LA Petrie isn’t exactly sure where her stories come from, but she thinks the “writing angels” in her fingertips have something to do with it. Hailing from the small-but-mighty state of Delaware, she dreamed big—earning degrees in engineering before trading data models for starships.

A self-confessed travel addict, she’s set foot in over 80 countries, enough to need extra passport pages and still crave more. Her favorite part of globetrotting? Discovering how much we all have in common.

Petrie’s work blends thrilling science fiction with character-driven storytelling, and she’s a firm believer that every great adventure—whether in space or in life—is better with loyal animal companions by your side. Her dog keeps her grounded; her cat thinks she’s furniture. Both occasionally contribute editorial feedback by sitting on the keyboard.