ANA MARIA SPAGNA is the author of ten books including the young adult novel The Luckiest Scar on Earth and most recently the nonfiction narrative PUSHED: Miners, a Merchant and (Maybe) a Massacre. Her work has been recognized by the River Teeth Literary Nonfiction Prize, the Society for Environmental Journalists, the Nautilus Book Awards, and as a four-time finalist for the Washington State Book Award. A former backcountry trails worker, Ana Maria now teaches in MFA programs at Antioch University Los Angeles, Western Colorado University, and St. Lawrence University. She lives in Stehekin, Washington with her wife, Laurie, and Maybelle the cat.