Pamela L. Laskin teaches graduate children's writing and directs the Poetry Outreach Center at the City College. Several of her poetry collections and books for children have been published. Ronit and Jamil, a Palestinian/Israeli Romeo and Juliet is forthcoming.

Marilyn Nelson, a three-time National Book Award finalist and the recipient of the 2012 Frost Medal, is a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets as well as poet in residence of the American Poets Corner at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. Her most recently published books are My Seneca Village and American Ace.

Tiffany D. Jackson is the author of the dark contemporary YA novel, Allegedly. A television production manager and producer, she received her BA in film from Howard University and her MA in media studies from The New School University.

Suzanne Weyn is a prolific writer of young adult novels and middle grade series. She is best known for her award-winning Bar Code Tattoo trilogy and the eco-thriller, Empty, both of which are taught in HS and MS ELA programs. She teaches writing at Westchester Community College and Medgar Evers College. Her novel Bionic came out recently.

Caroline Bock is the author of two acclaimed young adult novels: LIE and Before My Eyes. Her poetry has been nominated for a 2016 Pushcart Literary Prize and her short story was the winner of the 2016 Writer Magazine Prize. She has an MFA in fiction from the City College of New York.