Carmen T. Bernier-Grand

Carmen T. Bernier-Grand was born and grew up in Puerto Rico, but haslived in Portland, Oregon for thirty-two years. She is the author of sevenbooks for children and young adults. Her César: ¡Sí, se puede! Yes, We Can and her Frida: ¡Viva la vida! Long Live Life!  won Pura Belpré honor awards.Her next book, Diego: Bigger Than Life will be released in March 2009.Carmen teaches for Community of Writers, Writers in the Schools, and at the Whidbey Island MFA program. She just returned from Cuba researching for a book on Prima Ballerina Alicia Alonso.

Deb Lund

Deb Lund is the author of Dinosailors, All Aboard the Dinotrain, Tell Me My Story, Mama and other books for children. She has extensive experience teaching writing to students, teachers, and writers. Deb frequently presents at writers' conferences, including SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators) conferences and retreats. She's passionate about helping others reach their goals. Visit Deb at www.deblund.com.

Suzanne Selfors

Suzanne Selfors is a novelist having written for teens, preteens, children and adults. writer for children and teens. Her first book, To Catch a Mermaid, (Sept. 07 Little,Brown Books) sold at auction. It follows the adventures of a brother and sister who team up with a group of Vikings to return a baby mercreature to its home. Her first novel for teens, Saving Juliet (Feb. 08, Walker/Bloomsbury) thrusts a modern teen into fifteenth century Verona with Juliet Capulet. Two forthcoming titles are  Fortune’s Magic Farm  (March 09, Little,Brown), and Coffeehouse Angel (Spring 09 Walker/Bloomsbury). An adult novel, Daughters of Crete, to debut 2009 is set in ancient Greece retelling of the myth of Ariadne and Theseus.  A new middle grade series is coming out along with a new young adult novel. Suzanne is a 5^th generation Bainbridge Islander with has two kids and a flock of messy chickens.

George Shannon

Award-winning author of more than 30 books for young people, George Shannon began writing stories in elementary school. His novel Unlived Affections was a 1989 ALA Best Books for Young Adults. Among his picture books are Lizard's Song trilogy:Heart to Heart, Climbing Kansas Mountains and Sea Gifts. Recently published Rabbit's Gift was a Junior Library Guild Premier Selection Fall 2007. George's years as a children's librarian and professional storyteller continue to influence his writing, whether it is a collection of folktales such as Stories to Solve or stories such as Dance Away and April Showers in which the rhythm of the language provides as much emotion as the words themselves. He has lectured about writing internationally, including at the Arctic Circle and in Thailand.  www.georgeshannon.org