Greater Central Valley Book Fest
A one-day literary and arts festival · Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 Central Ave, Tracy, CA · November 1, 2026 · 11 AM – 5 PM
Our featured bookstores
2026 Featured Authors & Illustrators
Featured Author
Journey Celese is a writer, college student, and advocate whose life has been shaped by resilience, faith, and an unwavering commitment to truth. After surviving childhood trauma, she chose not to let pain have the final word.
Featured Author — Unapologetic Leadership: Unleashing Your Inner Warrior
Dr. Nancy Diane Young's leadership in the Tracy community is defined by a passionate belief in the power of connection. After a distinguished 12-year tenure on the Tracy City Council, she served as Tracy's first African American and first elected female mayor.
Featured Author — AJ & Rudy: The Soccer Field Surprise
Kaylee Molien holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Legal Studies and plans to pursue law school in the future. Married to her high school sweetheart, Kaylee has had a front-row seat to life with chronic illness and spent years learning to navigate it alongside him.
Featured Author — Sus heridas, mi legado: Sanando a mi madre en mí
Elodia Puga is the author of the memoir Sus heridas, mi legado: Sanando a mi madre en mí (Her Pain, My Legacy: Healing My Mother Within Me), a deeply personal story about the wounds passed from one generation to the next and the possibility of choosing a different path.
Featured Author — Strong Black Women who desire SOFFNESS & Still His
Dr. Charlene AkuaRose Feathers is an Oakland-born author, empowerment speaker, coach, and life strategist whose work explores wellness, liberation, healing, and the courage to define ourselves for ourselves. She holds a Ph.D. in Human Development with a concentration in Traumatology Counseling.
Featured Author — Contemporary Romance
Rumor has it Bonnie began telling stories at a very early age. Photos exist of the author toddling around the corner of the house covered in mud babbling about magic rabbits leading her through the garden. Her parents were amused — until they discovered she'd walked across the newly poured cement patio.
Featured Poet — SOAP: A Cleansing of the Soul and a Bath of Self-Realization
Alexis Monique is a visionary entrepreneur, author, and poet whose work speaks to healing, self-discovery, and the strength of women. Her debut book, SOAP: A Cleansing of the Soul and a Bath of Self-Realization, is an interactive poetry journal that invites readers to pause, reflect, and write their way toward wholeness.
Featured Author — Author of four books
Dr. Quincy K. Ruffin is the author of The Bridge-Shield Paradox: How Institutions Survive by Sacrificing the People Who Hold Them Together, which asks, "Who protects the people holding everything together?"; Hot Potato: A Law Enforcement Guide to Understanding and Managing Encounters with Youth; Cultural Current for Law Enforcement Leaders: Applying Cultural Current Theory to Strengthen Police Organizations; and The AI Paradox: How Culture, Code, and Control Collide.
Featured Author — Now I See Clearly • Middle Maddy • Middle Maddy's Mad Summer
Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Robin Reed-Poindexter relocated to Northern California, where she spent 31 years with the City of Richmond Fire Department, becoming the first African American Deputy on the West Coast and the first woman Chief Officer in the department. Now a retired Deputy Fire Marshal, she is the author behind Runaway Reader and the books Now I See Clearly, Middle Maddy, and Middle Maddy's Mad Summer. Her three children and three grandchildren inspire her stories, which she loves sharing at elementary schools, community events, and children's bookstores.
Featured Author — Somewhere Along the Way I Lost My Worth
Shavocki Fulcher is the author of Somewhere Along the Way I Lost My Worth, a very transparent urban memoir about how sometimes loyalty can cost you yourself. Piece by piece, through love, life, relationships, choices, and simply trying to hold everything together, you can lose sight of your own worth without even realizing it. The book is raw, honest, and personal, and it includes what she calls Raw Reflections, spoken word pieces throughout that capture some of the emotions and lessons behind the story. Shavocki lives in Manteca, right here in the Central Valley.
Featured Author — Hazy Obsession • The Fog Series
Janeen Andrus is a contemporary romance author from California's Central Valley and the author of The Fog Series. Her stories explore complicated relationships, imperfect choices, and love in all its messy forms. Her debut novel, Hazy Obsession, was followed by Clouded Intentions, with more stories currently in the works. When she isn't writing, Janeen is an avid reader, former professional baker, and mom of six — meaning quiet writing time is both precious and occasionally mythical.
