Author Profiles

Ohio has a rich literary heritage as well as some wonderful contemporary authors. Learn more about them here! You can sort by various categories and see who has participated in our annual book festival by using the category search on the left, or search by keyword (including partial author names) by using the search field on the right.

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Photo of Eric Hanna

Eric Hanna

Eric Hanna, born in Youngstown, Ohio, was a walk on basketball player at the Ohio State University (1994-95, 1996-98) who earned a scholarship for his senior season, making the first start of his entire life in the last game at historic St. John Arena on February 28, 1998. Eric was a two time Academic All-Big Ten selection (1997-98), Fred Taylor Award Winner (1998) and John Havlicek Award Winner (1998).…Read More

Eric Hanna, born in Youngstown, Ohio, was a walk on basketball player at the Ohio State University (1994-95, 1996-98) who earned a scholarship for his senior season, making the first start of his entire life in the last game at historic St. John Arena on February 28, 1998. Eric was a two time Academic All-Big Ten selection (1997-98), Fred Taylor Award Winner (1998) and John Havlicek Award Winner (1998). He currently teaches American History at Shanahan Middle School in the Olentangy Local School District where he has earned the Battelle for Kids Celebrate Teaching Distinguished Educator Award in 2013. Eric has been an assistant coach at Capital University (1998-2001, 2002-2009) and at Vassar College (2001-2002). Currently the youth basketball director for the Plain City Area Ball Association, Eric has continuously coached basketball at every level from kindergarten to college since his collegiate playing experience. Eric earned the 2019 Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for Non-Fiction Sports Books for his publication of Fight to the End. 

Photo of Pauletta Hansel

Pauletta Hansel

Pauletta Hansel’s nine poetry collections include Heartbreak Tree, a poetic exploration of the intersection of gender and place in Appalachia, published in 2022 by Madville Publishing, and Friend, Coal Town Photograph and Palindrome, winner of the 2017 Weatherford Award for best Appalachian poetry, all from Dos Madres Press. She is 2022 Writer-in-Residence for The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.…Read More
Pauletta Hansel’s nine poetry collections include Heartbreak Tree, a poetic exploration of the intersection of gender and place in Appalachia, published in 2022 by Madville Publishing, and Friend, Coal Town Photograph and Palindrome, winner of the 2017 Weatherford Award for best Appalachian poetry, all from Dos Madres Press. She is 2022 Writer-in-Residence for The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Her writing has been featured in Oxford American, Rattle, Appalachian Journal, The Anthology of Appalachian Writers, American Life in Poetry, Verse Daily and Poetry Daily, among others. Pauletta was Cincinnati’s first Poet Laureate (2016-2018) and past managing editor of Pine Mountain Sand & Gravel. Visit her website at https://paulettahansel.wordpress.com/.
Photo of Larry C. Hansgen

Larry C. Hansgen

Larry Hansgen and his wife Marty live in northeast Columbus. Before retiring he worked in sales and sales management. He also worked in radio as a disc-jockey and weekend newsman, and was a freelance sports writer in the early 1990s. In addition to The Ohio State University Buckeyes, he is an avid Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns fan.…Read More

Larry Hansgen and his wife Marty live in northeast Columbus. Before retiring he worked in sales and sales management. He also worked in radio as a disc-jockey and weekend newsman, and was a freelance sports writer in the early 1990s. In addition to The Ohio State University Buckeyes, he is an avid Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns fan. Since retiring he has been active as an actor in community theatre. A Buckeye Remembers is Larry’s first book to be published. His memoir as a lifelong Buckeye fan intertwines everyday life in Columbus, Ohio, with the excitement of following Ohio State athletics. Larry brings his readers an enjoyable perspective and recollection of the ups and downs of the university’s gridiron and hoops.

Photo of John Harder

John Harder

John D. Harder is associate professor emeritus in evolution, ecology, and organismal biology at The Ohio State University, where he taught upper-division courses in mammalogy and conservation biology. His research on the reproductive biology and ecology of mammals has focused on marsupials and involved field studies in Ohio, Venezuela, and Amazonian Peru.Read More

John D. Harder is associate professor emeritus in evolution, ecology, and organismal biology at The Ohio State University, where he taught upper-division courses in mammalogy and conservation biology. His research on the reproductive biology and ecology of mammals has focused on marsupials and involved field studies in Ohio, Venezuela, and Amazonian Peru.

