Your 2020 Conference Chairs

Hillary Sperry

Chair

Hillary writes Sweet Romance, YA Adventure, and Children’s Books. She has found that no matter which genre she dabbles in love is the emotion that ties them all together. As long as it's not driving everyone crazy. She debuted her first novel this year with many to follow, embarking on the journey of Indie publishing right along with you. 

With her fingers dipped in several other creative pots she is the epitome of indecision. Hillary loves creating in all forms. She creates food, art, music, clothes, children...five of them, decor, love, excitement, and especially books.  

Don Carey

Co-Chair

 Don Carey writes both Contemporary Realism and Science Fiction Adventure. He has long been fascinated by human nature, and loves trying to understand the thoughts and motivations of those around him. That interest has served him well as he writes stories about his “imaginary friends.” Don currently lives in Olathe with his family. His day job involves writing computer programs, which is almost the same as writing fiction, but with a lot more semicolons.

Your Conference Committee

Tamara lives in Arkansas with her husband and four children, two crazy boys and two pretty little princesses. 
She is the author of the young adult suspense PERILOUS series (DELIVERER, PERILOUS, ALTERCATION, and PRICELESS), INEVITABLE, LAY ME DOWN, and the Cassandra Jones saga. Her non-fiction book about the Joplin tornado came out in May, 2014. You can find out more about what she's writing and catch deleted scenes from her books on her blog at: http://tamarahartheiner.blogspot.com.

Danyelle Ferguson is the author of the award-winning Indulgence Row series. Her first newspaper article was published when she was in sixth grade. Since then, her articles, nonfiction books, and novels have been published world-wide. 
When she isn't writing, you can find Danyelle in the school carpool lane, at marching band events, organizing church girls camp, or serving in the community. She and Mr. Ferguson are raising four munchkins in their much-loved Kansas home. You can stalk her online at www.DanyelleFerguson.com

John Waverly loves writing middle grade stories and hanging out with authors. He doesn't particularly like selling things, but realizes sometimes you have to sacrifice for the things you love. Which is why you'll find him running the bookstore. Please stop by to commiserate and pick up some great reads!  

Sarah Lynne John is a collector of life experiences. A few items in her collection include sky-diving over Hawaii, sampling escargot in Paris, cliff jumping in Utah, paragliding over the Alps, and even eating fruitcake in Siberia.

As you can see, many of her adventures involve heights and food. When she can’t travel to a new thrilling adventure, she does so vicariously through her characters on the page. Along with a rush of adrenaline, her work often explores science, the beauty of the natural world, and family relationships.
Before turning to writing fiction full-time, Sarah’s many careers involved picking Bear Lake raspberries, planning weddings, writing news stories, producing technical videos, designing print and digital media, shooting tourism photography, lobbying state legislators, planning swanky events, and schmoozing film and commercial executives. Follow her at sarahlynnejohn.com

Gregg Luke grew up in Santa Barbara, CA. He pursued his education in Natural Sciences at SBCC, UCSB, and BYU, and completed his schooling at the University of Utah, College of Pharmacy. He currently practices clinical pharmacy in Logan, Utah. 
Gregg has been a voracious reader and a prolific writer since childhood. He has been published in Skin Diver, Destiny, and New Era Magazines, and has published three short stories. His suspense novels include The Survivors, Do No Harm, Altered State, Blink Of An Eye, Bloodborne, Deadly Undertakings, The Death House, The Healer, and Infected, six of which were Whitney Award finalists. www.greggluke.com

Award-winning author Kierstin Marquet grew up fascinated by her dad’s career as a sheriff’s deputy and was always intrigued by why people do what they do—especially criminals. This curiosity led her to pursue a career in law enforcement. She has a degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. She worked in law enforcement but eventually left crime fighting to her husband, a federal law enforcement officer, when they started a family. She relies on her education and background to create realistic bad guys and girls in her suspense novels. You can find her at Kierstinmarquet.com.