This year I attended the Realm Makers conference for the first time! Among many other joys, I met multiple authors whose books I have enjoyed reading lately.

Most of these authors are new to me—within the last eight months—and have written books that keep me coming back for more. This is significant, because as of last year, I quit reading about 5 out of 6 books I started because they disappointed me. Since I found these authors, I haven’t quit one book!

So here are some of the authors I met:

Lindsay Franklin

Realm Makers Author 2021 Lindsay Franklin
Lindsay Franklin and Adare Elyse during the Book Festival

Lindsay Franklin is the author of The Weaver Trilogy, a young adult fantasy series. So far I’ve read only the first book, The Story Peddler, but I’ll definitely come back for book two! Lindsay also scheduled appointments for the conference, a crazy busy job that she completed with unparalleled efficiency and enthusiasm!

H.L. Burke

Realm Makers Author 2021 H.L. Burke
H.L. Burke with her dragon and Adare Elyse in the exhibition hall

As you may know from the previous interview with this lovely author, she has written a number of fantasy and sci-fi books for young people and adults. The first book of hers that I read was Beggar Magic, which had some fantastic elements blending music and magic. I’ve read several more, such as Ashen and her Ice and Fate Duology, and am so impressed by (and addicted to) her high-quality writing.

Tara Grayce

Realm Makers Author 2021 Tara Grayce
Tara Grayce and Adare Elyse in the exhibition hall

I credit Tara with converting me to ebooks because I wanted to read her Elven Alliance books so badly that I wouldn’t wait for a print copy to ship. She’s wearing a t-shirt featuring her captivating main character, the elf prince Farrendel. (I may or may not have that shirt on my Christmas wish list.) The Elven Alliance series is for adults, but you’ve probably seen me promoting her clean young adult fantasy book Lost in Averell for some good back to school reading as well as in the interview with her. Fun story, the emcee of the conference was passing the microphone asking which authors people were excited to see. I mentioned Tara, and the lady next to me just pointed and said, “That’s her, 3 rows up.” So of course I had to waylay her on the way out of the session to meet face to face!

H.S.J. Williams

Realm Makers Author 2021 H.S.J. Williams
H.S.J. Williams and Adare Elyse during the book signing

Fun fact, this lovely lady did the artwork for that Farrendel shirt! As well as bringing a magical elven feel to the conference, she’s written about her own elf characters in her adult fantasy book, Moonscript.

Carrie Anne Noble

Realm Makers Author 2021 Carrie Anne Noble
Carrie Anne Noble & Adare Elyse after a conference class session

My original interviewee, Carrie was kind enough to let me accost her in the hall to say hello and grab a photo. In addition to The Mermaid’s Sister, I’ve enjoyed some of her short stories, including ones featuring the same characters from the novel, and I look forward to catching up on some of her other releases.

Of course, I met many other delightful authors—both published and not-yet-published—but I figured I’d share just a few here! If you’re looking for your next fantasy read, check out their books!

What (living) author would you most like to meet? Share below!

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