Debbie Reese (Nambe Pueblo) is a published scholar of children's literature and founder of American Indians in Children's Literature, the most widely read blog in her field. Her doctorate is in education; her work is taught in education, English, and library science courses in the US and Canada.

Eric Gansworth (Onondaga Nation) is the author of ten books in multiple genres, including the novels Extra Indians (American Book Award winner) and Mending Skins (PEN Oakland Award winner). His most recent book, If I Ever Get Out of Here, is a YA novel. He is Lowery Writer-in-Residence at Canisius College.

Cynthia Leitich Smith (Mvskoke) is the New York Times best-selling, award-winning author of fourteen books. A Vermont College of Fine Arts faculty member, she has earned YA writing awards from Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers, the Texas Library Association, and the Austin Public Library Friends Foundation.

Tim Tingle, Oklahoma Choctaw, retraced the Trail of Tears in 1992, and he now writes historical fiction reflecting extensive tribal interviews. Featured at the 2014 National Book Festival, his books include Crossing Bok Chitto, Walking the Choctaw Road, How I Became A Ghost, and House of Purple Cedar.

Debby Dahl Edwardson writes from Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost town in the US. Her most recent novel, My Name is Not Easy, was a finalist for the National Book Award. She is an adjunct instructor at Ilisagvik College, Alaska’s only tribal college.