Derrick Barnes, a graduate of Jackson State University, Mississippi, USA, is the author of eight books, including the popular US series Ruby and the Booker Boys. He also wrote bestselling copy for Hallmark as the first African American male staff writer for the company. Derrick Barnes lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and four sons. Gordon C. James, a graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York City,is an awardwinning fine artist specializing in figurative drawing. He is the illustrator of the Scraps of Time children's book series. He has worked for Hallmark as an illustrator and artist and has taught at the University of North Carolina. Gordon C. James lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.