Our Vendors
Authors
Kirk Charlton
Website: https://artinsideout.net
Kirk is the creator of “Art Inside Out,” a 12 week program that intertwines art and positive dialogue. Kirk also writes a series of children's books called I want to be..., such as I want to be an Artist and I want to be a Jazz Musician.
Rebecca Rook
Website: https://www.byrebeccarook.com
Rebecca Rook is a hard of hearing writer and artist who designs tabletop games and lives in the Pacific Northwest with two wonderful dogs. She writes young adult fiction in the fantasy, thriller, and horror genres.​
A 2021-2022 Hugo House Fellow in Seattle, WA, she also attended the 2021 Tin House YA Fiction Workshop in Portland, OR. Rebecca was selected as one of the 100 invited writers to participate in the Write Team Mentorship Program’s curated Pitch-a-Thon event before being chosen as a Mentee for the 2021 Program. Prior to this, she completed the wonderful Yearlong Workshop for Young Adult and Middle Grade Fiction at Hugo House.
A. N. Tipton
Website: https://www.antipton.com
A. N. Tipton is a self-published author of poetry and prose, debuting her first book, Emerging Through the Shadows. Her work explores themes of self-discovery, healing, and personal growth through reflective poetry and musings. As a Reiki Master and lifelong writer, she believes in the power of words to support transformation and creative expression. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and son and co-founder of Empower Your Thoughts. She is passionate about connecting with readers who are on their own journeys of growth and healing. When not writing, you can find her reading a book with a cup of tea.
Dede Montgomery
Website: https://dedemontgomery.com
Dede Montgomery is a sixth generation Oregon author and blogger - graduated long long ago from Lincoln. She has four books - 2 memoir and 2 literary fiction - traditionally published by Bedazzled Ink Publishing. She lives with her spouse just a bit outside Portland where she explores the banks and ripples of the Willamette River. She grew up with four brothers who both skew and enhance her outlook in life. She was long ago a competitive athlete who now prefers long walks, rides and paddles, and hanging out with her grandchild.
Alexis Carroll
Website: https://www.bloodbloomspress.com
Alexis Carroll is an indie author who resides in Portland, Oregon. Her main genre is romantic horror, though she dabbles in dark fantasy and romantasy as well. She has a dark fantasy and horror anthology with her best friend, Amanda Stockton, who is a high fantasy author in Portland as well, and her debut apocalyptic horror novel, When Her World Went Away.
Reid Vanderburgh
Website: https://reidvanderburgh.com
Reid Vanderburgh was one of the first trans therapists anywhere, with a practice located in Portland, Oregon. He has written three books, two of which have new editions. Transition and Beyond: Observations on Gender Identity is now in its third edition. This book has become a classic introduction to trans issues and the transition process. Journeys of Transformation: Stories from Across the Acronym is now in its second edition — he explains the LGBTQQIAA acronym to each other, providing historical context to explain how we got from here to there.
Carly Sasha Cohen
Website: http://www.carlysashacohen.com
Carly Sasha Cohen is a writer living in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two grumpy cats. She has her master’s degree in book publishing from Portland State University and an undergrad degree in communication from the University of California, Davis. She enjoys knitting socks, playing video games, and baking for anyone who enters her house. She’s also a mediocre table-top-RPGer and very slow runner.
Judge Kemp
Website: https://www.judgekemp.com/
Judge Kemp is a community leader, blogger, poet, and author of the award-winning poetry collection Live. Love. Leo. Judge grew up a Black Gay kid in a military household. He has been a model, actor, and professional dancer. After moving to Holland, he eventually landed in Portland where he has served on boards for the Oregon Commission on Black Affairs, Q center, and Red Dress Party PDX a volunteer non-profit benefiting queer youth and those living with HIV and AIDS. He also worked for the Governors Kitzhaber and Brown. Judge resides in Portland with architect husband, Eric Schnell.
Mollie Hunt
Website: https://molliehuntcatwriter.com/
Cat Writer Mollie Hunt is the award-winning author of two cozy series: the Crazy Cat Lady Mysteries featuring a sixty-something cat shelter volunteer who finds more trouble than a cat in catnip, and the Tenth Life Paranormal Mysteries involving a ghost cat. Her Cat Seasons Sci-Fantasy Tetralogy presents extraordinary cats saving the world. Her COVID memoir which she calls, "a tale of a plague and politics, of depression and inspiration, and an ode to the very real and healing presence of cats" won the Catalyst Council Connect to Care Award, celebrating a true story of the profound connection between a shelter cat and its adoptive pet parent. In her spare time, she pens a bit of cat poetry.
Her cat writing has earned various other honors, including CWA Muse Medallions and World’s Best Litter-ary Awards. She is the recipient of the prestigious Michael Brim Distinguished Service Award (CWA). Her book, Cat’s Paw, was a CIBA Mystery & Mayhem Semi-finalist.
Jenn Alvin
Website: https://strongerwiserfabulous.com
Jenn Alvin is a creative badass, tech geek, and sticky note enthusiast who lives in Portland, Oregon. As a prolific maker, she has met very few craft projects she dislikes (sorry, scrapbooking – it’s not you, it’s me.) After carving her path up (and occasionally sideways) along corporate landscapes, she now guides others in mapping their authentic journeys.
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Stronger, Wiser, and Still Fabulous is Jenn’s love letter to resilient women everywhere—an invitation to embrace the beautiful chaos of coloring outside society’s lines and breaking molds not as rebellion but celebration. When she’s not collecting experiences across continents or reverse-engineering life’s possibilities, you’ll find her turning the ordinary into something undeniably, magnificently extraordinary.
Shavaun Scott
Website: https://www.shavaunscott.com
Shavaun is a passionate advocate for mental health education, frequently lecturing and writing on topics related to emotional wellness, trauma, and the societal impact of violent crime.
Shavaun's writing blends her deep knowledge of psychology with a compassionate, accessible style that resonates with a wide audience. Her publications include articles, essays, and books that explore complex mental health issues, offering insights into the ways individuals can overcome adversity.
Shaley Howard
Website: http://www.shaleyhoward.com
Shaley Howard is a small business owner, an activist and award-winning author. Her memoir, Excuse Me, Sir! Memoir of a Butch received the IPPY Silver Award and IAN Finalist Award for LGBTQ+ Non-fiction. She recently published a second book, the GenX Latchkey Kid Recipe and Activity Guidebook: For a generation that had no guidelines.
Small Presses
Perimeter Place Press
Meg Weber is a writer, mental health therapist, and parent in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. She writes memoir about grief, sex, love, therapy, and complicated relationships. Perimeter Place Press is the small press she opened a couple years ago to reissue her debut memoir after the small press that first published it closed. She hopes to someday work with other local authors writing memoir who want to publish with a local small press.
Overcup Press
Website: https://overcupbooks.com
Overcup Press is an independent book publishing company committed to publishing books that will thrive in the 21st Century. The press specializes in non-fiction titles with a specific focus on literary nonfiction, art, travel, design, and epicurean titles.
Practical Fox LLC
Website: https://www.practicalfox.com
Practical Fox is a micropublisher based in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
Believe In Wonder Publishing
Website: https://believeinwonder.weebly.com
Believe In Wonder is a youth focused publishing entity based in Portland, OR. They publish internally developed works like The Wonderous Science, YOU CAN RELY ON PLATYPI, and Crow in the Hollow, but also actively search out new and amazing works to bring to the public eye. Their focus is to promote imagination, inspiration, and positive thinking in kids and adults alike. In a time where social pressures and injustices threaten to take away our ability to dream of a better future, they hope to promote endeavors and education that uplifts and inspires, as well as provide creative outlets for the young and young at heart. They have an emphasis on bringing these opportunities to underrepresented communities and their allies, but hope their work and message is embraced by many.
Unencumbered Press
Website: https://unencumberedpress.com
Unencumbered Press publishes poetry, lit fiction and creative nonfiction. They’re interested in hybrid experimental forms—especially projects rooted in equity, social justice, and artistic risk-taking. They’re passionate about creating space for all voices and nurturing meaningful connections between authors and readers.
All vendor bios are from the vendor website or were given to the S2: Small and Self-Publishing Faire by the vendors themselves. Edited by AJ Adler.