Kate Maruyama's debut novel was Harrowgate and her short work has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. She holds an MFA from Antioch University, LA where she now teaches in their MFA and BA programs as well as on the inspiration2publication.com and for Writing Workshops Los Angeles.

Judeth Oden Choi is founding partner of The Accomplices and a PhD student in human computer interaction at Carnegie Mellon, where she studies social justice activism online and uses theatre in speculative design. She has a BA in theatre studies from Yale, an MFA in dramatic writing from NYU, and a MS from CMU.

Scott Woods is a poet, writer, and award-winning organizer operating in Columbus, Ohio. He is the author of We Over Here Now, Urban Contemporary History Month, and Prince and Little Weird Black Boy Gods. He is the founder and CEO of Streetlight Guild, a nonprofit performing arts organization.

Nick Demske works as a children's librarian at the Racine Public Library and is the County Supervisor of Racine County's 1st District. His self-titled book was selected by Joyelle McSweeney for the 2010 Fence Modern Poets Series Award and was published by Fence Books. He runs the BONK! arts series.

traci kato-kiriyama is an author and theater deviser who has awards from Center for Cultural Innovation, Network of Ensemble Theaters, and UCLA Distinguished Lectureship. Founder of Tuesday Night Project, she has also served as a guest lecturer for the Claremont Colleges and Teaching Writer-in-Residence for Grand Park.