CHRIS TEBBETTS (Workshop host and facilitator)
is the co-author of the #1 New York Times bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series, as well as the forthcoming middle grade adventure, DR. ZEUS, with James Patterson. He also co-authored the bestselling STRANDED series with Jeff Probst from TV’s “Survivor." Other projects include two YA novels: ME, MYSELF, AND HIM and M OR F? (with Lisa Papademetriou); the bestselling adult thriller 1ST CASE; and the audio drama 10 RULES FOR THE PERFECT MURDER, also with James Patterson. 

Chris came to publishing by way of theater, which was his primary creative outlet from age ten to thirty, including a decade as an NYC-based stage manager, director, choreographer, and producer—everything but acting. (Trust me, he is a terrible actor.)

More: https://linktr.ee/ChrisTebbetts

S MAXFIELD (Acting, Experimental Theater, Movement/Dance, Tarot) is a genderqueer, bi+, and disabled storyteller with roots in dance and theater. They played a variety of roles (onstage and off) in the NYC performance scene for nearly two decades. Maxfield's creative work is always anchored in the body, and s/he delights in sharing movement frameworks such as Laban/Bartenieff concepts, Lecoq technique, and more with the writers at Theater Camp. Maxfield has a flash fiction story in the anthology JUST YA (OpenOKState) and numerous flash pieces published in journals including Tendrils, Vagabond City, and Black Fox Literary Magazine. They also have a short story in the anthology, WE MOSTLY COME OUT AT NIGHT (Running Press), which was a finalist for the Stoker Awards, Locus Awards, and Cybils Awards and was named one of the Best Books of 2024 by the New York Public Library. Maxfield's debut comics collection ASSORTED SWEETS sold out at the legendary NYC comic shop Forbidden Planet, after successfully funding on Kickstarter. linktr.ee/essmaxfield

SARAH ARONSON (Guest Faculty) is a Highlights legend(!) with a well-known love of PLAY as a topic for writers. She is the author of HEAD CASE, BEYOND LUCKY, and BELIEVE, as well as THE WISH LIST series, and picture books JUST LIKE RUBE GOLDBERG and BRAND NEW BUBBE.  www.saraharonson.com

ANDREA J. LONEY's (Guest Faculty: What Performing Standup Taught Me About Writing For Kids...School Visits, Speeches, and Podcasts (Oh My!)) background includes an MFA in Writing, a year on the road with the Big Apple Circus, and three years as a standup comedian in Los Angeles. She is the author of the ABBY IN ORBIT chapter book series, BUNNY BEAR, DOUBLE BASS BLUES, and several other books. www.andreajloney.com (photo @KatSoPhoto)