L.L. McKinney is a writer, a poet, and an active member of the kidlit community. Named one of the Root's 100 Most Influential African Americans, she's an advocate for equality and inclusion in publishing, the cofounder of Juneteenth Book Fest, and the creator of the hashtags #PublishingPaidMe and #WhatWoCWritersHear. She's also a gamer girl and an adamant Hei Hei stan. She is the author of A Blade So Black, A Dream So Dark, and A Crown So Cursed.