A food writer, librarian and historian, Becky Libourel Diamond has had a varied career combining writing and research. Her latest book is The Gilded Age Cookbook, published by Globe Pequot in August 2023. Her previous book, The Thousand Dollar Dinner, tells the unique story of a nineteenth century “Top Chef”-style competition between Philadelphia restauranteur James Parkinson and the Delmonico family of New York. She is also the author of Mrs. Goodfellow: The Story of America’s Cooking School, a successful nineteenth century pastry chef who also ran an innovative cooking school for young woman – a Philadelphia first. She is currently working on a book of Gilded Age holiday stories and recipes.
Chelsea Tornetto is an author, world geography teacher, and mom who has been writing ever since she was a kid. Her first book, Conquering Content Vocabulary, was published by Scholastic in 2018, but now her passion is picture books. In both the classroom and in her books, her goal is to help kids fall in love with the wonders of our world and to introduce them to places and people beyond their own backyard. She lives in Jackson, Missouri with her husband, Mike, her two kids, Tessa and Milo, and a miniature dachshund named Stella. She loves snow days, lattes, and summer. She hates spiders, her sinuses, and laundry.
Judy Haveson is a proud Texan who will never lose her southern charm or accent and uses both when the situation absolutely calls for it. Her one-time dream of becoming a journalist was shattered when a professor suggested she pick a new major due to her penchant for obsessive conversation. He claimed she’d be an editor’s nightmare because she wrote as she spoke and never stopped talking. This led her to a career in public relations. Judy’s fixation with reading books and stories about other people’s lives inspired her to write her debut memoir. She currently lives in New York City with her husband, Adam, son, Jack, and beloved Yorkie, Toby.
Anna Schocket, a single adoptive mother, embarked on a heartfelt journey to pen this book as a way to open a dialogue about adoption with her young daughter. With a career as a senior executive in Talent Development, Anna leveraged her learning background and her belief in the power of teachable moments to create a meaningful resource for other adoptive and nontraditional families. Anna and her daughter thrive together in Oakland, California.
Laurel Gale writes books for children. Her first picture book, Robots Don't Make You Go to Bed, was published in 2024. Her next picture book, Absolutely No Worries, comes out in 2025. Her children's novels include Dead Boy and Story Magic. She lives with her husband and their ferrets in Idaho. In addition to writing, she enjoys taking wildlife photos, playing board games, and reading. She loves animals and thinks mustelids (ferrets, weasels, otters, mink, etc.) are simply the best. You can visit Laurel online at laurelgale.com or on X/Twitter at @laurel_gale.
