Pt. 2: Meet These Amazing Writers at the 2026 Local Authors' Expo at Birmingham Public Library on Saturday
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| Author/Drummer YOGI DADA will be featured speaker |
Meet
Alabama authors. Discover new books. Celebrate local stories.
Join Us
for the 2026 Local Authors' Expo
Saturday,
Aug. 1, 2026
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Birmingham
Public Library
2100 Park Place
Birmingham, AL 35203
Admission:
Free
Visitors
will have the opportunity to:
- Meet 36 Alabama authors
- Purchase signed books
- Discover new favorite writers
- Hear featured presentations by
YOGI DADA and Hope Fortenberry of Rocky Heights Print & Binding
- Learn about writing, book
production and independent publishing
Pt. 2:
Meet These Amazing Writers at the 2026 Local Authors' Expo — Eight More Alabama
Authors to Discover Saturday
BIRMINGHAM,
Ala. — The
countdown is almost over.
The 2026
Local Authors' Expo is tomorrow (Saturday, Aug. 1) at the Birmingham Public
Library, where readers will have the opportunity to meet 36 Alabama authors,
purchase signed books and discover the remarkable stories behind them.
Presented
by the Tri-County (Alabama) Chapter of The Links, Inc. and the Birmingham
Public Library, the free event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Last week,
the Birmingham Public Library introduced the first group of featured authors in
our "Meet the Authors" series, including Civil Rights storyteller Gwendolyn
Gamble, debut novelist Phillip Stephens, inspirational author Areatha Ford,
horror writer Jonathan Daniel, fantasy author Amanda Denham, business author Joey
Calvin, historian Austin Stone, Dietriche L. Arnold Nolen, and parenting author
Pamela Jennings Taylor.
Readers
can revisit those featured authors here:
https://bplolinenews.blogspot.com/2026/07/pt-1-meet-these-amazing-writers-at-2026.html
One of the
highlights from last week's promotion came when Local Authors' Expo participant
Deborah Sanders joined Birmingham Public Library Assistant Archivist Connor
Marullo on ABC 33/40's Talk of Alabama to discuss the event and her family's
remarkable connection to the last known slave ship, the Clotilda.
Today,
we're introducing eight more featured authors representing children's books,
fantasy, fiction, inspirational writing, devotionals and award-winning
literature.
Meet
Eight More Featured Authors
Janetta
Benefield
Featured
Book: New Artistic Creations: It's All a Matter of Focus
Artist and
author Janetta Benefield celebrates creativity, faith and family through this
collaborative work honoring the artistic legacy of her late brother, Garry B.
Stewart. The book showcases his distinctive three-dimensional artwork while
encouraging readers to discover beauty, purpose and inspiration through art.
Tiffiney
Rodgers-McDaniel
Featured
Book: Teaching Parables
Tiffiney
Rodgers-McDaniel helps children understand biblical principles through engaging
stories rooted in everyday life. Her Teaching Parables series presents
Scripture in ways young readers can easily understand while encouraging faith,
kindness and strong values.
Gary
Minder
Featured
Book: The Education of Asa Paxton
Selected
as one of just 20 fiction writers participating in this year's expo, Gary
Minder's novel celebrates Alabama's landscapes, history and culture while
telling a coming-of-age story set in the Heart of Dixie.
Minder
recently shared on Facebook that he was "thrilled" to be selected for
the Birmingham Public Library's Local Authors' Expo.
Dr.
Sheila Ray Montgomery
Featured
Books: The Feral Butterfly and Doryto and the Door of Wanderers
Award-winning
author and internationally recognized nurse Dr. Sheila Ray Montgomery writes
emotionally rich novels exploring identity, resilience and healing. Her stories
combine memorable characters with thoughtful themes that resonate long after
readers finish the final chapter.
Amanda
Nabors
Featured
Book: When Love Pours, Love Speaks
Amanda
Nabors invites readers on a year-long devotional journey centered on God's
unconditional love. Her daily reflections encourage spiritual renewal while
reminding readers they are valued, loved and created with purpose.
Rachel
Pendley
Featured
Book: Through Legend They Fall: Part Two
Fantasy
and horror author Rachel Pendley continues her imaginative series with an
adventure filled with mystery, suspense and unforgettable creatures. Her novels
blend dark fantasy with psychological tension, creating worlds that keep
readers turning pages.
Rylee
Twilley
Featured
Book: The Rian & Raelynn Adventures series
Inspired
by real-life siblings on the autism spectrum, Rylee Twilley's children's books
celebrate neurodiversity through gentle storytelling that promotes
understanding, kindness and acceptance. The series offers meaningful lessons
for children, parents and educators alike.
Mariah
Weber
Featured
Book: The Book Monster
Mariah
(M.K.) Weber's debut picture book introduces readers to Sybil, a young girl
whose enormous love of books might just make her a "book monster."
Inspired by childhood visits to the library with her mother, the story is a
joyful celebration of reading and imagination.
Also
Participating in the 2026 Local Authors' Expo
The
following authors will also be meeting readers, selling books and signing
copies during this year's expo:
- Dietriche L. Arnold Nolen
- Janetta Benefield
- Joey Calvin
- Amber Clayborn
- Cynthia Crenshaw
- Jonathan Daniel
- Amanda Denham
- Areatha Ford
- Gwendolyn Gamble
- Traci Gyan
- S. Thorne Harper
- Honie Hendrix
- Hayleah Higgins
- Maranda Homes
- Cordell Hunter
- Shawanda Johnson
- Joshua Jolley
- Marshall McCary
- Tiffiney Rodgers-McDaniel
- Bruce McLeod
- Gary Minder
- Dr. Sheila Ray Montgomery
- Amanda Nabors
- Rachel Pendley
- Trey Rogers
- Pamela Sanker
- Jasmine Sessom
- Erica Simpson
- Phillip Stephens
- Austin Stone
- Pamela Jennings Taylor
- Peter Thomas
- Rylee Twilley
- Mariah Weber
- Michelle Wilson
- Emmett Woods
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