Ashley Elston holds a liberal arts degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and worked for many years as a wedding photographer before turning to writing. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and three sons. The author of six young adult novels, her adult debut, First Lie Wins, is a Reese's Book Club pick and a New York Times bestseller.

Megan Lally is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of dark and twisty young adult novels, including That's Not My Name. When not writing, she can be found barefoot at the ocean, drinking lavender lattes, or arguing — details she shares in her own author bio.

Susan Eloise Hinton is an American writer best known for her young-adult novels (YA) set in Oklahoma, especially The Outsiders (1967), which she wrote during high school.

Stephen Chbosky is an American film director, screenwriter, and author.

James McBride is an American writer and musician.

Jerome David Salinger was an American author best known for his 1951 novel The Catcher in the Rye.