On Oct. 25, 2025 at the Grant R. Brimhall Library in Thousand Oaks, the annual Local Authors Fair brought together writers from all across the community. The event provided a forum for authors to share their stories, inspirations and creative journeys. The event offered visitors a chance to learn what inspires authors and how their personal experiences shape their writing.
Author Isabella Godinez grew up in Newbury Park. As a high school student during COVID, Godinez, like many other students, faced an uphill battle for what came after graduation. Godinez’s book “Inner Revolution” was inspired by her own experiences traveling and facing challenges after COVID.
“I ended up getting a van and traveling … I just kind of put all of those [speedbumps] into the book sharing the different obstacles and struggles,” Godinez said.
She recalled a point where she was forced to step out of her comfort zone.
“The first time I went to my van I crawled into the back of the van and I said, I can either go out there shy and not know anyone and be scared, or I can go out and ask to be friends, make all kinds of new people and hobbies,” Godinez said. “And that’s exactly what I did. They don’t know that I’m shy and nervous, so might as well not act like it.”
As a neuro linguistic programming trainer for NLP with Me, Godinez hopes to change people’s negative mindsets in order to help them flourish to their full potential. She shares her story with her clients to boost their confidence and trust in themselves. Guided meditations and workshops/courses led by certified NLP trainers are available through the website.
Former special education teacher Rhory Kadish Lamboy draws inspiration for her writing from the students she’s taught over years.
“I based the book on my nephew and all the kids I’ve helped through the years,” Lamboy said.
Her novel follows a seventh grade boy who is a talented left-handed pitcher but struggles with learning disabilities and faces challenges both in and out of the classroom.
“He has twin siblings who are super smart, and so people start ridiculing him. His teacher is especially mean,” Lamboy said.
Despite the obstacles her character faces, the story takes a hopeful turn.
“It’s kind of a twist in the book where he finds out that he has a gift that he didn’t know that he had,” Lamboy said.
Lamboy’s background as an educator deeply shaped her storytelling.
“I used to teach in Simi Valley and in Los Angeles. Now I have my own educational therapy business where I can teach kids in Oak Park and Agoura,” Lamboy said.
Through her writing, she continues to help children discover their own strengths, just like the main character in her book.
