Meet the Authors Who Trust Ballast Books

From first-time writers to bestselling authors, we help storytellers bring their books to life.

Author Testimonials

Meet Our Authors

Navy SEAL Chief
Eddie Gallagher
Navy SEAL Chief Edward Gallagher, a decorated combat veteran, was arrested for war crimes after a disputed case led by disgruntled platoon members. Later acquitted of major charges, he now shares his untold story.
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Jeff
Gardner
Jeff Gardner is an entrepreneur, CEO, investor, and board director passionate about leadership and corporate culture. He chairs multiple companies and is a general partner at SpringTime Ventures.
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Mike "The Situation"
Sorrentino
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino gained worldwide recognition starring on the hit reality TV show Jersey Shore, captivating audiences with his entertaining personality and trademark abs.
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Greg
McNeilly
Greg McNeilly is an entrepreneur, writer, husband, and father passionate about inspiring better. He focuses on curating knowledge, challenging the status quo, and sharing ideas that empower others to create meaningful change.
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Marv
Weidner
Marv Weidner lives in the beautiful, mountainous Gunnison Valley of Western Colorado and is a volunteer with Living Journeys, a local not-for-profit organization providing services and support to cancer patients and their families.
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Justine
Evirs
Justine Evirs, a business consultant, Stanford GSB alum, and Navy veteran, helps women executives build sustainable revenue models. As the creator of Courage to Create and Courage to Lead, she empowers leaders to build values-driven busines
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Jan
Davis
Jan Davis is a former NASA astronaut with three Space Shuttle missions. With degrees in biomedical and mechanical engineering, she has since become an executive, consultant, and STEM advocate for girls.
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Zoë
Gregory
Zoë, a former Playboy Bunny and VIP flight attendant, is a three-time fitness competition champion and a fitness trainer and nutrition consultant who is committed to helping others achieve their health and fitness goals.
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Dan
Blakely
Dan Blakeley is a former U.S. Army Ranger and author, focusing on themes of resilience and personal growth in his writings.
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Adam
DeMarco
Adam DeMarco, a West Point and Georgetown graduate, is a field artillery officer with overseas deployments, a business consultant in public and private sectors, and a nonprofit leader. He lives in Washington, DC, with his dog, George.
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Ashton
Pienaar
After experiencing a near-death experience on the show Below Deck, Ashton Pienaar focused on personal growth, achieving three years of sobriety. Now in Raleigh, NC, he leads AP-Elite, a fitness and health company.
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Dr. Jeffrey
Kuhlman
Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, a board-certified expert in aerospace, family, and occupational medicine, served as the longest-tenured White House physician, with roles in the Bush and Obama administrations.
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David
Runge
David Runge spent years as a marriage and family counselor, business jet pilot, homeland missionary, and pastor. Now retired, he volunteers with local ministries supporting the incarcerated and addiction recovery communities.
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Jason
Van Camp
Jason Van Camp is a former Green Beret and author focusing on leadership and resilience.
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Pete
Kusiak
With over twenty years of experience owning businesses, coaching business owners, and training business leaders around the world, Pete Kusiak a master at turning fun into success.
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Darrell
Utt
Darrell Utt is a former special forces operator turned author and motivational speaker.
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Lex
Van Der Ploeg
Lex Van der Ploeg’s search for life’s meaning, shaped by his religious upbringing, led to I Am Machine. He writes novels exploring life’s philosophy through science, physics, and math. A former Columbia professor, he’s worked in biotech on
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David
Adams
David Adams is a retired computer programmer, enjoying photography and traveling with his wife.
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Emily “EMYO”
Ozier
Emily “EMYO” Ozier, a Tennessee girl with Cuban roots, has lived a life full of art. From paper dolls wearing napkin dresses to a 3D house for a family of painted bumblebees, EMYO spent her childhood creating.
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Chris
Frueh, PhD
Chris Frueh, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and author specializing in mental health research.
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Michelle
Bazargan
Michelle Mehrnoosh Bazargan is a cultural critic and author analyzing media trends.
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Richard
Greenberg, MD
Richard Greenberg, MD, is a physician and author focusing on medical innovations.
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Diana
McLain Smith
Diana McLain Smith is an expert in organizational behavior and author of several business books.
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Robert “Navy Bob”
Roncska
Robert Roncska is a veteran and author, sharing his military experiences and lessons learned.
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Kelly
Speck
Kelly Speck is an author and speaker, sharing her family's journey of faith and resilience in the face of medical challenges.
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Tom
Amenta
Tom Amenta is a former U.S. Army Ranger and author, sharing his experiences and insights on leadership and service.
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Beau
Simmons
Beau Simmons is a photographer and author, capturing the essence of Americana and rural life through his lens and narratives.
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Ellen
Goldstein
Ellen Goldstein is an award-winning former senior executive at the World Bank with a forty-year career on the front lines of foreign aid delivery.
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Mark T.
Hebner
Mark T. Hebner is an investment advisor and author promoting index fund investing.
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Ryan
Henderson
Ryan Henderson is an author and entrepreneur focusing on personal development and business strategies.
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Steve
Shull
Steve Shull is a former NFL player turned real estate coach and author.
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Dana
Green
Dana Green has held the title of the top realtor in Lafayette, California, since 2008 and in the combined Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda regions (Lamorinda), California, since 2010.
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Jonathan
Lack
Jonathan has over thirty years of experience in management and strategic planning in both consumer and business-to-business markets (e.g., startups, mid-size, and Fortune 500) in over fifteen industries.
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Dr. Jessica
Thompson
Dr. Jessica Thompson is a researcher and author specializing in environmental science.
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Anna
Nasset
Anna Nasset, a survivor of stalking for over a decade, is an international speaker and activist. After her stalker received a ten-year sentence, she became a leading voice on stalking, sexual assault, and victim advocacy.
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Vickie
Kloeris
Vickie Kloeris recently retired from NASA where she worked in space food systems for thirty-four years She has authored and co-authored numerous publications and has received several awards, including NASA’s highest employee award.
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Raymond
van Aalst
Raymond van Aalst is a financial analyst and author, providing insights into global markets.
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Dr. Dafne
Toro
Dr. Dafne Toro is a medical doctor and author focusing on holistic health approaches.
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Chief Petty Officer Benito
Olsen
Chief Petty Officer Benito Olson is a retired Navy officer sharing his experiences through writing.
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Darren
Sapp
Darren Sapp has authored multiple works of fiction and nonfiction and serves as a guide for other authors crafting their memoirs. He served in the U.S. Navy as a yellow shirt on an aircraft carrier flight deck.
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Amy
Moreland
Amy Moreland is a wellness coach and author, dedicated to promoting holistic health and personal development.
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Savannah
Spidalieri
Savannah Spidalieri is an author and ghostwriter. Raised on the forested trails of the Pacific Northwest and the banks of the Shenandoah River, Savannah currently shares her central Virginia home with her husband, daughter, and pets...
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Jonathan
Jakubowski
Jonathan Jakubowski is an author and entrepreneur, focusing on community development and political engagement in his work.
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Charissa Fontan
Westfall
Charissa Fontan Westfall is an author and motivational speaker, sharing her personal journey to inspire and empower others.
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George Bearnard
Graen
George Bearnard Graen is an American scholar and scientist in the field of leadership during on-boarding...
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Julio C.
Canedo
Julio C. Canedo is a computer systems and electronics engineer with an MBA in Human Resource Management (HRM) and a PhD in Strategy/Organizational Behavior....
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J.D. Danny
McCabe
J.D. Danny McCabe is an author who has shared his personal journey through adversity and resilience, offering hope and inspiration to readers.
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Daniel
Huang
Daniel Huang is a financial analyst and author, providing insights into economic trends and personal finance strategies.
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Daniel
Gade
Daniel Gade is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and author, advocating for veterans' rights and policy reform through his work.
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Kent
Thompson
Kent Thompson grew up in Wyoming before moving to California. After earning a history degree, a summer refinery job led to a career in oil. He later supervised offshore platforms, working with Navy SEALs.
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