Eric Arnold

Eric Arnold has more than 700,000 books in print (some under the name of Matt Christopher, the famous, best-selling dead sports writer for boys). Currently working as a third grade teacher, Arnold originated the famous Hole in the Sock productions with WGBH in Boston. Some of his books include A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A POLICE OFFICER (Scholastic) and VOLCANO! MOUNTAIN OF FIRE (Random House). In his ground-breaking teen novel, RUNNING WITH SLUGS, he has created a Holden Caulfield for the twenty-first century.



Jeannine Atkins

Jeannine Atkins has written a number of books for young readers, including HOW HIGH CAN WE CLIMB: THE STORY OF WOMEN EXPLORERS (Farrar, Straus, & Giroux) AND A NAME ON THE QUILT (Simon & Schuster). Her latest books are GILDED, a spot-on young adult novel set at a elite spa in Vermont, and MAY, a lyyrical adult novel based on the life of Louisa May Alcott’s sister May, an artist who lived in Europe for many years.



Benedetta Balistrieri

Daughter of Frankie Bal (Frank Balistrieri), former head of Cosa Nostra and subject of the hit movies Casino and Donny Brasco, she fled her family to work in Hollywood as the first female concert promoter in the United States. Working in the sixties, she gave many famous musicians their start: Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Cream, etc., married the lead singer of Sha Na Na, fought her brothers and sister for her rightful share of the family money after her father's death, escaped a hit man hired by her brother to kill her, and has been a fixture in Hollywood for decades. Her story is one of family, Mafia, baseball (her cousin was Joe DiMaggio), and rock and roll. Benedetta is a survivor, and not only is this memoir a juicy beach read chock full of Hollywood gossip, but also it will inspire women everywhere to stand up for themselves.



Sarah Barthel

Sarah Barthel has written a powerful Holocaust novel about incarcerated members of a German theatrical troupe called PINK PRISONERS. Ms. Barthel has a knack for illuminating historical points in time with gripping fiction for teen readers. Her next book, MACKENZIE’S CROSS, is a medieval mystery.



Dr. Fred Bortz

Dr. Fred Bortz has a Ph.D. in Physics and has written a number of non-fiction books on scientific topics for middle-grade readers. His book TECHNO-MATTER (Twenty-First Century Books) won numerous honors including the American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award, and COLLISION COURSE! (Millbrook), which received a boxed review in Booklist, designated one of the Top Ten Sci-Tech Books for Youth." Currently working on OUR NEXT PLANET: WHY, WHEN, AND HOW PEOPLE WILL SETTLE OTHER WORLDS and STORM FRONT: GLOBAL WARMING IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY.



Ann Burg

Ann Burg is a writer of rare lyricism and simplicity and author of children's picture books, middle-grade fiction, and poetry, including AUTUMN WALK (HarperFestival), WINTER WALK (HarperFestival), TIMES SQUARE: A NEW YORK NUMBER BOOK (Sleeping Bear Press), and E IS FOR EMPIRE: A NEW YORK STATE BOOK (Sleeping Bear Press). Currently working on picture books entitled SPRING SONG , SUMMER SONG, and PUMPKINS AND PEPPERMINT STICKS and a powerful novel in verse entitled CATTAILS.



Joe Cadora

Joe Cadora has had his stories published in various literary magazines including the Southern Humanities Review, and his book reviews have appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle. Currently working on THE DEVIL'S MUSIC, a darkly comic tale of blues musicians on the run from the law in the Depression Era South that draws upon Joe's extensive knowledge of the blues, which he traces all the way back to Blind Lemon Jefferson through his guitar guru, Danny Kalb – taught by Josh White, Blind Lemon's protégé. THE DEVIL'S MUSIC took first prize for unpublished novel at the 1999 Jack London Writers' Colloquium, and a screenplay Joe wrote based on the novel was optioned by Flatiron Films. An excerpt from the novel, published as the stand-alone story "Gumbo" in the Montserrat Review, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2001.



Andrea Passman Candell

A relationship coach in private practice specializing in pre-engagement and founder of HisColdFeet.com, the official web site for those in "pre-engagement limbo," Candell received her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and her Bachelor's Degree in Speech Communication from Syracuse University. Since launching HisColdFeet.com in February 2005, Andrea has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, CBS Television, the Boston Herald, Women's Health and Fitness, the Rocky Mountain News, the Des Moines Register, Doug Stephans' Good Day Show, the San Jose Mercury News, and other media broadcasts. Candell has been called on as a source by US Magazine and the New York Times, and has been featured as a guest expert on discussion forums such as eNotalone.com. Currently working on HIS COLD FEET, the ultimate survival guide and a definite must-read for the woman who feels stuck in neutral within her relationship



Harrison Cheung

Born in Scotland, raised in Florida, and educated in Canada, Harrison Cheung is an award-winning writer who has worked in Hollywood for over a decade as a personal publicist, manager, and marketer to many celebrities. Currently working on a Young Adult trilogy set in Hollywood.

Harrison Cheung has been working in Hollywood for over a decade as personal publicist, manager, and marketer to a diverse number of celebrities, including Young Hollywood's hottest stars Christian Bale (American Psycho, Batman Begins) and Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko, Day After Tomorrow); horror queen Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street); Hollywood legend Charlton Heston; and feminist author Gloria Steinem.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Harrison began his career as a technical writer in Toronto, Canada but soon moved to Los Angeles to work in marketing and publicity after a fateful, inspirational exchange of letters with Steven Spielberg in 1989. Harrison is the editor of Movie-Gurus.com, a film review webzine. His film reviews are syndicated worldwide through the IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, The SciFiMovie Page, and The Movie Portal. He has been published in Zap2It, The Chicago Tribune, Roger Ebert's Little Movie Glossary, and Wired.

