Tess Grogan graduated summa cum laude from Smith College with a BA in English Language and Literature. She completed a minor in government and worked as a research assistant in film studies designing, editing, and producing a course on film technique. Her honors thesis investigated the transformation of the female hero across the work of YA fantasy author Tamora Pierce. Since graduating, Tess has worked as an editor of world language teacher licensure exams. She hopes to pursue a degree in Renaissance studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.