Meet The Team
PoulsboKidsBookFest@gmail.com
Suzanne Selfors
Founder/Author Liaison
Suzanne is the owner of Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo, WA. She's also a best-selling kids' author. She has won the WA State Book Award, six Junior Library Guild Awards, numerous state awards and this festival is one of her passion projects.
Walker Ranson
Founder/School Visits Coordinator
Walker is the co-owner of Liberty Bay Books and the store's manager. He published his first novel, BRAVER, in 2020 and continues to write. He grew up on Bainbridge Island and is a sixth generation Islander.
Maureen McQuerry
Hall of Authors & Illustrators Coordinator
Maureen McQuerry is the author of four novels for middle grade readers and young adults and two board book series. Her books have been selected for YALSA best fiction, ALA best book, Bank Street Best Books, and sold in 5 languages. She taught for 20 years and was the McAuliffe fellow for WA state in 2000.
Mary Sloat
Hall of Authors & Illustrators Coordinator
Mary Sloat writes novels for middle grade readers. Her stories contain elements of fantasy, magical realism, or science fiction because that's how she sees the world. At the Bainbridge BARN Writers’ Studio, she organized classes to educate and inspire her fellow writers.
Connie Bye
Media/Press
Connie Bye is a journalist and editor has written on topics ranging from the environment to schools, people, government and community life. A Bainbridge Island resident for 12 years, she leads school tours at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, has performed in numerous Ovation musicals and sings with the fantastic group Crescendo.
Debbie Jo Rock
Educator Night Coordinator
Recently retired, Debbie Jo was an educator in Washington State for over 30 years. She has an MA in Curriculum and Instruction and is a National Board Certified Library Media Specialist. She was the Librarian at Vinland Elementary from 2008-2015, and Poulsbo Middle School from 2018-2024.
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Gary Pazoff
Fundraising/Donor Liaison
Gary has spent most of his career in market research and sales. Originally from California, he's lived in the PNW for over thirty years. He can often be found running and playing rugby.
Marilyn McLauchlan
Fundraising/Donor Liaison
Marilyn raised her family on Bainbridge Island and worked as a real estate broker for Carol King Associates, Windermere and was co-owner of Leonhardt/McLauchlan Real Estate, She loves traveling, gardening and all things books.