Ruth Dean is the president of the Writing Toolbox in Akron, Ohio. She writes books and articles and does research projects for health care organizations. She has taught English composition and research writing at the University of Akron and worked as a tutor in its Writing Center.

Melissa Thomson has a doctorate from Trinity College, Dublin, and taught seventh grade before moving to the United States. She writes articles and reports for the Writing Toolbox and sings in Apollo's Fire, a music group in Cleveland, Ohio.