Lori Starling is a writer, poet, amateur ukulele player, and lover of all things Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, and Sylvia Plath. Through their writing, they strive to create realistic worlds for their readers to explore, where marginalized voices are heard and empowered. Starling holds an MFA in creative writing, as well as a BA in English & creative writing with various associate degrees. In addition to their writing shenanigans on loristarlingwrites.com, their writing can be seen in places like One Green Planet, Life in 10 Minutes Lit Magazine, and Beyond Queer Words: A Collection of Poems. Recently, they have co-founded Clay Literary, which houses two weekly online publications: FLEDGLING and RAVEN. Toby Wears a Tutu is their first children's book.

Anita DuFalla is both an award-winning illustrator and designer with fifteen years of experience in children's book illustration. She sports a collection of more than five hundred patterned pantyhose, and lives in the Friendship neighborhood of Pittsburgh with her son, Lucas.