A school librarian in Goshen, Deena Albietz, asked me if I knew other young adult or children’s authors who live in Indiana. (I do!) The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) maintains a list, but not all authors are members of the SCBWI. (They should be, though; membership is totally worth it.) Rather than typing everyone I can think of into an email to her, I figured I’d type it here so that others can benefit from the list. If I’ve forgotten anyone (I’m certain that I have), leave me a comment and I’ll add her/his name to the list. I’m limiting the list to authors or illustrators of young adult and children’s books who currently live in Indiana. I’m also limiting it to authors published traditionally or whose self-published work I’m familiar with. (There’s a lot of great self-published work out there, but there’s also some that never should have been published at all. I’m only comfortable promoting the former.) I’ve placed authors into three categories somewhat arbitrarily; many of them write for multiple ages. There’s a far more comprehensive list here: http://childrensauthors.in.gov/, although it includes some authors who are no longer writing or speaking, have moved away from the state, or have passed away.

Young Adult Authors

Shannon Lee Alexander
Skila Brown
Helen Frost
Laurie Gray
John Green
Christine Johnson
Julia Karr
Rob Kent
Alina Kline
Saundra Mitchell
Margaret McMullan
Mike Mullin
Annette Oppenlander
Tracy Richardson
Sarah J. Schmitt
Barbara Shoup
Francesca Zappia

Middle Grade Authors

John David Anderson
Troy Cummings
Sara K. Joiner
Laura Martin
Jeff Stone

Picture Book Authors and/or Illustrators

Nathan Clement
Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Claire Ewart
Valiska Gregory
Donna Griffin
Angie Karcher
Elsa Marston
Janna Mathies
April Pulley Sayre
Kristi Valiant