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.

Natalie D. Richards is a New York Times bestselling author of more than ten Young Adult thrillers and Middle Grade adventure novels, including Five Total Strangers (2020) and Seven Dirty Secrets (2021). A Double RWA Golden Heart Finalist, she won her first writing competition in the second grade. She lives with her family and her dog, Wookiee, in Columbus, Ohio.

Jenni Howell is the New York Times-bestselling author of Boys with Sharp Teeth. Before turning to writing, she explored careers in archaeology, linguistics, finance, and espionage, and also taught middle school. Now she writes books, where, as she puts it, her entire world changes every few years — keeping her from getting bored.

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.