Mary McInerney

As a lifelong strength-based educator, Mary McInerney is passionate about making students feel welcome in the world of writing. Her dedication to fostering creativity and confidence in young writers drives her work, making each day a new adventure in learning and discovery. As a mother of two adult children, she cherishes time spent with them and other loved ones, including her dog, Maeve.

Three things Rivkah LaFille loves: great taquerias, great sushi, and great comics. She can't make sushi for squat (though she makes a mean corn tortilla!), but she's been making and teaching the art of making comics for over twenty years. Her YA series Steady Beat was nominated to the YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens list. Currently, this native Tex-Yorker resides in the lush, tree-filled state of Connecticut, where she gardens her little green heart out. But she hikes it back to Texas and NYC as often as she can. Because tacos. And sushi. And of course, family.