Born in Buffalo, New York, Catherine Ryan Hyde moved to New York City shortly after graduating from high school. With a plan to do something other than writing something that might provide a steadier paycheck Hyde worked as a baker, pastry chef, auto mechanic, dog trainer, and tour guide. Hyde moved to a small town on California s Central Coast in the mid-1980s. After coming to terms with alcohol and drug addiction, she realized she needed to write and hunkered down. She s been clean and sober for over twenty-five years and is the author of thirty books and numerous short stories, which have won literary accolades throughout the world. Hyde s bestselling novel Pay It Forward was adapted into a major motion picture and translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in over thirty countries.

Nick Podehl is a professional voice actor. He has narrated numerous audiobooks, many of which have won prestigious awards. He currently lives and works around Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife.