jkasperkramer
• Facebook: @JKasperKramer
• Bluesky: @jkasperkramer.bsky.social

Books

• Eyes on the Sky
• The List of Unspeakable Fears (Winner of the 2024-2025 Georgia Children's Book Award; Finalist for Volunteer State Book Award)
• The Story That Cannot Be Told

Andrew Maraniss is a New York Times bestselling author of nine sports and social justice nonfiction books for adults, teens, and children. He is the Director of Special Projects at the Vanderbilt University Athletic Department and Vanderbilt University Historian.

• Web: www.andrewmaraniss.com
• Twitter: @trublu24
• IG: @amaraniss
• Bluesky: @amaraniss.bsky.social

Books

• Strong Inside
• Games of Deception
• Inaugural Ballers

Tyler Merritt is an actor, musician, comedian, and activist behind The Tyler Merritt Project. Raised in Las Vegas, he has always had a passion for bringing laughter, grace, and love into any community he is a part of. His film credits include Netflix’s Outer Banks, Disney/Marvel’s Falcon and the Winter Soldier, NBC’s Young Rock, and A24’s The Inspection, to name a few. Tyler’s viral videos “Before You Call the Cops” and “Walking While Black” have been viewed by over 100 million people worldwide, with “Before You Call The Cops” being voted the most powerful video of 2020 by NowThis Politics. He is a cancer survivor who lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Web: www.thetylermerrittproject.com

IG:  @thetylermerrittproject

Facebook: tyler.merritt.988

Books

• This Changes Everything
• I Take My Coffee Black 
• A Door Made for Me

Christen Randall (they/she) is a queer, fat, neurodivergent author of queer, fat, neurodiverse books, including Junior Library Guild selection and instant USA TODAY bestseller The No-Girlfriend Rule. When they’re not writing joyful stories for the next generation of geeky gay kids, you can find them making zines about neighborhood cats, nerding out doing readers’ advisory as a library associate at their local library branch, or at home planning all the D&D campaigns they’ll run one day, they swear. Christen lives in Covington, Kentucky. Visit them online at ByChristenRandall.com and on social media @ByCRandall.

• Web: www.bychristenrandall.com
• IG, Twitter, Bluesky, TikTok, and most other socials: @ByCRandall

Books

• According to Plan
• The No-Girlfriend Rule

Erica Rodgers lives with her husband, two children, and one very lovable, frenetic pit bull mix. She loves engaging with readers and writers—focusing on craft and building artistic community. When Erica isn’t writing or talking story over coffee (or tacos), you can find her at the climbing gym, in the woods, or beneath an ever-growing pile of bookish quilting fabric.

• Web: www.ericaivyrodgers.com
• IG: @ericaivyrodgers

Books

• Lady of Steel and Straw
• Lord of Blade and Bone

Adam Rosenbaum has operated a sawmill in Kentucky, stocked groceries in Los Angeles, and was a student draftsman at his local power company growing up in the suburbs of Nashville, where he currently lives with his wife and kids. When he’s not writing things or reading things, you’ll probably find him running down a trail or trying to find the perfect blueberry donut.

• Web: www.adamrosenbaumwrites.com
• IG: @rosenbaumwrites
• Bluesky: @rosenbaumwrites.bsky.social

Books

• The Ghost Rules

Christina Soontornvat is an award-winning author, engineer, and STEM educator. Her many works for children include picture books, chapter books, and the New York Times bestselling graphic novel series, The Tryout. She is a three-time Newbery Honor recipient, most recently for The Last Mapmaker, which was also named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times.

• Web: www.soontornvat.com
• IG: @csoontornvat
• Twitter: @soontornvat

Books

• The Tryout
• The Last Mapmaker
• All Thirteen
• Legends of Lotus Island

Jamie Sumner is the author of the critically acclaimed middle grade novels  ROLL WITH IT and its sequel, TIME TO ROLL, as well as TUNE IT OUT, ONE KID’S TRASH and THE SUMMER OF JUNE (Atheneum Books for Young Readers).

She is also the author of the nonfiction books UNBOUND and EAT, SLEEP, SAVE THE WORLD for parents of children with special needs. Jamie has written for The New York Times and The Washington Post as well as other publications. She lives with her family in Nashville, Tennessee, and she loves stories that celebrate the grit and beauty in all kids.

• Web: www.jamie-sumner.com
• IG: @jamiesumner_author

Books

• Roll With It
• Time to Roll
• Tune It Out
• One Kid’s Trash

From adventures with popcorn to learning to play a tuba, Mary Reaves Uhles, has illustrated numerous stories for children. Her newest book, THE FLOCK WE FOUND, is a story of found family and is her debut as an author/illustrator. Recent books COUNTING ON NAAMAH and LET’S POP POP POPCORN! have been featured on lists in Texas and Maryland and her art has been exhibited from Nashville to Bologna, Italy. Prior to illustrating books, Mary was an animator for Warner Brothers and Fisher Price Interactive. She currently teaches on the animation faculty at Lipscomb University and lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her family. Find her online at www.maryuhles.com

• Web: www.maryuhles.com
• IG: @maryreavesuhles
• Facebook: @MaryUhles

Books

• The Flock We Found
• Let's Pop Pop Popcorn!

