Ann-Elizabeth Barnes has been a storyteller since she was a child. She likes to put history in context so that it is simple to remember. And this is what she seeks to do - make history interesting and accessible.

Jana Laiz is the author of the triple award-winning novel, Weeping Under This Same Moon, Moonbeam Silver Medal Winner, The Twelfth Stone, Elephants of the Tsunami, the co-author of "A Free Woman On God's Earth, The True Story of Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman, The Slave Who Won Her Freedom" soon to be a feature film, Thomas & Autumn, Simon Says Tails Told By The Red Lion Inn Ambassador and Billy Budd in the Breadbox, The Story of Herman Melville & Eleanor. A former refugee resettlement counselor and ESL teacher, Jana believes that honoring diversity can change the world. She is passionate about our beautiful planet and endeavors to make a difference in the world through her writing. She is the very first Writer-In-Residence at Herman Melville's beloved Arrowhead. Her new book, Blanket of Stars will be out summer 2019. She lives in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.