2023 Spring Conference

Mindy McGinnis, 2022-2023 Gateway Final Nominee Author (Be Not Far From Me)

Mindy McGinnis is the author of multiple novels that span many genres. From historical to fantasy, contemporary to gothic thriller, you can always count on Mindy’s books to deliver grit, truth, and an unflinching look at humanity and the world around us.A ninth-generation farmer, Mindy attributes much of her character to growing up on an Ohio farm, learning the value of physical labor, and the harshness of the natural world early in life. Much of her writing reflects small-town living and aspects of rural poverty. A former school librarian, Mindy still lives and works in her hometown, and is dedicated to making herself available to financially disadvantaged school districts and communities.Mindy has done multiple interviews and guest posts over the years, and has been featured on such outlets as NPR and PBS. She’s also been a guest on a myriad of podcasts, blogs, and websites, many of which can be viewed below.

Terry Border, 2022-2023 Show Me Final Nominee Author (Scaredy Snacks!)

Terry Border worked in the commercial photography industry for a dozen years before leaving it to follow more artistic ambitions. He began what he calls Bent Objects (anthropomorphizing everyday objects and foods by adding wire arms and legs) in 2006. Since then he has published two collections of Bent Objects images, and used a form of the project to create seven children’s books. Some of the places Mr. Border has lectured about his work are the New York Times building, Brazil, and Korea, where his work has been in several solo exhibitions. He lives with his wife, cat, and rescue dog in Greenwood, Indiana.

April Henry, 2023-2024 Truman Prelim Nominee Author (Eyes of the Forest)

New York Times-bestselling author April Henry knows how to kill you in a two-dozen different ways. She makes up for a peaceful childhood in an intact home by killing off fictional characters. There was one detour on April’s path to destruction:  when she was 12 she sent a short story about a six-foot tall frog who loved peanut butter to noted children’s author Roald Dahl. He liked it so much he showed it to his editor, who asked if she could publish it in Puffin Post, an international children’s magazine. By the time April was in her 30s, she had started writing about hit men, kidnappers, and drug dealers. She has published 26 mysteries and thrillers for teens and adults, with more to come. She is known for meticulously researching her novels to get the details right. 

James Ponti, 2022-2023 Mark Twain Final Nominee Author (City Spies)

James Ponti is the New York Times Bestselling author of three Middle Grade book series: City Spies, about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 Spy Team; The Edgar Award-winning Framed! series, about a pair of tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, D.C.; and the Dead City trilogy, about a secret society that polices the undead living beneath Manhattan. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida.