Alyson McGibbon | Children and Young Adult | Non fiction children and young adult Christian author |
Anna Christian | Children and Young Adult, Mystery, Thrillers, Crime, Suspense, etc., Other | Author, Educator, Independent Publisher, Writer consultant |
Ari Loeb | All Kinds of Horror | Ari Loeb is the award-winning author of “The Stunted Man,” a psychological horror novel about an aging Hollywood stuntman facing addiction while on a dangerous monster movie set in New Orleans. Nicolas Cage calls the book, “Compelling, poetic, and funny as hell.” His debut novel, “Thunder, Az” is a piece of survival horror, centered around the harrowing desert of Northern Arizona. He is also a world-renowned photographer, circus artist, and stunt performer, specializing in creature horror such as The Walking Dead, Renfield, Zombieland, and the Resident Evil franchise. |
Aurelie Duncanson | Mystery, Thrillers, Crime, Suspense, etc. | I’m a local author. I’ve been living in Riverside since 2016. I have been teaching French for over ten years. I have a background in French Literature and was always an avid reader; I especially enjoy thriller books. Fueled by a lifelong love for storytelling, I decided to create short stories that will be suspenseful and intriguing for readers who love psychological fiction and devoted my weekends crafting them. I have published two books “The Mind’s Appetite” and “The Neighbor She Never Knew.” |
Hot Tropiks | Comics, Zines, Manga, Graphic Novels, etc. | Hot Tropiks is a California-based platform spotlighting Filipino comics, kids’ books, and culture. We distribute and publish original stories from the Philippines and Southeast Asia for North American audiences, with a focus on bold storytelling, mythology, and indie creators. Through books, merch, and media, we make it easy to discover fresh voices from the tropics. |
Hot Tropiks | Comics, Zines, Manga, Graphic Novels, etc. | Hot Tropiks is a California-based platform spotlighting Filipino comics, kids’ books, and culture. We distribute and publish original stories from the Philippines and Southeast Asia for North American audiences, with a focus on bold storytelling, mythology, and indie creators. Through books, merch, and media, we make it easy to discover fresh voices from the tropics. |
Pria K | Children and Young Adult, Mystery, Thrillers, Crime, Suspense, etc., Other | Pria K’s mystery young adult novel “After the Lie” book sale and signing along with artist La Sakurako’s featured “After the Lie” art prints. There is also merchandise related to Pria K’s novel and literature in general. |
Ayodeji Anifowose | Children and Young Adult, All Kinds of Romance, Other | Ayodeji Anifowose is a prolific writer, author, speaker, and thought leader with a deep passion for strengthening marriages, nurturing families, grooming children and guiding individuals toward purposeful living through faith. As the CEO of Ayo LLC, he has dedicated his life to producing impactful resources that inspire hope, healing, and transformation. His books, devotionals, and podcasts are known for blending biblical wisdom with practical insights, helping people navigate real-life challenges with grace and courage. Ayodeji’s heart is to equip this generation with tools for love, growth, and faith, making his voice a refreshing and transformative influence in Christian literature. |
Ben Stoltzfus | Children and Young Adult, Comics, Zines, Manga, Graphic Novels, etc., Other | RED WHITE BLUE: a parodic novel of Nixon’s presidency; ROMOLAND (graphic novel): a dialog between a man and a woman–his text, her images; CAT O’NINE TAILS–short stories about cats; FALLING (short stories): lust, adventure, love, violence, passion; DUMPSTER, a novel about Riverside whose fictional motto is “cleanliness is next to Godliness;” TRANSGRESSION: a novel about World War II, seduction, coming of age, redemption; GIDE’S EAGLES: literary criticism of Andre Gide, one of France’s preeminent writers; ROBBE-GRILLET: literary criticism of France’s foremost “new novelist.” |
California Writers Club | Writers Support Organizations | The California Writers Club (CWC) is one of the oldest and largest writers’ clubs in America, founded in 1909. Organized into local branches, the club has over 2,000 members in 21 branches spread across our state. Our mission is to provide education and support for writers in our community. The Inland Empire branch conducts monthly in-person meetings on the 4th Saturdays at the Ovitt library in Ontario. We host professional speakers talking about craft, editing, publishing, and marketing. We host socials like retreats, open mic, luncheons, critique workshops, and conferences. We publish collections of member poetry, memoir, nonfiction, and fiction. |
DeJaneiroKonique | All Kinds of Romance | DeJaneiroKonique – Author of Transformational Romance DeJaneiroKonique crafts emotionally rich romance novels that guide readers through healing past wounds to embrace the love they truly deserve. Her stories blend passion, pain, and personal growth—reminding us that true connection begins with self-awareness and courage. Stop by to discover books that touch the heart, stir the soul, and speak to the strength in every woman. |
