📅 Upcoming Events & Appearances
🖊️ SCBWI Ohio North Regional Conference — “Where Stories Take Flight”
📍 Warrensville Heights, OH
🗓 October 3–4, 2025
I’m so excited to share that I’ll be attending the 2025 SCBWI Ohio North Regional Conference as a newly published author! This conference brings together writers, illustrators, editors, agents, and children’s lit lovers for two days of inspiration, craft sessions, networking, and celebration.
I’m looking forward to listening, learning, and growing—and also sharing a bit of my journey with others who love stories as much as I do.
If you’ll be there, I’d love to connect! Let’s swap ideas, encourage one another, and celebrate what it means to dream in pages.
📚 Louisville Book Festival – Author Table
📍 Louisville, KY
🗓 October 11, 2025
I’m thrilled to be participating in the Louisville Book Festival this fall! Visit my author booth to explore Petunia Moves Again, discover behind-the-scenes insights into the writing process, and celebrate a weekend full of literacy, creativity, and community.
🌟 West Virginia Book Festival – Featured Author Event & Author Booth
📍 Charleston, WV
🗓 October 25, 2025
I’m honored to be part of the West Virginia Book Festival as both an exhibiting author and featured stage presenter! Join me for a special interactive children’s book reading and signing—a lively, joyful session perfect for young readers and families. Plus, visit my booth to meet the author, shop books and goodies, and connect through the power of story.
📚 Kentucky State Book Festival – Author Booth
📍 Lexington, KY
🗓 November 01, 2025
I’m excited to be part of the Kentucky Book Festival this November! Stop by my author booth to explore Petunia Moves Again, hear about the real-life inspiration behind the story, and celebrate the power of books, storytelling, and connection. I can’t wait to meet readers, families, educators, and fellow book lovers for a day filled with creativity and community.
✍️ Visiting Author: Pen and Tell It!
📍 Where: Thurber House, Columbus, OH
📅 When: Sunday, November 16th
I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be a Visiting Author for Thurber House’s Pen and Tell It series.
This program celebrates the power of storytelling and creative expression for young writers, and I’m honored to be part of such a meaningful event.
In this workshop, we’re packing a suitcase! Maybe not an actual suitcase—but students will get to imagine what characters they would pack if they were moving or facing new situations. From there, we’ll turn those ideas into stories, drawings, or poems. No luggage required, just their imagination.
I can’t wait to connect with writers and dreamers.
🎨 Indoor Street Market — Arts & Crafts Vendor
📍 Aladdin Shrine Center, Grove City, OH
🗓 February 7, 2026
I’m excited to share that was invited to be a vendor in the Arts & Crafts section at the Central Ohio Crime Stoppers Indoor Street Market! This event brings together local makers, food, and community fun—all in support of a great cause: crime prevention across Central Ohio.
You can stop by my table to browse my books and creative work, and my book will also be featured in the auction to help give back to this very important mission. I hope to see you there!
🗓️ Past Events & Appearances
🌟 Mill Street Market – Author Tent
📍 Gahanna, OH
🗓 September 28, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
I’m delighted to join the Mill Street Market in historic Gahanna! Come visit my author tent to shop my book and related materials, and hear a little about the inspiration behind my writing. This vibrant community market is the perfect place for families, readers, and book lovers to connect—filled with local vendors, creativity, and joy. I look forward to sharing stories and meeting new friends all day long!
📚 Ronald McDonald House Visit – Author Read Aloud
📍 Columbus, OH
🗓 September 9, 2025
I’m honored to bring the joy of storytelling to families at the Ronald McDonald House in Columbus. During this special author visit, I’ll be reading Petunia Moves Again and sharing uplifting moments of connection, comfort, and imagination with children and their loved ones.
🌟 Adult Book Fair at Land-Grant Distillery – Author Tent
📍 Columbus, OH
🗓 September 14, 2025
I’m excited to join the Adult Book Fair at Land-Grant Distillery! Stop by my author tent to explore Petunia Moves Again, enjoy behind-the-scenes insights into the writing process, and connect with fellow book lovers in a fun and vibrant community setting.
✍️2-Day Workshop: The Art of Making a Children’s Book
📍 Thurber House, Columbus, Ohio
📅 July 21–22, 2025
This summer, a group of incredibly talented teens joined me at Thurber House for a two-day creative workshop on The Art of Making a Children’s Book. Together, we explored the entire picture book process—from brainstorming story ideas to designing characters, mapping out page spreads, and crafting powerful beginnings and endings.
Students left with their own book dummies, filled with vibrant stories, thoughtful illustrations, and a new understanding of how children’s books come to life. Watching these young writers and artists bring their ideas into the world was pure magic.
📍 Columbus Indie Bookstore Crawl – Featured Author
📍 Columbus, OH
🗓 April 26, 2025
I was honored to be a featured author for the annual Columbus Indie Bookstore Crawl, a celebration of local bookstores, community, and the written word. Readers from all over central Ohio came together to discover indie voices and support small shops. It was a joy to connect with readers and fellow authors in this vibrant literary tradition.
📖 Storytime at Joseph‑Beth Booksellers
📍 Cincinnati, OH
🗓 May 31, 2025
A special morning of reading Petunia Moves Again with families at one of Ohio’s most beloved indie bookstores. Thank you to the incredible staff at Joseph-Beth for welcoming local authors and creating space for stories that inspire and connect.
📘 Author Storytime at Cover to Cover Books
📍 Columbus, OH
🗓 June 7, 2025
It was an honor to be featured at Cover to Cover, a bookstore that has long championed children's literature. Families gathered for storytime, laughter, and meaningful conversations about moving, growing, and finding joy in new places.
📚 Dual Author Storytime at Beanbag Books
📍 Delaware, OH
🗓 June 28, 2025
I had the joy of joining fellow local author Amanda Caughman for a cozy, laughter-filled storytime at Beanbag Books. We shared our books, met wonderful families, and celebrated creativity and friendship through storytelling.
🏫 School Visits & Assemblies
I love visiting schools to inspire young readers and celebrate the magic of storytelling! Here are some of the recent school visits where I’ve had the joy of connecting with students through interactive assemblies and book readings:
📚 Netherwood Elementary School
🗓 March 24, 2025
Presented separate assemblies for K–2nd grade and 3rd–5th grade students. These sessions included interactive readings from Petunia Moves Again, creative activities, and discussions about resilience, change, and friendship.
📚 Overlook Elementary School
🗓 March 26, 2025
Engaged kindergarten students with an interactive storytelling assembly focused on embracing new experiences and the joy of discovery. The event featured a read-aloud and an SEL Lesson on feelings and emotions.
📚 North Park Elementary School
🗓 June 16, 2025
Hosted a K–2 assembly filled with fun and connection, where students participated in an interactive reading of Petunia Moves Again and explored themes of belonging and courage.
📚 Hayes Elementary – Marion City Schools
🗓 August 26, 2025
Presented two assemblies for K–2nd grade and 3rd–5th grade students. The visit included an interactive read-aloud of Petunia Moves Again, a lively Q&A, and conversations about the writing process. Together, we explored themes of resilience and friendship, with time for reflection and meaningful connections.
🎥 News & Media Spotlight
📺 ABC News 9 – Author Spotlight
Aired: May 2025
I had the honor of being featured on Cincy Lifestyle, where I discussed my children's book, Petunia Moves Again. The segment delves into how the story helps children embrace change and find joy in new beginnings. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the inspiration behind Petunia's journey and the importance of storytelling in navigating life's transitions.
📺 Watch the full segment here:
Author Spotlight: Dr. Miranda Kogon Montoya