Harrison is also an accomplished Internet marketer, turning movies such as American Psycho, Newsies, and Donnie Darko into box office hits. Trying his hand at producing, Harrison won a 2003 Telly Award (Biographies) for his first short film Rising of the Moon, about IRA hunger-striker Bobby Sands. He also won Honorable Mention in the 2003 Banshee Writing competition
for his short story "No Cadillac."

Harrison is a member of the Internet Entertainment Writers Association; Independent Feature Project (IFP), a resource for independent filmmakers; the Irish Screen, a non-profit organization promoting Irish cinema in the U.S.; the American Library Association; and the Asian American Writers' Workshop.



Connie Clark

A graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a degree in English Literature, Clark studied writing with Carolyn See and advertising legend Steve Garey. She worked in-house at magazines and ad agencies before setting out on her own as a freelance writer and editor. Clark writes for companies such as Honda and Microsoft, writes work-for-hire books for several middle-grade publishers, and has edited a number of children's books. Currently working on THE HANDY VAMPIRE MANUAL, a middle-grade novel set in the fictional town of Chocotree, California, where a band of suspiciously pale auto mechanics in black capes have lured ten-year-old Cola Addams to a car dealership at midnight. When Cola's older sister, Ro, receives a ransom note that changes color before her eyes, she embarks on an odd journey to rescue her sister, dealing with an assortment of strange beings, including a large, somewhat furry queen with the supernatural ability to bore her enemies to death, and a malevolent advisor bent on destroying Cola and her family.



Chris Coles

Chris Coles has created a series of striking paintings of Bangkok in his monograph BANGKOK NIGHTS. Mr. Coles has shown his work in U.S. galleries in New York, Los Angeles, and Bangkok, Thailand.



Jeffrey Doty

Jeffrey Doty is a writer of lyrical, fantastic fiction, some which has appeared in children’s magazines such as Cricket. His picture book WIND is an original myth about the king of the fairies meeting with an earthly king, and his fantasy novel AVIARA is beautifully evocative tale set in the self-contained aviary world.



Maggie Dugan

Former corporate media executive and trainer-consultant, marketing specialist, journalist, and guest columnist living in Paris. Currently working on the non-fiction book THIN BLUE LINE: THE STORY OF AN AMBIVALENT MOTHER about her real-life experiences coping with motherhood.

Dugan has published articles as a journalist and guest columnist in several publications, including Broadcasting, Radio & Records, Radio World, and TV Technology. An essay she wrote was included in the anthology A WAIST IS A TERRIBLE THING TO MIND (2000, Breakthrough Press, La Jolla, CA). A short story she authored entitled "Paying Respects" was a runner-up in the 2003 XJ Kennedy Award of Creative Non-fiction, sponsored by Rosebud magazine.

Dugan is a member of the Creative Education Foundation (CEF) and served on their board of trustees from 1998-2003, as vice-President during the year 2002-2003. She is also a member of the European Creativity Association (CREA), serving on the Program Committee for the CREA conference in Italy. She is a member of the teaching faculty at the following creativity workshops/conferences: Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI), CREA-Italy, and the South-African Conference on Creativity. She has been an invited guest speaker/facilitator at several other creativity conferences in the United States, South America, and Europe.



Wendy Edelson

Wendy Edelson is the Illustrator of the picture book THE BAKER'S DOZEN by Aaron Shepard (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster). Currently working on THE CAJETA-COLORED DOG WHO LOVED TORTILLAS. She resides in Mexico.



Kathy Feeney

Kathy Feeney is the author of two very funny picture books, PIE IN THE SKY and GENEVIEVE’S THUMB. She is also working on middle grade fiction.



Debbi Michiko Florence

A California native and third-generation Japanese-American, Debbi Michiko Florence has lived in Michigan, Mexico, Massachusetts, New York, and now China. Debbi is a former teacher and zoo educator and currently writes full-time. Her writing credits include adult short fiction in literary journals, articles for SCBWI regional newsletters, and the magazine Once Upon A Time, and children's author interviews that she features on her website (www.debbimichikoflorence.com). She is an active member of SCBWI and the Children's Literature Connection. In 2001, she received a Letter of Merit for the SCBWI Barbara Karlin Grant. Debbi is active in her writing community – serving on a committee at her library, judging local children's writing contests, and last year served as co-chair for the first Albany SCBWI conference.

Currently working on STICKY LABELS, a Young Adult novel about high school freshman Emilyn Tomikawa, who wants to become an It Girl at any cost until she befriends the mysterious Poe, who the It Girls have labeled Loser. Also working on DON'T LOSE ME, a Young Adult novel about eight-grader Maddie Yamaguchi who finds balancing a boyfriend, family life, and a best friend challenging. When everything falls apart and Maddie feels like she's left with nothing, she finally figures out that she's always drifted along with the tide, never making decisions or choices on her own – never going after what she wants, despite the risks. Determined never to lose herself again, in a relationship or in a friendship, Maddie decides what she wants and goes after it.



Charles and Brenden Galloway

Charles is a retired, life-long teacher and counselor of young people and their families in the United States and Canada. His non-fiction book PSYCHOLOGY FOR LEARNING AND TEACHING was published by McGraw-Hill, N.Y., and his articles on the same topics have been published by various educational journals. Brenden, a young adult, was in ninth grade when he and his grandfather began the research for the book that they are currently working on, NOT QUITE WHITE. The book is a middle-grade novel set in 1944 and based on Charles' childhood. The novel tells the story of a young black family that moves into an all-white neighborhood and the resulting friendship between an old white neighbor lady and thirteen-year-old Charles.



Bert Goolsby, Jr.

