Local Authors

Your stories have a home here.

At The Curious Turtle, we believe some of the best stories are written right here in our own communities. As an independently owned bookstore in Jefferson City, Missouri, we love connecting readers with the authors, illustrators, and storytellers who call our state home.

Whether you’re a first-time author, an established writer, or someone who has just published a book you can’t wait to share, we’d love to learn more about your work.

Shop Missouri Authors

Our local author collection features books by writers from Jefferson City and across Missouri, including fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, local history, and more. We intentionally dedicate space in our shop to celebrating the creativity and talent of our community.

Browse our Missouri Authors collection online or stop by the shop to discover your next local favorite.

Interested in Having Your Book in the Shop?

We welcome inquiries from local and regional authors interested in having their books considered for The Curious Turtle. Because our space is thoughtfully curated, we review each title individually to make sure it is a good fit for our readers and available shelf space.

When reaching out, please include:

  • Your name and where you’re located
  • Book title, author name, and ISBN
  • Genre, intended age range, and a short description
  • Publisher or self-published status
  • Retail price and wholesale or consignment information
  • Where the book is currently available for purchase
  • A cover image or link to learn more about the book

We may ask for additional information or a review copy before making a decision. Submission does not guarantee placement, but we genuinely appreciate every author who takes the time to share their work with us.

Author Events & Book Signings

We love creating opportunities for readers and authors to meet. From children’s storytimes and book signings to author conversations and special events, we’re always interested in hearing about creative ways to bring stories to life.

If you have an upcoming release, a book that would be a great fit for one of our events, or an idea for a collaboration, please reach out. We’re happy to discuss possibilities based on our calendar, space, and audience.

Supporting Local Stories

When you purchase a book by a local author, you’re doing more than adding a new title to your shelf. You’re supporting a writer’s work, investing in our creative community, and helping independent bookstores continue to champion stories that might otherwise be overlooked.

Thank you for reading local, sharing stories, and helping us bring more Missouri voices to our shelves.