www.nancyjeanokunami.com

Nancy jean Okunami is a writer who enjoys exploring the taller side of life. She has published over a hundred short stories and articles in both the adult and children's genre. She holds a BA in English Writing, is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature (where she was honored as a featured author in the Institute's First Time Authors Anthology) and recalls fondly her three-year stint as the Austin SCBWI Regional Advisor.

Nancy jean, who has now turned her focus full-time from magazine to longer works, is excited about the progress of her middle-grade fiction novels (The Decrepit Touch of the Crotchety Baroness Barinoff and Mackelbee Eller) and her short story collections (Angry Chamomile and The Poetic Pocket Guide to Roadside Poaching). Her picture books include A Long Way to Waddle and Three Gwens' Fudge.

On a personal note, Nancy jean lives in Austin, Texas with her keeper-of-a-husband, Al, and her two cutie-patooties, Chloe (age 5) and Joey (age 1). If you or anyone you know is a "coyote", detailed leg-chewing instructions can be found on her website.