Maria Kelson has published two books of poetry (as Maria Melendez): How Long She’ll Last in This World and Flexible Bones. She is currently working on a mystery novel set in southern Colorado and the redwood country of northern California.

Gigi Pandian is the USA Today bestselling author of the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mystery series (Artifact, Pirate Vishnu, and Quicksand) and the Accidental Alchemist mysteries (The Accidental Alchemist). Her debut novel was named a “Best of 2012” by Suspense magazine.

Naomi Hirahara is the Edgar Award-winning author of two mystery series set in Los Angeles. Her Mas Arai series, featuring a Hiroshima survivor and gardener, was translated into Japanese, Korean, and French. Her Officer Ellie Rush bicycle cop series received the 2014 T. Jefferson Parker Mystery Award.

Rachel Howzell Hall is the author of Land of Shadows and Skies of Ash, the second novel in the Lou Norton mystery series. She is also a writer for City of Hope, a national leader in cancer research. 

Steph Cha is the author of Follow Her Home, Beware Beware, and Dead Soon Enough, all published by St. Martin's Minotaur. She's a regular contributor to the L.A. Times, where she writes about books and food.