Jessica McCann Novelist

Free event builds community, highlights local authors, and raises awareness for autism

The 2nd annual Arizona Author Book Festival will take place in downtown Phoenix on May 3, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The free, family-friendly event was created to champion literacy, spotlight Arizona authors, boost local businesses, build community, and foster autism acceptance. It will feature author talks, book signings, giveaways, free make-and-take crafts, book-themed costumed characters, and more for all ages.

The festival is a fundraising event for SEEDs for Autism, a nonprofit organization that provides a path from “learning to earning” for teens and adults with autism through education, vocational training, and social skills development. Most importantly, they help build self-esteem and a sense of purpose in young people too often excluded from the workplace.

Nearly all operational expenses for the festival are covered by in-kind donations. That means 100 percent of the money raised in sponsorship, vendor, and author application fees directly benefit SEEDs programs. Warehouse 215 has donated full use of its event venue for the festival, and free valet parking for attendees will be provided by Epic Valet. Financial sponsors include Perspective Financial Services, Diversify Advisor Network, Attorney Emily R. Taylor, Atmosphere Press, Midnight Editors, and Pages & Pines Bookish Summer Camp.

Festival Highlights:

First 1,000 children (up to age 17 years) in attendance will receive a free book.

First 500 attendees will get a free Half Price Bookstore tote bag and punch card for a free Spin & Win raffle ticket.

40 authors published in a wide range of genres and hailing from 20 Arizona cities

Story time read by the Queen, King and Knights of Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

The Writer’s Scene – a special section with businesses and organizations serving the writing community.

Writing on the Spectrum – a special section with books by, for and about individuals with autism and other neurodiversities.

SEEDS for Autism gift and book shop, featuring items hand-crafted by individuals on the spectrum.

Food Pavillion featuring live music, fresh charcuterie boxes by Graze Craze North Phoenix and beverages by Fuel Y’all Coffee, both SEEDs supporters.

It was so much fun chatting with author Brandy Schillace for her podcast! We discussed my historical novel set in the 1930s Dust Bowl – Peculiar Savage Beauty (how could we not!). We also explored the writing life, book publishing, and the geological and agricultural science and history that are big part of the novel. Give it a listen and let me know what you think!  

When I learned the publisher of my debut novel, All Different Kinds of Free, was retiring and my book would go out of print, I was disappointed. But as a glass-half-full person, I also saw an opportunity. After a short querying period, an indie press offered me a contract to publish a revised 15th anniversary edition. I’m so grateful to my new editor and publisher, Colin Mustful of History…

Check out my Zazzle shop online, and find the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for writer or avid reader in your life (or treat yourself!). https://www.zazzle.com/store/jessica_mccann_books

My latest article at WritersDigest.com highlights why neurodiversity adds richness to literature and life, with tips to creating authentic characters on the autism spectrum. Writing on the Spectrum: The Importance of Stories by and about People with Autism The article also highlights the Arizona Author Book Festival taking place in Phoenix, April 27, 2025. I volunteered to coordinate the…

The Framed Women of Ardemore House by Brandy Schillace A friend brought this book to my attention because it is written by a woman on the autism spectrum and the novel’s protagonist is also on the spectrum. Those of you who know me also know my son is on the spectrum, as is a main character in my novel Peculiar Savage Beauty. So, while I don’t often read mysteries, this book made it on my…

What’s your puzzling behavior? Mine is much like my writing behavior. Once I begin a jigsaw puzzle or writing project, I am compelled to finish it – no matter how difficult, no matter how long it takes. Recently, I worked on a puzzle that taught me an important lesson about letting go. Letting go is not the same as giving up. We often have a puzzle in progress on our dining room table. We work…