Book & Author Luncheon

Anne Elise Urrutia is a writer and explorer of family history, especially the life, work, and legacy of her great grandfather, Dr. Aureliano Urrutia, a renowned surgeon who came to San Antonio in 1914 as an exile of the Mexican Revolution. As a teenager in the late 1970s, Elise’s interest in journalism inspired her to venture into Miraflores to photograph Urrutia’s disappearing family garden, which he had created from 1921 to 1962 as an expression of his connection to Mexico. Her book, Miraflores, San Antonio’s Mexican Garden of Memory, was published in June 2022 by Trinity University Press.

Robyn McGrath has spent her career working with children as a dance and yoga instructor, reading teacher, school counselor, and now… children’s author. Whether she’s writing fiction or nonfiction, Robyn believes that books help us navigate life experiences while fostering an understanding of self and others. Robyn is the author of Dolly! The Story of Dolly Parton and Her Big Dream, illustrated by Ellen Surrey. When Robyn is not writing she works as a Play Therapist, helping children and parents regulate BIG emotions. Robyn lives in Austin, TX with her husband, two children, and a friendly cat they found camping.

James Wade lives and writes in the Texas Hill Country with his wife and daughter. He is the author of River, Sing Out and All Things Left Wild, a winner of the prestigious MPIBA Reading the West Award for Debut Fiction, and a recipient of the Spur Award for Best Historical Novel from the Western Writers of America. His third novel, Beasts of the Earth, is available now from Blackstone Publishing. His novels have landed on book-buzz lists from Deep South Magazine, Southern Review, Barnes and Noble, and PopSugar.

Marissa Clarke is a multi-award-winning, RITA nominated author who lives on the Texas Gulf Coast with her ever-patient husband, two cantankerous Cairn Terriers, and an abundance of bossy chickens. She also writes for teens under the name Mary Lindsey. Two of her teen books, Shattered Souls and Fragile Spirits were on the Texas Lone Star reading list.