10 Charlotte authors to check out in 2025
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You'll find plenty of local authors at Charlotte's independent bookstores, including Park Road Books. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Nothing cures winter blues like curling up with a good book from a local author.
Here are a few reader favorites:
📜 David Fleming's "Who's Your Founding Father?" is a favorite for Mary H. and Sherri J. You might also recognize Fleming's work from his days at ESPN.
🖊 Judy Goldman has written novels, memoirs and books of poetry. Christine A. recommends Goldman's memoir "Child."
📚 Alicia D. Williams is an award-winning children's author and educator. Clay M. suggests "Genesis Begins Again."
📖 Tim Eichenbrenner, a longtime pediatrician turned novelist, is a favorite for Lissa A., Reeda Z., Larry C. and Steve B. They enjoy his books "To Live in the Light" and "In Search of the Hidden Moon."
📚 Tommy Tomlinson, a beloved Charlotte columnist and host of the SouthBound podcast on WFAE, is Colleen C.'s favorite, particularly his book "Elephant in the Room."
⛳️ Joe Posnanski, a renowned sportswriter, has Walter P's vote for his book "The Secret of Golf."
💘 Glenn Proctor is a professional coach, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and military veteran.
- "He has the perfect book for Valentine's Day - '750 Questions Worth Asking Yourself or Your Significant Other.'" -Trish S.
🦄 Meg Cannistra writes middle-grade and young-adult books. Clay M. recommends "How to Heal a Gryphon," "How to Save a Unicorn" and "How to Free a Leviathan" for young readers.
🏙 Jerel Law is a pastor and an author of middle-grade fiction. "Evan Miller is Waking Down: A Dreambending Novel" is his most recent novel and it's dedicated to his wife Liz, who read the first 60 pages of the book's first draft on their honeymoon. The book was published on their second wedding anniversary.
- "I'm a little biased, but my favorite local author is my husband." -Liz L.
🪡 Sarah Ramberg is a marine biologist who loves writing about giving thrifted and vintage items a new life. She wrote a book about the latter: "Crafting with Flannel." (I never said you couldn't be your own favorite author).
Editor's note: This is not a comprehensive list.
Go deeper: 7 Charlotte authors on how the city shapes their work