Pria K. | Children and Young Adult, Mystery, Thrillers, Crime, Suspense, etc., Other | Pria K. will be having a book signing along with merch and art provided at the table. |
Desert Catopia | Other | Desert Catopia is a mobile cat adoption bus. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our mission is to support local small rescues and shelters by boosting their adoptions. We organize mobile adoption events, bringing our bus loaded with rescued, adoptable cats to community gatherings such as festivals, parades, and neighborhood events. |
Diamond Valley Writers’ Guild | Writers Support Organizations | Diamond Valley Writers’ Guild is a community for beginning writers to established authors. Although our epicenter is Southwest Riverside County, California, we have members and participants from all over the United States, and even a few who reside in other countries. DVWG has been a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since 2016, offering valuable resources, networking opportunities, great speakers, and a forum for members to share inspiration and create a community with fellow writers. |
Janeane Bernstein, EdD | Other | Janeane Bernstein, EdD is a journalist, mental health advocate and author. She recently started Outside the Box Institute, a 501(c)(3) focused on addressing the loneliness epidemic affecting Genz on up. In 2020, she founded Outside the Box Series, LLC as a student-focused mental health initiative. Bernstein is the author of Better – What the Mental Health Pandemic Teaches Us About Humanity and Get the Funk Out! ^&*% Happens, What to Do Next! She is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Westside Los Angeles, Women in Film |
Diosa Xochiquetzalcóatl | Writers Support Organizations, Poetry, Spoken Word, Dramatic Works, etc. | Come and explore this prolific writer’s multilingual and multidimensional poetry collections. Diosa X – her poetry takes you places. |
Duckie Mack | All Kinds of Romance | Duckie Mack is an indie author from Hemet. She writes sweet with heat queer romance in both contemporary and PNR. |
Eric J. Guignard | All Kinds of Horror | Eric J. Guignard is a writer and anthologist of dark and speculative fiction, operating from the shadowy outskirts of Inland Empire, where he also runs the small press Dark Moon Books. He’s twice won the Bram Stoker Award, won the Shirley Jackson Award, and been a finalist for the World Fantasy Award and International Thriller Writers Award. His latest fiction collection is A Graveside Gallery: Tales of Ghosts and Dark Matters (Cemetery Dance, 2025). |
Eva Beaty | Other | Maggie’s Bed and Breakfast stories. Maggie’s Bed and Breakfast, The Book of Scattered Memories, Lily’s By The Lake and Sam-a girl undercover. Author: Eva D. Beaty |
G.R. McWhorter | All Kinds of Horror | Dr. Greg McWhorter has been a member of the Los Angeles chapter of the Horror Writers Association for over a decade. He has had two horror books published; Shadowfall and Carnival Night At The Crematorium. Besides writing, McWhorter has also worked in film and television in various roles. He was an associate producer on the 80’s horror documentary In Search Of Darkness and has recently been on the film festival circuit with Sanguine Deposit, which he wrote, co-produced, and stars in. McWhorter is in pre-production on another short horror film that he wrote and will co-produce and is also working on a new horror novel. |
Get Lit Books & Things | Children and Young Adult, All Kinds of Romance, All Kinds of History, All Kinds of Science Fiction, All Kinds of Horror, All Kinds of Fantasy, Comics, Zines, Manga, Graphic Novels, etc., Mystery, Thrillers, Crime, Suspense, etc., Poetry, Spoken Word, Dramatic Works, etc. | Get Lit Books & Things is more than just a bookstore and gift shop; it’s a haven for Queer folks, Women, POC, and Bibliophiles. Located in Moreno Valley, we’re a new and growing store, proud to curate a diverse selection of new and used books, gifts, and unique items that celebrate underrepresented voices. Why be othered elsewhere when you can be centered here? |
James Luna | Children and Young Adult | James Luna is the author of The Runaway Piggy/El Cochinito Fugitivo, A Mummy in Her Backpack/Una momia en su mochila, and The Place Where You Live/El lugar donde vives and Growing Up on the Playground/Nuestro patio de recreo all published by Piñata Books, Arte Público Press. Piggy was awarded the 2012 Tejas Star Award as chosen by the students of the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. James has taken part in panels and readings at the Texas Book Festival and the California Association for Bilingual Education conference. He has presented at schools in California and Texas. He lives in Riverside. |
