Jacqueline West is the author of the New York Times-bestselling middle grade series The Books of Elsewhere. Her spooky middle grade novel, Long Lost, was named to the Texas Library Association's Bluebonnet Master List, and she was awarded a Schneider Family Honor for her novel The Collectors. She also published a sequel,The Collectors: A Storm of Wishes, as well as the YA novels Dreamers Often Lie and Last Things. Her poetry is collected in Cherma and Candle and Pins: Poems on Superstitions, and her poetry and short fiction appear in a variety of publications. She lives in Red Wing, Minnesota, with her family.
Lily Williams is the author and illustrator of Go With The Flow and the If Animals Disappeared series. She grew up in Northern California where she received her BFA from California College of the Arts before moving to Colorado. Lily seeks to inspire change, engage audiences, and educate people of all ages with her artwork.
Liz Wong was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she spent her early childhood painting and clambering about in mango trees. Liz is the author and illustrator of Quackers, The Goose Egg, and I Am Not a Penguin, all from Knopf Books for Young Readers, as well as the illustrator of Pirate Queen: A Story of Zheng Yi Sao by Helene Becker. She lives in the Seattle area with her husband and son.
Mecca Woods is a New York City-based astrologer and author who works to help others create a life they truly want using their natural-born gifts. Her writing and astro-guidance have appeared in places like Bustle and Essence, as well as on TLC. She is also the author of Astrology for Happiness and Success, The Astrology Journal, and the Your Cosmic Coloring Book series. When she’s not writing, Mecca is teaching classes on personal development and co-hosting the astrology podcast Stars on Fire. Her most important job is being a mom to her awesome Aries daughter.
Yvonne Woon is the author of If You, Then Me and the Dead Beautiful series. She received her MFA from Columbia University, and writes fiction for teens and adults. She lives in Decatur, GA, with her family.
Brian Yanish is an author, illustrator and maker. He has worked for Jim Henson Productions, trained as a special effects moldmaker, written and performed comedy and designed home decor, apparel and toys. He is the creator of ScrapKins®, a Recycled Arts Enrichment program that inspires kids to see creative potential in everyday junk. Brian has presented workshops at schools and institutions across the country and even appeared on Sesame Street. His books include the Shark and Bot young graphic novel series (Random House Graphic), SWEET AND SOUR (FSG, 2024), PIRATE CHICKEN (Sourcebooks, 2018), and JUNK RE-THUNK. He lives in Rochester, NY and enjoys sharks, robots and gummy things.
Novelist and pinch-hitting part-time librarian superhero, Bridget Zinn's debut Poison was published by Disney/Hyperion in 2012. When not writing young adult masterpieces or working on world domination, she spent her idle hours cooking, traveling, trying on new boots and making short films. She passed away in 2011 at the tragically young age of thirty-three.
Alisa Zipursky is the founder of HealingHonestly.com, a website that supports young people healing from sexual trauma. Her book, Healing Honestly: The Messy and Magnificent Path To Overcoming Self-Blame and Self-Shame, will be published by Berrett-Koehler in 2023. She is a writer, storyteller, and coach who brings transparency and humor to the topics of sexual trauma and mental health, promoting healing in a way that feels accessible and not so damn scary.
Her writing has been published in Allure, Teen Vogue and BUST; and she is often quoted in publications such as TIME, The Guardian, Bustle, Hello Giggles, Brit+Co, and she has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Alisa was also named one of NPR's The MothStorySLAM champions.