Read Local!

Fort Worth, as we all know, is a city full of artists, musicians, actors, and authors. For the All in the Family issue of Madeworthy, we wanted to introduce you to some of our favorite local authors. We hope you enjoy!

Jeff Guinn is the granddaddy of Fort Worth authors. A former investigative journalist and the Star-Telegram’s former book editor, Guinn is the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction. A member of the Texas Literary Hall of Fame, Guinn’s latest book is War on the Border: Villa, Pershing, the Texas Rangers, and an American Invasion. 

Allison Speer, author of the Fort Worth favorite Theodore, the Turkey Who Found a Zoo, has just released her second book! Faith Flies is about a little flamingo, quite literally, who learns to love herself. A former journalist, Allison is the mom of five children and teaches eighth grade reading in Fort Worth.  

A Southern California girl, Macy Gilson came east to play volleyball at TCU and promptly fell in love with Fort Worth. After earning a master’s degree at Baylor, Macy came back to Cowtown to be a speech language pathologist. Her debut book, Kindness Is Golden, celebrates diversity and raises disability awareness.  

Although Jessica S. Olson is originally from New Hampshire, these days she calls Fort Worth home. Her debut novel, Sing Me Forgotten, is a fantastically lush, feminist twist on the classic The Phantom of the Opera. The mother of three, Jessica has learned to appreciate the value of a good air conditioner here in North Texas! 

Fort Worth native Jennifer Drez’s first book, Goodnight Cowtown, was inspired by teaching her young sons about their hometown. The success of Goodnight Cowtown led to other books about Dallas and San Antonio. Jennifer’s latest, Goodnight Firehouse, is sure to be a favorite of all little firefighters.  

Marjorie Herrera Lewis is an award-winning sportswriter, quite the feat in that male-dominated field. Her love of football lead her to write When the Men Were Gone, based on the true story of a woman who coached football during World War II, and to coach football at Texas Wesleyan. She teaches Media Ethics at the University of North Texas.  

Based on the real-life Berachah Industrial Home for the Redemption of Erring Girls in Arlington, Home for Erring and Outcast Girls is Julie Kibler’s second novel. Inspired by some of the headstones in the home’s cemetery, the book is a memorable, character-driven story about the strength and resilience of women at the turn of the last century.  

George Goldthwaite grew up in Fort Worth before joining the Navy as a pilot, eventually becoming a flight instructor. His love of backpacking, canoeing, and the great outdoors adds to his writing, especially the middle reader Eagle Mountain Adventures trilogy. He and his wife came back to North Texas where he continues to write for children and grownups alike.  

Growing up in Fort Worth, D.M. O’Neal has lived a life worthy of a novel. One of seven children, Michelle became a forensic lab technician while attending college and learning to be a single mother. Her experiences as a Senior Forensic Chemist in the Fort Worth Medical Examiner’s Office add to her debut novel, Shambles, a gripping mystery that will keep you guessing until the end!