Once There Was: The New York Times Top 10 Hit! Paperback – 4 April 2023

I grew up in northern California in a house on the slope of a forested ravine, with my parents, my Iranian grandmother, and my younger brother. My earliest creative influences were the Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual, D’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths, and Tom McGowen’s Encyclopedia of Legendary Creatures. After I finished college, I spent twenty years working in media. I produced Emmy-nominated television, wrote short stories, comic books, and games, and designed conversational and voice interface experiences. Now, I live with my family on the slope of a forested ravine in northern California, and think about monsters and legendary creatures.