Joseph L. V. Donica is a writer, professor, and author of the upcoming novel The Unicorn Professor. He grew up on stories of adventure, pirates, and lost civilizations—tales that led him to dig for buried treasure in his backyard and draw maps to nowhere in particular. These days, he writes his own legends, blending myth, memory, and mischief. Based in New York City and teaching in The Bronx, Joseph splits his time between the classroom and stranger places: underground archives, forgotten libraries, and the quiet corners of the city where stories still wait to be uncovered. He believes every good narrative hides something just beneath the surface, and he’s always looking for the next hidden door.

Julie K. Arsenault is a storyteller whose work weaves together adventure, wonder, and a deep fascination with the unknown. The author of the forthcoming novel The Desert Lighthouse, she began her creative path as a children’s book illustrator and has never strayed far from the magic of visual and written tales. A lifelong explorer, Julie draws inspiration from her travels and her love of mythology from cultures around the world. She is especially drawn to the corners of history where fact blurs into legend. Her work, both visual and literary, brims with the kind of magic you thought you’d outgrown.