Peg Helminski is a children's book author and an award-winning public speaker. She has bachelor's degrees in English and Anthropology as well as a Master's Degree in Counseling. She led the  MN Region of SCBWI from 1993-1998. Peg has written many articles for educational testing as well as one non-fiction book Kidding Around Minneapolis St. Paul and two middle-grade novels featuring strong female protagonists, Daughter of a Thousand Pieces of Gold and Spark of God. Both of these books deal with intercultural understanding. She currently resides in the NC research triangle area. Peg also provides coaching to children's writing beginners and to experienced authors who are determined to move their writing to the next level.