Maria Illich is an award winning writer and educator living in Houston, Texas. Her children's book, The Legend of the Ladybug, received 1st Place awards from the Press Women of Texas and from the National Federation of Press Women. It was also a finalist for the Texas Institute of Letters best children's picture book. Her YA novel, The Morcant Twins & the Curse of the Griseum, was nominated for two awards. Her short stories and poems have appeared in various publications. A member of Catholic Literary Arts, she teaches and promotes writing among young people.