Of Two Bloods

Nisi Shawl is a multiple-award-winning writer and editor. Their novel Everfair was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel, and the short story collection Filter House won the James Tiptree Jr. Award. They cofounded the Carl Brandon Society to help give people of color greater visibility in the science fiction and fantasy worlds, and their "Writing the Other" workshops and accompanying book (cocreated with Cynthia Ward and K. Tempest Bradford) have taught thousands of writers new ways of thinking about diversity and representation within fiction.

Nisi received the Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Speculation is their first novel for young readers. Born near Kalamazoo, Michigan, Nisi now lives near Seattle. Find them online at nisishawl.com and on Twitter at @nisishawl.

Cynthia Ward has 40 years of experience in the healthcare field. She has worked for dermatology, radiology, and cardiology practices in Indianapolis. Cynthia held the positions of coding supervisor, billing manager, and coding compliance director during her employment with these practices. She has provided instruction and direction as Program Director for the Billing and Coding program at Medtech College, at the Greenwood, Indiana, campus. Cynthia has also consulted with practices and taught residents and medical students and has provided instruction through her work as a reviewer for various coding and billing texts.
Cynthia has been a member of the AAPC since 1996 and was a member of the local chapter advisory board for 10 years. Cynthia lives in Indianapolis with her husband, Bob, a retired special education teacher, and her daughter, Emily.