Author Bios
Ray Bradbury is one of the best known figures in the science fiction genre. His work is as diverse as the novel Fahrenheit 451, the novel and play Dandelion Wine, and the screenplay to the movie Moby Dick. In 1999 he was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame and in 1989 he was recognized as a Grand Master by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). In April 2007 the Pulitzer Board announced a special citation to Ray Bradbury for his distinguished, prolific and deeply influential career as an unmatched author of science fiction and fantasy. This award was given as a special recognition for his lifetime writing achievements.
Stephen J. Cannell is the bestselling author of 13 novels, including the critically acclaimed Shane Scully series, which includes Three Shirt Deal, White Sister, Cold Hit, Vertical Coffin, Hollywood Tough, The Viking Funeral, and The Tin Collectors. In addition, Cannell is the author of At First Sight, Runaway Heart, The Devil’s Workshop, Riding the Snake, King Con, Final Victim and The Plan. An Emmy award-winning writer/producer and Chairman of Cannell Studios, Cannell overcame severe dyslexia to become one of television's most prolific writers. In a highly successful career that spans three decades, he has created or co-created more than 40 shows, of which he has scripted more than 450 episodes and produced or executive produced more than 1,500 episodes. His hits include The Rockford Files, Greatest American Hero, The A-Team, Hunter, Riptide, Hardcastle & McCormick, 21 Jump Street, Wiseguy, The Commish, Profit, and the hit syndicated shows, Renegade and Silk Stalkings.
Denise Hamilton is the nationally bestselling and critically acclaimed author of the Eve Diamond crime novels, which have been short-listed for many awards, including the Edgar Allen Poe Award in mystery, Willa Cather award in literary fiction and the UK's prestigious Creasey Dagger Award. The Last Embrace, a Los Angeles Times bestseller delivers her first standalone novel, a sexy, atmospheric and seductive thriller that transports readers to a fascinating, transitional time and place—1949 Los Angeles. Denise was a Los Angeles Times reporter and Fulbright Scholar before she became a novelist. She is also the editor of Los Angeles Noir, winner of the Best Mystery of the Year Award for 2007 by the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association.
D.J. MacHale is a writer, director and producer of several popular television series and movies that include Flight 29 Down; Are You Afraid of the Dark?; Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective; Tower of Terror; and Ghostwriter. His book series Pendragon – Journal of an Adventure Through Time and Space became an instant hit and went to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. The Pendragon saga spans nine novels, with the tenth and final to be published in May 2009. The series has also spawned spin-offs, graphic novels and illustrated guides. D.J.’s new book series titled Morpheus Road, a spooky trilogy will begin publishing in 2010, along with The Equinox Curiosity Shop a fantasy chapter-book series and The Monster Princess, a series of picture books.
Congresswomen Linda and Loretta Sánchez
In 2003, against the most daunting odds imaginable, the daughters of
two Mexican immigrants became the first sisters to ever serve in
Congress at the same time.
Congresswoman Loretta Sánchez has been a Democratic member of the United
States House of Representatives since 1997. Previously a Republican,
Sánchez changed parties in 1996, feeling that the Republican Party had
lost touch with its constituency. She is the second-ranking Democrat on
the Homeland Security Committee and is a member of the Armed Services
Committee. Loretta Sanchez is perhaps most known for her controversial
2007 withdrawal from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, alleging the
caucus chairmen treated female members with disrespect.
Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez has been a Democratic member of the
United States House of Representative since 2003. She was an attorney
specializing in labor law prior to her public service career. She is the
chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative
Law, a member of the US House Committee on Education and Labor, and a
member of the US House Committee on International Relations. In 2005 she
was appointed Assistant Minority Whip. She is the Co-Founder and Co-Chair
of the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus.