What We Offer:
Meet the Team!
Meet the TAOT team. If you'd like to join, apply here!
BOARD
Julia: Executive Director
Julia is a high school student from California. She began her volunteering with TAOT as a submissions reviewer, and she is so happy to continue working to help young writers. Recently, she completely a mentorship program at Las Musas, where she worked with author Romina Garber on her YA fantasy novel. Most often, she can be found with her head in a book and listening to music.
Sophie Boeun: Outreach Director
Sophie is a current high school student in California with a passion for community work and leadership. In her free time, Sophie enjoys reading books ranging from fantasy to mystery! She loves books and always has one in hand. If she’s not found reading, she’s usually thinking of different things to write about or is listening to music whilst keeping herself preoccupied. However, if she’s not doing either, then she’s probably at swim practice.
Ed: Secretary
Ed is an avid reader and writer with the quaint dream to work as an author and live in a little cottage in the countryside, roaring hearth, big dog and anything else you’d associate. Therefore, his life largely revolves around writing and literature, studying English Literature at university, having a hobby as a contemporary and dystopian writer, running an account on writergram and re-reading the Hobbit whenever in a reading slump. The current re-read count is 13!
Danial Jiwani: Financial Director
Danial Jiwani is a student at University of Illinois. He is the author of "Outlier Investors" and "Buffett's 2-Step Stock Market Strategy." When Danial is not writing books about finance, he can be found marketing his books, watching the financial markets, and supporting TAOT!
Brianna Paulino: Creative Director
Brianna(she/her) is a dedicated and determined high school student with a strong passion for creative writing and helping others. She’s the founder of The Cleverly Creatives and has contributed to various organizations by publishing her creative work. Her hobbies include crocheting, creative writing, graphic design, planning school + community events, listening to music, and reading romance novels/mangas!
LEADERSHIP BOARD
Ella Headrick: Query Dojo Manager
Ella has dedicated herself to the arts for almost fifteen years. A senior in high school, she is a working actor and vocalist, with six years of classical instruction and performance. She just recently appeared in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro as Marcellina at UNC Chapel Hill. She has completed a five book fantasy series, and is currently working on a YA contemporary fantasy. In addition to novels, Ella enjoys writing screenplays. When she's not writing, Ella enjoys drinking tea on rainy days and playing Breath of The Wild beside her two dogs, Milo and Abby.
Hannah: TROT Manager
Hannah is a high school student living in Charleston, South Carolina. She has loved books since she was first able to read, and is always willing to discuss a good novel in heavy detail. When she’s not engrossed in the latest murder-mystery novel, Hannah enjoys belting show tunes, listening to Taylor Swift’s discography, and creating stories of her own: whether on stage or on paper.
Nicolette: Head of Ambassadors
Nicolette is a high school senior currently based in Southeast Asia. She is passionate about environmental justice and racial equality and has written plenty about the topics. On the other hand, Nicolette enjoys directing films, reading, writing poetry, fiction, songs, and even journalism. She usually spends her free time watching shonen anime, failing at sewing clothes for her dog, aimlessly scrolling through Instagram, and imagining herself as a legendary hero while listening to League of Legends songs. You can follow her @niccat_meow on Instagram, where she posts her poems every once in a blue moon.
Darcy: Discord Manager
Darcy is a crazy cat person who spends most of their time writing or reading queer stories. They're currently working on a dark historical rom-com, but that doesn't stop new ideas from popping up in their head. If they're not writing or reading, they're either playing video games or trying to find space for more books in their bookshelves.
Anagha: Instagram Manager
Anagha is a high school student who has written stories since they were five. Inspired by rich fictional worlds and the ancient mythology told by their grandmother, they're currently writing a fantasy series on tyranny and vengeful gods. You can probably find them rereading The Poppy War or screaming about character development.
Dhyana Abeysinghe: Program Supervisor
Dhyana is a high school student living in New Jersey. She has loved to write ever since she was little, and her first dream job was to be an author. She likes to read and write about topics related to cultural identity and women of color. When she's not doing either of these things, you can find her swimming, listening to music, or daydreaming about all the places she wants to visit.
Esmeralda Zuleta: Workshop & Panel Manager
From nursing to project management I follow my passion of helping people and organizing small projects, church events, and everything in between. When I’m not busy I like to discover new books, write, listen to podcasts, and play with my cat.
