Fall is the perfect time to grab a blanket and cuddle up with a good book. If you’re looking to add to your “To Be Read” pile, pick up a new drama, thriller, or children’s book from these local authors.
Melissa Scholes Young
The associate professor at American University became an author in her free time. Her latest book, The Hive, has already been picked up by Sony Pictures to become a future film.
John Gilstrap
Get your thrills from this Robinson High School and College of William & Mary graduate. The former editor, volunteer firefighter, and consultant went back and forth between a full-time job and writing for years before retiring in 2015. Now he focuses on writing, continuing the stories and worlds of his characters Jonathan Grave and Victoria Emerson.
Karen Schaufeld
This Virginia children’s author knew she wanted to be a writer when she came down with scarlet fever in second grade. During her two weeks in isolation, she was able to come up with the most amazing stories and dreams through her imagination. Fast forward to today and Schaufeld has authored four books, including her latest, Vultures, A Love Story, which will be released later this year.
Suzi Weinert
Based in Ashburn, the military wife turned her obsession with garage sales into a writing career. She currently has four books to her name: Garage Sale Stalker, Garage Sale Diamonds, Garage Sale Riddle, and Woman at the Garage Sale. Eventually the rights to these novels were purchased by the Hallmark Channel, which made them into a film series led by actress Lori Loughlin.
L.M. Elliott
If you’re looking for picture books for the kids or a historic novel for your next read, Elliott could be the author for you. The former NoVA journalist traded in her press cap to become the author of 12 novels. Her latest works include Walls, Hamilton and Peggy! A Revolutionary Friendship, and Suspect Red.
Sue Fliess
Wanting to write her entire life, Fliess eventually found her way to become a children’s author. At first writing press releases, the mother of two turned to writing her own stories when her son wanted to learn everything about outer space. Over 40 books later, she now writes everything from funny how-to books to new twists on traditional fairy tales.
Feature image, © rasstock/stock.adobe.com
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