Mercedes Lucero is a poet and community organizer. Forever pushing the boundaries of what words can do, they are always finding ways to connect to others through art. Their poems, short stories, and essays have been published in numerous literary magazines, and currently, they live in the heartland with their two cats.

Sara Quenzer is a professional writer specializing in greeting cards, creative fiction and nonfiction, social posts, and articles. Writing poetry still kind of feels like wearing a mech suit for the first time, but Mercedes is continually inspiring her to let go and lean in. She loves books, bunnies, and D&D.