Bert Goolsby, Jr. is a semi-retired judge who has written a gripping novel for middle grade readers that has the classic quality of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and JIM THE BOY called RUBBER GUNS AND SLINGSHOTS.



Jean Gralley

Jean Gralley is the author/illustrator of a number of popular picture books including THE MOON CAME DOWN ON MILK STREET and HOGZELDA, DREAD PIG OF NIGHT (both published by Henry Holt). Her latest book with co-creator JIM ANDERSON is RUBBY DUCKY SEES THE WORLD.


Carol J. Harley

Carol writes charming stories in miniature about woodland creatures in her delightful chapter book MISS TILLY’S DISTRESS.



Brent Hartinger

Brent Hartinger has been writing books for fifteen years, but didn't sell any of them until the summer of 2001. Since then, he has sold nine novels. Seven are aimed at teenagers and adults, including GEOGRAPHY CLUB (HarperCollins, 2003); THE LAST CHANCE TEXACO (HarperCollins, 2004); a sequel to GEOGRAPHY CLUB called THE ORDER OF THE POISON OAK (HarperCollins, 2005); and GRAND & HUMBLE (HarperCollins, January 2006). Two more Young Adult novels are forthcoming from HarperCollins. Mr. Hartinger is also the author of TALES OF SLUMBERIA, a fantasy series aimed at readers ten and older; the first two books, DREAMQUEST and BRAINSTORM are forthcoming from Tor Books.

Mr. Hartinger's book honors include being named a Book Sense 76 Pick (three times), an IRA Notable Book, a Lambda Literary Award Finalist, a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, a Booklist Top Ten First Young Adult Novel, an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, winner of the SCBWI/Judy Blume Grant for a Contemporary Young Adult Novel, and an Insight/Out (Bookspan) Book Club Main Selection.

Mr. Hartinger has contributed stories or essays to many current or upcoming anthologies, including Rush Hour edited by Michael Cart (Random House) and Young Warriors edited by Tamora Pierce and Josepha Sherman (Random House).

Also a playwright, Mr. Hartinger has seen his work produced at theaters across the country, including Off-Off Broadway at Wings Theatre in New York. His play version of his novel GEOGRAPHY CLUB premiered at Seattle's FringeACT Festival of New Plays in 2004.

Mr. Hartinger lives south of Seattle with another novelist, Michael Jensen, his partner since 1992. He has counseled dozens of teenagers, both as co-facilitator of Oasis, a 200-member gay teen support organization he helped found, and as a counselor at a group home for troubled young people.

He is currently spearheading The Real Story, an online and print safer sex campaign aimed at gay male teens and twentysomethings, which involves characters from Geography Club and other popular teen novels; the project will debut in 2005.

Mr. Hartinger speaks frequently on the subjects of writing, social tolerance, and personal motivation at schools, bookstores, conferences, churches, and civic groups; he appeared at 60 such events last year.

As a screenwriter, Mr. Hartinger has won many awards, including the $5000 Fort Lauderdale Film Festival Screenwriting in the Sun Award. He has several scripts under option and in the process of studio or network development, including the film version of GEOGRAPHY CLUB.



Daniel Hayes

Daniel Hayes' acclaimed trio of Young Adult books about best friends Tyler and Lymie has established a tremendous following and earned the author two ALA Best Books for Young Adults commendations. His fourth book, FLYERS, which introduced a new cast of characters, was a nominee for a 1997 Edgar award by the Mystery Writers of America and was named a 1998 Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association.

Daniel Hayes is the author of THE TROUBLE WITH LEMONS (Godine, 1991), EYE OF THE BEHOLDER (Godine, 1992), NO EFFECT (Godine, 1994), and FLYERS (Simon and Schuster, 1996). THE TROUBLE WITH LEMONS won Best Book for Young Adults citation, American Library Association, 1992, and International Reading Association Young Adults Choice, 1993. NO EFFECT won Best Book for Young Adults citation, American Library Association, 1995.
FLYERS won an Edgar nomination for Best Young Adult Novel, 1997, and Best Book for Young Adults citation, American Library Association, 1998.



Jane Hertenstein

Jane Hertenstien is the author of Young Adult and Adult fiction, including BEYOND PARADISE (Morrow, 1999). Currently working on SHE'S A MASTERPIECE, a powerful novel that combines the art-detective quality of THE DA VINCI CODE with the lyrical grace of GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING and the spunkiness of HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK.



William Higbie

Professional musician and expert in military history, William Higbie has written an engaging mystery thriller called ENVY THE DEAD, set in the music world.



Chip Houser

Chip Houser is a Colorado architect by profession and author/illustrator of children's picture books. Currently working on an original, wacky picture book entitled THE SOUP CAPER about three Himperdoodles and their fast pursuit by a fearsome giant. A second picture book called GOOZLEBERRY PIE is in the works, with Chip's signature artwork. His pictures are laugh-out-loud funny.



Ricky Jacobs
Linguist and teacher, Ricky Jacobs has written an exciting sci-fi novel CALLED VALHALLA’S DAUGHTER. His textbook, ENGLISH SYNTAX, is published by Oxford University Press. His work in progress is a time-travel novel HANDS ACROSS TIME, set in both nineteenth-century Hawaii and present day Georgia.



Murtz Jaffer

A Canadian-based journalist, Jaffer is the webmaster and owner of Survivor-Central.com, which has a one-week average of more than 310,000 visitors. He has been interviewed by countless television shows, radio programs, newspapers, and magazines because of his status as a SURVIVOR expert; he knows all of the former contestants from the show personally. Currently working on SURVIVOR: THE UNOFFICIAL GUIDE, the must-have guide for reality TV and/or SURVIVOR aficionados. It will summarize every show, offer tantalizing anecdotes about the contestants, and reveal behind-the-scenes snapshots. Further, it will divulge secrets from the underground world of reality TV such as sure-fire ways to win the game and how to tap into the final results months ahead of air time.



