Orlando Book Festival 2025

A Daylong Celebration of Books

Join us for panels and talks from authors from all over the state and a keynote from New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer.

Register to attend the keynote and receive email updates.

Panel Schedule

Participating Literary Organizations

Author Community & Collaboration

3rd Floor – Albertson Room
Authors: Vivi Barnes, Amy Christine Parker, Christina Farley
Moderator: Ana Siqueira

Building an author community is vital to longevity in publishing. These authors will discuss how they collaborate with each other and build their writing community.

The Ties That Bind: Relationships in Literature

2nd Floor – Melrose Stage
Authors: David James Poissant, CI Jerez, Phyllis Biffle Elmore
Moderator: The Vulgar Geniuses

Friends, lovers, parents, enemies, coworkers – relationships are a central theme in many books. These authors will discuss the importance of relationships in their work.

Keeping the Mystery Alive

3rd Floor – Albertson Room
Authors: Sarah Zachrich Jeng, Raquel V. Reyes, SK Golden
Moderator: Lori Gold

Crafting a mystery requires skillful storytelling. These authors will discuss the techniques they use to keep readers engaged and guessing.

Romancing the Book

2nd Floor – Melrose Stage
Authors: Racquel Henry, Eliza Knight, Kait Ballenger
Moderator: Laura Helseth

Romance is the best-selling literary genre in the world. Come chat with the authors who make readers swoon.

Publishing Tell-All

3rd Floor – Albertson Room
Authors: Sarah Penner, Ana Siqueira, Lori Gold, Rochelle B. Weinstein, Sophia Gholz
Moderator: Jennie Jarvis

Five authors share their behind-the-scenes knowledge and experience. Ask anything you want to know about the publishing process and industry.

Tension & Twists

2nd Floor – Melrose Stage
Authors: Raquel V. Reyes, Ginny Myers Sain, Gaby Triana
Moderator: Eliza Knight

Tension is the secret to both hooking and holding the reader. These authors will discuss how they craft delicious tension in their books.

Brad Meltzer is the Emmy-nominated, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lightning Rod, The Escape Artist, and eleven other bestselling thrillers. He also writes non-fiction books like The JFK Conspiracy, about a secret plot to kill JFK before he was sworn in – and the Ordinary People Change the World kids book series, which he does with Chris Eliopoulos and inspired the PBS KIDS TV show, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. His newest inspirational book is Make Magic, based on his viral commencement address. He is also the host of Brad Meltzer’s Lost History and Brad Meltzer’s Decoded on the History Channel.

Registration is required to attend the keynote. All registrants must claim their wristband no later than 1:30pm.

Policy for Brad Meltzer Book Signing:

  • Brad Meltzer will sign until 4:30 or his line empties, whichever comes first
  • Limit two items per person
  • No posed photos will be allowed

Authors and panels subject to change.

Brad Meltzer

Brad Meltzer is the Emmy-nominated, #1 New York Times bestselling author of bestselling thrillers, non-fiction for adults and kids, and inspirational books.

Kait Ballenger

Kait Ballenger is an award-winning romantasy author obsessed with morally gray heroes, spicy redemption arcs, and paranormal tales. She lives in Florida with her husband and two sons.

Vivi Barnes

Vivi Barnes is the author of young adult books Olivia Twisted, Olivia Decoded, and Paper or Plastic as well as co-author of the middle-grade novel The Thief of Time.

Phyllis Biffle Elmore

Ms. Elmore is an Amazon Best Selling author and was awarded the Library Journal’s Best Book of 2022. She received her M.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Denver.

Christina Farley

Christina Farley writes romantic fantasy adventures inspired by her travels. When not wandering the world or creating imaginary ones, she spends time with her family in Florida.

Sophia Gholz

Sophia Gholz is a multi-award-winning author whose titles include The Boy Who Grew a Forest, Bug on the Rug, ARLO, and more. When she’s not writing, you can find Sophia reading or exploring the outdoors.

Lori Gold

Lori Gold is the author of the forthcoming Romantic Friction. Under Lori Goldstein, she published the adult historical, Love, Theodosia and four novels for young adults.

S.K. Golden

SK Golden writes cozy mysteries and crime capers. She was born and raised in the Florida Keys and still lives on the islands with her family.

Racquel Henry

Racquel Henry is a Trinidadian writer, editor, and writing coach. She also owns the writing studio, Writer’s Atelier, and is the editor of Black Fox Literary Magazine.

Sarah Zachrich Jeng

Sarah Zachrich Jeng is a graduate of the University of Florida and writes novels that combine suspense with the speculative. Her most recent book is When I’m Her.

C.I. Jerez

C.I. Jerez’s debut novel, At the Island’s Edge, released 3/18/2025. She is a proudly Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Irish, and loves showcasing strong Latina protagonists. She lives in Central Florida.

Eliza Knight

Eliza Knight is a USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction and contemporary women’s fiction (as Michelle Brandon). She’s a history enthusiast, podcast host, and wine lover. Eliza lives on the Suncoast.

Amy Christine Parker

Amy Christine Parker is the author of five critically acclaimed young adult thrillers: Gated, Astray, Smash & Grab, Flight 171, and You’re Dead to Me and a travel enthusiast, rabid movie watcher, and horror lover.

Sarah Penner

Sarah Penner is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of three novels. Her debut, The Lost Apothecary, has sold over one million copies worldwide.

David James Poissant

David James Poissant is the author of the award-winning story collection The Heaven of Animals and the novel Lake Life. He teaches in the MFA program at the University of Central Florida.

Raquel V. Reyes

Raquel V. Reyes’ Cuban-American heritage, Miami, and Spanglish feature prominently in her work. Mango, Mambo, and Murder, the first in the series, is in production to become the TV series “Miami Spice.”

Ginny Myers Sain

Ginny Myers Sain is the New York Times bestselling author of Dark and Shallow Lies (2021), Secrets So Deep (2022), One Last Breath (2024), and When the Bones Sing (2025) all from Penguin Teen.

Ana Siqueira

Ana Siqueira is a Spanish-language teacher and an award-winning children’s book author based in Tampa, Florida. Her books include La Mala Suerte is Following Me, Vera la Valiente is Scared, Mami’s Heart, If Your Abuelo is an Astronaut, among others.

Gaby Triana

Gaby Triana is the bestselling Cuban-American author of 24 books in YA and adult horror, including Wake the Hollow, Moon Child, Island of Bones, River of Ghosts, and many more.

Rochelle Weinstein

Rochelle Weinstein is the USA Today/Amazon bestselling author of eight novels. She’s the monthly book contributor for AQUA Magazine and splits her time between South Florida and the Carolina mountains.