Greg Koren is a semi-pro magician. Maybe that isn’t the best fact to lead with; he also holds a Bachelor of Science in English with concentration in writing. Over the course of 15 years, he worked as a newspaper reporter, a columnist, an Associate Editor of the East Baltimore Guide and Senior Features Writer for the Carroll County Times. Needless to say, he’s a pro and can back his experience with accolades and awards including the Maryland State Teachers Association’s School Bell Award for excellence in education reporting, and the Associated Press’ Mark Twain Award for outstanding features writing. In 1998, Greg and his wife traded places, and he became the at-home parent. A year later, he decided to homeschool, making him one of three Baltimore homeschooling fathers. Reading aloud to his children, Max and Mara, as well as those homeschooling years, opened his eyes to the exciting world of children’s fiction. Immediately taken with the powerful storytelling in middle-grade books, he banged out his first manuscript and… the rest is history.