Dawn Powell (1896-1965) was a prolific writer of sixteen novels, scores of short stories, plays, and more. She was born in Mount Gilead, Ohio, and moved into her aunt's boarding house after running away from her father and abusive stepmother. She left Ohio after graduating college and moved to Manhattan, but she returned to the region of her upbringing in much of her writing. She is known for her social satire that is unflinching and humorous without being malicious. Ernest Hemingway called her his "favorite living writer."

Ilana Masad is a writer of fiction, nonfiction, and criticism. She is the author of two novels: Beings (forthcoming, Fall 2025) and All My Mother's Lovers, and is the co-editor of the forthcoming anthology Here For All the Reasons: #BachelorNation's Franchise Fascination.