Descendants of Clotilda survivor among authors featured at Birmingham Public Library expo
The free event will bring together more than 30 Alabama writers whose works span children's literature, historical fiction, memoirs and more.
Mason Reed 
The 2026 Local Authors’ Expo is taking over the Birmingham Public Library today, bringing together more than 30 Alabama writers for a celebration of literature. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2100 Park Place, readers have a unique opportunity to meet the creators behind a wide array of works, including children’s literature, historical fiction, and memoirs. Admission to the event is free.
A Powerful Legacy
Among the highlighted authors are Birmingham sisters Deborah Sanders and Gwendolyn Sanders Gamble. Both women are not only noted writers but also veterans of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement, where they served as foot soldiers. Their personal family narrative is deeply tied to the history of the Clotilda, the last known slave ship to illegally transport enslaved Africans to the United States in 1860.
The sisters—along with two other siblings—co-authored Matilda’s Story: Through the Eyes of Four Sisters. The book serves as a multigenerational bridge, tracing their family’s journey from the horrors of slavery to their active participation in the fight for Civil Rights. Their great-grandmother, originally named Àbáké, was only two years old when she and her mother were brought to Mobile Bay. After the ship was burned to hide evidence of the illegal voyage, the child was renamed Matilda. The book details her profound resilience, including a courageous 15-mile trek to a Selma courthouse at age 71 to seek justice for the crimes committed against her, despite being denied by the legal system of the time. You can learn more about this compelling account here.
Meet the Alabama Writing Community
The expo, presented by the Tri-County (Alabama) Chapter of The Links Inc. and the Birmingham Public Library, features a diverse lineup of talent. Readers can engage with authors including Janetta Benefield, Tiffiney Rodgers-McDaniel, Gary Minder, Sheila Montgomery, Amanda Nabors, Rachel Pendley, Rylee Twilley, and Mariah Weber.
Keynote presentations will feature artist and filmmaker YOGI DADA, who recently published Djembe Chronicles: Humans, Animals & Angels. Additionally, Hope Fortenberry of Rocky Heights Print and Binding will host sessions for aspiring writers, offering expert guidance on the book production process, from manuscript preparation to final printing and binding.
