Andrea Contos has a degree in business from Michigan State University and left a successful career in human resources to focus on her writing. She was a 2017 Pitch Wars mentee and has also been a finalist in the Lone Star Writing Contest and the NTRWA’s Great Expectations Contest. Andrea lives with her family outside Detroit, Michigan.
Debora Pearson
Debora Pearson works as a children’s librarian in Toronto, Ontario, and is the author of numerous books for children.
Joyce Grant
Joyce Grant is a freelance journalist and children’s author. She created the popular website Teaching Kids News and has given hundreds of presentations at schools and libraries. She is also the author of the Gabby picture book series and two middle-grade novels. Joyce lives with her family in Hamilton, Ontario.
Jessica Kulekjian
Jessica Kulekjian lives in Central California, where she spent much of her childhood outdoors, swimming, climbing trees, exploring and inventing stories. As she grew, she started writing those stories down. Jessica went on to study creative writing and education in college and earned an MA in teaching. Today, Jessica is an elementary school teacher and writes in the early morning hours. Her passion for nature, free play and interest-led learning inspires all her stories.
Beth Anderson
Beth Anderson is a former educator and the author of An Inconvenient Alphabet, Lizzie Demands a Seat! and several other books for children. When she’s not writing, she might be weaving, gardening, exploring nature or playing with her grandkids. Born and raised in Illinois, she now lives near the mountains in Colorado.