Justine Pucella Winans (they/she) is a queer and nonbinary writer who lives in Los Angeles with their husband and incredible Halloween-colored cats. Their books include YA thrillers like the critically acclaimed Indies Introduce title, BIANCA TORRE IS AFRAID OF EVERYTHING, and ONE KILLER PROBLEM. Their MG speculative horror titles include the acclaimed Stonewall Honor Book THE OTHERWOODS and WISHBONE. When not writing queer, creepy, and funny fiction for kids and teens, they can be found training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, reading (a lot of) manga and webcomics, and actively avoiding real life scary situations.
@justinepwinans
https: //www.justinepucellawinans.com/.

"* Winans summons a quirky cast of characters and plenty of cats to her horror-comedy. Luna is a treasure of a protagonist, whose struggles with loneliness and IBS give depth to her innate weirdness (a compliment!) and paranormal passion." --Booklist, starred review

"* In this atmospheric ghost story, Winans conjures satisfying, spine-tingling scares and a cozy mystery alongside quiet moments of adolescent uncertainty." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"* Sweet meets spooky-and it's absolutely spectacular." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Eerie, captivating... [A] suspenseful, uplifting mystery." --Shelf Awareness

"River's very human struggles with facing fears, learning to trust in allies, and being
truthful about themselves will resonate with many tweens, even the non-magical kind." --School Library Journal, starred review for THE OTHERWOODS

"This reluctant hero will mean the world to many readers and be beloved by all." --Booklist, starred review for THE OTHERWOODS

"[An] emotionally complex portal fantasy. . . . This middle grade debut offers up a panoply
of nightmarish ghouls and harrowing perils, but the real appeal comes from tender
interpersonal ties and themes of self-discovery." --Publishers Weekly, starred review for THE OTHERWOODS

"An excitingly suspenseful portal horror led by a cleverly humorous, adorably queer, and
intrepid nonbinary tween. . . . The Otherwoods is creepy fun with a queer heart." --Shelf Awareness, starred review for THE OTHERWOODS