Fred Bowen, who writes the weekly KidsPost sports column in The Washington Post, is the author of 16 books of sports fiction (ages 8+) and a picture book biography of Red Sox legend Ted Williams titled No Easy Way. Bowen is not your usual sports-fiction writer; he always weaves a little real sports history into his fast-moving plots, and includes a history chapter at the back.  He likes showing kids that the games they play are part of a large rich tradition.  Bowen grew up in Massachusetts and now lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.

John Feinstein is a national best-selling author and one of America’s most prolific and beloved sports writers. His books, “A Season on the Brink” and “A Good Walk Spoiled,” are two of the biggest-selling non-fiction sports books in publishing history. His latest book,”One on One: Behind the Scenes with the Greats in the Game” (Putnam Adult), shares details of his interviews and experiences in the professional sports world. Feinstein is a regular commentator on radio and television sports programs, including ESPN’s “The Sports Reporters”, NPR’s “Morning Edition,” and the Golf Channel. His columns appear in The Washington Post, where he spent a number of years as a staff reporter.  Feinstein has written over 20 books on sports and the athletes who play them, as well as a mystery series for children.

E Dee Monnen is the author of “Jumping Over the Moon” (Robert Reed Publishers), her third baseball novel.  Monnen is the granddaughter of a pitcher who was often matched up against the great Walter Johnson. Years of research into 19th century baseball (when the game changed to its current style) have made her a popular guest nationally on radio and television. As a speaker, she imparts odd facts and inside knowledge of our national pastime.  Her sequel, “Catching the Falling Stars” will be ready for release later this year. Although born in Southern California, Monnen is a long time resident of the Eastern Shore.

Tim Wendel is the author of “Summer of ’68: The Season That Changed Baseball – and America – Forever” (Da Capo Press), due out in March 2012. Wendel’s writing has appeared in Esquire, GQ, Gargoyle, The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today, where he is on the op-ed page’s board of contributors. Wendel has written nine books and is a journalist and teacher at John Hopkins University, as well as a Pen/Faulkner visiting writer to the Washington, D.C., Public Schools.