WRITTEN BY:

  JON COOKSEY is a writer/showrunner who has worked in all genres of film, television, and digital and has created entertainment that has resonated with millions of viewers around the world. His work in TV includes youth-oriented series from Rugrats to So Weird, as well as adaptations of Fern Michaels’ Sisterhood series and Mary Higgins Clark’s novel Before I Say Goodbye.

He’s developed 19 pilots for various production companies and networks, including Comedy Central, FX, and ITV (UK), and has run series for Disney Channel and Nickelodeon in the US and for Rogers, Global, CBC, and Space in Canada. Altogether he’s produced over 150 hours of TV and won or been nominated for Emmy, Humanitas, Gemini, Leo, Cable Ace, and Canadian Screen Awards. He’s a dual citizen of Canada and America and lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest.

  RIE ANDERS is an acclaimed author known for her immensely popular Island Trilogy novels and heartwarming Christmas novellas, including an Amazon Top 100 Christmas story. With a keen eye for capturing the complexities of young adult life, Rie draws inspiration from her own experiences, and her daughter Abby—currently a freshman at UC Boulder—serves as her official test model for all things YA. From parties to lingo to the challenges of transitioning into adulthood, Abby’s real-life experiences bring an authentic edge to Rie’s writing.

Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Rie spent her summers in the San Juan Islands, finding solace—and a little chaos—after dropping out of college, much like her character, Shaye. These days, Rie dedicates her time to working with horses for therapeutic training programs, everything from mucking stalls to care and feeding after a ride. She’s currently in the process of crafting two exciting new novels and the adaptation of her Christmas stories.