Annette Whipple learned to love science and nature during her years as an environmental educator and classroom teacher. Now she teaches through her science books for children. She lives with her family in southeastern Pennsylvania. Annette enjoys reading a good book and snacking on warm chocolate chip cookies. Learn more about Annette, her books, and her presentations at www.AnnetteWhipple.com.
Todd McEwen (b.1953) is an American writer. A graduate of Columbia University, he has been a resident of Scotland since 1981 and is married to novelist Lucy Ellmann. He has published four novels: Fisher's Hornpipe (1983), McX: A Romance of the Dour (1990), Arithmetic (1998) and Who Sleeps with Katz (2003). He has also written for Granta magazine and contributed book reviews to The Guardian and other newspapers. He teaches creative writing at the University of Kent.
Megan Pinto is the author of Saints of Little Faith (Four Way Books, 2024). Her poems can be found in the Los Angeles Review of Books, Ploughshares, Lit Hub and elsewhere. Megan has received support from the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, the Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing, the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference, Storyknife, and the Peace Studio. Megan received the 2023 Anne Halley Poetry Prize from the Massachusetts Review, and was selected for Poets & Writers' 2024 Get the Word Out Poetry Cohort. Megan lives in Brooklyn and holds an MFA in Poetry from Warren Wilson.
Nicole Zelniker (she/they) is the indie author of several books, including FROM WHERE WE ARE, which has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and the newly published ALL I KNOW SO FAR. She’s also the founder of Knee Brace Press, which is an online literary magazine devoted to stories about disability and mental health.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys re-reading her favorite books, talking about the intersection of queerness and chronic illness on the internet, and cuddling her formerly semi-feral tabby cat. You can keep up with them on TikTok at @nicolewritesbooks or Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram at @nicolezelniker.
Aaron Elliott, better known as Aaron Cometbus, is a drummer, lyricist, self-described "punk anthropologist" and author of Cometbus, a seminal punk rock zine.
LIZ HOWARD’s debut collection Infinite Citizen of the Shaking Tent won the 2016 Griffin Poetry Prize, was shortlisted for the 2015 Governor General’s Award for poetry, and was named a Globe and Mail top 100 book. A National Magazine Award finalist, her recent work has appeared in Canadian Literature, Literary Review of Canada, Room Magazine and Best Canadian Poetry 2021. Her second collection, Letters in a Bruised Cosmos, was published by McClelland & Stewart in June 2021. Howard received an Honours Bachelor of Science with High Distinction from the University of Toronto, and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph. She served as the 2018-2019 Distinguished Canadian Writer in Residence at the University of Calgary and has c
raquel gutiérrez is an arts critic/writer, poet and educator. Born and raised in Los Angeles Gutiérrez credits the queer and feminist DIY post-punk 'zine culture of the 1990s plus Los Angeles County and Getty paid arts internships with introducing her/them to the various vibrant art & music scenes and communities throughout Southern California. Gutiérrez is a 2021 recipient of the Rabkin Prize in Arts Journalism, as well as a 2017 recipient of the The Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant. Her/Their writing has recently appeared in or is forthcoming in Art In America, NPR Music, Places Journal, and The Georgia Review. Gutiérrez teaches in the Oregon State University-Cascades Low Residency Creative Writing MFA Program. Her/Their first bo
Estelle Frankel is a practicing psychotherapist, spiritual advisor, and seasoned teacher of Jewish mysticism who blends depth psychology with the wisdom and healing practices of Kabbalah. She has taught Jewish studies in Israel and the U.S. for over 30 years and was ordained as a Rabbinic Pastor and spiritual guide (mashpiah ruchanit) by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. While living in Israel from 1970-1978 Estelle attended the Michlalah College for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem and taught at several Yeshivas, including Neve Yerusyhalayim and Shapell (Beruriah). Estelle is currently on the teaching faculty of Chochmat Halev: Wisdom of the Heart Meditation Center, where she teaches Jewish mysticism, meditation and healing, and offers group spir
