The world of publishing these days is as diverse as the genres it produces. As the saying goes "there is a book for every reader" it might be said "there is a path for every writer." Join authors Karen Chow, Amy True, and Karen McMahon to learn more about the many facets of traditional publishing, indie publishing, and self publishing. Ask questions and learn all there is to know about what happens behind the scenes before the books in your hand are brought to life. This panel program is perfect for aspiring writers, editors, proofreaders, or just the passionate and curious reader. We'll see you there!

Let's Meet the Authors!

After stints working in entertainment and advertising, Amy True turned to chasing her one dream: writing fiction. When she’s not conjuring up her next cinnamon roll hero, or writing award-winning Historical Fiction as Amy Trueblood, she’s traveling with her family, cooking, or desperately attacking her towering TBR pile. While she grew up only ten minutes from Disneyland, which inspired her love for storytelling, she now calls Arizona home. 

Kathie McMahon is the author of the humorous, award-winning chapter book series, Mortimer and Me, about eight-year-old Jimmy and a moose named Mortimer. Kathie taught elementary school for 32 years, where she composed several school musicals. She also collaborated on many youth theater musicals, receiving four ariZoni awards for Original Music Composition. She is a member of SCBWI and hosts the East Valley KidLit Mingles. Kathie lives in Gilbert, Arizona, where you won’t find any moose, but plenty of snakes, gila monsters, and mountain lions. For the latest news involving the adventures with Jimmy and Mortimer, visit www.kathiemcmahon.com. 

Karen S. Chow is a Taiwanese-American author, who started writing novels as a college sophomore at Arizona State University, while earning a degree in electrical engineering. Now, she is an engineer by day and middle-grade novelist by night. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her three kids, hiking all over Arizona, and serving as the Assistant Regional Advisor for SCBWI AZ. She lives in Gilbert, AZ.