Ushio Aoi (pen name) is a Shin-Issei Japanese American who immigrated to the United States with her parents as a child. Living in California for over twenty years, she enjoys creative activities such as art, craft, and writing while studying English. Her experiences struggling with language made her realize the importance of communication, and this motivates her creative work. She publishes original novels in Japanese and fan art on her online gallery.

Updated June 2025

Dean Inokuchi has lived in the South Bay his entire life and is finishing 8th grade. He builds Lego sets with his little brother Cole. Last fall, he was able to join the high school marching band playing trumpet. An avid reader, he fell in love with stories of all forms. He and his classmates spent pandemic months writing collaborative stories using online school software. He also found joy telling stories through hula, traditional Hawaiian dance. One of his biggest fascinations is Disney Imagineering and the ability to fully immerse oneself into a new place, time or story.

Updated June 2025

Alison Akiko McBain’s novels are the recipients of over 13 awards, including the Foreword INDIES. When not writing, Ms. McBain is the associate editor for the magazine ScribesMICRO and draws all over the walls of her house with the enthusiastic help of her kids. While she looks back with fondness on her time growing up in California, she headed north a few years back and now lives in Alberta, Canada. More info can be found at her website.

Updated June 2025

Josephine Takiguchi is an incoming junior at Granada Hills Charter High School. Growing up in Los Angeles, Josephine joined the San Fernando Valley Japanese American community center, where she played basketball and volunteered at cultural events. Josephine was a member of the LAUSD Superintendent’s Student Advisory council where she contributed as the student’s voice on improving student experience. This year, she participated in the 21st Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program. Josephine also founded a non-profit for Food Allergy Awareness to advocate for those with food allergies like her. As with most teens, Josephine enjoys spending time with her friends and going out. She also comes from a big family and enjoys spending time with and babysitting her baby cousins.

Updated June 2025

Satsuki Yamashita’s parents were Little Tokyo residents for many years and Satsuki visited weekly. She has a degree from Washington University in St. Louis and worked in the advertising industry. These days she keeps busy with travel, writing classes and her neighborhood walking group.

Updated May 2025

Born in Kyoto, MOMBURAN (pen name) earned a degree in Law from Doshisha University. He began writing fiction as a hobby around 2019. Since then, he has received numerous awards in literary competitions both in Japan and abroad. In 2023, he published the first book, A Japanese Met Russian Emperor: Denbei Story. He focuses on creating works centered around the theme of “life.” An avid reader of Haruki Murakami and British maritime adventure novels.

Updated June 2025