J. A. Howard is a writer of middle grade, teen and young adult fiction as well as a beauty executive in New York City.

The intersection of this  unlikely combination is her commitment to the empowerment of young women and girls.  Julie, as she is known to her friends and family, has two teenage daughters and has been inspired by the challenges girls and young women face throughout their developmental years.

Being an avid reader and writer of fantasy, particularly Arthurian legend, her dream was to combine her passions in stories that were not only fun to read but that encourage girls to be strong, compassionate, and confident.

Julie has a bachelors of art from the University of Rhode Island and is currently working on a sequel to The Third Coin as well as a YA novel about first love.