The Wonder Authors

Suzanne Preston Blier

Suzanne P. Blier Ph.D. is a tenured professor at Harvard (in the Art History and African, African American Studies Departments) and has written many award-winning books in her field – both trade publications and more specialized works. Most recently, she published Picasso’s Demoiselles: The Untold Origins of a Modern Masterpiece, winner of the 2020 Robert Motherwell Award and is now completing a new academic work, 1325: How Medieval Africa Made the World Modern (Yale).

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Author

Joe Brocato

Joe Brocato is a senior partner with Gozdecki, Del Giudice, Americus, Farkas & Brocato LLP, a prominent Chicago law firm. A serial entrepreneur and investor, he is also the Founder of Intense Coaching and Consulting Worldwide, an elite, international life coaching and business development consulting firm, Founder of Intense Artist Management, a dynamic and strategic music management company, and Co-Founder of Devotion City, Inc., which is building the creative industry’s largest accelerator. In his various personal and business endeavors, Joe has worked with some of the most prominent individuals and companies in the world. He is also the author of Happy is Cool: How to Ignite the True Happiness in You, among other books, and has reached audiences large and small, writing for Forbes.com, Huffington Post, CEO World Magazine, StrategyDriven.com, Chicago Agent Magazine, and Leadership Excellence/HR.com and speaking for a variety of organizations, including Citibank, City of Chicago, Live Nation/House of Blues, Feel Good Health Clubs, Fowler International Academy of Professional Coaching, and FRETZIN, Inc., and guesting on radio shows including AM 560 THE ANSWER and Outlaw Radio.Joe graduated from Loyola University Chicago, where he studied Economics. He received his law degree from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and served as an editor of the Northwestern University Law Review.

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Author

Jodie A Cooper

Jodie A Cooper is a lifelong lover of animals and nature. Becoming a Yoga Instructor led to her vegetarianism and enhanced her compassion for all living things. Jodie is committed to education about animal welfare, protecting the environment, and making the world a better place. Always creative, Jodie began painting and writing in recent years. This is her second book, an update to the original version. She resides with her husband in Florida. Visit Jodie at www.jodieacooper.com.

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Author

Liberty DeVitto

Author and legendary musician, Liberty DeVitto, has been honored to grace stages with legendary artists that include Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, Meatloaf, and many more.
Author

Judith Kristen

Judith Kristen (1948 – ) Judith was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey and raised in Northeast Philadelphia. Life was not always easy, and, after some very rough starts and stops, Judy became a best-selling author, animal rescuer, international humane education teacher, and a very happy Citizen of the World. Buy the latest book.

Links: :Click below for Judith's books and social channels

Author

Camille Licate

An Ashtabula, Ohio native, Camille Licate’s three favorite things are dogs in coats, airport reunions, and vegan donuts. She is the creator, writer and host of the Kids for Positive Change television and online series, now on select PBS stations and PBS Learning Media. Camille is also the Founder of Kids for Positive Change™, a multi-media environmental education company designed to teach and inspire kids to take positive action for animals, people, and the planet.An animal advocate, Camille launched the “Wake Up with Bree” program to educate kids and adults about the plight of farm animals, with a focus on roosters. With Bree, the rescue rooster, by her side, Camille encourages kids and adults to adopt a “Bree Kind Lifestyle” which includes eating a plant-based diet and using animal-friendly and eco-friendly products. www.WakeUpwithBree.com

Links: :Click below for Camille's book and social channels

Author

Dr. Angie McCartney

Angela Lucia McCartney was born in Liverpool UK in November of 1929. She married Jim McCartney in November 1962 and they spent 12 loving years together, with Angie and daughter Ruth at his side when he passed over to the great tea dance in the sky in March of 1976. Angie has lived through WW2, widowhood (twice), the 2020 Pandemic, and many crazy times in the past, including celebrating the announcement of #1 chart hits with friend and frequent house-guest John Lennon over breakfast (and tea) at Rembrandt, their Liverpool home in the ’60s. Ticket to Ride is a travel guide to show you about the haunts of the boys in their prime.

