Jennifer Dugan is a queer YA author and self proclaimed geek and romantic. She has written two books, Hot Dog Girl and Verona Comics, as well as several comic books. She lives in New York State with her family. Her video, created in combination with Isabel Sterling, talks about her experience as a queer author trying to write books about queer girls in a publishing world that says 'queer girls won't sell'. 

https://jldugan.com/

Elise Finielz is currently working on her PhD in French and Francophone Studies at Cornell University with a focus is Post Colonial Studies. Elise grew up in an affluent family in the countryside of France and moved to the US to attend college. Elise discusses her family background, education, and life path with an international focus. She touches on issues of racism, colonialism, ethnocentrism in modern day France as well as throughout French history. She will also be live at our discussion on June 5th!

Bishakh Som is a graphic novelist. In addition to her many contributions in various comic collections, she has published a book called Apsara Engine and is working on a graphic memoir. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her partner. In Bishakh Som's video, she discusses her experiences as a person of Indian descent and being a trans woman. She will also be live at our discussion on June 5th!

http://www.bishakh.com/

Isabel Sterling is the queer author of a YA duology (These Witches Don't Burn & This Coven Won't Break) and its prequel. The duology focuses on the story of two girls falling for each other while navigating their lives as real witches in modern-day Salem MA. She works as the program coordinator for a Syracuse LGBTQ Center, advocating for LGBTQ+ people and providing educational training on the subject for the surrounding area. She lives in New York State with her wife and created a joint video with Jennifer Dugan on the challenges of publishing books about queer girls.

http://www.isabelsterling.com/

Sara Xin is currently a senior at Ithaca High School. Sara was born in Ithaca, moved to China for five years, and then moved back to Ithaca to attend high school. Sara discusses how living in China has shaped her identity, reconnected her with her culture, and given her perspective. She discusses common obstacles women in China face, difficulties women in STEM face, and differences between the school systems in China and the US.