It’s so easy to get lost inside a book and find yourself in another world. It’s one of the reasons books are so amazing! Even more amazing than the books, however, are the authors who put pen to paper and bring their ideas to life. And right here in the Detroit area, there’s no shortage of local authors to support.
Since March is Reading Month, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to show some love to Michigan authors. The ones who followed their dreams, mastered their craft, worked tirelessly on draft after draft, and who proudly share their words with us, every time we open one of their books.
Whether you’re looking for a new book to read, a new genre to dive into, or just a new local author to support, you’ll find it on our list. We’re so excited to introduce you to these amazing local authors in + around Detroit. Who knows, you might even find someone from your hometown!
Local Authors In + Around Detroit
Books for Children + Teens
Caroline Kerfoot
Caroline lives in West Bloomfield. Her debut children’s book series, Hi, I’m Fox!, which she wrote and illustrated, celebrates kindness, friendship, and inclusion. With the help of some new animal friends, Fox (her dog) overcomes many obstacles to find her family. The full book series gift set would make such a sweet gift!
Christina Wyman
Christina is the bestselling author of Jawbreaker, Slouch, and Breakout. She also teaches at Michigan State University and works a lot with area schools and communities!
Cindy Williams Schrauben
Cindy’s first children’s book, This Could Be You, shows children all the amazing careers that lay ahead of them. It’s a lovely book filled with positive messages, encouraging every child to dream big. Her newest release is Hank’s Change of Heart. Cindy currently resides in Mount Pleasant.
Darla Bishop
Darla is a keynote speaker and author. She wrote Madeline’s Money Adventure alongside her daughter. It’s a sweet book focused on helping young children learn more about saving, spending, and generosity!
Denise Brennan-Nelson
Denise has written many books for young readers, including Buzzy the Bumblebee, My Momma Likes to Say, and the award-winning Willow series. In addition to writing books, Denise also gives school presentations to encourage a passion for reading and writing. Some of her books are Michigan- and Great Lakes-themed! She currently lives in Howell.
Eman Saleh
Eman’s diverse characters can be seen in her very first picture book, The Great Labne Trade. In this, we see a young Arab boy learn to embrace his heritage. Eman currently lives in Metro Detroit where she operates an early childhood education center.
Jennifer Stewart
Jennifer is a Deaf Studies professor, founder of Signing Courses, and author based in Royal Oak. Her book Deaf, like David, is a bilingual (English/Spanish) story celebrating Deaf identity, inclusion, and friendship. It also naturally introduces simple American Sign Language for families!
Johnny Storm
Johnny’s book, Upper Peninsula Fun in the Sun: Hooray for Camp Days, was inspired by the author’s childhood summer trips to the Keweenaw Peninsula. The beautiful illustrations bring the story to life. Originally from Northville, Johnny currently lives in Howell.
Kimberly Wyman
An author-illustrator, Kimberly’s books are whimsical treats. Grow Love follows arctic animals as they all find ways to fill their hearts. You are my baby. I am your mommy. is an amazing book for families who have gone through or are currently going through the adoption process. Kimberly lives in Royal Oak.
Lindsay Gizicki
An author from St. Clair Shores, Lindsay’s children’s books To the Moon and Back and The Pirate Doctor arrived in 2022. To the Moon and Back is a rhyming bedtime story about the depth of a mother’s love. The Pirate Doctor, a picture book, follows a brave little girl on her quest to heal pirates in need. Lindsay has also published The Guardians of the Garden and Bookley the Book-Loving Ghost. Alongside Renee Bolla, she runs A Pop of Indie, a traveling book fair.
Maria Dismondy
Maria Dismondy is from southeast Michigan. She’s an author and the founder of Cardinal Rule Press, a children’s book publisher located in Wixom. Maria’s writing career started in 2008 when she published her first book, Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun.
Maria Roy
Maria released One Day at a Time: A Story About Big Feelings, Foster Care, and Finding Hope in 2025, written in response to the need for children in foster care to have stories where they feel seen and heard.
Marie Schmidt
Marie is the author and illustrator of Eddy’s Day Out, which takes place downtown at the Detroit Institute of Arts Museum. It celebrates kids, dogs, and art! She’s also a preschool teacher in Birmingham.
Monica Hammerick
An elementary teacher living in southeastern Michigan, Monica’s debut book, The Give Back Sack, is about the true meaning of Christmas. Along with a copy of the book, there are also hand sewn drawstring sacks you can buy to get your family in the giving spirit for the holidays.
Rebecca Mix
Rebecca is a New York Times bestselling author living in Royal Oak. Her debut novel, The Ones We Burn, is a young adult fiction story about witches at war. She writes novels and short fiction.