Jose Daniel Esqueda | All Kinds of Romance, Other | Discover “Prison Scars,” a gripping and heartfelt memoir that delves into the raw realities of incarceration and its lasting impact. Through powerful storytelling, the author sheds light on resilience, redemption, and hope amid adversity. This compelling narrative offers readers an unfiltered look at life behind bars, exploring themes of trauma, survival, and personal transformation. Perfect for those interested in true stories of endurance and change, “Prison Scars” aims to inspire and foster understanding. Visit our booth to learn more, meet the author, and explore the journey of healing and redemption captured within these pages. |
Julian Montgomery | Children and Young Adult, Poetry, Spoken Word, Dramatic Works, etc. | I am a first-time author who has written a book of children’s poetry named, “Somehow Connected to Me in Some Way”. This book delivers laugh-out-loud moments, relatable stories, and meaningful life lessons that kids ages 9 to 13 and parents will both enjoy. This engaging collection features rhyming poems for children, making it ideal for classroom read-alouds, homeschool lessons, bedtime stories, and independent reading. |
Kayla Ann | Children and Young Adult, All Kinds of Fantasy | Kayla Ann is a YA dystopian fantasy author with a love for mythologies (particularly Norse mythology). She loves wrestling with the concepts of fate vs. free will in the choices of her protagonists and how that affects the battle between light and darkness. |
Kory L Body | Children and Young Adult | Step into the enchanting world of The Fuzzy Furry Forest, a heartwarming children’s book series by husband-and-wife duo Kory and Genevieve Body. Through colorful characters like Ruffles, Oswald the Wise Old Owl, Sheriff Slinky Snake, and Kelly Kanga, young readers explore themes of belonging, bravery, emotional intelligence, and kindness. Each story is crafted to spark imagination while delivering meaningful life lessons. Stop by to meet the authors, discover exclusive merchandise, and get your books signed! Perfect for families, educators, and anyone who believes in the magic of storytelling. Visit us and experience a forest where everyone belongs. |
Loris Lora | Children and Young Adult | Loris Lora is an award-winning Latina Illustrator & Designer from Southern California whose colorful artwork brings a playful approach to everyday life. She draws inspiration from her Mexican upbringing, mid-century illustration and design, pop culture, and bright colors. As a multi-disciplinary artist, she has collaborated with wide range of clients. She has received recognition from the Society of Illustrators, the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, and most recently awarded a Pura Belpré Honor for Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (HarperCollins) and May Your Life Be Deliciosa (Cameron Kids/Abrams). |
Marsha Bullock-Breaux | Children and Young Adult, All Kinds of Romance | Marsha Bullock-Breaux is a bestselling author and autism advocate offering powerful children’s books that promote self-love, neurodiversity, and joyful representation. Her titles include I’m Not Just Autistic and Baby Go Sheep Sheep, which inspire and uplift young readers. Marsha also writes across multiple genres including historical fantasy, romance, urban fiction, and women’s empowerment. Her books are bold, emotional, and rooted in cultural pride. Stop by to explore her vibrant collection, meet the author, and grab exclusive merch—including signed books, sensory-friendly bundles, and more! |
Mary D. Welch | Children and Young Adult | Mary D. Welch is a local Writer/Publisher of primarily Children’s Books for ages 2-7. |
Matthew Johnson | All Kinds of Horror, All Kinds of Fantasy | Matthew Johnson is a local author and playwright. He writes primarily in horror and fantasy genre. |
MrLovingWords | Poetry, Spoken Word, Dramatic Works, etc. | James Coats is an award winning author, poet and educator from Southern California. You can take a poetry workshop with him through his organization Lift Our Voices Education which hosts an award winning workshop monthly called Be The Change: Social Justice Writing Workshop. He will be selling his newest poetry collection Midnight & Mad Dreams published by World Stage Press as well as previous collections of poetry. |
Old Riverside Foundation | All Kinds of History | Old Riverside Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to preservation of the built environment, will feature its first book, “Some Architect,” a biography of Peter J. Weber. |
Palo Verde Press | Poetry, Spoken Word, Dramatic Works, etc. | Palo Verde Press is a small independent publisher of literary fiction mainly concerned with reading, books, bookselling, and libraries. |
Quiet Quail Books | Comics, Zines, Manga, Graphic Novels, etc., Other | Hamiintamc! Quiet Quail Books is a California Indigenous-owned book shop. Our mission is to connect and collaborate with communities across Southern California over our love for quality Indigenous authored books. We stock Indigenous authored books, children’s books, graphic novels, comics, magazines, and miscellaneous gifts. After successful sales online since 2020, we started pop-up book booths in person across the Southern California region. |
