Azam Mahdavi is a freelance author, artist, translator, and graphic designer based in Tehran. She has published dozens of books for children and young adults in Iran, which have been translated into various languages. Several of her books have received awards in different national festivals, such as the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults' Festival. Empty and Me is her first book to be translated into English and published in the U.S.

Maryam Tahmasebi is a freelance illustrator and designer based in Tehran. She's illustrated six books published in Iran, which have been translated into Korean, Turkish, and Chinese. You can see more of her work at maryamtahmasebi.org.

Parisa Saranj was born in Isfahan, Iran. Her writings and translations have appeared in several publications, including Ms. Magazine, Two Lines, and Consequence. She lives in Baltimore with her cat, Abnabat Choobi, which means "lollipop" in Persian. You can find both of them on social media at @PSaranj.

Parisa Saranj was born in Isfahan, Iran. Her writings and translations have appeared in several publications, including Ms. Magazine, Two Lines, and Consequence. She lives in Baltimore with her cat, Abnabat Choobi, which means “lollipop” in Persian. You can find both of them on social media at @PSaranj.