Kali White VanBaale is the author of three novels, most recently The Monsters We Make, as well as short stories, essays, and articles. She’s the recipient of an American Book Award, an Eric Hoffer Book Award, and two State of Iowa major artist grants among others. She’s the managing editor of the essay journal The Past Ten, and volunteers for the PEN America Prison & Justice Writing program. Kali is a core faculty member of the Lindenwood University MFA in Creative Writing Program where she was named adjunct professor of the year in 2022. She lives outside Des Moines with her family.