2013 Newbery Medal Winner Katherine has written many books for children and young adults, including The Buffalo Storm (a picture book), Roscoe Riley Rules (a chapter book series), and Animorphs (which she wrote with her husband, Michael Grant.) Her novel Home of the Brave was awarded the 2008 Golden Kite Award for Best Fiction, the Bank Street 2008 Josette Frank Award for children's fiction, and was a Judy Lopez Memorial Award honor book.

She lives in California with her husband, two children, and assorted pets.

JERI CHASE FERRIS is the award-winning author of twelve biographies for children and young adults. She specializes in biographies of women and minorities - people who have done great and important deeds, but havebeen overlooked in history. In addition to writing, Jeri is a frequent speaker at schools and conferences, bringing history to life through the lives of these twelve (so far) remarkable women and men.

 

She lives in Northern California, rides a beautiful horse, has a Scottie and is a frequent traveler to Russia.

When Sue's first child turned two years old, he had an insatiable thirst for all things outer space. And she was inspired to write him a story about it. That, coupled with the encouragement and advice from a children's librarian and friend, as well as local authors, was when she began her adventure into writing for children. And she's been hooked ever since. She is a member of the Author's Guild and SCBWI and in both 2007 and 2008 received Letters of Commendation from the SCBWI Barbara Karlin Grant for Picture Book Writing for two of her stories.

 

In her not-so-spare time she likes to spend time with her family, travel, play tennis, sing, run, lead a children's writing critique group, and write as much as she can.

Dave Keane is the author and illustrator of the "Joe Sherlock: Kid Detective" chapter books series published by HarperCollins. He is the author of three picture books: "Bobby Bramble Loses His Brain" (Clarion), "Sloppy Joe" (HarperCollins), and "Daddy Adventure Day" (Philomel). He is also the author and illustrator of "Monster School," a beginning reader series from HarperCollins slated for release in mid-2012. He lives in Northern California with his wife and their three children, a dog, a tortoise, and three guppies that always look hungry.

Elisa Kleven will make her 11th appearance at the Orion Authors and Illustrators Festival, the only author/illustrator to participate in every festival. Kleven is a renown, prolific and award-winning author/illustrator of beloved children's books, including: A Carousel Tale; Sun Bread; The Apple Doll; The Paper Princess series; Ernst; The Puddle Pail and Welcome Home, Mouse; illustrated, among others, Thacher Hurd's The Weaver; Wish; One Little Chicken. Her newest book, The Friendship Wish, was released in October.

Joanne Rocklin is the author of many middle grade novels, including the award-winning ONE DAY AND ONE AMAZING MORNING ON ORANGE STREET. She has a doctorate in psychology and is a former elementary school teacher, presently writing children's books full-time. She gives presentations in schools, libraries and bookstores and has been a speaker for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the California Reading Association, and other organizations.

 

She lives in Northern California with her husband Gerry, near her sons and their families. She spends her days writing, reading, gardening, cooking up a storm, singing in her synagogue choir, and babysitting for her grandchildren.

Ashley Wolff is the author/illustrator of more than sixty books for children, including Block City by Robert Louis Stevenson, Baby Beluga by Raffi, the modern-classic Miss Bindergarten series by Joseph Slate, and her own Stella and Roy and Stella and Roy Go Camping. Even as a child, she knew she wanted to be an artist and drew and made small books when she was young.

She lives in San Francisco with her husband and their border collie, Lucy.