Writing in Color

Joan He was born and raised in Philadelphia but still will, on occasion, lose her way. At a young age, she received classical instruction in oil painting before discovering that storytelling was her favorite form of expression. She studied psychology and East Asian languages and civilizations at the University of Pennsylvania and currently splits her time between Philly and Chicago. She is the bestselling author of The Ones We're Meant to Find, Descendant of the Crane, and the Kingdom of Three duology.

Kosoko Jackson is the Lambda Literary Award–winning author of the USA Today bestseller The Forest Demands Its Due, as well as two other young adult novels, Survive the Dome and Yesterday is History. He also writes adult books, including The Macabre (Harper), I'm (So) Not Over You, and A Dash of Salt and Pepper. He lives in New Jersey. Visit him at kosokojackson.com.

Adiba Jaigirdar is the author of The Henna Wars and Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating. A Bangladeshi/Irish writer and teacher, she has an MA in post­colonial studies from the University of Kent, England, and a BA in English and history from UCD, Ireland. All her writing is aided by tea and a healthy dose of Janelle Monáe and Hayley Kiyoko. When not writing, she is probably ranting about the ills of colonialism, playing video games, or expanding her overflowing lipstick collection. She can be found at www.adibajaigirdar.com.

Darcie Little Badger is an award-winning Lipan Apache author with a PhD in oceanography. Her critically acclaimed debut novel, Elatsoe, was featured in Time Magazine as one of the best 100 fantasy novels of all time. Elatsoe also won the Locus award for Best First Novel and is a Nebula, Ignyte, and Lodestar finalist. Her second fantasy novel, A Snake Falls to Earth, received a Nebula and Ignyte Award, as well as a Newbery Honor, and is on the National Book Awards longlist. Darcie lives with her husband in Texas. You can visit her online at darcielittlebadger.com.

Yamile Saied Méndez is the author of many books for young readers and adults, including the award-winning picture books Where Are You From? and What Will You Be? She was born and raised in Rosario, Argentina, and now lives in a lovely valley surrounded by mountains in Utah with her husband, five children, two dogs, and a majestic cat. She’s a graduate of Voices of Our Nations and the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA writing for children and young adults program. She’s always trying new empanada recipes. Connect with her at yamilemendez.com.

Axie Oh is the New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, XOXO, and ASAP and the Rebel Seoul series. Born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, she studied Korean history and creative writing as an undergrad at the University of California San Diego and holds an MFA in writing for young people from Lesley University. Her passions include K-pop, anime, stationery supplies, and milk tea, and she currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her dogs, Toro and Leila.

Laura Pohl is the New York Times bestselling author of The Grimrose Girls. Her debut novel, The Last 8, won the International Latino Book Award. She likes writing messages in caps lock, never using autocorrect, and obsessing about Star Wars. When not taking pictures of her dog, she can be found curled up with a fantasy or science-fiction book or replaying Dragon Age. She has played cupid more times than she’d like, and prefers to see love in the movies. A Brazilian at heart and soul, she makes her home in São Paulo. 

Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix, named one of the top ten fantasy novels for youth by Booklist. She lives with her husband and two children in San Diego, California.

Karuna Riazi is the author of the acclaimed A Bit of Earth and Sabrena Swept Away as well as the duology The Gauntlet and The Battle. She holds a BA in English literature from Hofstra University and an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Hamline University. She is an online diversity advocate and an educator, and her work has been featured in Entertainment Weekly, Shondaland, and Teen Vogue, among others. A born-and-raised New Yorker, Karuna Riazi lives on Long Island.

Gail D. Villanueva is a Filipino writer, illustrator, and web designer based in the Philippines. Some of her critically acclaimed books have earned a bunch of awards and recognitions. Gail was born in Manila but was raised in Quezon City. She and her husband currently live in Rizal with their many pets and the random creatures they befriend in the backyard. When she’s not working, Gail plays pickleball and trains as a search and rescue K-9 handler with her super smart dog. Learn more at www.gaildvillanueva.com.

Kat Zhang is a student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Creative Writing. The first book in the Hybrid Chronicles, WHAT’S LEFT OF ME, was her debut novel. You can visit her online at katacomb.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter: @KatZhang.