Christopher Paolini is the creator of the World of Eragon and the Fractalverse. Holder of the Guinness World Record for youngest author of a bestselling series. Qualified for marksman in the Australian army. Scottish laird. Dodged gunfire . . . more than once. As a child was chased by a moose in Alaska. Has his name inscribed on Mars. Firstborn of Kenneth and Talita. Husband. Father. Asker of questions and teller of stories.

Jennifer Jenkins is the author of seven published novels and one non-fiction guide to creative writing. Her work has been optioned for film/tv and she is a two-time Whitney Finalist and Teen Readers' Choice Award finalist. She serves as the Founder/CEO of Operation Literacy, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting children's literacy, and has taught in the Silicon Slopes Lecture Series and at universities across the country on the subjects of creative writing, leadership, career readiness, networking, and leveraging story to connect with stakeholders. 

She received the Honors in Education award from Utah First Lady Abby Cox in 2024 and dedicates her time to building programs that support young creative writers, inspire reluctant readers, and provide impactful educational opportunities to underserved populations. All her efforts are fueled by the belief that literacy unlocks a successful future for every child.

Margaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm near Washington Court House, Ohio. She graduated from Miami University (of Ohio) with degrees in English/journalism, English/creative writing and history. Before her first book was published, she worked as a newspaper copy editor in Fort Wayne, Indiana; a newspaper reporter in Indianapolis; and a community college instructor and freelance writer in Danville, Illinois.

She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.


Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.

Marissa Meyer is a fangirl at heart, with a closet full of costumes, a Harry Potter wand on her desk, and a Tuxedo Mask doll hanging from her rearview mirror. Han and Leia are still her OTP. She may or may not be a cyborg. 

Marissa is also the NYT bestselling author of a number of books for teens, including The Lunar Chronicles, the Renegades Trilogy, and Heartless.

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Moses Ose Utomi wrote his first book when he was 5. It was a book about warrior bunnies from Mars, and the only copy is owned by his mother.​

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Since then, he has gone on to write many more, slightly better stories. He primarily writes fantasy "but with the plot and pacing of a psychological thriller" and his fiction often grows out of the West African culture and mythology he was raised in as a Nigerian American.

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He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in fiction writing as well as a Certificate in Book Publishing, and he has short fiction in various publications. Most notably, he is the author of the young adult fantasy novel Daughters of Oduma and The Forever Desert, a trilogy of adult fantasy novellas that begins with The Lies of the Ajungo.

Neal Shusterman is the author of many novels for young adults, including Unwind, which was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers, Everlost, and Downsiders, which was nominated for twelve state reading awards. He also writes screenplays for motion pictures and television shows such as Animorphs and Goosebumps. The father of four children, Neal lives in southern California.

Tricia Levenseller is from a small town in Oregon, but she now lives in Utah with her bossy dog, Rosy. She received her degree in English Language and editing, and she is thrilled that she never has to read another textbook again. When she's not writing or reading, Tricia enjoys putting together jigsaw puzzles, playing volleyball, and watching her favorite TV shows while eating extra-buttered popcorn.