Featured Author — Your First Position: The Honest Work of Becoming You
Jadell Lee is an author, TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, and leadership educator whose work centers on personal responsibility, emotional maturity, faith, and intentional leadership. He is the author of Your First Position: The Honest Work of Becoming You, a book that challenges readers to move beyond performance and take ownership of who they are becoming. Jadell is also the CEO of Elevate Convention, a dance education and competition platform, and has spent years as an international dance educator, choreographer, and adjunct professor, including teaching at Seton Hill University and guest lecturing at Southern Utah University. Today, he also serves as a College Advising Mentor Specialist with Improve Your Tomorrow, supporting young men in their academic, personal, and leadership development.
Featured Author — Author, Mentor & Motivational Speaker
Jason Samuel is the author of Don't Do It, a powerful book centered on choices, consequences, redemption, healing, and second chances. Drawing from his own journey — from incarceration and adversity to education, entrepreneurship, mentoring, and community service — Jason uses his story to show others that their past does not have to determine their future. His message, "You Always Have the Choice to Walk Away," encourages young people and adults to walk away from violence, negative influences, destructive habits, and decisions that can change their lives forever. Today, Jason works as a mentor, motivational speaker, restorative-justice advocate, entrepreneur, and founder of the Don't Do It movement. Featured in 'Officer Down' on CNN with Van Jones.
Featured Author — The Hidden Gem: A Coming of Teenage Story
An avid reader since age 11, A. L. Simien knew by high school that she had a story to tell. As a young adult, she advocated for trauma victims, volunteered as a telephone crisis counselor, and advocated for youth in foster care. After nearly three decades in public-sector administration and management, she retired and spent two years writing her first novel, the young adult book The Hidden Gem. She continues to mentor teenage girls and women, and is now writing her second novel, with a focus on books that open the door to conversations about abuse, neglect, and isolation.
Featured Author — Tears of the Game, Game Changers & more
Angie Liddell is the author of a growing catalog of fiction, including the Tears of the Game series, Love No Limit, Game Changers, White Collar Hustle, He Said, She Said, Maine Attraction, and Remember Who You Are, plus the Shades of Us coloring book. She is also the CEO of Black Essenza Publishing, where she helps writers turn their stories into published books. Stop by her table to browse her titles and get your copies signed.
Featured Author — Here I Am, Volume 1
Ronique Marshall is a celebrity author and television producer. She is the author of Here I Am, Volume 1, written as told to Coco Wade.
Featured Author — Say It Loud! I'm Bald and I'm Proud
Charlotte Walker is a published author of Say It Loud! I'm Bald and I'm Proud — an empowering adult coloring book celebrating confidence, beauty, and bold self-expression.
Featured Author — Children's Book Author · Hidden pictures in every book
Valerie B. Lynn has fond memories of being read to by her mom, grandma, and others. She writes the type of books she loves — Children's Books! Books that draw readers in with bright colors and characters. A big fan of hidden pictures, all of her books feature hidden pictures for you to find as you read the story.
Featured Author — From Chicken Poop to Soup · Founder, SIPS Healthcare Solutions
Karen Cherry-Brown is an inspiring author, public servant, and healthcare entrepreneur dedicated to empowering the next generation. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she overcame extreme poverty, childhood adversity, and systematic professional barriers to build a multi-million-dollar empire as the founder of SIPS Healthcare Solutions. With over 40 years of operational expertise, her corporate journey reflects deep resilience, evolving from a frontline technician into a national industry leader.
Featured Author — Thriller Author · Don't Talk to Strangers · Don't Play with Matches · Don't Turn Your Back
Chell~Linn Araya loves writing fast-paced thrillers that keep her readers up way past their bedtime. She creates stories filled with characters that readers care about, creepy villains that simply must be stopped, and plot twists that almost make the pages turn themselves.
Featured Author — Begin With Awareness · Mind.Body.Edit™
Brette Julian is the author of Begin With Awareness: Learning to Notice Yourself Again in a Distracted World and founder of Mind.Body.Edit™.
Featured Author — Author · Veteran · Military Spouse · The Open Heart of a Military Spouse and Veteran
Christina Angle is a Veteran, Military Spouse, Army Mom, and Mother. She holds a master's degree in organizational psychology and has worked as a human resource professional for over 12 years within the United States military and three government agencies.
Featured Poet — While in Mourning · Chillona · borracha
Ellie Lopez (she/her) is a storyteller from Tracy, CA. Her poetry has been featured in numerous publications, most recently Mobile Data Mag and KALW Bay Poets. She has been featured at Medicine for Nightmares Poets in the Window Series, Tracy's Word Bubbles, LitHop and SF Night of Ideas, just to name a few.
