About the Creators

Get to Know Us!

This author-illustrator pair met during a Kids Comics Unite Intensive workshop, and decided to work on their new skills together. Nicki and Ricky were born, and we had so much fun telling their science stories that we decided to start a series.

Author Marie Ventura (alias Rowena Zahnrei)

Rowena Zahnrei is an author, professional educator and independent academic with multiple history degrees and several peer-reviewed articles under her belt – articles that delve into historical and literary characters like Harpo Marx and Sherlock Holmes. Her stories have been featured on podcasts, her work has been published in children’s magazines, fanzines, and academic journals, and one of her short comics was recently accepted to the anthology Comics From the Kitchen!, coming out in 2023. You can find out more about Rowena and her stories at https://www.rowenazahnrei.com/

Illustrator Sarah E Steinberg

Disappointed that her career in architecture did not lead to designing secret rooms, tree houses, or fantasy gardens, Sarah turned to storytelling, and brings a wealth of experience creating and illustrating space. A watercolorist with formal drafting experience, Sarah is dipping her brushes and pens into the world of picture books and graphic novels.  She both writes her own children’s stories and collaborates with others, celebrating finding magic in the everyday world. Sarah lives in Portland, Oregon, with her partner Matt, son Ollie, an elderly dog, several noisy chickens, and some hummingbird pals. 

Sarah is represented by Allison Remcheck at Stimola Literary Studio, and is open to traditionally published work, commissions, self-published illustration work, and whatever exciting projects you pitch her way.   You can find her at sarahesteinberg.com and https://www.instagram.com/sarahesteinberg/