ANTONIO MICHAEL DOWNING spends his time writing books, singing songs, and trying to make his Grandma proud. The Taylor Prize named him one of Canada's best emerging authors. His acclaimed memoir Saga Boy was called by Giller winner Ian Williams "the triumph of Blackness everywhere..." His debut children's book, Stars In My Crown is out now, and his debut novel for adults, Black Cherokee, is coming out in 2025. He writes and performs music as John Orpheus.

RICHY SANCHEZ AYALA was born in the Dominican Republic. He has learned to appreciate his beloved slice of paradise but also to seek out new horizons. He works in fine art, illustration, visual development and animation; regardless of what he's working on, the child in him always manages to sneak in. He currently lives in San Francisco.