Julie T. Lamana grew up in a military family, moving frequently throughout the U.S. and abroad. She went to kindergarten in Japan, where she discovered her love for storytelling while watching Japanese television and making up stories to go along with the images on the screen!

Fortunately, or unfortunately, Julie attended seven different schools in second grade alone and many others over the years, before her family finally settled in Colorado when Julie was in the eighth grade. Moving so often made it difficult to maintain meaningful relationships, which led her at a very young age to the magic found within the pages of books…lots of books.

In 1995, Julie packed up her six children, two dogs, one neurotic cat, and left her cabin tucked away in the Rocky Mountains and relocated to Louisiana. After taking some time to adjust to living at sea-level, Julie continued her career in education and her passion for literacy.

Julie is now retired and currently resides in New Zealand where she spends most of her time at her writing desk (when she’s not taking long walks on the beach!). She often gazes out the window where she’s surrounded by hibiscus and feijoa trees with the ever present calming sound of the surf floating in the air.

Julie has been a member of the SCBWI since 2007. She is currently hard at work on her next middle grade project.