James Finds the Beat

Ty Chapman is an author and poet based in Minnesota. In addition to James Finds the Beat, he is the author of Sarah Rising, Looking for Happy, Stokes (written with John Coy), and Tartarus. Ty was a 2022 Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellow, an award used to support a speculative work in progress with social justice themes. He was also a Mirrors & Windows fellow, as well as a Mentor Series fellow and a finalist for Tin House's 2022 Fall Residency, Button Poetry's 2020 Chapbook Contest, and Frontier Magazine's New Voices Contest. He holds a master's degree in writing for children and young adults from VCFA. When Ty isn't writing, he's usually playing pickup basketball, playing board games with his friends, or petting his two cats, Alabaster and Hobbes.Anastasia Magloire Williams is an illustrator, writer, and graphic designer living in sunny Florida, USA. Raised on a healthy diet of books, animation, and games, Anastasia's childhood (and the art education that followed) prepared her well for a lifetime of storytelling. Forever a student, she continues to grow in her preferred digital medium, combining traditional illustration techniques with the flexibility of computer software. With rich texture, dynamic line, vibrant color, and design savvy, Anastasia uses various styles to bring her clients' stories to life, as well as her own. Above all, Ana's mission is to be a vehicle for diversity and representation in entertainment and children's media—to tell untold stories that reflect the beautiful world we all share. When she is not tapping away at her tablet, she enjoys gaming with her husband, fantasy romance novels, tending to her plants, and ice in all of her drinks.

"A heartwarming tale about overcoming anxiety, with a meaningful epilogue where the author shares his personal experience with shyness."