Chris Graham is the author of Stop the Presses, a collection of columns. This book was the Number 5 top-grossing book at Book 'Em 2004. He is the founder of The Augusta Free Press, a Web-based newspaper based in the Shenandoah Valley.

Graham is well-known throughout Central Virginia and the Valley for his feature stories and columns - and has spent the past 10 years in the field of journalism.

He has written a number of online novels and published them in a fiction section found on-line at www.augustafreepress.com.

He will be signing his latest release, Judge Not, a political thriller focused on the fictional Ruetown, and his first book, Stop the Presses, which features approximately 100 columns on everything from weather to politics.

Ruth Graham is the third child of Ruth and Billy Graham.

Ruth is a cum laude graduate of Mary Baldwin College with a degree in religion/communications and received the Outstanding Adult Student award. She currently serves on the College's Board of Trustees. Ruth has also served as the Major Gifts Officer for Mary Baldwin College and was the Donor Relations Coordinator for Samaritans' Purse for five years.

Ruth worked in the publishing field for 13 years as an acquisitions editor for Harper Collins and McCracken Press.

She will be signing In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart, I'm Pregnant... Now What? and her latest release, Legacy of Love, at Book 'Em 2005!

Lynette Hall Hampton has had more than 500 articles published and authored three children’s books, including Fun With The Bible, before turning to writing fiction for adults. Her first mystery novel, Jilted By Death, (Silver Dagger), is the story of a female Associate Methodist Minister, Willa Hinshaw, who goes from the pulpit to the street to track down a missing bride. Jilted By Death was nominated for the prestigious Sir Walter Raleigh Award for fiction by the NC Literary and Historical Association.

Writer to Writer, The Writing Book I Wish I’d had 20 Years Ago (Alabaster Books) is a non-fiction instructional book that is based on writing classes she taught. Lynette also co-authored Then, her mother’s story about growing up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains.

Lynette has recently completed the sequel to Jilted By Death, called Echoes of Mercy, and a romance novel that is seeking a publisher, and she is working on the third in the Willa Hinshaw series. Lynette says that writing, promoting her books and spoiling her two grandchildren keeps her busy.

Alison Hart is the author of nineteen children's books.

Ms. Hart's newest novel, A Spy on the Homefront: A Molly Mystery, a WWII mystery for the American Girl Molly doll, was published in March 2005. Book Review Columnist Erika Sorocco writes, "Alison Hart has done a fantastic job with this mystery". In the fall of 2005, her historical suspense novel Anna's Blizzard will be published by Peachtree Publishers.

Other writings include Danger at the Wild West Show, an American Girls History Mystery, Rescue: A Police Story (Random House Children's Books), and Return of the Gypsy Witch, an Aladdin Mystery (Simon & Schuster), which won a 2003 Honor Book award for Society of School Librarians International.

Shadow Horse, her middle grade mystery, was nominated for an Edgar Award in 2000. It was also chosen for the 2003-2004 Indiana Media Educators' Read-Aloud Books Too Good To Miss program (middle grade).

Richard Helms retired from active practice as a forensic psychologist after twenty two years to take a counseling position at a local college. His Pat Gallegher mystery series has garnered rave reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, January Magazine, Mystery Scene Magazine, and Knight Ridder Newspapers. Two titles in this series, Juicy Watusi and Wet Debt, were nominated for the prestigious Private Eye Writers of America Shamus Award. The first book in his new San-Francisco based Eamon Gold series, Grass Sandal, was released in late 2004.

When not writing or promoting his mystery novels, Helms enjoys gourmet cooking, amateur astronomy, building fine stringed instruments and Mission furniture, rooting for his beloved Tarheels and Panthers, and just spending time with his family.

Richard Helms lives in a small town near Charlotte, North Carolina, with his lovely wife Elaine, their two children Alex and Rachel, and an ever-changing number of cats.

Love and laughter meet the law in My Hero, Marianna Jameson’s fiction debut. A wry, sophisticated romantic comedy, My Hero features a romance writer whose search for the perfect cop-hero leads her to a charming but commitment-shy detective, whose career she derails as she gets her own back on track. My Hero will be released by NAL/Signet in June 2005.

An ardent champion of literacy causes, former journalist Marianna is an aerospace technical writer and ghost-author of a book on digital security. She lives in Connecticut with a humming brood of computers and a husband whose Irish brogue absolutely never inspires or delights her.

 

Denise P. Jeffries has been writing since 1993. Her articles and essays have appeared in Mother's of Writers 2002, The Healthcare Digest, The Healthcare Alliance and the Riverside Nurse. Her short stories have also appeared in the Sun Magazine.

Her first book, a contemporary romance, A Walk in the Rain, was published in 1999. Her second book, a single title novella, Strictly Classified, was released in May 2004.

She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Chesapeake Romance Writers, where she currently holds the position of President. She is also a member of the International Women Writers Guild, Romance Divas and Thunder and Roses.

In addition to writing, Mrs. Jeffries provides workshops and lectures on such topics as Characterization, Conflict and Plot, From Paper to Print: Getting Published, Using Your Five Senses to Enhance Your Writing and Developing Emotions.

Eddie is a contributing editor for Living Aboard Magazine, TownDock.net, Carolina Living, Latitudes & Attitudes, Boating News and the Lake Norman Times. He has also written for Carolina Style Magazine, Coastal Cruising Magazine, Maritimes, Lookout Magazine and Cruising Coast and Islands. He has also served as regional editor for the Mid-Atlantic Cruising Guide.
Eddie is a member of the NC Writers Network, Boating Writers International and the Neuse Sailing Association. He has an English degree from NC State, with an emphasis in journalism. When he's not sailing and writing, Eddie spends his time surfing the coastal Out Islands of the Carolinas and Bahamas.

He will be signing Hard Aground with Eddie at Book 'Em 2005.