Smith, Roland: - Roland Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty books for young people. Among his books are the I, Q series, Peak, Beneath, Above, Zach's Lie, the Cryptid Hunters series, Storm Runners, The Switch, and Elephant Run. Before becoming a full-time writer, he spent more than twenty years working with wildlife all over the world. He was a zookeeper, zoo curator, assistant zoo director, and research biologist. He was instrumental in reintroducing the red wolf back into the wild, and he was a consultant on the Yellowstone National Park gray wolf translocation. Roland and his wife, Marie, split their time between Bentonville, Arkansas, and their small farm near Portland, Oregon.

Ayriss, Linda Holt: -

A professional artist since she graduated from The Art Center College of Design in California, Linda Holt Ayriss also holds a BFA from Pacific Lutheran University, WA. She is the recipient of a silver medal from the Best in the West Society of Illustrators, and has been recognized in the Communication Arts Annual. Linda has taught at Cal State Northridge and is currently mentoring two students in her studio. She lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington, just across Puget Sound from Seattle.