Book trailer

Links:Click below for Angie's book and social channels

Author

Simon Mills

Simon Mills is a noted author of children’s literature. His works include the Sir Rhymesalot series of books and many biographical works for noted public figures as a ghostwriter. Simon’s work with children’s titles is focused on communicating in rhyming verse. As a professional musician, songwriter, and commercial music producer, he developed a style and voice that engages young minds with intriguing rhythm, rhyme, and meter along with exciting and emotive themes and twists.

https://www.simonmills.com

Email:s@simonmills.com

Links:Click below for latest books and social channels

Author

Dr. Ross MacPhee

Ross D. MacPhee Ph.D. Prior to joining the American Museum of Natural History as Curator, Division of Vertebrate Zoology-/Mammalogy in 1988, Dr. MacPhee was an Associate Professor of Anatomy in the Duke University Medical Center. He has also taught at Columbia, New York University, and several universities in Canada. Dr. MacPhee’s research interests span the evolutionary history of mammals, island biogeography, and the biology and causation of extinction. He has led or participated in more than 50 scientific expeditions in 15 countries, including both polar regions. Recent fieldwork venues include Yukon, James Ross Group (West Antarctica), and Argentina.

Works:See Dr. MacPhee's Imagine and Wonder Titles

Illustrator

Mario Menjivar

Mario Menjivar began his artistic career in the animation industry for 22 years, most of them as part of the Walt Disney Feature Animation studio. His work is featured in eight of the studio’s films, among them: “Lion King,” ” Pocahantas,” “Mulan,” “Hercules,” “Tarzan,” and “Treasure Planet.” His work can also be seen in the Warner Bros. film “Looney Tunes: Back in Action.”

Mario reconnected to his illustration roots as an Art Director and character designer for several independent animation studios as well as designing merchandise for Disney and comic covers for DC comics.

While teaching animation and anatomy at The School of Visual Arts, he  began illustrating and co-publishing picture books for his company, MoonBear, where he gets to combine his formal drawing skills with the principles of acting and dynamic poses that are the hallmark of animation art. And he has a great time doing it.

He lives in the Bronx, New York with his wife and son.

Links:Click below for Mario's book and social channels

Author

Carl Moellenberg

Carl Moellenberg grew up in Ohio and then transitioned to the fast-paced world of NYC financial institutions for a period of 18 years. A combination of passion for music and serious health issues caused him to jettison that life for producing theater on Broadway. He now has produced over 70 shows and has won 12 Tony awards and that was the most joyful decision of his life. Carl added film producing somewhat later and is now Chairman of Dominion Pictures. That path was accomplished despite multiple threats He now has produced over 70 shows and has won 12 Tony awards and that was the most joyful decision of his life. Carl added film producing somewhat later and is now Chairman of Dominion Pictures. That path was accomplished despite multiple threats to his survival which were warded off by newfound healing practices, spirituality and love.

Links::Click below for Carl's personal website, book, and social channels

Author

Rosemary Rivera

Rosemary Rivera is a self-described Nuyorican nerd who grew up with her nose in a book while navigating the socioeconomic neglect happening in The Bronx. Her favorite pastimes were listening to music, dancing, and getting caught hiding funny books inside her textbooks during math class. She began writing as a kid, first for fun, then later to bring attention to the inequalities in education that affected her community. It paved the way for a creative life that began as a magazine writer and editor for an array of subjects, ranging from personal essays to Latinx entertainment. She went on to develop ideas for animated TV shows and films with her creative partner/husband, a former Disney animator. Rosemary also worked behind the scenes for TV networks Telemundo and NBC in an array of capacities, including finance. Her career as a writer took many turns, from developing scripted shows, to copywriting, and writing picture books. She also contributes to The Mighty, a wellness site that features her essays about life with a child on the autism spectrum. It’s a subject that inspired her latest project, co-created with her husband and son.

www.moonbearcc.com

Links:Click below for Rosemary's book and social channels

Author

Bruce Spizer

Bruce Spizer has written twelve critically acclaimed books about the Beatles and is internationally recognized as an expert on the Beatles. Bruce has given presentations for the Grammy Museum, the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and is also a regularly featured speaker at Beatles conventions. Bruce serves as a consultant on Beatles projects for Universal Music Group, Capitol Records, and Apple Corps, Ltd.

beatle.net

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Links::Click below for Bruce's book and social channels

Artist—Illustrator

Deborah Ades

Deborah Ades earned a certificate in Natural Science Illustration from the New York
Botanical Gardens. Deborah has been drawing and painting for as long as she can
remember. While living in Manhattan, she recalls running to catch a subway when she
noticed a large dragonfly lying on the sidewalk. This began a lifelong fascination with
the natural world. As a long-time lover of children’s literature, Deborah wanted to
contribute to the genre with her art. For her first book, Hummingbird Lily, she chose
the Ruby-throated Hummingbird because it is the only hummingbird that breeds
in eastern North America, making it possible for her to observe it during the warm
months. Next stop, more nature, fantasy, and adventure.

