Meet the Authors
Alane Adams
Award-Winning Children's Author
Alane Adams is a children’s author and founder of the Rise Up Foundation. She is a former university professor and Chief Financial Officer with a Master’s Degree in Diplomacy.
As a children’s literacy advocate, Alane travels the country visiting schools to talk to kids about Reading is a Superpower. Alane is also a speaker and presenter, and has delivered keynote speeches on the writing process.
Alane’s award-winning titles include the Legend’s of Orkney™ Norse-mythology middle grade series, the Witches of Orkney prequel series, and a series of historical fiction picturebooks that include The Coal Thief, The Egg Thief, The Santa Thief, and The Circus Thief. Alane’s books have won multiple awards, including SCBWI’s Spark Award for Best Picturebook; Moonbeam Children Awards Gold Medal Best Juvenile Series; Benjamin Franklin Gold Winner Young Children’s Fiction; IPPY Gold Medal Winner Holiday Book; USA Best Book Awards Best Children’s Books.
Learn more at www.alaneadams.com
Gladys Elizabeth Barbieri
Bilingual (English/Spanish) Children's Author & Educator
My name is Gladys Elizabeth Barbieri. I am a first-grade teacher, dreamer, bilingual children’s author, hopeless romantic, a forever student, and an avid reader. When I see a star I make a wish. I am fascinated by how little people learn to read, acquire language, and use these skills to become budding writers. I know that all children are capable of learning. It is just a matter of finding the right fit for that particular student to ignite the spark of wonder. I love picture books and the beautiful life lessons they impart. I hope that through my picture books, we remember to be gentler, kinder and more accepting of one another.
website: http://www.chuchosbooks.com/
Author page on facebook: Chucho’s Books: Gladys Elizabeth Barbieri
blog: https://gebarbieri.wordpress.com/
Jeanne Bender
Children's Book Author
Children’s Book Author Jeanne Bender is writing an adorable beginning chapter book series titled the Lindie Lou Adventure Series. The realistic fiction stories, a collaboration with editor Nancy Kiefer who is also a literary consultant and creative writing coach, are about an adorable puppy named Lindie Lou who travels to different places around the world. During her travels, Lindie Lou learns important life lessons. She is brave, persistent, and survives life’s challenges during her adventures.
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Book 1, Flying High, introduces Bender’s real life puppy named Lindie Lou Peek-a-boo as the main character. In this book, Lindie Lou learns to overcome her fears when she flies on an airplane for the very first time. Additional books teach lessons including friendship, loyalty, honesty, bravery, and more. The Lindie Lou Adventure Series now qualifies for classroom literacy programs, and also supports social studies, science, technology, library, and with the Lindie Lou Song, music curriculums.
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“Readers can experience many amazing things when they open a Lindie Lou book,” says Bender. “Come along for the ride! You’ll meet some fun characters, read about amazing places, and learn some life lessons along the way.”
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Author Bender travels to every location her books take place in. Her goal is to encourage children through the “wonder of words”. She feels her stories can teach, entertain, and transport readers to amazing places without ever leaving the room.
* G. Brian Benson
Award-Winning & #1 Best-Selling Author
G. Brian Benson’s mission is to wake up the world with conscious, thought-provoking media that inspires. In 2008, Brian followed a hunch and left his family’s business, stepping into the unknown. Ever since inspiration has followed. Letting intuition be his guide, he began to step out of his comfort zone and unexpected paths and talents started to emerge such as writing, acting, and crafting stories. Tapping into this emerging creativity, Brian began his own hero’s journey of self-realization and growth, which continues to influence his empowering and inspiring books, films, and presentations.
“I have always felt driven to create positive media. When I was three years old, I told my mother that I was ‘put here to inspire people.’In some ways, I feel like I have always known my life’s mission. And it really came out front and center after I left my family business. I love to empower others to identify their own unique gifts and gain self-awareness.”
Brian an award-winning and Amazon #1 best-selling author, life coach, radio personality, actor, filmmaker, and TEDx speaker, knows the value of trusting intuition and wants to share his own personal journey of self-growth, discovery and accomplishment to help others re-connect with their own personal truths to live an authentic and fulfilling life. As a 4x Ironman triathlete and cross-country bicyclist, Brian knows the value of hard work and never giving up on his dreams.
Brian lives in Los Angeles, CA.
* Angie Flores
Award-Winning Author
Angie Flores is a mother of three, and a Hollywood native who calls the South Bay of Los Angeles her home. With a degree in Child Psychology and a career in Human Resources Angie felt the need to complete her own story as an Author. Influenced by the love of her supportive husband and sharing special moments with her children, Angie set off to follow her dream of writing children’s picture books.
Cub’s Wish is her first solo book, which quickly became a multiple award winner, and holds 5 star reviews with Readers Favorite, Good Reads, and more. Cub's Wish has made its mark as a thoughtful bonding book that brings out the sweet moments of conversation between care giver and child, and the understanding that sometimes we all need a little guidance to achieve our dreams. Cub’s Wish is a picture book for 3-8 year olds and is available in English, Spanish and French, as well as Braille, with more languages to come.
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Featured in several podcasts, radio shows, and YouTube segments, as well a feature story on the Torrance Cable show Faces of Torrance, and in L.A. Voyage Magazine, Angie speaks on the importance of parental inclusion and reading to your children. Angie enjoys sharing her message at schools, group events, and festivals.
Angie can be found online at www.angiefloresbooks.com and on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at @AngieFloresBooks.
Elizabeth Gorcey
Author, Actor, Director, Producer, and Painter
Elizabeth Gorcey is a writer, actor, director,
producer, and painter with a passion for
documentary narrative and multi-media
projects. Her latest creation, the
award winning children’s book series,
Liv on Life (LOL) is told from the point of
view of her daughter, Olivia. The LOL
books include Going to the Park, Green is
Good, and Read, Read & Read.
Olivia Aka “Liv”
Liv is not only the inspiration for the LOL series but she works alongside her mother on every aspect of the series. Her ‘Liv-ism” - or words of wisdom - have inspired many. When not at school you will find Olivia playing the piano, composing, reading, drawing or playing with her doggie.
Raven Howell
Children's Author & Poet
Raven Howell writes stories and poetry for children. Having published several
award-winning picture books, she enjoys sharing her love of literature by visiting classrooms and libraries. She presents poetry and writing workshops for children in the Northeast, from Maine to the Carolinas. Raven is Creative & Publishing Advisor for RedClover Reader, Poetry Director for Monster Magnificent, and writes The Book Bug column for Story Monsters Ink magazine. Her poems are found in children’s magazines such as Ladybug, Spider, Highlights for Children, Humpty Dumpty, and Hello Magazine.
Raven continues to find every-day enchantment and surprise to inspire her creative work. Some of her previous children’s books have been written to benefit autistic and dyslexic communities, and the universal message of love and kindness is close to her heart.
Barbara Lieberman
Author and Inspirational Speaker
Barbara Lieberman is a writer whose books are about the power of words, the power of love, and the consequences of the choices we make. Other themes explored include perseverance, believing in your dreams, and imagination.
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Her titles include The Treasure of Ravenwood: A Fairy Tale, Ben’s Little Acorn, Why Does The Moon Follow Me, and Dragonmarsh. She has been voted one of the 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading for 2015 and 2016 and The Treasure of Ravenwood by Barbara Lieberman has been voted to the top 40 Best Chapter Books for Young Girls List on Goodreads.