ASSISTANT LEADERSHIP TEAM
Lucy C: Assistant Marketing Manager
Born and raised in Costa Rica, Lu is currently studying in Germany. A hopeless lover of romcoms, she has a deep passion for storytelling, baking and animals. When not working on her own books, she can be found playing with her four dogs or randomly baking huge batches of chocolate chip cookies she has no intention of eating.
Olive: Assistant Query-Dojo Manager
Olive is a young writer and theater kid who grew up telling and reading stories. She has completed two novels and four full length plays, and loves to work on stories with characters not usually present in modern day media. Their favourite authors include Veronica Roth and Shakespeare, and they love viewing stories from the perspective of a writer, reader, and performer.
Maria L: Contest Outreach Manager
Maria is a young writer and musical theatre fan from Athens, Greece who enjoys writing across all forms of literature and genres. When she's not working on her horror novel or her quartet of novellas she can be found singing her favourite musical theatre soundtracks at the top of her lungs. Her work has appeared in the Ice Lolly Review and Pastel Serenity Zine as well as various blogs. She is also the PR Director of SeaGlass Literary.
Priya Yeturi: Assistant Instagram Manager
Priya is a talented writer who is known for her creativity and ability to tell engaging stories. She has a passion for reading and spends much of her free time exploring new books and authors. She has always been drawn to the written word and finds inspiration in the works of her favorite authors. In addition to her love of literature, Priya is a dedicated animal lover and enjoys spending time with her furry friends. Described as quiet and kind, Priya brings a unique perspective to her writing. Her creative abilities allow her to craft compelling stories and captivating characters. Whether writing for pleasure or for work, Priya's passion for the written word shines through in everything she does.
Alicia: Executive Assistant Director
From the cornfields of the US Midwest: Alicia spends most of her time flopping around in bed, reading books (spanning from rom-com to murder mystery), and forgetting to drink water. That is her daily routine. In her leisure time she battles against writer's block, plays Stardew Valley, and daydreams often.
VOLUNTEERS
Celeste: Lead Web Developer
Celeste is a high school student in New England with a passion for storytelling in (almost) any medium. She loves fantasy and morally gray characters, as well as literary books. She is often found hoarding RF Kuang's books and playing the Witcher 3.
Ashley: Insights Analyst
Ashley Mezzano is a scientist by education, teacher by trade, and a writer at heart. Inspired by The Authors of Tomorrow’s message of empowering young writers, she offers her services as the nonprofit’s Insights Analyst. She is honored to be a part of such a devoted team! When Ashley isn’t working as a teacher or analyst, you can find her hiking nature trails and reading on beaches near her home. Her favorite genres include multi-generational novels, short story collections, and diverse YA fiction.
Ailiya Jamal: Graphic Design Specialist
Ailiya is an artist in her third year at the University of Toronto (Faculty of Arts and Science). Her work was featured in the semi-finals at Dubai’s Festival of the Arts and in the University of Toronto’s Science Art Gallery. She strives to give meaning in her art and is always looking for opportunities to improve her skills.
Daniella: Events Assistant
Daniella is a university student studying medical science and has had a passion for reading and writing since primary school. She enjoys creative writing, specifically fiction which is something she hopes to continue to pursue. Daniella’s favourite books are The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and the Percy Jackson series.
Rose: Events Scheduling Coordinator
Rosa is a high school student with a passion for creative writing, psychology, and languages. She has adored storytelling ever since she was a kid, when she wrote a book about raccoons who were pirates (her writing has changed since then, but her love for pirate stories has not). Her idea of a perfect day is curled up with a Lemony Snicket book while the rain pours down outside.
Elena: Contest Judge
My name is Elena, and I'm from Serbia, it's totally okay if you never heard of it, many didn't. I love to spend my days writing and reading sometimes even drawing. I love Taylor, Adele and Eminem with all my heart. I have to say that Julia Quinn has my brain when it comes to books I love to read. I'm seventeen soon to be eighteen and scared for my life of adulthood. I love my friends they are truly my found family, that I can't wait to go explore the world with. I love my mom and our doggie Lexi. So gratefull to be part of this community.
HONORABLE CONTRIBUTORS
Vee Evelyn
Vee Evelyn is a junior in High School who lives in Houston, TX. She loves attending the North Texas Teen Book Festival yearly where she has met numerous authors including, Alexandra Bracken, Becky Albertalli, and Soman Chainani. In addition to this role, she is currently part of Outlander Zine as the Discord Manger. When she isn’t re-reading Percy Jackson she can be found snuggling with her pet guinea pig, Shelby, or plotting her next vampire short story.