SamiJo is a first-class shenanigator, decorated coddiwompler, narrator, creator, and award-winning author. Among her works are “Abney Kelly & the Yuletide Shenanigans,” a dark YA Fantasy steeped in Pagan lore, and “The Haunt,” a brisk, witty tale about a witch running a haunted bookstore. She earned fourth place in Writer’s Digest’s prestigious annual writing competition for her short story “One Samhain Night.” Additionally, her poem “The Bottom” appeared in Great Plains Medley, an anthology of prose and poetry by North Dakota writers.
Her passion for making the arts accessible led her to co-found the North Dakota Book and Arts Festival in Jamestown, North Dakota. Unlike most events, the festival never charges authors or artists for table space, and admission is free to all. By removing financial barriers, the festival ensures equal opportunities for artists and makes the arts accessible to everyone. She feels privileged to work with co-founders Jill Pfaff (Assistant Director/Outreach Librarian, James River Library System) and Aaron Cloyd (Professor, University of Jamestown) toward this mission. Learn more about the North Dakota Book and Arts Festival here: (5) Facebook
SamiJo lives in North Dakota with her husband and a small menagerie. Most days, she’s at her keyboard creating new worlds and adventures. When she can, she curls up with a book and blanket, enjoys video games, or, if lucky, gathers with friends and family for Dungeons & Dragons.
Follow her on social media—she loves connecting with readers and writers. Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and be part of her creative community. Your support means everything!
Awards
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Books by SamiJo
Abney Kelly seems like your typical thirteen-year-old trying to find her place in the world. She’s shy, awkward, has no friends, and is bullied constantly. However things are not always as they appear, after being pushed into a clover patch, a creature who says he’s her assigned guardian whisks her off to a school in Tìr na nÓg, called Yule.
Turns out she’s a Changeling, and it’s time she learns what that means. Between making new friends, discovering that all the monsters in her nightmares are real, and starting at a new school, Abney didn’t think life could get any harder as she splits her time between the human and Fae realms.
That is until her house matron warns them about Nicholas Kringle. He is stalking his prey throughout realms and collecting the hearts of those on his so-called nice list. At a New Year’s Eve party, Abney and her new gang use an Ouija board and discover that one of their friends is on Kringle’s list.
Determined to stop their friend’s death, Abney and company set off on a chilly adventure, to try to change fate, but only one thing is for certain… This year they’ll end up on the naughty list or die trying.
My name is Hecate Grimm, and I own a bookshop. It’s pretty average as far as bookstores go. Nothing special to see here, or at least that’s what my regulars believe. They also think I’m a ventriloquist, special effects guru, and dedicated actress.
Clearly, when it was raining brains, the vast majority went out with umbrellas. I’ve told them, time and time again that I’m a witch, and this is a haunted bookstore, which is why it’s called The Haunt.
But no, it’s much easier to believe I wasted time learning to throw my voice and hanging invisible wires all over the place. After all, you’re modern people. How could anything supernatural be going on right under your noses?
Maiden, Mother, and Crone—the stupidity of it makes me sick. I guess you can come in if you must. Look around and actually buy something since you’ve had the audacity to interrupt my book. Just don’t wear out your welcome or waste my time with your idiotic questions. I have fictional characters to get back to, and they’re all more interesting than you.
Collaborations
My Poem, The Bottom, is included in this publication, along with other works by talented writers in my area!