Julian R. Vaca is a Daytime Emmy Award–winning writer and the author of the critically-acclaimed "The Memory Index" and its sequel "The Recall Paradox." He lives in Nashville, TN with his family and is hard at work on his next book.

• Web: www.julianrayvaca.com
• IG: @JulianRayVaca

Books

• The Memory Index
• The Recall Paradox

Jeff Zentner is the author of The Serpent King, which Kirkus Reviews named one of the best books of the 21st Century, as well as In the Wild Light, Goodbye Days, Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee, Colton Gentry's Third Act, and Sunrise Nights, coauthored with Brittany Cavallaro. Among other honors, he has won the ALA’s William C. Morris Award, the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award twice, the Muriel Becker Award, the International Literacy Association Award, been longlisted twice for the Carnegie Medal, and is a two-time Southern Book Prize finalist. His books have been translated into fifteen languages and been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and in Vanity Fair and People Magazine. Before becoming a writer, he was a musician who recorded with Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and Debbie Harry. He lives in Nashville.

• Web: www.jeffzentnerbooks.com
• IG, Threads, Twitter: @jeffzentner
• Facebook: Jeff Zentner-Author

Books

• The Serpent King
• Goodbye Days
• In the Wild Light

Is the event free? 

Yes, admission to the event is free! Food, books and merchandise will be available for purchase.

Can only MNPS students attend? 

No, the event is open to the public. Anyone can attend! 

Do I need to register to attend? 

Yes. Each student and adult attending the event needs to register through Eventbrite before the event. Registration will remain open through the event.

I have questions about ADA accessibility for this event. Who do I reach out to? 

Questions or concerns may be referred to the MNPS ADA Coordinator. 

Please also reach out to the Library Services department if you need more information about the specifics of the event location.  

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, color, age, and/or disability in admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services, or activities. MNPS does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. To request an accommodation, please contact your building principal or department head. (Interpreters for the deaf or hard of hearing must be requested seventy-two [72] hours prior to the event.)  

When should I arrive?

Doors for the event will open at 9:30 AM. The Welcome and Opening Session will begin at 10 a.m. 

Where do I park?

Parking at James Lawson High School is plentiful. Signs will direct you to a variety of parking options and to the building entrance. 

Where do I enter and check in for the event? 

All attendees must enter through the main entrance of James Lawson High School. Registration will be checked upon entrance. 

Will there be a security system? 

Yes. Each person attending the event must pass through the Evolv detection system.  

• Anyone who leaves the building and returns must pass through the system upon reentering the building. 

• Binders, laptops, umbrellas and eyeglasses cases must be removed from bags before passing through the system.   

• Bags are subject to search if the system detects a problematic item. 

When does the event end?

The Closing Session will begin at 4 p.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. Doors will close at 5:30 p.m.

Can we go to any session? 

Yes. There are sessions and activities scheduled simultaneously, but attendees can choose which session to attend. The Welcome Session at 10 a.m. and Closing Session at 4 p.m. are the only sessions with no other activities scheduled.

Will there be writing or craft workshops? 

There are several writing workshops and arts and crafts activities throughout the day. Check the Festival Schedule for more details.  

What other activities will be available? 

• Studio NPL and the Bellevue branch of the Nashville Public Library will be hosting a variety of arts and crafts activities throughout the day.   

• Limitless Libraries will have books for checkout and walk-up activities. 

• Attendees can sign up for a 30-minute reading appointment in The Cloud, a cozy windowed space overlooking all the action.

• Attendees can snap pictures at our photo booth.

• More activities will be added to the schedule as the event nears. Be sure to stay tuned in to the MNPS Book Fest website and social media for details!

Will authors sign books? 

Each author will have a book signing table and will be available during the lunch block for signing. Middle grade authors will sign in the 12:00 - 1:00 time frame, and Young Adult authors will sign in the 1:00 – 2:00 time block. Some authors will also have time for signing as their sessions conclude.  

Signing Policies

• Authors will sign up to 3 items per person.
• Items for signature are limited to books and MNPS Book Fest merchandise.
• No more than 3 total items in signing lines.
• No rolling carts or suitcases allowed in the signing area.
• No food allowed in the signing line.
• Ask permission before taking pictures.

Will books be available for purchase? 

Parnassus Books will be set up in the Lawson Commons selling books by each author. Festival posters, stickers and other items will also be available for purchase.  

Will lunch and snacks be available?

A concession stand will be open selling drinks, chips and candy throughout the day, and a food court selling Bojangles and Marco’s Pizza will be open from 12-2 p.m.

The food vendor can only accept cash.  

Seating will be available in a variety of indoor and outdoor areas. You are welcome to bring lunch or visit the Bellevue community for restaurant options, but no food or drink is allowed in the Lawson Auditorium or Lawson Library. 

Lunch Options

Bojangles

• Chicken Sandwich – $5
• Bo Bites – $5
• BoBerry Biscuits – $5
• Plain Biscuit – $2

Marco's Pizza

• Slice – $2
• Whole Pizza – $15
• Breadsticks + 1 Sauce – $5
• Extra Sauce – $1

All Day Concessions

• Soda – $2
• Chips – $2
• Candy – $2