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Growing up, Ashley would send her father to their local library,  where he’d always be surprised to find bags of  books waiting for him. Since Ashley was a young child, she’s always dreamt of giving to readers what so many great authors gave to her: an escape,  an adventure, and a love for thousands of well thought out  words printed in the form of a book, not letting them tear away from it  easily – or for very long.  Ashley resides in Northern California with  her husband and two adorable, fiesty little girls. When she’s not  writing, she’s reading.

I teach the somewhat fantastical subject of economics to teenagers in New Zealand. Maggie and the Mountain of Light has been inspired by my daughter's real-life struggles with severe food allergies, asthma and anxiety, and her absolute love of GirlGuiding. Guiding allowed my daughter to participate fully in so many camps and activities, all in a safe and encouraging space. I will be forever grateful to the Girls Guides (Scouts), especially as my daughter successfully completed the Queen's Guide award, presented at a formal ceremony with the Governor-General. I thought it might be fun to explore a story featuring an anxiety-riddled heroine, a touch of the fantastical, and a highly respected organisation with a hidden purpose.  

A  graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, Nancy taught  grade school and was a university professor of education, specializing  in Children’s and Young Adult Literature. 

Nancy  has five published picture books, including One Pelican at a Time,  which was featured in a PBS documentary. Her debut YA novel, Beulah Land, received First Place in the 2015 State of Florida Rising Kite Awards, through SCBWI.  The book was a finalist in the Forward Indies Book of the Year Awards.  It was also one of the most anticipated books at Barnes & Noble in  2017.

A frequent speaker and presenter at writing conferences, Nancy conducts  workshops, seminars, and school visits. A member of the Rate Your Story  team, she critiques manuscripts for prospective authors. She, her  husband, and their (adopted from the Missouri Ozarks) pup, Louie, live  in Tampa, Florida.

Sandy Deutscher Green’s poetry has appeared in university, national, and international journals. Her children’s work is included in Chicken Soup for the Child’s Soul, Highlights for Children, and poetry anthology Words and Other Wild Things. Sandy is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the author of two children’s novels and two poetry collections.  Before the pandemic, she served as the literature judge for her local Reflections Art Program. Sandy and her husband live in Virginia USA and have two children and four rescue pets.

Master of illusions, Captain of industry,  a leader of leaders.  Russell J. Fellows is none of these. He is a  storyteller, however.  Russell believes that stories weave magic into  everyday life,  especially the magic of faith, hope, love, and family in  its myriad of  forms. Deep in the heart of Oklahoma, Russell lives with  his beautiful  wife and two amazing children. When he's not dreaming of  new stories to  tell, he loves spending time outdoors with his family,  playing  Everdell or many other family games, or pretending he's a voice  actor.  You can see him on his own website  He would love to hear your stories, too.