POETRY READING SCHEDULE



2026



~ JUNE ~


June 4: Sandra Young


June 11: Kayla Vasilko


June 18: Dale Nichols


June 25: Holden McCready


~ JULY ~


July 2: TBD


July 9: Gloria Thode


July 16: Carnessa Carnes


July 23: TBD


July 30: TBD


~ AUGUST ~


August 6: TBD


August 13: TBD


August 20: TBD


August 27: Matt Buchanan




july 31 &
August 7

authors
Showcase



Ten Authors, Two Amazing Nights!



The authors



Dr. Anastasia Trekles



Dr. Anastasia Trekles is an instructional designer, educator, and animal welfare volunteer in the Northwest Indiana region.



Louis Martinez



Louis Martinez is a Christian writer and martial artist. He is the author of the blog, Pensive Warrior, and the recent book, Prayers of a Warrior. He has a passion for writing nonfiction, including biography, commentary, poetry, & polemics. Louis posts monthly on pensivewarrior.com on these subjects.



Dr. Scott Simerlein



Dr. Scott Simerlein is a lifelong resident of La Porte Indiana and graduated valedictorian of his class at Palmer College of Chiropractic. He is a professor, a coordinator of a local writers group and was named La Porte County Poet Laureate in 2013.



Brett Starr



Brett Starr is a mechanical engineer in Northwest IN. He co-authored his recently published mental health memoir, The Bipolar Clock, with former engineering boss, This open, honest, and easy-to-read book reveals his unique bipolar clock analogy to describe his experiences and lessons learned with the disease. It is easy to understand and can help other bipolar sufferers achieve better balance. Also, Brett writes poetry and has self-published five books of poetry. Starr currently resides in Michigan City, IN.



Sandra Young



Sandra L. Young's appreciation for vintage clothing inspired her to write the Divine Vintage series set in La Porte County. This series is now complete with the publication of Divinely Dramatic and the Ghostly Diva this year. She's gathered an impressive vintage collection which she wears on stage and for special occasions. Sandra also participates with nonprofits and the local band, Blue Sky music.



John Mitchell



John Mitchell was bornin Stanley, WI and attended Wisconsin area schools until the summer before his junior year, when he moved to Crown Point, IN with his parents. A graduate of the class of 1965, he later enlisted in the US Air Force, serving in Vietnam and at Grissom AFB. He is a graduate of Purdue University, with a BA in Communications. He currently resides in La Porte with his wife their two adult children and their four grandchildren live nearby. He is a cancer survivor and a disabled veteran. He has now published nine books.


Mary Ann Steinke-Moore



Mary Ann Steinke-Moore was a children's librarian who directed a writing contest before becoming a teacher.

Her writing blossomed after winning Highlights scholarships and joining the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, the TaleBlazers critique group, and the Hooser Writing Project.

Her young adult novel, Mandy's Song, was published in April 2020.

Author's website: maryannsteinke-moore.com



Peggy Archer



Peggy Archer is the author of children's picture books including fiction and poetry. Her picture book, A HIPPY-HOPPY TOAD was a 2019 Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award finalist.

Coming from LBYR, August 2026! THREE LITTLE WITCHES AND THE SPOOKY OLD HOUSE. Archer lives in Valparaiso, IN. Learn more at: www.peggyarcher.com



Rachelle McCaully



Rachelle McCaully is an author, poet, and La Porte native. She is the author of the young adult fantasy series, The Quest Trilogy, and the poetry collection, Everything's Coming Up Daisies (and other laments for the living dead.)



Olivia Raymond



Born in southern Indiana, Amy's Black's journey led her from small-town roots to dynamic roles in major cities, where she built a diverse career spanning nonprofit leadership, state government, and entrepreneurial success. These rich life experiences laid the foundation for her compelling storytelling and complex characters. Amy continues to write, drawing inspiration from the people, places, and mysteries that surround her.



The literature



Core: A Chronicle of M'Gistryn

By: Dr. Anastasia Trekles



In Trekles' debut novel, she explores issues of war, coming of age, and the fulfillment of our life's purpose set within a gripping fantasy world!



Prayers of a Warrior

By: Louis Martinez



A collection of prayers and poems to accompany selected Scriptures. Each poem attempts to capture the essence and message of the Scripture, while each prayer is a call to the Lord for aid in answering that call which He has given through His Word. Written by a Christian martial artist as a daily devotional for a month-long period, this prayerbook is meant to aid fellow Christian warriors in aligning themselves with the Lord of Armies.



Rudger Rump and
the Mage of Ages

By: Dr. Scott Simerlein



Rudger Rump and the Mage of Ages, brought to you by Dr. Scott Simerlein, is a young adult fantasy novel inspired by works like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. The tale centers around a young gnome named Rudger who discovers that he is able to work Word magic. The young gnome is swept up in a humorous, madcap adventure that takes him out of the safety of his quiet life into places he never knew existed.



The Bipolar Clock: Living a Bipolar Life

By: Brett Starr



Most self-help books on bipolar disorder are written from a technical standpoint. They are usually dry reading with a lot of 50 cent words and are hard to read. This book is different and provides hope, simplicity, and actionable insight.



The literature



The Ghostly Diva

By: Sandra L. Young


A stylish murder mystery, The Ghostly Diva is a rollercoaster ride into the unknown. Through fashion, romance, and the supernatural this novel feels tangible and yet otherworldly.







My Life in the 88th New York Volunteers

By: John R. Mitchell


This is a story of my grandfather and his time in the 88th New York Volunteers, a division of the Irish Brigade. He was involved in the Seven Days Battle, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsburg and Gettysburg.




Mandy's Song

By: Mary Ann Steinke-Moore


As senior year opens, Mandy has two concerns. First, to win the lead in a musical, hoping for acceptance into a college music school. Next, to nudge her relationship with Erik from friendship to romance, since she's loved him two years already.

From childhood she's had prophetic dreams which call her to action. These dreams turn to nightmares about Erik, which grow more terrifying as his depressions worsens. Time is running out for love and like.



A Hippy-Hoppy Toad

By: Peggy Archer


In the middle of a puddle

In the middle of the road

On a teeter-totter twig

Sat a teeny-tiny toad

But what happens to the toad when...

Snap! goes the twig?

Then Peck! goes a bird?

And Woof! goes a dog?

Find out in this hopping, rollicking read aloud!

With fun sounds, clever rhymes, and an irresistible rhythm, this is the perfect story for sharing one-on-one or in a group.




Everything's Coming up Daisies

By: Rachelle McCaully


"Everything's Coming up Daisies (and other laments for the living dead)" is a 66-page, memoir-esque collection of poems by Rachelle McCaully that explores the bruised terrain of early adulthood. Through haunting laments and darkly tender reflections, the book interweaves themes of survival, emotional fatigue, and the strange beauty found in the in-between spaces in life.

Honest and emotionally raw, these poems attest that even in the depths of despair, something unexpectedly tender can bloom.




Deadly Secrets from Pond Island

By: Olivia Raymond


"Deadly Secrets from Pond Island is the standalone first book in the page turning Vanessa Hutchins Mystery series. If you like robust characters, dark twists, and a dash of down-home banter, then you'll love Olivia Raymond's mystery debut.



Arts in the Park would like to thank you
for your continued support!