Renee Bolla
Renee is from Birmingham. Her picture books Finding Bunny, Imagine That!, and The Truth About Stepmoms are written from the heart and inspired by each of her children. You can find them in local stores! Alongside Lindsay Gizicki, she runs A Pop of Indie, a traveling book fair.
Shelley Johannes
Shelley is an author from Royal Oak who writes and illustrates gorgeous picture books and chapter books. Shelley’s books include the Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker chapter book series, and her picture books, More Than Sunny and This Joy! Her newest release is It’s Your Time to Shine! What Are You Waiting For? Shelley lives in Clinton Township.
Shona Darin
Shona was born in Manchester, England, but now lives in Royal Oak. She has three board books that feature a child who explores what it would be like to be various pets, farm animals, or in the ocean. He learns in the end that there’s nothing quite as special as who you already are.
Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw
Located in Waterford, Suzanne’s picture books are based on true stories! Her debut book, I Campaigned for Ice Cream: A Boy’s Quest for Ice Cream Trucks, is about a little boy who fights an outdated law banning ice cream trucks from his city. In Mighty Mahi, we follow a wounded sea turtle as she makes her way back to the ocean with some help from some human friends. Her first novel debuted in February 2026!
Books for Adults
Bonnie Jo Campbell
Bonnie currently lives in Comstock. Her novels include American Salvage, Q Road, and Once Upon a River, among others. Michigan is the backdrop and inspiration for all of these amazing works. Once Upon a River follows a wild, 16-year-old girl who travels through rural Michigan on a journey of self-preservation.
Camilla Skill
Camilla is a writer and mental health therapist based locally! She currently has two books out (Just Plain Amazing and Undone) with more on the way. She’s a romance author who explores love, connection, and healing in her stories.
Erin Bartels
Living in Lansing, Erin is an award-winning author of a handful of books including The Words Between Us and The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water. All of Erin’s books are beautifully written with soulful characters that give you many different perspectives and leave you wanting more.
J.L. Hyde
A Central Michigan University graduate, J.L. Hyde is an indie author of numerous murder mystery novels. She also wrote a series called the Grady Lake Mystery Series. Raised in the Upper Peninsula, Hyde recently moved back to Michigan.
John Grogan
The author behind the tear-jerker Marley and Me. John Grogan, like so many authors on our list, attended Central Michigan University (fun fact: in the movie, Jennifer Aniston even wears some CMU gear!). John also penned a national bestselling memoir named The Longest Trip Home along with some Marley picture books!
Josh Malerman
Josh started writing his first novel while being the singer/songwriter of the Detroit rock band The High Strung. His debut book, Bird Box (yes, the inspiration behind the hit Netflix movie!), is a horror-filled version of a world unraveled. He’s also written numerous novels and short stories.
Kailyn McMahon-Boggess
Kailyn is a freelance writer focusing on grief, trauma, humor, and friendship. Her pieces evoke deep emotion with beautiful word choice and structure. Her debut book, The Colors of My Sister, covers both addiction and the stages of grief; it’s written for anyone who is navigating the loss of a loved one.
Rose Wellman
Rose is an anthropologist and author. In her book, Feeding Iran: Shi’i Families and the Making of the Islamic Republic, Rose examines the state of Basiji families post-1979 Revolution. Rose is currently overseeing research in Michigan’s Arab community with her students.
Sara Rian
Sara lives in Metro Detroit and writes poetry. She is a mental health professional and she uses writing as her way to process emotions.
Terry McMillan
A New York Times bestseller, you may know her for being the author behind the book that inspired the movie How Stella Got Her Groove Back. She was born and raised in Port Huron! Terry has also written It’s Not All Downhill From Here, about finding joy in the later years of life, and It Was The Way She Said It, among others!
Tom Stanton
A local journalist, Tom helped found The Voice Newspapers in Detroit, where he served as an editor for over 15 years. Terror in the City of Chapions: Murder, Baseball, and the Secret Society that Shocked Depression-Era Detroit is Stanton’s most recent novel. It outlines Detroit in the mid-1930’s and tells the true story of the dangerous Black Legion.
Tumkeen
Tumkeen is a writer from Troy with published works of poetry including her book, Breathe: Reflections and Poetry from the 2020 Lockdown. She has also been featured in Ramadhan In Isolation: A Muslimah Writers Anthology and Rather Quiet magazine.
Wade Rouse
Wade also writes under the pen name Viola Shipman, whose novels include The Summer Cottage, The Recipe Box, and The Charm Bracelet. He lives in Saugatuck and also publishes novels under his birth name.
You know how much we love supporting small business here at Detroit Mom. And, we know that books bring so much joy into our lives! We hope you saw one of your favorite local authors on our list, or found a new author you’d love to get to know. Is your favorite author missing from our post? Let us know, so we can add them in!