Deanna King

Deanna King is a television news producer; before that she was a freelance journalist and worked as a food and shopping critic. Writing for children is her true passion, and Deanna began writing picture books in college. Her goal is to write stories that stimulate a child's imagination, while entertaining the adults who read them. Deanna lives in Western New York with her family. Currently working on 5 MORE MINUTES, PLEASE!, a children's picture book about Evan Michael Murray, who concocts a wild story every night to get to stay up for five more minutes. It usually involves an animal being outside his window. But he gets more than he bargained for when he really does get a late-night visitor a dinosaur who doesn't play by the rules.



Kris Kreisman

Author of OFF THE BENCH (Salvo Press, 2001), an adult mystery set in the Cook County, Illinois court system, the scene of Kreisman's former career as a litigation attorney. Currently working on CELERY, a Young Adult novel that centers around four friends who are profoundly affected in different ways when a strange new girl enters their lives.



Marie Lamba

A freelance writer and editor for 14 years, Marie has more than 100 published pieces. Her national magazine credits include Writer's Digest, Your Home, and Sports International. Lamba, whose husband is from India, has traveled all over the Indian subcontinent, writing about her experiences for numerous publications such as Garden Design and Bridal Trends. Prior to her freelance career, Lamba spent a number of years honing her promotion and editing skills while working as a public relations writer at a college, a publisher's assistant at Banbury Books, and a promotion manager for George F. Stickley Publishers. Currently working on the first book in her YA trilogy WHAT I MEANT about 14-year-old Sangeet Jumnal and her coming-of-age tribulations made even worse by her Indian father, who won't let her date until she's 16; an American mom who usually sticks up for Sang but now suddenly thinks her daughter is a liar, a thief, and a bulimic; and her Aunt Chachi, who has been living with the family for three months and has been stealing money and food and setting up Sang to take the blame.



Laurie Lawlor

Laurie Lawlor is the renowned author of middle grade historical fiction which includes, TWO LOVES OF WILL SHAKESPEARE (Holiday House), ADDIE ACROSS THE PRAIRIE (Albert Whitman), a best-selling (1/2 million copies sold) movie tie-in retelling of LITTLE WOMEN, and two original series for Simon & Schuster entitled AMERICAN SISTERS AND HEARTLAND. Her latest, a true breakout book, is a powerful young adult novel about siblings entitled ONLY SOMETIMES TENDERNESS.


Jeff Lenburg

A best-selling, award-winning author and celebrity biographer whose books have sold more than a half million copies worldwide, Lenburg is also a producer, radio talk show host, and entertainment specialist. In 1991 he was the youngest person to be inducted into Hollywood's Walk of Fame for his contributions to the world of animation, along with cartoon icons William Hanna, Joseph Barbera, Friz Freleng, June Foray, and Don Messick. He is currently working on several celebrity biographies.

An acclaimed author, celebrity biographer, writer-producer, radio talk show host, and entertainment historian, Jeff Lenburg grew up weaned on daily reruns of classic television shows, movies, and cartoons and believed someday that he would make his imprint on the medium he so loved.

Today, Jeff is the author of 13 popular non-fiction books that have sold more than a half-million copies worldwide. His books have been nominated for several awards, including the American Library Association's "Best Non-Fiction Award" and the Evangelical Christian Publisher Association's "Gold Medallion Award" for "Best Autobiography/Biography, and have been translated into several foreign languages.

As a teenager, Jeff began interviewing many famous Hollywood personalities and became a frequent contributor to many leading and respected film journals and magazines that published his freelance work.

Whether collaborating with celebrities or working alone, Jeff has amassed an impressive list of credits and a long line of success stories.

Jeff has penned such popular-selling biographies as ALL THE GOLD IN CALIFORNIA AND OTHER PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS (Thomas Nelson Publishers), the inspiring autobiography of Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Larry Gatlin; PEEKABOO: THE STORY OF VERONICA LAKE (St. Martin's Press), a sensitive, moving portrait of this famous '40s star's lifelong battle with alcoholism and mental illness; DUDLEY MOORE: AN
INFORMAL BIOGRAPHY (Delilah Books), the first illustrated book on the life and career of this lovable funnyman; DUSTIN HOFFMAN: HOLLYWOOD'S ANTIHERO (St. Martin's Press), the first biography ever written about this Oscar-winning actor; and STEVE MARTIN: AN UNAUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY (St. Martin's Press).

An expert on cartoon animation, Jeff has written five books about the history of this lively art: two editions of THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ANIMATED CARTOONS (Facts On File), the most comprehensive history on animated cartoons ever produced ("This book satisfies the hungriest fact-addict . . . with wonderfully fussy details" – The New York Times); THE GREAT CARTOON DIRECTORS (DaCapo Press); and two editions of THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ANIMATED CARTOON SERIES (Arlington House Publishers), the first reference book on animated cartoons ever published.

For his work as an animation historian, Jeff was inducted into the "Cartoon Legends Walk of Fame" in Hollywood, and has served on the Advisory Board of the Cartoon Network.
Jeff is also the foremost authority on the Three Stooges comedy team. A close friend of Stooges Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe Besser, and Joe DeRita (and the only author-historian to have known them), he is co-author of two books about this wacky comedy trio: THE THREE STOOGES SCRAPBOOK (Citadel Press), the official, authorized history now in its eighteenth printing ("the ultimate Three Stooges fan bible" – The Washington Post), and ONCE A STOOGE, ALWAYS A STOOGE (Roundtable Publishing), the autobiography of Joe Besser.

