Mara Williams drafted her first novel in third grade on a spiral notebook—a love story about a golden retriever and the stray dog who admired her from beyond the picket fence. Now she writes about strong, messy women finding their way in the world. Mara has a BA in English Literature from the University of California at Berkeley, takes creative writing from Stanford Continuing Studies, and actively engages in writing groups and critique circles. Mara’s novel The Second Chance Playlist was a winner of the 2024 Emily Contest. When not writing or reading, Mara can be found enjoying California’s beaches, redwoods, and trails with her husband, three kids, and disobedient dog.