Meet the Authors: Local Voices in Children’s and Young Adult Literature

Join us for a fun event meeting local authors! We’ll have children’s book story time, young adult book readings, books for purchase, book signings, and free refreshments.

During the run of the current exhibition Independent Bookstores and the Art of Reading: Paintings & Drawings by Lynn Niehaus, the Lindner Gallery will also be hosting a book drive to support the Queen City Book Bank. Guests can drop off new and gently used elementary aged books, Pre-K through 6th grade reading level, and they will be donated at the end of the show. 

Hosted by Kristy High

Authors:

Kristy High, M. Ed.
Kristy High is a Sr. Community Engagement Specialist/Literacy Coordinator at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital who manages the Imagination Library program for Hamilton County and Reach Out and Read. She has a master’s degree in education and health promotion. She is also a children’s book author, and her passion is education, literacy, and mental health awareness. Kristy holds the position of Vice President on the Board of Directors for Kennedy Heights Art Center and Winn Reading, a non-profit organization for emergent reading in Cincinnati. She advocates for children of color with a mission to create educational resources to help them feel seen and heard. In her free time, she loves to travel, explore new restaurants, unwind at the spa because self-care is essential, and volunteer in the community.

Website: www.kristyhigh.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristy.high
Instagram: @kristyjhigh

Isaiah Bealer
Isaiah Bealer is a versatile author whose writing style specializes on catching the undivided attention of his readers. Harnessing the most out of his character’s traits, Isaish is able to create an array of intriguing plots to manifest immaculate stories. Isaiah’s first published book is a fiction novel by the title Forever My Brother. Although he switches genres, his second published work titled The King in Me is just as entertaining as his first. Isaiah’s overall objective through his writing is to inspire people in the world to reach the zenith of their full potential. He is a native of Cincinnati, OH and has a 9 year old daughter, Harper.

Facebook: Isaiah Bealer
Instagram: @AuthorIsaiahb

Dominique Turner
Dominique Turner, a passionate writer, brings over a decade of experience to her role as the co-founder of Cocoa Books. With 10 years of working in youth development, she’s harnessed her love for storytelling and her commitment to diversity in children’s literature to create an inspiring collection of books. Dominique’s vision is to empower young minds through inclusive stories that resonate and ignite the imagination.

Website: www.cocoabooksstore.com
Facebook: Cocoa Books
Instagram: @cocoabooksstore

Brian Westbrook, Sr.
Brian Westbrook, Sr., the author of Brianna, Malik, and the Mindful Champions. As an educator teaching at a local high school, he is passionate about guiding and mentoring students both in the classroom and on the field. As a football and baseball coach, he helps student-athletes achieve their educational and athletic goals by providing support, encouragement, and the knowledge they need to succeed.
This book is his first, written to bring awareness to mindfulness and mental health—topics Brian believes are essential for young people navigating today’s challenges. Through storytelling, he hopes to inspire kids to develop self-awareness, resilience, and empathy.
In addition to his work in education and coaching, Brian is the founder of Get Everything U, LLC and the Get Everything U Foundation, dedicated to empowering individuals with the tools and resources they need to succeed in life. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and spending quality time with his family. (Photo by Tre Key)

Website: https://www.geteverythingu.org/product-page/brianna-malik-the-mindful-champions
Instagram: @themindfulchampions

Ashley Aya Ferguson
Ashley Aya Ferguson is a writer most inspired by real life. In her poetry, children’s literature and creative nonfiction work, she invites readers to live inside a feeling, creating access for connection and understanding.

During the day, Ferguson serves as a digital marketing and content strategist. When she is not working full-time, she promotes her three children’s picture books titled, Girl, You Are Magic!; Boy, You Are Brilliant!; and I Am Not Afraid of Spiders. As a direct result, she is no stranger to classrooms and community literacy events including the African-American Read In, Cincinnati Public Schools’ Read Across America Week, the Books By The Banks book fair and more.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyayaferguson/
Instagram: @AshleyAyaFerguson

Intisar Khanani
Intisar Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. She has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah, on the coast of the Red Sea. Intisar used to write grants and develop projects to address community health and infant mortality with the Cincinnati Health Department, which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she focuses her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy. She is the author of The Sunbolt Chronicles, and the Dauntless Path novels, beginning with Thorn. Her most recent release, Memories of Ash, was a Kirkus Reviews pick for Best Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year (2024).

Website: booksbyintisar.com
Instagram: @booksbyintisar

Beverly Twomey
Beverly Twomey was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. For over ten years, she has worked as a used bookseller, which has greatly expanded her personal Tolkien collection. When she is not lost in the stacks, she can be found drinking vast amounts of tea, snuggling with her two cats, reading fantasy novels, writing in the wee hours of the morning, and plotting ways to play more Dungeons & Dragons.

Author Newsletter: https://gnomeandcats.substack.com/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bevtwomey.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bevwritesbooks
Instagram: @eomira