It’s the Jackson, MI Local Author Expo and Book Fair!
My introduction to Jackson, Michigan last year was the worst winter the county’s seen in some time according to my neighbors.
The snow arrived on Thanksgiving and refused to leave no matter how many times we asked it to go. It was spectacular though. The sharp glass air would cut my cheeks during the glittering winter mornings I spent shooing my dogs outside to go to the bathroom. Every breath of that cold felt like some kind of baptism.
So it’s safe to say that I have made Jackson’s acquaintance.
But now, I will be introducing myself to the readers and writers of this city — I’m hoping for a warmer reception this time!
Here’s what’s happening: On May 16, 2026, you can see me at Jackson’s Local Authors Expo.
It’s a bit thrilling to participate in this event— and nerve wracking. I won’t only be meeting the local writing community for the first time. The city’s readers will be there, and THAT is something worth being nervous about — in a fun way. Because the readers are who it’s all about. I mean, I didn’t spend hours clacking away on my keyboard writing stories I hoped no one would read. I wrote the stories for you! I want you to read them! And (hopefully) enjoy them!
If you like smart children’s books, smart aleck frog familiars, and smart kids putting their skills to use…you might like the books I’m bringing to the expo.
Signed copies of Death at Dusbar College and The Nasties of Nastgant Swamp will be waiting for you to take them home. These are the first two installments of my A Story of Antyfas series.
Who are these books for? Well, let me tell you. I wrote these books for kids who love fantasy, adventure, and hate being talked down to. These stories take place in the world of Antyfas — a world where dragons fly, trolls can live in the trees, and invisible monkeys get to wreck havoc.
It’s a funky place — imagine if Discworld’s turtle crashed into Alice in Wonderland. Antyfas is silly, fun, a bit weird, and is a great place to lose yourself in for a little if I do say so myself.
I’m happy to say that grown-ups seem to enjoy stopping by, too.
Death at Dusbar College ending up winning a Silver Literary Titan Award. That was a proud moment for me. It was my first piece of published prose ever. But I received a lot of fair critiques when it was first released. I tried to take those to heart when I started work on The Nasties of Nastgant Swamp.
The work and revisions seemed to pay off, because Nasties won a Gold Literary Titan Award. To everyone who read and then took the time to review one or both of these books: Thank you! It means everything to have people read my work. And the critiques are a huge help to improving as a writer. Please keep it up!
Death at Dusbar College and The Nasties of Nastgant Swamp are stand-a-lone stories. They can be read in any order. The recommended age range for these books is 7-11.
Subscribe for more book and event updates!
Laura DiNovis Berry | Author 
Leave a comment