Also known as @exponentiallyemily or Em Your Bipolar Book Bestie across her socials, is a passionate book lover, chaotic content creator, and aspiring author who co-founded Book Bestie Festie to bring readers and indie authors together in an immersive, unforgettable way. Known for her humor and unfiltered bookish opinions, and love for indie authors, she creates a lively space where readers can connect over their favorite stories, explore quirky theories, and embrace the beautifully unhinged world of literature. As a mental health advocate, Emily openly shares her journey, using storytelling and humor to foster connection, reduce stigma, and create a supportive, inclusive community where every book lover feels at home.

Also known as @rich_ra25 or Beauty & The Books across her socials, is a dedicated book lover, Disney collector, and aspiring author who co-founded Book Bestie Festie to create meaningful connections between readers and indie authors. With a passion for storytelling and creativity, Rachel shares her love for books through imaginative content and interactive experiences. She strives to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere where book enthusiasts can celebrate their favorite reads, engage in thoughtful discussions, and forge lasting friendships.

Also known as @whatsarielreading on TikTok, is a dedicated book lover, audiobook enthusiast, and co-founder of Book Bestie Festie. With a passion for discovering unique stories, she shares creative book recommendations, reading insights, and audiobook favorites with her community. Ariel is committed to building a space where readers can connect, celebrate storytelling in all formats, and engage with indie authors in meaningful ways.

Leigh Morgan writes stories that will break your heart but put it back together again. Her debut novel Promise was released in early 2025 and she has no plans of slowing down. Follow her on social media for updates!

Sloane Raleigh is a debut novelist venturing into the world of romantic suspense. She decided to write her own book to showcase the real and raw emotions of mental health and trauma, but also make you chuckle and kick your feet throughout the journey. She wants to open the door for people to have conversations about tough subjects, but also help others find their own version of dark humor.

As a mother of five, T.T. Daniels knows a thing or two about juggling chaos and crafting happily ever after’s. When she's not wrangling her lively brood, she wields brushes and palettes, transforming faces into works of art. With a vibrant creative spirit, she also dedicates her time to running a supportive Discord community With her author friends, That is geared mainly towards empowering indie authors to navigate the often-challenging world of publishing.

B.C. Brady blends a love of technology and magic to craft immersive fantasy worlds. With a background in tech and maintenance, and a passion for storytelling, Brady weaves tales where innovation and enchantment collide. Echoes of Harmony is their latest exploration of this dynamic fusion.

The reality is life isn’t always easy. Sometimes you need to escape from everyday life. When I started writing, that is exactly what I was looking for. That is also exactly why I read books (mostly romance, fantasy and occasionally thrillers). I found I thrive writing novels that let a reader get lost in a whirlwind romance. I never thought I would be an adult as an author. When I was younger? Absolutely! But I also wanted to be a famous singer. But, in July 2024, my first book came pouring out of me. I created a thirty-six-chapter outline and wrote the first three chapters of One Shot, my debut novel releasing March 7th. I knew this was a story that was begging to be shared. I took a chance on myself to become a self-published, indie author. As cliché as it is to say - only have one life to live—this is me taking my “one shot” to pursue my dreams of becoming an author.

My journey started in the woods of the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, and continued throughout my trek across the United States. I draw inspiration from the beauty of the natural world, music, and people watching. I take my new fiancé and two dogs with me everywhere, but especially to go see our various National Parks, State Parks, and wildlife observing (never with the dogs for that last one).
I write mostly fantasy (with a lil ~spice~) but am looking to branch out more in the coming months. I'm so excited to meet you!

Audrianna married her high school sweetheart right after they graduated from college. They spent their early 20's traveling across Europe. Then, in the early months of 2023 they welcomed their beautiful baby girl. Granting them a tiny travel companion, who has already been to Iceland, at the ripe age of 9 months old.

Through the years, she has dabbled in many creative worlds, from culinary arts, to marketing, all the way to writing Adult Fantasy.

Her trio of friends is never far. Having grown up with her two best friends, and maintaining those relationships through adulthood, has helped her through all of the times when she’s felt a little lost.

E. L. Canney is an indie author crafting dark romantasy books filled with celestial magic, forbidden love, and intricate world-building. Her debut series, The Eternal Oaths, brings to life the realms of Eirlys, Marilla, and Sadira through gripping stories of resilience, personal growth, and the triumph of inner strength.

Known for her emotional depth, poetic writing style, and unexpected plot twists, E. L. draws inspiration from personal experiences and her love of fantasy, creating complex characters who face challenges head-on. Her writing explores the balance between light and dark, with themes of healing and empowerment woven throughout.

