Miles Chapin grew up in Boulder in a progressive, environmentally conscious family, with a passion for nature and community engagement from an early age.
Marcus Chambers grew up in a Jamaican American household in D.C., where his parents worked hard to provide opportunities while honoring their Caribbean roots.
Marc Devonte Prince is a gay Black man from Beaumont, Texas, advocating for resilience and community while prioritizing education amidst financial challenges.
Lila Reeves is a Santa Fe native, raised in a boutique gallery, immersed in the region's art and culture, fostering her creative spirit from a young age.
Leslie Woodruff, raised in Boise’s North End, comes from a family with Idaho roots, blending agricultural tradition with a creative spirit through her parents' craft brewery.
Kaylee Harrington grew up in Myrtle Beach, helping at her parents' café. Her love for reading flourished amidst the tourism-driven environment of the Grand Strand.
Juliette Bouchard, a Montreal native from a bilingual family, is a novelist known for exploring language, identity, and Quebec culture through her literature.
Julianne Santos grew up in La Jolla, California, surrounded by the ocean, influenced by her mother’s marine biology career and her family's love for nature.
Julian Carmichael, born in Brooklyn Heights, grew up in a culturally rich environment, fostering his passion for literature and the arts from a young age.
James Harrington, a rural West Virginia native from a coal mining family, emphasizes perseverance and community in his writing, blending regional traditions with universal themes.