D.J. MacHale is a bestselling author, writer, director, and executive producer best known as the creator and producer of the hit Nickelodeon series Are You Afraid of the Dark? and the #1 New York Times bestselling Pendragon series. A graduate of New York University with a BFA in film production, he has created, written, and produced acclaimed television series including Flight 29 Down, Chris Cross, and Ghostwriter, earning recognition from the Writers Guild of America and Directors Guild of America. His published works also include the Morpheus Road trilogy, The SYLO Chronicles, Voyagers: Project Alpha, The Monster Princess, The Equinox Curiosity Shop, and The Library series. He lives in Southern California with his wife and daughter, where they enjoy backpacking, scuba diving, and skiing.
Lauren Kate is the #1 New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author whose novels include the Fallen series, which was made into a major motion picture as well as an Emmy-nominated TV series. Her new series, White Lights, will publish in the summer of 2026. Lauren’s books have been featured on Jeopardy, parodied by the Simpsons, translated into more than thirty languages, and have sold over eleven million copies worldwide. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
Mary Ting is an international bestselling and award-winning author known for writing captivating stories across a wide range of genres. Inspired to write after the loss of her grandmother and a memorable high school dream, she left a twenty-year teaching career to become a full-time author. She also toured with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's book No Bullies Allowed. Mary lives in Southern California with her husband, two children, and their dogs, Mochi and Mocha, and enjoys oil painting, jewelry making, and sharing her love of books with readers around the world.
Angela Corbett is a USA Today bestselling author who has loved books since childhood and now creates captivating young adult, new adult, and adult fiction filled with adventure and romance. A graduate of Westminster College with degrees in communication and sociology and a minor in business, she has also worked as a journalist, freelance writer, and communications and marketing director. Writing under both Angela Corbett® and Destiny Ford®, she lives in Utah with her supportive husband and enjoys classic cars, traveling, puppies, and a good mocha.
Clarissa Jacobson is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, voice actor, and author best known for her acclaimed comedy-horror short film Lunch Ladies, which has screened at more than 100 film festivals worldwide, won 46 awards, and received widespread critical praise. She is also the author of I Made A Short Film WTF Do I Do With It, a guide to navigating film festivals and independent filmmaking, and collaborates with Shayna Weber on writing, directing, and producing film projects. A graduate of Indiana University with a degree in theatre, she trained at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and lives in Los Angeles, where she continues creating unique stories and celebrating all things wonderfully weird.
Grim Festival proudly welcomes an exceptional lineup of bestselling authors, award-winning filmmakers, artists, and creators. Throughout the day, guests can enjoy book signings, exclusive panels, Q&A sessions, meet-and-greets, and opportunities to connect with the talented individuals behind today's most captivating stories.
