Join local authors for our next Author Expo on Saturday, September 27, 12pm-2pm!

These expos are free events for authors and attendees where local authors meet the community and offer signings for a 2-hour period.

Each author is provided a table, which will be their space to converse, market, and sign their works during the expo.

Featured Authors for September 2025

J.M. Williger

K. R. S. McEntire
Tony Spataro

Become an Author for the Expo!

Those interested in participating in an Author Expo must be willing to have their books sold on consignment through Indy Reads. If you are interested in being a featured author during an Author Expo, please contact us at bookstore@indyreads.org. All applications to table at this Expo must be received no later than September 7, 2025. We are excited to host you!

About J.M. Williger

J. M. Williger, a new author originally from Porter, Indiana, makes his debut with The Rites of Iron, the first novel in The Trials of Gnash series. Before he started writing fantasy, J.M. earned his bachelor’s in Kinesiology from Indiana University. After that, he spent some time working with IU Health Bloomington’s Cardiopulmonary Rehab Program, before moving to Indianapolis, where he now works with ATI Physical Therapy.

About The Rites of Iron

The Rushali Desert is many things–a swirling tempest of red sand, an arid landscape scoured by incredible heat, and a breeding ground for dangerous beasts. But for Gnash, a young warrior raised in a tribe of wandering nomads, the desert is simply home.

Through the Rites of Iron, a coming-of-age ceremony for young warriors in his tribe, Gnash discovers what it means to be truly strong as he fights through the perils of his desolate homeland.

About K. R. S. McEntire

K. R. S. McEntire hails from the generation that dashed through platform 9 ¾, fell in love with vegetarian vampires and motorcycle-riding werewolves, and helped take down a

corrupt government during the Hunger Games. With a background in Journalism and Public Relations, McEntire is always sharing stories. She runs the Facebook page Diverse Books With Magic, where she promotes diversity in speculative fiction. She is the author of the YA dystopian trilogy The Eden Saga and the NA fantasy A Dance of Blood and Destiny. McEntire lives in Indianapolis with her husband and two sons. Connect with her online at krsmcentire.com.

About Saving Eden
Sixteen-year-old Angela thinks she and her father are the last survivors on Earth. She dreams of adventure and romance but only finds it in books. In the confines of her garden paradise, she’s untouched by contaminants that caused the rest of humanity to mutate into murderous beasts or die. But the lure of the outside world is irresistible.

When a seventeen-year-old boy stumbles upon Angela’s home with news about a thriving community, she dares to leave her garden for the first time. The dystopian society that she finds is deadlier than she expected, and the wardens tasked with protecting the settlement have murderous secrets. Does she have what it takes to stay alive and save humanity in the process?

The Hunger Games meets The Darkest Minds in a thrilling coming-of-age adventure.

About That Girl Who Ran Off and Kissed a Vampire

Eighteen-year-old Raven has always had a plan: college, a stable job, and marriage to her high school sweetheart—all within the safe boundaries of her comfort zone. As a neurodivergent girl adopted into a family of high achievers, she understands the importance of stability. But when a single disastrous day leaves her without a job, her best friend, or her boyfriend, Raven’s carefully planned future unravels.

Desperate for a fresh start, Raven takes a leap of faith in the form of a mysterious job offer that lands her in a magical realm where humans coexist with fae, dragons, vampires, and other fantastical creatures.  Her unlikely guide is Hunter, a snarky and secretive vampire who insists her bloodline holds the key to breaking an ancient curse.

Reluctantly, Raven agrees to help, embarking on a quest filled with impromptu hip-hip concerts in medieval taverns, sassy talking unicorns, and growing feelings for Hunter. But as sparks fly, so do her suspicions about his true intentions. To save a kingdom—and herself—Raven must uncover the secrets of her heritage and decide if she’s willing to risk everything for a magical world and a love that feels too impossible to be real.

About Tony Spataro

Tony Spataro grew up in rural Indiana before moving to Fort Wayne for college, finally landing in Indianapolis where he has lived for more than 20 years. He is a fine artist, a writer and a self-proclaimed music and coffee snob. His collection of new and used vinyl is one of his most prized possessions.

He has dealt with anxiety, depression and spiraling thoughts for most of his life but through therapy and his art, he manages it. He has come to embrace his mental health as a part of his life and not something he has to battle daily.

He has been married to his wonderful wife for more than 15 years and they have two creative kids together. They reside on the northeast side of Indy.

Tony Spataro published his first book, My. Mind. Races. in 2021 and since that time has been published in several books and recently released his new poetry collection, Little.Controlled.Fires.

Tony is a co-founder of the poetry/writers collective, Indy Untitled (@indyuntitled), which hosts an open mic/workshop and published its first poetry zine in early 2025.

You can find more about him on Instagram @little.controlled.fires

About My. Mind. Races.  

My mom, Diane, died when I was only 6, from cancer. This one event shaped much of who I’d become over the next 40-some years. Who knows how my life would have been different had this terrible disease not taken her from me? I consider it sometimes, but don’t ponder too long. Frankly, if I’m being honest, I am happy with who I’ve become. Sure, I struggle with depression, anxiety and other mental issues that come with a less-than-ideal childhood. But I’ve come to learn to not only deal with them, but I also now have the tools to overcome them. That wasn’t always the case. I don’t know if my mind ever stood a chance.

My. Mind. Races. is a deeply personal look into love unrequited, depression, anxiety and struggles with alcoholism. Coming to terms with my own issues. In between the poems, I’ve included some complex doodles created especially for this book. These doodles represent my mind, giving you a feel for how it “races.” Feel free to color them in and tag me on social media. Let me see what you’ve come up with. You can find me on Instagram @little.controlled.fires.

I want this book to be a starting point for conversations about your own struggles. This isn’t an end game, but a beginning. I can tell you, putting your heart out in the world is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do, but I truly believe that if those who struggle with mental health issues don’t speak up, others will feel alone in their own pain. Share your story! You never know when someone else needs to hear it.

About Little.Controlled.Fires

Little.Controlled.Fires. is my post-covid journey from hitting rock bottom to finding life after a mental health breakdown. The aftershocks of the pandemic were hard felt and long lasting. During this time, I saw my anxiety and depression start to consume me in ways I never thought possible. I lost my father and others who were close to me and my family. I was in my darkest period, but it was through therapy and writing that I saw a light and a path forward. I found myself rediscovering what makes me happy. I challenged myself to embrace the me I was meant to be, looked at art as a weapon and a shield, and decided to start living fully.

It is my hope that my words will help others know that you are not alone.

This event is Pay-What-You-Can. Here’s what your suggested donation can do for the Indy Reads community:

FREE – This ticket is for attendees that would like to attend this event and are unable to purchase a ticket. Indy Reads values our community and facilitators. We are proud to provide programming to all. Thank you for being a part of our community!

$10 – This donation covers the cost of one attendee to this event. Indy Reads strives to bring the very best programming to Fountain Square and all Hoosiers. Thank you for helping us to keep our quality programs accessible for all!

$20 – This donation covers the cost of two attendees to this event. If you are attending as an individual, your ticket at this level makes it possible for another who cannot afford a ticket to attend. It is only through the generosity of our community that we are able to support programs that enrich the lives of all Hoosiers. Thank you for your support!

Other – “Pay-What-You-Can” really does mean pay what you can. Indy Reads appreciates that every one of our community members is able to support our vision of 100% literacy for all in different ways. Whether you can pay $5 or $50, we are so excited to see you – and thank you for your support!