In addition to his work with the Three Stooges, Jeff has collaborated with many show business notables on various projects, including veteran film director Charles Barton, the estates of Abbott and Costello, baseball funnyman Bob Uecker, western music funsters Riders in the Sky and comedian Cledus T. Judd.

Throughout his career, Jeff has interviewed and written about dozens of other major personalities, world figures, and headline-makers, including baseball Hall of Famers George Brett and Nolan Ryan, tennis star Chris Evert, former First Lady Betty Ford, media magnate Walter Annenberg (founder of "TV Guide"), former New York policeman Frank Serpico (played by Al Pacino in a movie version of his life), among others.

Jeff has likewise appeared on more than one hundred radio and television programs, including the "BBC Live," NBC's "Today Show," "Entertainment Tonight," CNN's "Showbiz Today," E!'s "Mysteries & Scandals," and many others.

As a producer and creative consultant, Jeff has lent his talents on a variety of network and independently produced television specials, including "Hollywood's Greatest Commercials" (NBC), "Hollywood's Private Home Movies" (ABC), and "The Three Stooges: A Celebration" (Tribune Broadcasting).

In his spare time, Jeff frequently lectures and conducts writing workshops at colleges and universities sharing his time-tested techniques with novices on how to get published and reap financial success.

In recognition of his many achievements, Jeff is listed in such prominent references as "Contemporary Authors" and "Men of Achievement," and was awarded the "Journalism Alumnus of the Year Award" by his alma mater, Fullerton College.

Jeff graduated with a master's degree in English literature from Trinity College and with bachelors and associate arts degrees in Journalism from California State University, Fullerton and Fullerton College. He makes his home near Phoenix, Arizona with his wife Debby.



Dr. Darcy Luadzers

Author of THE TEN-MINUTE SEXUAL SOLUTION: How To Double Your Sex Life in 30 Days (Hatherleigh Press, 2007); VIRGIN SEX: A Guy's Guide to Healthy Sex . . . the First Time and Every Time (Hatherleigh Press, 2007); and VIRGIN SEX: A Girl's No-Regrets Guide (Hatherleigh Press, 2007).

Dr. Darcy Luadzers, Ph.D. is an AASECT (American Association of Sex Therapists, Educators, and Counselors)-certified sex therapist. She has been a therapist for 20 years, working with teens, couples, and individuals, in both general psychotherapy and as a sex therapist. Dr. Darcy uses her years of experience in private practice to give her readers the voice of experience, straight from the couch of a sex therapist, with true stories from (consenting) clients who have contributed to her works to help others.

Dr. Darcy has a doctoral degree in Social Work. She taught as an Adjunct Professor at the University of South Carolina, and published her work as a sex researcher in the Journal of Sex Education and Therapy.

In print media, Dr. Darcy has published six ebooks on relationships and sex magazine articles, and has been quoted in Cosmopolitan (twice), Jane, and others. She wrote a newspaper column called The Marriage Guardians with her husband Dr. Jack Luadzers, who is also a sex therapist. The couple has five children among them, including three teenagers.

Dr. Darcy has extensive experience with TV and radio, including an appearance on The O'Reilly Factor and local cable and TV news. She has appeared coast to coast on many radio shows, from Dr. Laura Berman, Playboy on XM, and the Long Island Dating show. She has been a regular on "The Andy Thomas Teen Forum," a popular radio show co-hosted by teens on relationship and teen sex topics. Dr. Darcy is currently on the speaker's bureau for Lilly Pharmaceuticals, speaking to doctors and nurses on relationships and sexuality for Cialis. She has also conducted many lectures, locally and nationally, on teens and adult sexuality or relationship topics. Dr. Darcy is a popular speaker, using a style of presentation that is entertaining and informative.

SexTherapy101.com is Dr. Darcy's latest website, which includes "Dr. Darcy's Intimacy Test" and her free newsletter, Sex Therapy 101. On DrDarcyonline.com, "Dr. Darcy's Are You Ready for Sex Quiz?" is available free for teens and their parents, to help them talk about dating and sex. At both websites, visitors are invited to submit and receive a confidential response to "One Free Sex Question."



Marilyn Taylor Macdowell

Former children’s bookstore owner, Marilyn Taylor Macdowell has written an outstanding middle grade novel about a strong girl who only desires to find her home in the novel CAROLINA HARMONY.



Priscilla Maltbie

Priscilla Maltbie is the author of the charming picture book, PICASSO & MINOU (Charlesbridge), and two additional picture books with historical backgrounds, BAMBINO AND MR. TWAIN and THE SECRET LIFE OF HENRI ROUSSEAU.



Linda Mc Reynolds

Linda McReynolds' picture book EIGHT DAYS OUT -- terse, vivid, and powerful -- is about the flight of the Apollo 11.



Rita Milios
A member of the prestigious National Speaker’s Bureau, Rita Milios is an experienced psychotherapist. Her book about creativity is called INSTANT INSPIRATION. Her work in progress is called TALK TO ME…I’M STILL HERE about dealing with grief.



Adam Meyer

Author of the Young Adult novel THE LAST DOMINO (Putnam, 2005), an inside look at the events leading up to a high school shooting spree and WHEN SHE'S GONE (Putnam, 2006) a Young Adult murder mystery.

As a television writer and producer, he has been responsible for more than fifty hours of programming for Fox, CBS, Lifetime, CourtTV, The Travel Channel, and other networks. His many TV credits include America's Most Wanted and the new Discovery series Double Agents. He is currently directing the independent feature film Flesh Remembers, from his original screenplay. He also regularly publishes essays and articles on books, film, and television in magazines such as Mystery Scene and Benzo.



