Building strong, multi-dimensional characters for young adult literature is Ian Dawson's specialty. To make characters believable, give them the confidence to take on challenges and enough fear and doubt in themselves that they struggle.

Ian Dawson is an author, playwright and screenwriter based in Los Angeles. He has a Bachelor of Arts in dramatic art from The University of California Davis and a master's in screenwriting from Cal State Northridge. His first novel, The Field, was released in 2018 and went on to become a Readers' Favorite Book Award Finalist. The Field was based on Ian's own experience of being abducted and held captive when he was only 13 years old.