Local Authors

Local Author Series 2024

2024

2025

Ken Cadow

Ken Cadow is a writer known for his evocative storytelling and deep exploration of human emotions and relationships. His works often delve into the complexities of life in small-town America, bringing to life the nuanced experiences of his characters.

Sarah Stewart Taylor

Sarah Stewart Taylor is an acclaimed author of mystery and crime novels. She is best known for her Maggie D’arcy series, which blends intricate plotting with rich character development. Taylor's work often draws on her deep appreciation for history and the natural beauty of the places she writes about.

Ernest Hebert

Ernest Hebert is a celebrated author primarily recognized for his novels set in New England. His "Darby Chronicles" series offers a vivid portrayal of rural life in New Hampshire, capturing the essence of the region's culture and landscape. Hebert’s writing is marked by its keen observation and authenticity.

Rebecca Rule

Rebecca Rule is a storyteller and author renowned for her humorous and insightful tales of New England life. Her work includes both fiction and nonfiction, often focusing on the quirks and charms of rural living. Rule's engaging storytelling style has made her a beloved figure in the literary community.

Jackson Ellis

Jackson Ellis is a contemporary author who writes with a keen eye for detail and a deep sense of place. His works often explore themes of identity, belonging, and the natural world. Ellis's writing is characterized by its lyrical prose and strong narrative voice.

Asher Ellis

Asher Ellis is a writer known for his contributions to the horror genre. His work often blends elements of suspense, supernatural, and psychological horror, creating chilling and immersive stories. Ellis's ability to craft tense, atmospheric narratives has earned him a dedicated following among horror enthusiasts.

Maggie Thrash

Maggie Thrash is an acclaimed author and illustrator known for her deeply personal and compelling storytelling. She is the author of Honor Girl, a graphic memoir that received widespread praise for its honest portrayal of self-discovery, identity, and the complexities of adolescence. Maggie's work often explores themes of growing up, queer identity, and the intersection of art and life. In addition to her books, Maggie is a talented illustrator, contributing her unique artistic style to her stories. Her writing and art resonate with readers of all ages, drawing from her own experiences to create narratives that are both poignant and relatable. You can learn more about her work and artistic journey on her website, www.maggiethrash.com.

Paula Munier

PAULA MUNIER is the Senior Agent and Director of Storytelling for Talcott Notch Literary and the  USA TODAY bestselling author of the Mercy Carr mysteries. 

A Borrowing of Bones, the first in the series, was nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark Award and named the Dogwise Book of the Year. Blind Search also won a Dogwise Award. The Hiding Place and The Wedding Plot both appeared on several “Best Of” lists. Home at Night, the fifth book in the series, was inspired by her volunteer work as a Natural Resources Steward of New Hampshire. Her next Mercy Carr mystery, The Night Woods, received a Library Journal starred review and is available wherever you buy books.

Along with her love of nature, Paula credits the hero dogs of Mission K9 Rescue, her own rescue dogs, and a deep affection for New England as her series’ major influences.

She’s also written three popular books on writing: Plot Perfect, The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings, and Writing with Quiet Hands, as well as Happier Every Day and the memoir Fixing Freddie: The True Story of a Boy, a Mom, and a Very, Very Bad Beagle. 

She lives in New England with her family and Bear the Newfoundland-retriever rescue, Bliss the Great Pyrenees-Australian cattle dog rescue, pandemic puppy Blondie, a Malinois rescue (much like Elvis in her books), and Ursula The Cat, a rescue torbie tabby who does not think much of the dogs.

Laura Foley

Laura Foley is the author of, most recently, Sledding the Valley of the Shadow, and Ice Cream for Lunch: A Grandparents Handbook. She has won a Narrative Magazine Poetry Prize, Common Good Books Poetry Prize, Poetry Box Editor's Choice Chapbook Award, Bisexual Book Award, and others. Her work has been widely published in such journals as Alaska Quarterly, Valparaiso Poetry Review, American Life in Poetry, featured often on The Writer's Almanac, and included in anthologies such as How to Love the World and Poetry of Presence. For many years she worked as a volunteer in the No One Alone program at DHMC, was trained as a chaplain in hospitals and prisons, and is a certified yoga instructor. She holds graduate degrees in Literature from Columbia University, and lives with her wife on the steep banks of the Connecticut River in West Lebanon, New Hampshire.

JB & Sandy Manning

JB Manning is a Vermont-based author known for weaving compelling narratives that capture the essence of life in New England. With a keen eye for detail and a deep love for the region's history, JB brings characters and landscapes to life in his storytelling. His work often explores themes of community, resilience, and the quiet beauty of rural Vermont. When he's not writing, JB enjoys hiking the Green Mountains and finding inspiration in the changing seasons.

Sandy Manning is an accomplished Vermont author whose writing is celebrated for its heartfelt exploration of relationships, personal growth, and the human experience. With a distinctive voice that blends wit and empathy, Sandy’s work resonates with readers who appreciate authentic, character-driven stories. Her love for Vermont's landscapes and its close-knit communities often shines through in her writing. Outside of her writing, Sandy enjoys painting, gardening, and immersing herself in the vibrant literary community of Vermont.

Together, JB and Sandy Manning have collaborated on a number of projects, bringing their unique perspectives and shared love of storytelling to create novels that reflect their love for Vermont and its people.

Program Overview:

The Local Authors Speaking Program will consist of a series of events hosted at the Plainfield NH Public Libraries, featuring discussions, readings, and Q&A sessions with talented writers from our community. This initiative aims to:

  • Support Local Talent: Provide a platform for authors in our community to showcase their work, connect with readers, and gain visibility.
  • Promote Literacy: Inspire a love for reading and writing by bringing authors and readers together in a shared space, fostering a sense of community around literature.
  • Encourage Dialogue: Facilitate meaningful conversations between authors and audience members, creating an interactive and enriching experience for all involved.

Local Authors

If you are a local author, defined as authors currently living or having lived a significant portion of their lives in NH or Vermont counties in the vicinity of Plainfield, NH, and would like to donate a book to our collection, please read through our donation guidelines:

  • The Library does not accept workbooks, audiovisual materials, or e-materials for inclusion in the local author's collection.
  • Books must have been published in the last five years and be in new condition.
  • The Library will only accept one copy of each title.
  • Author donations are limited to 5 titles per year.
  • The book must be bound and the binding must be strong enough to withstand multiple readings/circulations.
  • For works containing multiple authors, the local author must have contributed 50% of the content of the book to be considered as an addition to the Local Authors Collection. If the local author has contributed less than 50% the book may be considered for addition into the regular collection.
  • Materials donated become the property of the Plainfield Public Libraries.
  • The Library Director will decide whether or not to include the book in the collection based on the selection guidelines in the Library’s collection development policy. Items will be withdrawn from the collection following the weeding guidelines in the Library’s policies.
  • Materials selected for inclusion in the local author's collection will be marked with special tape noting “Local Author” and shelved in the section corresponding to the collection or subject of the title. All materials in the local author's collection will be cataloged and searchable/discoverable in the Library’s catalog.

To donate a copy of your book to be considered for addition to our local author collection, please complete email Jim Allen at jim.allen@plainfieldlibraries.org or stop by to chat in person.