Meryl Gitter Michon

A distinguished television producer, Michon has created documentaries for A&E, Lifetime Television, MTV, ABC Family, CourtTV, The History Channel, National Geographic, CNN, MSNBC, and Biography Channel International. Currently working on MADELEINE'S STORY, a children's picture book about a mommy and a daddy who take a journey across the world to bring a baby girl to their home in a land far away and find the miracle of love – the magic of a family. The author has blurbs from celebrities Naomi Judd, Linda Ellerbee, Pat Benatar, Nancy O'Dell, and Deidre Hall.



Rita Milios

Psychotherapist and popular speaker on the prestigious roster of the National Speakers Association. Currently working on INSTANT INSPIRATION: HOW TO HAVE CREATIVITY ON TAP . . . ANYTIME, ALL THE TIME . . . AND NEVER HAVE WRITER'S BLOCK AGAIN, an invaluable guide based on the author's twenty-five years of research and her unique "mind tools" training system.



Kirsten Mosher

Internationally recognized artist and co-author of a guide book for Dia Beacon, the nationally known contemporary art museum in upstate New York. Currently working on PLIP, a picture book featuring multi-colored alligators learning about the city environment. Her collaborator is talented writer/editor Carla Sakamoto.



David NeeSmith, Ph.D.

David NeeSmith is a clinical psychologist, teacher, speaker, and writer. In addition to his private practice in Newport Beach, CA, he serves as a supervisor, trainer, and consultant for the South Coast Children's Society (SCCS), one of Orange County's (CA) largest group home organizations for youths ages 8-22. At SCCS, Dr. NeeSmith developed the Relational Approach, which holds that people and relationships are more important than problems and that the most effective way to empower children and help them grow is through building strong, loving relationships. Dr. NeeSmith conducts Relational Parenting workshops twice yearly, serves on the Program Committee for Boys Hope/Girls Hope of California, and volunteers for the American Red Cross as a disaster mental health team specialist. Currently working on SWIRL! SWISH! SWOOSH!, a potty training primer that not only teaches boys and girls how to master potty training, but also teaches parents how to teach them through a Relational Approach. The book introduces a 21st century paradigm in parenting that coaches parents in empowering their kids through a relationship based on talking, celebrating, and listening.



Bonnie Neubauer

Author of THE WRITE-BRAIN WORKBOOK (Writer's Digest Books, 2005), a write-in-the-book workbook with 366 fun and innovative creative writing exercises that resemble word games; the inventor and self-publisher of Story Spinner, a round writer's wheel that generates millions of creative writing exercises by providing a starter, a setting, and words to make the exercise more challenging; and the inventor of Solidare, a game that consists of 26 solitaire games for word lovers. Bonnie conducts writing workshops throughout the United Statess, and her goal is to help people have more fun in life. Currently working on PICNICS FOR ROMANTICS, a book filled with creative picnic ideas for couples.



Cathy Stefanec Ogren

Author of the hilarious chapter book THE ADVENTURES OF ARCHIE FEATHERSPOON (Simon & Schuster), Cathy Stefanec Olgren writes from years of experience as a schoolteacher. Currently working on a funny picture book entitled DON'T MESS WITH MESS about a rat named Elliott Mess; a chapter book entitled DASTARDLY DOINGS AT OLD MACDONALD'S FARM: A MICK AND MORA MYSTERY; and two novels about best friends Milo and Louis, including the endearing MILO DAVIS IS MY BEST FRIEND.



Leanne Pankuch

Leanne Pankuch is the craftsman-writer of CANADA TALES, a beautifully-written middle grade novel that is essential nine interconnected stories about an eleven year old girl who moves to Canada with her family and her dog Bernard.



Rosanne Parry

Rosanne Parry is currently working on WRITTEN IN STONE, a coming-of-age novel set in the Pacific Northwest. Reminiscent of ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS, WRITTEN IN STONE is a novel in verse unlike any other. Also working on an exciting series of middle-grade mysteries set in the Canadian Rockies, including THE BEAR'S PAW and THE WOUNDED WOLF.



Chase Pickering

Chase Pickering is our youngest client. At barely nineteen, he has written a fascinating account of his travels around the world with his grandmother called TRAVELING WITH MIMI. Chase works at the Jane Goodall Institute in the Roots and Shoots Program in Washington, DC.



Herbie J. Pilato

Author of BEWITCHED FOREVER (Tapestry/Summit, 1996), THE BEWITCHED BOOK (Dell, 1992), THE KUNG FU BOOK OF WISDOM (Tuttle, 1995), and THE KUNG FU BOOK OF CAINE (Tuttle, 1993). Also an actor, producer, consultant, and cultural commentator. Currently working on TWITCH UPON A STAR, an in-depth biography of Elizabeth Montgomery, being packaged with a CD of the author's taped interviews with the star, the first exclusive interviews she granted in twenty years. Also working on a TV movie based on this book with Good Guy Entertainment, with Henry Winkler and Michael Leavitt attached as producers, Jenny McCarthy slated to play Elizabeth, and Bill Asher as creative consultant. NBC is also developing a TV movie based on Herbie's THE BEWITCHED BOOK.

Pilato has written about BEWITCHED and Elizabeth Montgomery for The Gannett News Service and The Rochester Free Press, as well as for magazines such as Remember, Retro Vision, and Classic TV, and the web site TV-Now.com. He's been published in Starlog, Sci-Fi Entertainment, and Sci-Fi Universe magazines, and has served as an editor for MoviePlace.com, UPNTV.com, and PAXTV.com.

