Award winner author of 16 books, Indian native Chitra Divakaruni has been published in more than 50 magazines, included in more than 50 anthologies and her works have been translated into 18 languages. Divakaruni is a faculty member at the University of Houston Creative Writing Program.

Gish Jen has the unique gift of wit, comedy and quirk. She is known for her four novels and a book of short stories including a New York Times Notable Book, Typical American. Released in October 2010, her fourth novel, World and Town, combines humor and emotion to tell a story of new beginnings.