Marissa Lupe, Latina/Indigenous (she/her) of mixed heritage, has always found her safe place in the world of stories. Her first published series includes three books plus a prequel; Stars Like Acid, Stars Like Fire, Stars Like Rain, and The Bone Inventory.

She currently lives in the Rocky Mountains of western Colorado with her family, connecting with the soul of the Earth through the appreciation of nature and doing artsy creative things.

Lena M. Johnson is a science fiction author from Colorado who is obsessed with dinosaurs and cats. She writes about badass women in futuristic worlds. Follow her for news of her upcoming novel, cat pictures, and terrible puns.

Her books include Domesticated Velociraptors, Last Shot Fired, Welcome to the Alpacalypse, and Chimera.

Ian Thomas Healy is a shiftless layabout masquerading as a prolific author of superhero novels. His Just Cause Universe series is 27 books long, and will undoubtedly continue to grow. His hair really is that awesome, and he has friends everywhere.

Some of his books include Rain Must Fall, The Scene Stealers, Day of the Destroyer, and Roast Wyvern (and Other Recipes).

Marisa E. Cardin is published both traditionally and independently in various chapbooks, anthologies, and magazines. Her work includes a sci-fi dystopian trilogy (Jax Cassaway and The Shadow Runners) poetry anthology On Different Types of Skies, queer short story anthology Echos of Us, and upcoming fantasy novel Veera and The Raven and historical fantasy novella Creature.

Cardin is also the organizer and founder of Read Between The Stars, returning for its second year in October 2025! She lives in Colorado with her furry co-writers, Evie, Millie, Kizzy, and Sylvia Plath.

Mariah Stillbrook is a pansexual, witchy author. Originally from Iowa, she lives in Colorado with her white German shepherd, husband, and little girl. She spends most of her days writing, reading, and enjoying the occasional hike.

In her late twenties she realized that her writing was missing something, magic. She now focuses her writing on urban fantasy and horror in both adult and young adult genres. Her books include The Lost Erwain, The Pool of Aeslin, and In The Pines.

Drea Talley is a bi femme Struggling Writer™ and Chaotic Good bard. The kind of bard that tells stories and sings, but doesn’t play an instrument because she gave up on the piano, was never good at the flute, and the guitar hurt her fingers.

She writes all manner of fantasy, and may have a totally-not-made-up-evil-twin that produces some fairly spicy stories. Her debut novel, Seer of the Strait, came out in June 2024, and the sequel, Lady of the Bridges, releases in 2026. She likes tea, tiny cakes, and snark.

L.J. Burkhart is a fantasy and romance author, as she loves all things paranormal and passionate. She has been a lifelong writer, starting with songs and poetry in the third grade, before eventually moving on to novels in her early twenties.

When she isn’t coming up with dramatic plot twists and steamy sex scenes, you can find her doing yoga, hanging out with her best bitches, baking, or reading, curled up on the couch with her husband and dog with a big glass of red wine.

A.L. Kessler is best known for her Here Witchy Witchy series. She lives in Colorado Springs, CO with her family and

pets. She can easily be bribed with coffee and chocolate. Learn more at www.amylkessler.com!

Tom Atwood Jr. is an American author writing fantasy, urban fantasy, and science fiction who is best known for his debut urban fantasy novel Dauntless, the first book in The Dauntless Saga. Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he discovered his passion for storytelling early—he credits his father with inspiring him through the gift of The Legends of King Arthur each Easter, planting the seed for his own imaginative adventures.

A computer professor by day and an author by passion, he crafts tightly woven plots with dynamic characters that Kirkus Reviews described it as a “creative piece of new-adult escapism” and praised Atwood’s richly developed paranormal world, likening it to something that “could easily form the basis for a TV series."

Michael Brockbank is a self-published author living in the Denver metro area. He began his writing career in January of 2012 and has been a full-time freelancer since February of 2013. Although he began writing professionally later in life, he’s always had a penchant for jotting down a story or two! Read more about Kingmaker on his website!

Kathryn Marie is the Denver-based indie author of the fantasy romance series, the Kazola Chronicles and the Midnight Duology. Most recently, she announced her romcom debut with her newest series of standalones, A Black Cat Girl Kind of Romance.

When not busy writing her banter-filled romances staring her favorite grumpy women and sunshine guys, Kathryn can be found spending time with her wonderful husband and their two cockatiels, going out on adventures with her sisters and friends, or curling up at home with a new book before watching reruns of her many beloved TV shows.

Stephanie Gillis is a the author of the SPFBOX Finalist: The Humane Society for Creatures & Cryptids, the urban fantasy series The Ashport Archives, and several short stories of varying genres.

You can find her as Qwordy on YouTube hosting productivity sprints and bookish content. If seen in public, approach with puppies and musical song lyrics.

Clea Salar (she/her) is a bi femme disaster and Elder Goth who spends most of her days glaring at her computer in between bouts of actually writing. She’s a specialist in all things fantastic, with an impressive resume that includes such skills as spending recess and lunch in the library reading folklore and mythology books all through school, a familiarity with a variety of role-playing games, and regular attendance at every convention and Renaissance festival within driving distance. Clea loves bubble tea, tiny desserts, and the Oxford comma. 

She writes with her partner, Tallis, whose claim to fame is ending up the Forever GM of every gaming group he has ever joined. Tallis (he/him) is a Jack of All (IT) Trades who would rather be diving, at least until “space viking” becomes a viable career path. He loves a good sci-fi, and is happy to explain why “Aliens” is the greatest film ever made.