Pilato has also served as Producer, Consultant, and Cultural Commentator on Bewitched: The E! True Hollywood Story; Entertainment Tonight's one-hour weekend special on Bewitched; Entertainment Tonight's special tribute to Elizabeth Montgomery; and A&E's Biography of Elizabeth Montgomery, as well as The Learning Channel's Behind the Fame specials, the Sci-Fi Channel's Sciography series, David Carradine: The E! True Hollywood Story, and A&E's Biography of Lee Majors.

At schools/colleges and business/community organizations, Herbie has employed his books with TV & Self-Esteem Seminars, a lecture series that helps to bridge the gap between popular culture and academia (advocating against violence on TV and promoting its more positive aspects). He has also offered theatrical instruction to students associated with the New York State BOCES educational program.

Herbie recently served as Producer/Cultural Commentator on Bravo's hit five-part documentary, The 100 Greatest TV Characters of All Time (one of which, of course, was Elizabeth Montgomery's Samantha Stephens); as a Cultural Commentator on the DVD release of Bewitched: The Complete First Season, and as a Consultant on Nora Ephron's Bewitched feature film.



Bilie Porter

Bilie Porter has written a charming, old-fashioned picture book called BRAVE BEAR, which has the feel of a classic bedtime story.



Ian Reid

Twenty-three-year-old writer born and raised on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Reid has been writing seriously since he was seventeen, completing five novels in total. He did not pursue an agent or publishing until he entered his first contest at The Pentiction Writers and Publishers writers conference (YA Fiction, judged by Brent Hartinger) and won with an excerpt from the novel he is currently working on entitled BATHROOM JESUS about twenty-six-year-old Daniel Emerson, who plunges headfirst into an exploration of life and what makes it worth living, a journey that may only be resolved by a tragedy he can never return from.



Thomas Reilly

Thomas Reilly is a Harvard-educated Hollywood screenwriter and assistant director of many beloved Hollywood films, such as Woody Allen’s MANHATTAN and the upcoming Evening, starring Meryl Streep and Claire Danes. He is the author of the middle grade adventure novel called DUNCAN NORRIS AND THE LOST VALLEY OF THE MAYA, first in a six-book series each with an anthropological theme.



Kristina Riggle

Award-winning journalist and short story writer. Currently working on the comic novel WELCOME TO DE BACHLE, a hilarious take on local politics and small-town living. This debut novel has been compared to Carl Hiaasen and Garrison Keillor. Also working on WORDS UNSPOKEN, about two sisters with lifestyles at compass-point opposites who join forces to help Emily become a mother – and along the way uncover family secrets that had lain undisturbed for decades.



Marcy Rodenborn

Marcy Rodenborn has been a columnist for Tacoma's daily newspaper, the Tacoma News Tribune and is a playwright whose plays have been produced in San Francisco, Seattle, and New York. Her first piece was a play for children written for the Tony award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe, and her most recent plays, WEEKEND AT THE BANGKOK CHRISTIAN GUESTHOUSE and THE VESTAL VIRGIN, were selected by a juried panel for staged readings at ACT Theater in Seattle for the first two years of the FringeACT Festival of New, Original Work.

Richard Wallace in the Seattle Times said her play All Acts of Love and Pleasure had "intelligence and heart." He added "Rodenborn has a knack for injecting a kind of sympathetic tolerance into her characters which isn't the least bit phony." Currently working on THE SEVEN VEILS OF MUFFIN VALDEZ about twenty-eight-year-old Suzy Zabe who is passionate about helping others but unable to help herself to find her purpose in life. Then she discovers the self-help book THE SEVEN VEILS OF YOU, which assures the reader that they will find their destiny by going through seven stages, or veils, and finally find "the real you." But as she progresses through the veils, Suzy is hindered by her collection of eccentric friends, all draped in secrets and veils, and finds that her greatest strength is her honesty and inability to disguise herself, even in the face of danger.



Judith L. Roth

Judith L. Roth is the author of a number of novels, including the middle-grade novel HOW TO HOLD A FLUFFY MUFFIN, her writing is spare and graceful. Currently working on MARSHMALLOW CAT about a sensitive second-grader who lives alone with her dad and her kitten, and a warm holiday picture book called WHAT HEAVEN SMELLS LIKE.



Nicole Rubel

Nicole Rubel is the author of the famous picture books series starring Rotten Ralph, which has sold more than one million copies since it was first published in 1976. A talented writer and illustrator, she has published more than 50 books for children, including HAM & PICKLES: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (Harcourt), TWICE AS NICE (Farrar, Straus, & Giroux), A COWBOY NAMED ERNESTINE (Dial), CONGA CROCODILE (Houghton Mifflin) and her first novel, IT’S COLD AND HOT IN MIAMI (Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 2006).



Lisa Schulman

Lisa Schulman graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Film Communications/Screenwriting. She has contributed over 100 articles on pregnancy, children, and families for award-winning websites such as iVillage, Oxygen's momonline.com, and kidshealth.org. As Senior Channel Producer for womensforum.com, Lisa selected content for the Family Department and offered weekly columns on the challenges and rewards of parenthood. National credits include a feature article, The Good and Bad of Pretend Play, published in the June 2003 issue of Parents magazine. She was interviewed as an expert for two books: Online Markets for Writers: Where and How to Sell Your Writing on The Internet, originally published by Holt; and The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Parenting.

Currently working on THE LOSER'S CLUB, a Young Adult novel that in its early draft stage was a top-20 finisher in the Delacorte Press Contest for a First Young Adult Novel. A synopsis for the manuscript was featured in the Writer's Digest Writing Clinic book released in April 2003. In THE LOSER'S CLUB, high school senior Charlotte McKay accepts an invitation to join a mysterious club and discovers that its members have one thing in common: they're all outcasts, chosen by the club's manipulative and seductive leader, Jared Howe. It isn't long before the club's mission – to get payback against those who've done them wrong – takes a sinister turn. If Charlotte doesn't take control of her life soon, someone else will. But does she have to sacrifice her friendships, a fledgling relationship, and everyone's future to do it?



