Stefanie Gamarra | Updates

Family Literary Festival at Children’s Discovery Museum

Stefanie Gamarra — Mon, 3 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Families will enjoy all the Museum has to offer, along with celebrity and author story readings, hands-on activities and art projects, and family friendly entertainment. All included with your special event day admission ticket!

A collaboration between Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream, Children’s Discovery Museum and the San José Public Library Foundation, to promote the importance of reading.

Meet Mychal the Librarian!

Mychal Threets, also known as “Mychal the Librarian,” is an award-winning librarian, author, and mental health advocate. He’s known for his motivational videos on TikTok and Instagram about his love of reading and libraries. He’s also the host of the revived children’s program Reading Rainbow and PBS’s resident librarian.

https://www.cdm.org/event/kristi-yamaguchis-family-literacy-festival/

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Banter Bookshop - Storytime

Stefanie Gamarra — Fri, 3 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I will be reading "Jibberjack, Fibberjack" at 10:30 am at Banter Bookshop, your local Fremont indie bookstore.

Location: 3768 Capitol Ave Ste. F, Fremont, CA 94538

See you there!

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"Jibberjack, Fibberjack" Winner of IPPY GOLD Award 2026 for Children’s Picture Books

Stefanie Gamarra — Fri, 3 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Traverse City, MI – June 24, 2026 –The Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs) are proud to announce the medalists for the 2026 competition, honoring the year’s most outstanding independently published titles. With over 100 categories and thousands of entries from around the world, the IPPYs continue to highlight the creativity, innovation, and impact of independent authors and publishers. Celebrating its 30th year, the IPPY Awards recognize books that exemplify independent spirit and publishing excellence across a wide range of genres—from literary fiction and memoir to children’s books and regional titles. This year’s medalists include self-published authors, university presses, and independent publishing houses from 15 countries, representing the vibrant global voice of indie publishing. See the complete list of 2026 IPPY Medalists here: https://ippyawards.com/blog/2026-medalists

About the IPPYs

Established in 1996, the Independent Publisher Book Awards were created to bring increased recognition to exemplary independent, university, and self-published books. The IPPYs are open to independent authors and publishers from around the globe, honoring books created for an English-speaking audience. A panel of expert judges—including librarians, booksellers, reviewers, and designers—evaluate entries based on quality of content, originality, and design. By awarding gold, silver, and bronze medals in each category, the IPPYs shine a spotlight on books that break new ground and make meaningful contributions to literature and culture.

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Bay Area Book Festival - Storytime

Stefanie Gamarra — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I will be reading my latest picture book release at the YouthLit Read Aloud Stage in the Park on May 31st, 2026, at 3:00 PM in Berkeley.

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"Jibberjack Fibberjack" Named as a Winner of the 2026 IndieReader Discovery Awards

Stefanie Gamarra — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

San Francisco, CA — May 28, 2026, Marshmallow Tree Press is pleased to announce that "Jibberjack, Fibberjack" by Stefanie Gamarra and Marta Pilosio has been named a winner in the 15th annual IndieReader Discovery Awards.

IndieReader announced the winners of its Discovery Awards May 28. The IndieReader Discovery Awards recognizes the year’s standout independent books, focusing on connecting winning authors with influential members of the publishing, media, entertainment, and literary communities. You can view all of the winners here:

https://indiereader.com/irda26-winners

The 2026 awards marked the first awards ceremony presented under the ownership of Julia and Jared Drake, who acquired IndieReader in 2025 and have expanded its mission of helping exceptional independent books gain meaningful recognition.

“The quality of this year’s submissions make it clear why we believe so deeply in this community. Independent publishing has never been more vital, and these winners represent exactly the kind of bold, original work that deserves a wider stage,” said IndieReader co-owner Jared Drake.

With over 1,000 submissions submitted across more than 50 categories, this year’s competition was the largest and most competitive award cycle in the program’s history.

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About IndieReader | Founded in 2009, IndieReader has been the trusted, credible source of professional book reviews, literary awards, and marketing support for self-published, hybrid, and small press authors. Today, IndieReader continues its mission to level the playing field for independent authors—treating indie not as an alternative, but as a force: bold, vital, and impossible to ignore.

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Artists’ Pop-Up Market

Stefanie Gamarra — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

New This Year, Artists’ Pop-Up Market!

Fremont Creates is hosting an Artists’ Pop-Up Market at the Downtown Event Center in Fremont on April 26, 2026 from 11 am – 3 pm to wrap up April is Arts, Culture & Creativity Month. All local artists are invited to display and sell their pieces at this event.

In addition, there will be two adult hands-on workshops.

And finally, the ever-popular Makerspace for kids of all ages will be open from 11 am to 3 pm as well.

Come enjoy and connect with the Fremont local art creators!

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"Jibberjack, Fibberjack" Named 2025 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist

Stefanie Gamarra — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

San Francisco, CA—Today, I'm pleased to announce "Jibberjack, Fibberjack" has been recognized as a finalist in the 28th annual Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards.

As part of its mission to discover, review, and share the best books from university and independent publishers, Foreword Magazine, Inc. hosts an annual awards program each year. Finalists represent the best books published in 2025.

The complete list of Finalists can be found at: https://www.forewordreviews.com/awards/finalists/2025/

“This year’s finalist judging process leaves us buoyant about the health of independent publishing,” says Executive Editor Matt Sutherland. “From Self-Help titles to Business, Poetry to Juvenile Nonfiction, we have never seen such a remarkable collection of submissions. With the competition so tight, the 2025 finalists should feel immensely proud.”

Winners in each genre, along with Editor’s Choice Prize winners and Foreword’s Indie Publisher of the Year, will be announced in June 2026.

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Since 1998, Foreword Reviews has provided trade book reviews of the best titles from independent presses. In print and online, its FOLIO award-winning design and editorial content make the magazine a favorite among librarians, booksellers, and readers—an excellent resource when it comes to purchasing books. Foreword INDIES and the Foreword Clarion Review service complement our online content and print magazine, helping to showcase independent authors and publishers.

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