Author

Claudia Rose Addeo

After overcoming what felt like a lifetime of obstacles, Claudia Rose Addeo writes and speaks about her journey of what life was like growing up as a neurodiverse learner in mainstream society and a flawed “one-size-fits-all” education system. At just two years old, Claudia received an initial diagnosis of PDD (ASD)/severe language delay and, following this, was re-diagnosed with inattentive ADHD by the time she reached 1st grade. Throughout her journey, Claudia received nearly 10 years of speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, cognitive therapy, and additional supportive services. Though Claudia faced backlash due to the negative stigma often associated with the term “special education student”, Claudia still persevered and prevailed. At the tender age of twenty-two, Claudia graduated with her master’s degree in literacy education. The following year, Claudia was hand-picked to receive the “Top Young Writer” award from Autism Parenting Magazine. Currently working as a certified teacher, literacy specialist, and Ph.D. student, Claudia writes, researches, and speaks about the importance of neurodiversity acceptance. Claudia advocates for the provision of effective special education accommodations, as well as the need for a more inclusive learning environment in the world of academia and beyond. Claudia resides with her family in Long Island, New York. You can follow her on Instagram: claudia.addeo, Twitter: @claudiaaddeo, or on Facebook: claudia.addeo

https://www.claudiaaddeo.com

Author & Illustrator

Sue Quin

Sue, is a professional musician, performer, singer, and songwriter/composer who has been working in the music industry for the past 40 years. As a backup singer, she has performed with artists such as Gloria Estefan and Patti Austin, as well as being the voice behind hundreds of sessions for radio, TV, film, and studio albums and singles. She has worked in music education for over 20 years, from Primary right through to Higher Education, and is currently Head of Vocals at a UK University. She takes great pride in the pastoral and support work she does with students who struggle to cope with the challenges of life. Sue is a proud Mum and Nani and has always written and told stories to her children and to her grandchildren. She rediscovered her great love for painting in lockdown and began working on illustrations for her stories and poems – she hasn’t put her brush down since! She is a great lover of the sea, animals, nature, and the environment; she is also passionate about giving a voice to those who are all too often denied the chance to be heard, which is something that was the inspiration for this book.

Illustrator

Lauren Foster MacLeod

Lauren is an artist and illustrator living in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She grew up in Montréal,
Québec and graduated from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, concentrating her art
studies in drawing, painting and printmaking.
Sketching from life is a passion and Lauren has sketchbooks full of her live sketches done over
the past 40 years. Her love and skill of drawing people from life led her to doing freelance court
sketching in 2010 which she has continued to do on a freelance basis. Lauren works in many art
media but always comes back to basic sketching as her favourite. She has been part of the
Urban Sketchers Ottawa group since 2015.
While Lauren has done freelance illustration work for many years, Bree and Me is her first
children’s picture book.
Social media:
Facebook
Instagram: @lauren.fosterm

Quicklinks to Titles

Bob Wise

Hickory Dickory & Doc https://amzn.to/3Nrx7de
Bruce Spizer The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour and Yellow Submarine https://amzn.to/3NpaTc0
Camille Licate Bree and Me https://amzn.to/3sOLMpC
Carl Moellenberg Carl Moellenberg's Story https://amzn.to/3Wiq9LQ
Frank W. Baker We Survived the Holocaust https://amzn.to/3fpJDO6
Jodie A. Cooper While I'm Still Here https://amzn.to/3Nt4kFw
Judith Kristen My Date With A Beatle https://amzn.to/3Wk2fQ7
Liberty DeVitto Love, Santa Claus https://amzn.to/3U5yb90
Angie McCartney Ticket to Ride https://amzn.to/3DPQKZm
Oliver Pursche Money Can Grow on Trees https://amzn.to/3U9UWZe
Rosemary Rivera Myra and The Drawing Drama https://amzn.to/3DNQ9aO
Simon Mills Cello Comes Home https://amzn.to/3SYibEG
Deborah Ades Hummingbird Lily https://amzn.to/3FzitPj
Sir Rhymesalot 20+ titles https://amzn.to/3t6H7zD

Wonder Author Live Appearances

Becoming a Wonder Author

If you would like to submit a manuscript to the editorial team for consideration we welcome you to do so. We love authors and we’re always searching for new and creative beasts like you. We know you’re out there. We’re watching. Submit work via the contact page