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.
- You are searching within category(ies): Juvenile
Carole Gerber
Carole Gerber is a poet and children’s book author living in Powell, Ohio. She has written nearly two dozen picture books, early readers, and chapter books.
Gerber has worked as a high school and middle school English teacher, an adjunct professor of journalism at Ohio State, a marketing director, editor of a company magazine, a member of creative teams at an ad agency and a hospital, a contributing editor to a computer magazine, and – finally! – as a freelance writer of hundreds of elementary textbooks, magazine articles, speeches, annual reports, and patient education materials.
Besides being a “Jill” of many trades – or more precisely – one trade, writing, with many incarnations, Gerber is married to Mark, the mother of two grown daughters, Jess and Paige, and “Mimi” to Sara and Tyler, Paige’s children. In addition, she sponsors half a dozen children at a time through World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children of all faiths in more than 100 developing countries. Gerber keeps their photos posted to remind her of her blessings and responsibilities.
In her free time, she volunteers as a tour guide for children at a local nature preserve and farm. Gerber also enjoys gardening, though her enthusiasm dwindles as summer progresses, and reading, mostly for her own pleasure and edification. Gerber belongs to a neighborhood book discussion group, enjoys traveling to learn about other countries and cultures, and practices yoga which, like writing, is humbling and challenging. For more information, visit http://carolegerber.com/
Kellie DuBay Gillis
Kellie DuBay Gillis writes picture books about things you find in nature, things you might not find in nature unless you know the magical places to look, things that happen to most kids, and things most kids wish would happen. Kellie graduated from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment and is an environmental scientist/communications specialist with over 25 years of experience blending her passion for protecting the planet with storytelling. She grew up on a street in Bay City, Michigan with kids who loved to make things and share neighborhood adventures on an old purple tandem bike. She now lives outside of Cleveland in Fairview Park, Ohio with her family, where they ride an old purple tandem bike that they fixed up like new.
Martin Gitlin
Martin Gitlin is an award-winning journalist and author based in Cleveland. He has had more than 130 books published since 2006. Most were written for students of all grade levels in the realms of sports, history/social studies, pop culture and biographies. Marty has also authored many very successful trade books, including The Great American Cereal Book and the highly acclaimed Powerful Moments in Sports: The Most Significant Sporting Events in American History. He is quite proud of his newest book, titled A Celebration of Animation: The 100 Greatest Cartoon Characters in Television History. Marty won more than 45 awards as a newspaper journalist before focusing on freelance writing. He also covered the Cleveland Browns for CBS Sports from 2009 to 2012 and is an experienced and fun presenter at schools and libraries.
MaryAnn Givens-Hayes
Times flies after you hit the snooze button. I am MaryAnn Givens-Hayes, born into a large extended family of fifteen in the Tar Heel state of North Carolina. I relocated to New Jersey at the age of nine. I have been married for forty years. Our seven plus four children have given me thirty grands and ten great grandchildren. As a child I loved to listen to my mother read books or tell stories. Those times took me to another world. I began to create my own stories and eventually I wrote them down. Reading is my passion. Writing is my life. Coming from a large family gives me comfort when I’m surrounded by children. I reboot in their company. I’ve had many professions over the years while seeking to find one that I loved more than working with children. I’m now working as an administrator in Columbus, Ohio at a childcare learning center. I’m living my life to write for what I love, children.
Linda Gondosch
A former language arts teacher and Northern Kentucky University instructor, Linda Gondosch has written numerous books for children, including picture books, early chapter books, middle grade fiction and nonfiction published by Lerner Publishing Group, Random House, and others. Who Needs a Bratty Brother? won the Kentucky Bluegrass Award. Also, How Did Tea and Taxes Spark a Revolution? was named an Honor Book by the Society of School Librarians International. Gondosch earned a BS in Education from Ohio University and a Master of Education from Northern Kentucky University. She has spoken at over 200 schools and libraries about books and the writing process.
Many of Gondosch’s books were inspired by her own childhood in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as by the adventures of her four children who were raised in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Today Gondosch lives with her husband in Hebron, KY, near Cincinnati. They enjoy traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe, visiting historic sites. After seeing the Mission of San Francisco, Gondosch was inspired to write her book, Junípero Serra: Founder of the California Missions.
Barry Gott
Barry Gott grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he drew his first books on paint can labels from his dad’s paint factory. After upgrading to real paper he developed a love of humor and cartoons, which led first to a B.F.A. in Painting from Bowling Green State University, followed by a career writing and designing humorous greeting cards for American Greetings. Since 1999 he has illustrated dozens of children’s books and in 2018 his first book as author/illustrator, Honk! Splat! Vroom! was published by Lerner Books. Barry lives in South Euclid with his wife, kids, and an ever-increasing number of small animals.
Jacob Grant
Jacob Grant is an author, illustrator, and dad who makes picture books. He is a winner of the prestigious 2024 Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustration Exhibition, and he’s also an okay kids soccer coach. Jacob is originally from Cincinnati, and now lives with his wife and two little ones near Chicago. Here he can be found in his home studio, drawing and writing until something feels story-ish. Learn more at his website: http://jacobgrantbooks.com/
Rebecca Greenfield
REBECCA GREENFIELD is the author of RAW Inner Workings of a Reawakened Soul, RAW Reawakened Soul Study Guide, The Prayer Crossing Personal Devotional: A 28-Day Guide to Quality Time with God and The Prayer Crossing Event Workbook. After earning her bachelors in Nuclear Medicine Technology, she followed God’s call into ministry and obtained her Masters in Theological Studies. She is blessed to pursue both of her passions, science and theology, by working in nuclear medicine and at Lifeline Christian Mission. One of her deepest desires is to create spaces and places where people can experience the presence of God and be enveloped in His love. Aside from God, nothing brings her more joy than spending time with her wonderful husband, family, and friends. Connect with Rebecca at http://www.Rebecca-Greenfield.com
J. A. Hall
J. A. Hall was born and raised in Athens County, Ohio. She has a PhD in Communication Studies from Ohio University. She is the owner of Little Meadow Farm, which is a private sanctuary that gives animals of all shapes and sizes forever homes.