R. Renee Hess | All Kinds of History | R. Renee Hess will be at the booth to discuss her work with Black Girl Hockey Club and her new book, Blackness is a Gift I Can Give Her: On Race, Community, and Black Women in Hockey. |
Riverside Dickens Festival | All Kinds of History | The Riverside Dickens Festival is working on their 33rd annual event, celebrating the life and times of Charles Dickens and Victorian life. |
Riverside Historical Society | All Kinds of History | The Riverside Historical Society fosters an awareness of the meaning and relevance of the unique history of Riverside, promotes research, and advocates for the preservation of that history for audiences of all ages. RHS publishes several books, including an annual journal. |
Riverside Public Library | Other | Library information table, library card sign-ups, and giveaways |
Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District | Other | The Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District (RCRCD) strives to educate residents of all ages by offering educational programs, technical assistance, and resource information, per Divison 9 of the California Public Resources Code Article 1 Policy 9001 Section B Article 4. The District seeks to empower people to be stewards (caretakers) of natural resources and to be well-informed about resource issues and management. The RCRCD provides a variety of educational services concerning natural resources and their stewardship |
RPYA | Writers Support Organizations, Children and Young Adult, Comics, Zines, Manga, Graphic Novels, etc., Poetry, Spoken Word, Dramatic Works, etc. | RPYA is a non-profit for LGBTQ+ youth and allies in the Inland Empire. |
Temecula Valley Writers and Illustrators | Writers Support Organizations | Temecula Valley Writers and Illustrators is a non-profit serving creatives in the region. Through monthly meetings, spoken word and flash gallery events, anthology collections, and Zoom groups, we provide education, networking, and support. Come join us! |
Teresa Burrell | Mystery, Thrillers, Crime, Suspense, etc. | Teresa Burrell is an award-winning, best-selling author with 23 novels, mostly legal suspense mysteries. |
UCR Library Special Collections | All Kinds of History, All Kinds of Science Fiction, All Kinds of Horror, All Kinds of Fantasy, Comics, Zines, Manga, Graphic Novels, etc. | Librarians from UCR’s Special Collections and Archives department will showcase items from their collections – including from the Eaton Collection, which is one of the world’s largest collections of sci fi, fantasy, and horror. Swag will also be available, in limited numbers! |
Wildbound Literary PR | Writers Support Organizations | Book PR Publicity for Authors, Publishers & Storytellers At Wildbound PR, we craft custom campaigns that integrate press outreach, social media campaigns, events, web design, video production, platform building, marketing services and more for expert PR — everything you need to bring your work into the world and into the hands of readers. |
Winona Howe | Children and Young Adult, All Kinds of Romance, All Kinds of History, All Kinds of Fantasy | Winona Howe’s debut novel was the prize-winning Sita and the Prince of Tigers, followed by The Penniman Menagerie, which received the gold award for young adult readers from Nautilus Book Awards; her third book, The Palace in the Jungle (a sequel to Sita and the Prince of Tigers) is scheduled for publication in March 2026. Winona taught writing and literature for twenty-five years; her favorite classes were Victorian, children’s, and young adult literature. An enthusiastic traveler, Winona has visited all seven continents; insights or tidbits from these travels turn up in her writing from time to time. |
Zeyad Kareem | Children and Young Adult, All Kinds of Fantasy | Fur-Ever is a heartwarming children’s book by author Zeyad Kareem that celebrates loyalty, love, and the unbreakable bond between two tuxedo cats, FigLuLu and Bagoogly. Written with warmth and imagination, this story introduces young readers to the magic of friendship, family, and connection through the eyes of beloved pets. With charming illustrations and a message that resonates across generations, Fur-Ever is perfect for children, parents, and cat lovers alike. Stop by to learn more about this inspiring story that captures the joy animals bring into our lives and discover the magic of friendship that truly lasts forever. |
Zeyad Kareem | Children and Young Adult | Zeyad Kareem is a passionate author whose debut children’s book, Fur-Ever, has quickly captured hearts with its heartfelt story of love, friendship, and the unbreakable bond between two cats. Blending imagination and warmth, Zeyad invites readers young and old into a world where kindness and connection shine. Fur-Ever is more than just a story—it is a celebration of family, community, and the pets who become part of our lives. Stop by to meet Zeyad, hear about his creative journey, and discover a story that will stay with you and your family fur-ever. |