Special Panel:
Individuality
Join us as we interview acclaimed authors
about the importance of individuality!
September 25th at 1:00 PM EST
Meet the Panelists!
Maria Dismondy
Facilitator
Nationally recognized author, publisher and speaker Maria Dismondy is dedicated to inspiring and empowering children. She has authored nine children’s books and made more than 800 speaking appearances. She lives in southeast Michigan with her husband, Dave, and their three children.
Berrie Torgan-Randall
Author of Just Ducky
Berrie Torgan-Randall is an author/illustrator based in Media, PA. She serves as Illustrator Coordinator for Eastern Pennsylvania SCBWI. Her debut early reader graphic novel, Bella & Blue: Bella Meets Blue, was published by The Little Press in 2022, with a sequel, Bella & Blue: Times Two, coming in October 2026. Her work has also appeared in Ladybug Magazine.
Cindy Williams Schrauben
Cindy Williams Schrauben lives in west Michigan where she writes books for children that range from the truly serious to the seriously silly. When not writing or sharing her books, this award-winning author might be found dissecting her grandsons’ shenanigans for story ideas, reading on the beach, or eating ice cream… ideally all at once. Her books, THIS COULD BE YOU (starred review from Kirkus) and HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART also inspire kids to live their best lives. You can connect with Cindy at www.cindyschrauben.com or www.direct.me/cindywilliamsschrauben
Heather Stigall
Heather Stigall uses her experience with children and her educational background to create stories that speak to kids. When she’s not writing, you can find Heather volunteering for her local SCBWI chapter; hanging out with her husband, five kids, and one pup (hopefully at the beach); reading or watching tv; eating chocolate; baking; or creating all sorts of treasures. She is the author of GILBERT AND THE GHOST (Beaming Books, 2025) and PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY (Clavis Publishing, 2023. You can connect with Heather through her website, HeatherPierceStigall.com, and her social media links at https://linktr.ee/HeatherStigall.
Melissa Trempe
Melissa Trempe has swum with sharks and hiked a volcano, but her favorite pastime is writing for children. She co-authored Ladybug Launch: Inspired by a True Story of Chinitas in Space with Natalia Ojeda. Her next book, The Girl Who Dreamed of Space, is an astronaut biography about Eileen Collins, NASA's first female pilot and mission commander and will come out in 2026. She loves connecting with readers at school visits, and hopes to make the world a better place one book at a time.
Brentom Jackson
Brentom Jackson is a school counselor that writes about the universal lessons within Black American culture. His work reflects his extensive background in theatre, performance poetry, and jazz. He is the author of the award winning picture book Elijah's Easter Suit, and the upcoming young-adult verse novel The Way of The Wailing Women.