Los Angeles Region

Jackie Huang is an author, illustrator, and paper engineer based in Los Angeles, CA. She has an affinity for interactive books, pop-ups, animals, sweet-funny stories, and chocolate-peanut butter cups. She is repped by Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Lit.

Christine Van Zandt is the owner of Write for Success Editing Services and an award-winning author. Her nonfiction picture books include "Milkweed for Monarchs" (Beaming Books, 2024), "A Brief History of Underpants" (becker&mayer! kids, 2021), and three yet-unannounced children’s books. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her family.

W.R. Miller - known informally as “Bob” – has written for Starlog, Comics Scene, Animation Magazine, and the online Animation Scoop. Bob has been involved in animation for two decades, as a writer, character animator, special effects animator, and storyboard artist, with two Emmy honors for storyboarding on The Simpsons. His published books include "The Animated Voice, Volumes 1-3", "The Star Wars Historical Sourcebook, Volume 1", and his latest, "Batman: The Animated Interviews, Volumes 1-5".

Tamika Burgess (Ta-mee-Ka Bur-jess) is a fiction author of "Sincerely Sicily" and "Danilo Was Here". Born to parents who migrated from Panamá, Tamika has always taken a particular interest in writing themes that explore her Black Latina identity. Because of her passion for spreading knowledge about her culture, Tamika writes fiction novels that feature Black Panamanian main characters. Tamika currently resides in Southern California.

Writer, editor, and book coach Maureen Charles holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her debut young adult nonfiction biography, "Music Mavens: 15 Women of Note in the Industry" (co-written with Ashley Walker) was released by Chicago Review Press in 2023. Her works-in-progress include fiction and nonfiction picture books at the intersection of social justice, kindness, and inclusion and a contemporary middle-grade novel. She lives in Pasadena, CA, where she shares an office with three feisty felines.

Brenda Scott Royce is a lifelong lover of beasts and books—and whenever possible her work combines the two. She is the author of more than 30 books for children, including the multiple award-winning "Angela & Lulingu: Two Gorillas, A World Apart” and the NatGeo Kids bestseller, “The Coolest Stuff on Earth.” She created the PAW Pals chapter book series, about service animals and their human friends, and the “Zoo Crew” series, about kids who volunteer at their local zoo.

With over 25 years of culinary adventures under her apron strings, Glenda Galván-García is a recipe developer, food stylist, chef, and proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. Educated in Chicano Latino Studies, Glenda is a seasoned tastemaker dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories behind Mexico's rich heritage. She is proud of her role as Executive Chef at Granville restaurants and lives in Orange County, CA, with her son and rescue dog.

Ann Suk Wang was born in Seoul Korea, is a graduate of UCLA (BS) and Boston University (MS) in mass communication, and is a former journalist. Currently she’s an advocate for adopting children (and dogs) and mentors teen girls. When Ann’s not writing, reading or listening to podcasts, she’s most likely jazz dancing, roller skating, praying with moms, tending her butterfly garden or eating doughnuts in California with a husband, two sons and a canine son. "The House Before Falling Into the Sea", a 2025 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award finalist, is her debut picture book.

Joy Hwang Ruiz is a New York Times bestselling artist and mom who started the popular Instagram account @momisdrawing to capture the magic of new parenthood and celebrate family life in a diverse & inclusive world. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Southern California.

Glenda Armand was born in New Orleans and grew up in Los Angeles. Her entire career has revolved around her love for children, teaching, and writing. She was a teacher and librarian for many years in public and private schools. Glenda became a published author in 2011 when her first book, "Love Twelve Miles Long", was published. Since then she has written over a dozen books. She enjoys writing picture book biographies about people who overcame great odds to do remarkable things. Her latest book is "Toypurina: Japchivit Leader, Medicine Woman, Tonga Rebel".

From her Southern California home, pediatrician-turned-writer Micky O'Brady brings her black belts in Krav Maga and Judo to craft YA thrillers with romantic twists and fierce heroines. Her work has earned major recognition, with "Playing with #Fire" sweeping the 2024 Outstanding Creator Awards and "CRISPR--CRIS PARR" shining at the 2025 Feathered Quills Awards. Through Curiosity Quills and Snowy Wings Publishing, her impressive portfolio includes "The President's Daughter" series, "Time Warped" trilogy, "Between Worlds", "Angel Down", and "33 Degrees".

Janie Emaus believes when the world is falling apart, we’re just one laugh away from putting it together again. She is the author of the blended holiday picture books "Latkes for Santa Claus", a finalist in the 2022 International Book Awards, and "Easter Eggs & Matzo Balls" as well as the novels "The Advice Columnist" and "The Time Traveling Matchmaker". Her essays, stories and articles have been published in numerous magazines, anthologies, and websites.

Annelouise Mahoney is a children’s book author/illustrator. She was born and raised in Massachusetts, where she spent her childhood playing pretend, making up stories, and drawing pictures. Her titles include her author/ illustrated book "Julius and Macy: A Very Brave Night" (Two Lions), and she has illustrated "Little Purple Tractor" (by Erin Guen- delsberger, Sourcebooks Wonderland). She has several additional books forthcoming. She is drawn to stories that celebrate childhood wonder and has a particular love for anthropomorphic animals. Annelouise lives in Southern California with her family.

Molly Ruttan is an author/illustrator of children’s books. Originally from New York, Molly now lives in the diverse and historic neighborhood of Echo Park in Los Angeles. Her titles include her author/illustrated books "The Stray" and "Something Wild", (which received a starred Kirkus review and was accepted into Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library); and illustrated "Violet and the Crumbs: A Gluten-Free Adventure" and "I Am a Thief!" (which also received a starred Kirkus review) both by Abigail Rayner, and "The Yowlers" by Stacy Lynne Carroll. She has several additional books forthcoming. Molly is represented by Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency.

Mirelle Ortega is an award-winning Mexican artist and writer for kidlit and animation based in Los Angeles, California. She is the author-illustrator of "River of Mariposas" and "Magic: Once Upon a Faraway Land", for which she received a 2023 Pura Belpré Award Illustration Honor and an International Latino Book Award bronze medal. She’s also the illustrator of wonderful books like "Mamiachi & Me", "The Mermaid Princesses" and "Pepe and the Parade".

Harshini Vankineni is a writer and an immigrant from India and lives in Southern California with her husband and children. Her debut picture book, “What Color is the Baby?: A Celebration of Skin Tones”, published through Candlewick Press, is set for release on April 1st, 2025. Harshini writes picture books, young adult fantasy, and new adult romance. She likes to write complex characters who are often dealing with societal pressures head-on and to tell stories that are a lens to her culture.

Robin Yardi is the author of "Coral Keepers", an illustrated undersea adventure series about a trio of mermaid magicians (Scholastic), and "I Know the Whale", a poignant picture book about the beauty in all things (Little Bee). As a credentialed classroom teacher and museum docent turned author and presenter, Robin knows joyful learning begins with curiosity. Her books celebrate the bravery of kids doing the hard work of growing up, mastering their magic, and learning to read!