Elizabeth Canning Blackwell began life on the East Coast, but 4 years at Northwestern University transformed her into a Midwesterner. She has worked as a writer and editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica, Northwestern University Medical School, the Chicago Tribune, and North Shore, a lifestyle magazine for the Chicago suburbs. She also has written for national magazines on everything from planning the perfect wedding to fighting a duel. She lives just outside the city with her husband, daughter, and an extensive collection of long underwear.

A Chicago-area native and the son of a Trans World Airlines employee, Michael Austin caught the travel bug at a profoundly young age (around 9, he guesses). Today he is a freelance writer specializing in food, wine, and, naturally, travel. His stories and personal essays have appeared in Esquire, GQ, Outside, and the Chicago Tribune Magazine. Most recently he collaborated with Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef, Art Smith, on Back to the Family, a cookbook featuring reflections on sharing meals with loved ones. A James Beard Award finalist for feature writing, Michael lives in his favorite city, Chicago.