Sanna Stanley

Author/illustrator of the picture books MONKEYS FOR SALE (Farrar, Straus & Giroux), MONKEY SUNDAY (Farrar, Straus & Giroux), and THE RAINS ARE COMING (Greenwillow), Sanna Stanley grew up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Currently working on RED SIGNAL: A TRAIN IN A HURRICANE, set in Connecticut in 1938.



Laura Tiebert

Laura Tiebert's novel SAPPHIRE DUNES is a romantic novel about a feisty (and chic) young journalist who follows her heart to Middle Eastern country and comes home with a great feature story…and possibly the love of her life.



Tiffani Amber Thiessen

As an actress, Tiffani Amber Thiessen has proven her talent from comedy to drama in a variety of film and television roles. From Woody Allen's comedy, "Hollywood Ending," to "Beverly Hills 90210," Thiessen's charisma has kept her career moving constantly forward and has gained her the adoration of millions internationally.

Raised in Long Beach, California, Thiessen began modeling at the age of eight and soon went on to star in the television series "Saved By the Bell" for five seasons. At the same time, she made her feature film debut in "Son In Law," opposite Pauly Shore. In 1993, she showed her range when Aaron Spelling cast her in "Beverly Hills 90210," where she portrayed multi-layered "Valerie Malone" for five seasons.

Her other feature film roles include the comedy "Ladies Man," the independent film "Speedway Junky," with Jesse Bradford, Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Daryl Hannah, "Love Stinks," with Tyra Banks and French Stewart, and the horror/comedy spoof "Shriek! If You Knew What I Did Last Friday 13th" opposite Tom Arnold.

Noted turns in episodic television have included a three-arc appearance on NBC's "Just Shoot Me" with David Spade and most recently, a nine-episode guest-starring role on the same network's "Good Morning Miami." In 2003, she starred in the Fox series "Fast Lane" produced and directed by noted film director McG.

It was also in 2003 that Thiessen took a bold step in re-defining her career when she launched her very own Tit 4 Tat Productions. And in no time, she found herself producing and directing her first film project, "Just Pray." Such initiative represents professional milestones for the actress-turned-producer-turned-director. By incorporating her very own up-start production company, the veteran television and film actress has embarked on a journey of transformation and reinvention. Such evolutio n now includes the addition of PRODUCER and DIRECTOR credits to an industry-savvy resume.

Currently working on a series of children's picture books entitled FINS AND TALES.



Stephen Unwin, Ph.D.

Author of THE PROBABILITY OF GOD: A SIMPLE CALCULATION THAT PROVES THE ULTIMATE TRUTH (Crown, 2003). In this amusing and accessible book, he applies rigorous mathematical methods to balance the theological, philosophical, and scientific arguments for and against the existence of God, ultimately producing the numerical probability that God exists. Currently working on a Young Adult fantasy novel. Unwin resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and two sons.

Stephen Unwin was born in the north of England in 1956. He attended Chetham's Hospital School of Music and studied piano. Stephen then obtained his Bachelor's degree in physics with first class honors from Imperial College, University of London, becoming an Associate of the Royal College of Science. In 1980, he received his doctorate in theoretical physics from the University of Manchester for his research in the field of quantum gravity – the attempt to reconcile Einstein's General Theory of Relativity with quantum theory.

For two additional years, he conducted research in quantum gravity at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, making significant contributions to the field and publishing numerous research papers. On leaving academia, he became a Senior Scientific Officer with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, and developed risk analysis methods that continue to be used internationally in the safety assessment of nuclear power generating stations. In 1984 he was assigned the diplomatic post of Technical Attache to the U.S. Department of Energy, stationed at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico. In this position, he facilitated information exchange between the governments of the U.K. and the U.S. in the field of nuclear accident risk analysis.

Stephen became a permanent resident of the U.S. in 1987 and took the position of Group Manager at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Long Island, New York. Since that time, he has founded risk management divisions at Battelle Memorial Institute and Science Application International Corporation. He has been a principal consultant to the Canadian government, helping establish national regulation for nuclear power safety. In 1996, he formed his own consulting company, which continues to serve the nuclear power, chemical process, and oil and gas industries.



Joan Verniero

A high school creative writing teacher, Joan Verniero has written a young adult, coming-of-age story, 98 % UPTIGHT, a middle grade novel called MAX THE STEER ROPER, and a picture book, SLED DOG TREE. She has published several collections of folk tale retellings (all for Black Dog & Leventhal).



David West
David West has written a funny picture book, WHEN WILLIE SAID THE TERRIBLE WORD. He is also working on middle grade fiction.



Carol Lynch Williams

Carol Lynch Williams has written a number of popular novels, including ADELINE STREET, THE TRUST COLORS OF CAITLYNNE JACKSON, IF I FORGOT, YOU REMEMBER, MY AGELICA, CAROLINA AUTUMN, and A MOTHER TO EMBARRASS ME (all published by Delacorte Press). Recently, she has sold, together with co-author CHERIE EARLY PRAY, the GEORGE & GRACIE CHAPTER BOOK SERIES (Peachtree, forthcoming) and a middle grade novel, PRETTY IS AS PRETTY DIZ (Peachtree, forthcoming) and has a middle grade novel, FINE IN MY SKIN, and two edgy teen novels, LOST IN PEACE and A GLIMPSE IS ALL I CAN STAND.



Laura Ziff

Laura Ziff, an original, zany writer of kid-friendly romps, has written a hilarious young middle grade novel entitled SPIKE NEWTON AND THE ZOMBIES and is currently working on a sequel which involves crop circles and aliens!