Photo of Karen Harper

Karen Harper

A lifelong Ohioan, Harper taught English before writing full time. She is a NYTimes bestselling author who has won the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She writes both historical novels and contemporary suspense. Karen and her husband make their home in Columbus but love to travel. Her author collection is housed in Rare Books and Manuscripts at The Ohio State University.Read More

A lifelong Ohioan, Harper taught English before writing full time. She is a NYTimes bestselling author who has won the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She writes both historical novels and contemporary suspense. Karen and her husband make their home in Columbus but love to travel. Her author collection is housed in Rare Books and Manuscripts at The Ohio State University.

Brett Harper

Brett Harper is the son of Charley and Edie Harper. He is the executor of the Charley and Edie Harper Estates and the director of the Charley Harper Art Studio. He is also an artist.Read More

Brett Harper is the son of Charley and Edie Harper. He is the executor of the Charley and Edie Harper Estates and the director of the Charley Harper Art Studio. He is also an artist.

Photo of Larisa Harper

Larisa Harper

Larisa Harper has been a higher education professional for more than 25 years with experience and leadership in academic affairs, student services, assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, workforce development, research, policy, and grant writing. Dr. Harper is the Chief Academic Officer for Zane State College in Zanesville. Dr. Harper enjoys researching historical aspects of her community and participates in executive boards focused on education and history, mental health and recovery services, and cancer awareness.…Read More

Larisa Harper has been a higher education professional for more than 25 years with experience and leadership in academic affairs, student services, assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, workforce development, research, policy, and grant writing. Dr. Harper is the Chief Academic Officer for Zane State College in Zanesville.

Dr. Harper enjoys researching historical aspects of her community and participates in executive boards focused on education and history, mental health and recovery services, and cancer awareness. She lives in Zanesville, Ohio with her husband, Aaron. She has one son, A.J. Harper of Fort Wayne, Indiana; two daughters, Cassie Harper, Columbus, Ohio; and Jordee Harper, Zanesville. Learn more at her website: https://larisaharper.wordpress.com/

Photo of Steve Harpster

Steve Harpster

Steve Harpster lives in Cincinnati Ohio and travels the country teaching kids how to draw, create, and Imagine.Read More

Steve Harpster lives in Cincinnati Ohio and travels the country teaching kids how to draw, create, and Imagine.

Photo of John Harris

John Harris

John M. Harris grew up in Coshocton, Ohio, and graduated from Wittenberg University in 1976. He worked for more than twenty years as a reporter, photographer, and editor. He is an associate professor of journalism at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington.Read More

John M. Harris grew up in Coshocton, Ohio, and graduated from Wittenberg University in 1976. He worked for more than twenty years as a reporter, photographer, and editor. He is an associate professor of journalism at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington.

Photo of S.R.D. Harris

S.R.D. Harris

Author S.R.D. Harris has always been a reading fanatic! Ever since she was featured in two children’s books as a young child and volunteered at her local library, she has dreamed of becoming a published author. Through hard work and determination, she achieved that dream when she wrote and published her first book, Future Miss President.…Read More

Author S.R.D. Harris has always been a reading fanatic! Ever since she was featured in two children’s books as a young child and volunteered at her local library, she has dreamed of becoming a published author. Through hard work and determination, she achieved that dream when she wrote and published her first book, Future Miss President. Harris currently has 8 children’s books published and 2 more in production. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University and a Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her mission is to write and publish high-quality, uplifting, and empowering diverse children’s books that will inspire a love of reading in all children! She has been featured on PBS/WOSU’s Broad & High TV show and in many publications to date. Harris and her husband have 3 daughters, and a rescued puppy named Gracie. Their youngest daughter, Camryn, is her co-author and collaborates on all of her books. Her 4th book, Gracie’s Grace, is in partnership with CHA Animal Shelter, to benefit their mission to help homeless dogs and cats find loving homes. When they are not reading, writing, cooking, or traveling, they enjoy volunteering and giving back. They have currently donated hundreds of their books to students all over Ohio, and Harris enthusiastically volunteers with Reading 365/The American Literacy Corporation. She believes all children can love reading if they connect with the right books for them. You can follow her on her website srdharrisbooks.com and major social media channels @srdharrisbooks. Her books are sold internationally and available in local libraries and bookstores.