Deb Mercier lives in outstate MN. As the mother of two, her main job is picking things up. In her spare time, she writes books for children and humor essays for adults. Children can read the essays, too, it's just that lutefisk isn't as funny when you're twelve.

Here's a list of some things Deb's done:

• Played the piccolo solo from "Stars and Stripes Forever" to a crowd in Moscow
• Had two kids
• Swam with dolphins
• Got lost in Tokyo
• Climbed Angel's Landing in Zion National Park (see pic at right!)
• Jumped out of an airplane
• Ate ham loaf

Deb's education credits include a B.A. in English from St. Cloud State University and a M.F. A. in Creative Writing from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She volunteers at Minnewaska Area Schools, loves puppies, and saves turtles from roadways whenever possible.