Jackie Garcia-Morales

Jackie is a proud Puerto Rican and neurodiverse woman raised in New Jersey. She holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from Drexel University, as well as a Digital Marketing Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania. In 2023, she made the leap from medical school to publishing. She is now an Autumn Intern at Writers House and the Editor for the Journal of the American Herbalists Guild, following an internship in Children’s Book Sales at Penguin Random House and her entry role as Publishing Associate at Baker & Taylor. She serves as the NJ State Ambassador for the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) and a member of the USBBY Outstanding International Books Committee; in her free time, she is a freelance reviewer  for Kirkus Indie and Publishers Weekly. She is the founder of the Catalyst Creators Scholarship & Fund, a scholarship that supports authors writing picture book manuscripts featuring underrepresented voices and Feathered Stag, a BIPOC poetry project. As an author, she is represented by Analía Cabello at Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She focuses on themes like mindfulness, invisible disabilities, and authentic experiences of Boricua identity. Her debut middle grade novel will publish in 2026 with Arte Público Press. Connect with her on her website and BlueSky @realjackiegm.bsky.social,

Theresa Maria Villarreal

Theresa is a dynamic author, entrepreneur, and educator from Texas with a passion for storytelling and a dedication to supporting fellow writers. With a degree in Marketing from the University of Houston, Theresa has successfully ventured into various domains, from writing middle grade novels to developing unique products like hot sauce. Theresa’s journey into the world of literature began with her acclaimed self-published middle grade series, Adventures in Oculus, a portal fantasy designed to engage readers and promote emotional self-growth. heresa’s journey into the world of literature began with her acclaimed self-published middle grade series; her debut book was the first in the series The Spider Witch’s Curse, and was quickly followed by its sequel Firedrake. She is the creator of the Eaty Man coloring book and in 2025, Theresa released a devotional journal, Roots and Wings, for mothers to help them re-center themselves during parenthood. Theresa is an active SCBWI member where she volunteers in social media marketing in the Houston chapter, and she is a 2025 judge for the Aurora Realm Awards. She is also a homeschooling mother who is fiercely passionate about education and literacy. These days, you can find her sharing recipes inspired by her husband’s Mexican heritage on Youtube as the Literary Ladle and perfecting her homemade Geek Sauce (which will soon hit the commercial market). Visit her website and LinkedIn!