Local authors join the Rockton River Market lineup this summer

For the first time, the Rockton River Market will include a weekly rotation of local authors at its Wednesday night events. Five members of the Rockford Area Writers (RAW) group will take turns at booth 14 throughout the summer with books to sell and time to chat with readers.

The authors will appear from 5 to 8 pm each week from May 28 through August 28, with a break on June 11 for Old Settler’s Days.

Participating authors include:

• Brendan Noble is a Polish and German-American epic fantasy author based in Rockford, Illinois. His writing draws inspiration from Slavic mythology, politics, and the complexities of good and evil. His series include The Frostmarked Chronicles, The Realm Reachers, and The Prism Files. 
• Cat Stark is a Rockton-based author of fantasy and paranormal romance. Since 2005, Cat has completed 21 novels, including The Elven Prince and the Grey House trilogy. 
• Fauna Lewis is a Rockford-based poet and author whose work has been featured in publications such as the Spoon River Poetry Review and the Cold Hard Type series by Loose Dog Press. She is an active participant in the local literary scene. 
• JP Rindfleisch IX is an award-winning author of cozy, queer fantasy and strange fiction where whimsy meets the weird. Their stories often explore grief, transformation, and queer joy, wrapped in magic and mischief. JP’s works include Mandrake Manor, Mosswood Apothecary, the paranormal comedy series NRDS: National Recently Deceased Services, and the Leah Ackerman Dark Paranormal Academy series. 
• Kasia Nowak, a fantasy author born in Chicago and raised in a Polish household, is the author of the Iris Aqua series, beginning with The Stolen River. She describes herself as a “Scribe of the Fae” and a general magic enthusiast. 

Author Schedule

• May 28 – Fauna Lewis
• June 4 – JP Rindfleisch IX
• June 11 – No Market (Old Settler’s Days)
• June 18 – Brendan Noble
• June 25 – Fauna Lewis
• July 2 – Cat Stark
• July 9 – Kasia Nowak
• July 16 – JP Rindfleisch IX
• July 23 – Kasia Nowak
• July 30 – Brendan Noble
• August 6 – Cat Stark
• August 13 – JP Rindfleisch IX
• August 20 – Kasia Nowak
• August 27 – Cat Stark

The Rockton River Market, held each Wednesday evening in downtown Rockton, features local food, live music, and vendors from across the region. With the addition of Rockford Area Writers, the market now includes a literary stop for visitors to explore new stories and connect with local talent.

“The writers of RAW are excited about the Market as it gives us an opportunity to connect with new (and old) readers,” said Cat Stark. “We love talking about our books and getting people excited to read them.”