Rose Black is an Indie author, very new to the writing scene, with her first book set to release in August of 2025 - a Spicy Sapphic Dark Romance. She lives in Indianapolis with her wife and daughter, loves coffee and cats, and creating beautiful crafty things in her spare time. She has always harbored a love of reading, comparing herself to Princess Belle, her nose always stuck in a book!

Hi, I’m Jane Rose! I write Dark Romantic Fantasy books with fast paced adventure and slow burn romance! Often times you’ll find my books contain mental health representation, and have been described as “finding justice through fiction.” If you like getting emotionally wrecked by books, then my stories are for you! See you in the mountains!

Corina (Cori), is a debut author who has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her passion came from creating worlds she could escape to and poetry that she used to release emotions on difficult situations she survived. She hopes that her poetry book will inspire others to advocate for themselves and others who have gone through similar difficulties, while acknowledging the difficulties of mourning and healing. She is currently working on a dystopian trilogy and a few romance novels!

Atlas Evans is a cozy, small-town, paranormal author from Costa Mesa, California. Her debut Moon Valley Series has vampires, witches, and were-wolves, oh my! She loves writing stories that you can really sink their teeth into, and if you're not careful, they may just bite you back.

Kara M. Zone crafts tales of magic, mayhem, and mischief. She is the author of new adult dark fantasy and romantasy. Book one: Cinders Burn at Midnight, and the forthcoming book two in the Trium Perfectum series Ashes Fall at Dawn. An Accidental Faerie Tale and Even After... are romantasy novellas in the Trium Perfectum world.

Kara is an author, indie publishing consultant, and writing coach. She helps clients learn how to create the best stories for their voice, ideas, and brand. Her true passion is helping others reach their goals in the publishing world. (And writing. Always, writing.)

T.L. Johnson is the author of The Storm and the Rose, a moody, slow-burn romantic suspense packed with grit, heart, and just enough heat to keep readers breathless. She’s also the founder of Midnight Haven Books, where bold stories and beautiful chaos are always welcome. She believes in good eyeliner, great writing, and showing up fierce—on the page and off.

Cassandra Harrell is an avid storyteller from Murfreesboro, TN. Thanks to a book-loving mom and a gamer dad, she’s always been obsessed with stories in all forms, from books to games to anime and anything in between. Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 18, she uses her experience with chronic illness to bring empathy and emotion into her writing.

Hi everyone my name is Rachel. I'm a single mom of 7 and a small business owner. I sell trendy affordable really cute jewelry and accessories for only $8. I love to read and hang out with my book besties.

Sugar and Spice Book Co. is a mobile bookstore bringing a curated collection of new and pre-loved romance reads to festivals, markets, and pop-up events in and around Nashville, TN. Designed to feel like your bookish BFF on wheels, the shop offers everything from sugary sweet love stories to the spiciest of romances—plus the cutest bookish merch. Whether you’re a seasoned romance reader or just dipping your toe and discovering your favorite tropes, Sugar and Spice is here to make book-buying feel fun, flirty, and oh so cool.

I'm Taylor with Wild Daisy Leather. I make handmade leather goods and enjoy combining my love for books and leather crafting. Leather bookmarks have been so much fun to create and share.

Hi! I’m Ashley, owner of The Painted Lilac, a small, bookish business focused on Blind Date with a Book and Book Boxes! I cannot wait to see you in TN where I will have loads for you to choose from! 💝

Hi! I’m Amber, I’m a mom of 2, I just recently turned 30. My main hobbies are reading and yapping books. I love creating and posting content and connecting with all my book besties!

So happy to be here with you all and extremely grateful to be thought of and included!!

When she's not frolicking through fantasy realms searching for a dragon to be bonded to, Shae can be found yapping to her horde of book babes on the internet, hyperfixating on writing her book, or blankly staring at her library deciding which adventure to take next. She prides herself on building a platform of acceptance, laughter, and slightly feral bookish content. Her goal is to be a light in the community and be a beacon for other neurospicy "weird" girls who just want a nonjudgmental book bestie.

My name is Gabrielle Wilson, and I am an aspiring author writing a dark romantic fantasy book! I’m a mama, a grad student, a GQ live host, and influencer in the booktok community.

Hi! I’m Ariel! I’m a middle school US History teacher in real life and have an amazing little family. I have always had a love for reading, in fact, reading was the single thing that got me through my military deployment in 2015. My favorite series I’ve ever read is the Crescent City series. I am so excited to be attending Book Bestie Festie and to meet so many new bookish friends!