Since 1994, May has been known across the Lone Star State as Texas Writers Month, a time meant to honor, support, and celebrate Texas authors. This is also a time to recognize the literary diversity from the up-and-coming and legacy writers Texas has in its history.

Texas is full of literary talent, and now is the time to add some new titles to your shelf! Not sure where to start? Check out some of these authors from our great state:

Fiction/Urban Fantasy

Falling Stars by Julie Rogers (Austin)

Nine-year-old Tommy Lucas needs a bone marrow transplant to survive, but he believes his disease is a curse on his bloodline and that he’s a vampire and the only cure is magic–or the same synthetic blood substitute developed for Viscount Claudius Falcon, an urban legend.

Cultural/Crime/Historical Fiction

Jar of Pennies by John Yearwood (Austin)

Jar of Pennies is based on the true story of a heinous murder in Southeast Texas that follows a newspaper editor after he finds a crucial piece of evidence that will help solve the murder.

Romance 

Texas Rose Happily Ever After by Katie Graykowski (Austin)

This Texas romance is built around San Antonio “T-Bone” Rose, the handsome farmer who unexpectedly meets a gorgeous “princess in disguise,” who is on a mission to find her mysterious grandfather.

Spirits/Texas History

Fires, Floods, Explosions and Bloodshed: The History of Texas Whiskey by Andrew Braunberg (Austin)

The story of Texas whiskey has never been documented, despite being full of exciting stories of floods, fires, explosions, and even occasional gun play, and now, Andrew Braunberg brings the stories of Texas whiskey distillers together in a must-have book for any whiskey lover.

Finance Management/Retirement Planning

Guaranteed Monies: Getting the Most Out of Your Hard-Earned Social Security Money by Roy Snarr (Austin)

Everyone deserves to get the most out of their hard-earned money, and with this book you will learn about social security credits, spousal benefits, filing for social security, paying taxes on social security, and full retirement age. As a Texas-based financial and insurance expert, Roy Snarr specializes in long-term care for the hundreds of families he helps every year.

Memoir/Self-Improvement/Inspiration 

Choosing Survival: How I Endured a Brutal Attack and a Lifetime of Trauma Through the Power of Action, Choice and Self-Expression by Lynn Forney (Austin) 

After waking up next to a stranger, Lynn Forney was stabbed seven times, losing 21 pints of blood; now, after her miraculous recovery, she’s telling her story.

Memoir/Christian Inspirational

Dear Dana: That time I went crazy and wrote all 580 of my Facebook friends a handwritten letter by Amy Weinland Daughters (Houston)

When Amy Daughters reconnected with her old friend Dana on Facebook, she learned Dana’s son was battling cancer, and the news drew her to writing handwritten letters, not just to Dana, but to all of her Facebook friends; 580 letters later, Amy’s life would never be the same. When’s the last time you wrote a letter…to a stranger?

Memoir

Sunrise: Life After Traumatic Brain Injury: a Healing Journey in Surviving TBI, an Empowering True Story by Kristin Abello (Houston)

Kristin Abello shares the story of her experience with a traumatic brain injury, telling how the support and prayers of her husband, family, and friends formed the basis of her miraculous recovery and her advice to others dealing with TBI.

Biography

Snapshots of My Father, John Silber by Rachel Silber Devlin (Dallas)

In this biography of John Silber, his daughter examines her father’s personality and temperaments, recounting his tenure at The University of Texas, making his mark in many well-known organizations, and the hardships he endured through his continued accomplishments.

…But don’t let your Texas reading list stop here! With a whole month of celebration ahead, be sure to check out and support local bookstores and indie publishers. You never know where you’ll find your new favorite! 

BookPeople – Austin

Vintage Bookstore & Wine Bar – Austin

Brazos Bookstore – Houston

Katy Budget Books – Houston

Interabang Books – Dallas

Deep Vellum – Dallas

Monkey & Dog Books – Fort Worth

The Twig Book Shop – San Antonio

Old Town Books – San Antonio

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Cover photo courtesy Meredith Janning