Featured Author — RVT · Author of Canis, Book One: Alone
Kaylen Lafferty is a Registered Veterinary Technician and author who has been an animal lover her entire life — so much so that she dedicated her career to animals and is currently pursuing certification as a dog trainer.
Featured Author — Author · Mother · Community Advocate
Emani' Lewis is an author, mother, and community advocate who believes that stories have the power to challenge perspectives, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire change. Born and raised in the Bay Area and now rooted in Stockton, Emani' has built a career centered on people, connection, and strengthening communities through her work in education, human resources, and public service.
Featured Author — "Lady Soul" · Singer · Songwriter · Author of Gimme My Joy Back
Monica Faith Walker is an Oakland-born native who comes from a family of 9. As a child, Monica always loved to sing, often echoing the songs of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey because she loved the high notes they reached. She also wrote poetry, and the combination of singing and writing became a unique blend in her music career.
Featured Author — Queer Romance Novelist · Author of Sincerely, Sarabeth
Succoryne Nex is a queer romance novelist living in Sacramento with their spouse and tiny dog. They draw inspiration from VC Andrews, Chuck Tingle, and Stephen King, weaving together romance, eroticism and humor, and tying it all up in a big, queer bow.
Featured Author — Children's Author · Peawee the Peacock Series
Adaurie Stemshorn is a children's book author who lives on a farm, where the true story behind her book began: a tiny chicken named Susan who raised a baby peacock named Peawee.
Featured Author & Workshop Presenter — The Black Cape Case Files & Northland Mysteries
Awarded Pulp Detective's Best Newcomer of 2015, Matt Abraham currently lives in Stockton, California where he splits his time between being a father, husband, and author. He is finishing his series The Black Cape Case Files, which follows Dane Curse, a former villain turned PI, as he navigates the powered underbelly of Gold Coast City, and Northland Mysteries which stars Detective Jake Carter and his partner Dr. Nafissa Rayan. His books include Petty, Greedy & Evil, The Coconut Swindle, Old Debts, and Dane Curse.
Featured Author — Author · Traveler · Storyteller · Affairs to Remember · A SouthWest Connection
Born and raised in California, Rayna Sun pours her colorful imagination into her stories to the delight of her readers. When she is not reading, this free spirit can be found skipping across the globe, trying to discover as many places and people as her passport will allow.
Community programming · Jefferson School District
Voices of the Valley is a short story competition for students in grades 3–8 across the Jefferson School District. This year's theme is "What Matters to You?" — stories were due by , and winners will be presented on stage by Mayor Dan Arriola at the Book Fest on .
Winners receive cash prizes and gifts, a certificate, and free festival tickets for their family. Thanks to Sutter Health for sponsoring the prizes. Every story submitted may also be printed in a real book alongside stories from authors and writers in our community.
Recognized live at the festival ·
Grades 3 – 5
ElementaryTo be announced at the festival
Grades 6 – 8
Middle SchoolTo be announced at the festival
| Grade Level | Division | Winner | Story Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 – 5 | Elementary | To be announced at the festival | — |
| 6 – 8 | Middle School | To be announced at the festival | — |
Winners will be updated here after the November 1 ceremony. Download the full competition proposal for complete program details.
Our Foundation
01Building readers and lifelong learners
02Every voice matters, every story belongs
03Celebrating creativity across every medium
04Where stories bring people together
Our Vision
"To establish the Greater Central Valley Book Fest as California's premier celebration of stories, literacy, arts, and community — an annual destination where readers, writers, artists, educators, and families gather to learn, create, connect, and inspire one another."
Our Mission
To celebrate stories in every form by promoting literacy, supporting authors and artists, fostering creativity, and strengthening communities across California's Greater Central Valley.
Programming Scope
Authors & Writers
Illustrators
Playwrights & Theater
Filmmakers
Spoken Word Artists
Educators & Librarians
Poets
Musicians & Performers
Why Tracy?
Tracy sits at the heart of California's Central Valley — a region of extraordinary cultural diversity, deep agricultural roots, and a growing creative community that deserves its own literary stage. With the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts as our home, we have a world-class venue that reflects the ambition and spirit of this festival.
Partner With Us
For The Grand Theatre Center for the Arts
A one-day venue reservation in November 2026 — and a founding role in something built to grow for decades.
Use of the main theater, lobby, and one breakout space. Cross-promotion through the Grand's marketing channels. A conversation about a recurring annual agreement.
Become a PartnerOur community
The Greater Central Valley Book Fest is made possible through the generous support of these community partners. We are deeply grateful for their belief in the power of stories to bring people together.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? View partnership opportunities →
