Charlotte Winslow grew up in a historic sea captain's home in Kennebunkport, where her family's maritime ties shaped her love for New England history and coastal life.
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.
Marc Devonte Prince is a gay Black man from Beaumont, Texas, advocating for resilience and community while prioritizing education amidst financial challenges.
Abby Woodcroft, raised in Bar Harbor, grew up near Acadia National Park, nurturing her passion for nature and writing inspired by her park ranger father.
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.
Isabela Martínez, born to Cuban immigrants in Miami's Little Havana, values cultural traditions and celebrates her heritage through storytelling and the arts.
Juliette Bouchard, a Montreal native from a bilingual family, is a novelist known for exploring language, identity, and Quebec culture through her literature.
Celeste Harrington, raised in Savannah's historic district, is inspired by her architect father and pianist mother, fostering her love for art, literature, and Southern Gothic heritage.