Samantha Chang, born in Appleton, Wis., is an author of novels and short stories. Her works include Hunger, a novella plus four short stories, and Inheritance, a novel. Chang is the daughter of Chinese parents who survived the World War II occupation of China. An award-winning author, she is currently director of the prestigious Iowa Writers Workshop. In 2008, Chang received a Guggenheim Fellowship and is one of the most respected literary minds in America today.

Sherman Alexie, a Spokane/Coeur d'Alene Indian and an author in several mediums, is a nationally renowned author who has written several poetry collections, short stories, novels and screen plays. Some of his notable works include The Business of Fancydancing (poetry collection); Indian Killer (novel) and Smoke Signals (novel and film). (www.ShermanAlexie.com)

Michael Perry is a humorist, Wisconsin native and author of the best-selling memoir Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time, the essay collection Off Main Street, and recent hit Truck: A Love Story. Perry is one of the most sought after authors for book festivals in the country because of his entertaining and humorous presentations. Perry appeared in the first Fox Cities Book Festival as well, reading to a packed house at the Chilton Public Library. (www.sneezingcow.com)

Sandra Kring is the author of the novels Carry Me Home and The Book of Bright Ideas. Her latest book Thank You For All Things will be released October 7. She lives in Wisconsin where she is at work on her next novel, How High the Moon. Kring is on the fast track with the movie rights to The Book of Bright Ideas being purchased and her newest being included as Wal-mart's Read of the Month for October. (www.SandraKring.com)

David Giffels is a five-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, an award-winning columnist for Akron Beacon Journal and former writer for Beavis and Butt-head. His latest book, All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling Down House, chronicles his renovation of a decrepit mansion. It was listed as Oprah's number one "Fantastic Summer Reads" list this summer. (http://tiny.cc/GbD40)

A. Manette Ansay is an award-winning author of novels, including Vinegar Hill, an Oprah
Book Club selection. Ansay spent her childhood in Port Washington, Wis. Ansay has been awarded a Pushcart Prize, a Friends of American Writers Prize, and two Great Lakes Book Awards. Her fifth novel, Midnight Champagne (1999), was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. (www.amanetteansay.com)

Elizabeth Berg is a New York Times best-selling author and was an Oprah Book Club pick for her novel, Open House. Her latest book, a collection of stories, The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted, was released in April of this year. Her novels Durable Goods and Joy School were both selected as American Library Association Best Book of the Year. (www.elizabeth-berg.net)

Philip Gulley, the voice of small town America, is an Emmy award-winning host of the television series, Porch Talk. A Quaker minister, he is the author of the popular Harmony series of books. He has also written Front Porch Tales, Hometown Tales, and For Everything a Season, as well as If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, co-authored with James Mulholland. (www.phillipgulleybooks.com)

Simon Armitage, award-winning author from Great Britain, is best known for his poetry collections, including: Killing Time, The Universal Home Doctor and Travelling Songs. He has also written for radio, television and film and published two novels. (www.simonarmitage.com)

Maggi Gordon is an author, editor, collector and quilt maker with a special interest in the history of quilts and quilt making. She worked as an editor specializing in craft subjects. This experience and life long passion led to her writing a collection of books on sewing and quilting including The Ultimate Sewing Book and American Folk Art Quilts. (www.maggigordon.com)

Victoria Houston, a native of 'up-north' Wisconsin, is known for her up north fishing mysteries, like Dead Creek and recently released Dead Hot Shot, which are based on the settings and characters of her childhood. Houston says the lakes and culture of northern Wisconsin make for a great setting for her novels. (www.victoriahouston.com)

Leslie Kagen is New York Times Best-Selling author. After experiencing much of the country, she moved back to her hometown, Milwaukee, and after her children grew up, pursued her love of writing. Her books include the hugely popular Whistling in the Dark and Land of a Hundred Wonders. (www.lesleykagen.com)

Debra Morningstar is an Oneida storyteller of the Native story, song and spirit. Performing has always been a part of her life, and today, she weaves tribal stories and drumming into an entertaining and educational cultural presentation. Her presentations are an enlightening as well as engaging for adults and children. (www.debramorningstar.com)

Lowell Peterson is an Appleton resident and Vietnam War veteran. His books include The Sun Rose Clear-Stories of World War II; A River, Green Grass, and Fences-Stories of a Childhood; and The Birds Were Silver Then-Stories of the Vietnam Air War. Peterson is currently a cardiologist at the Appleton Heart Institute.

Jess Riley, Wisconsin native, spent much of her childhood sitting at her desk during lunch hour for lying and/or passing notes during class, both of which qualified her for a possible future as a novelist. Jess graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 1998 with dual degrees in English and history and completed her first novel, Driving Sideways, in 2005. (www.jessriley.com)