麻豆蜜桃AV

Children鈥檚 Literature

Christine Van Zandt ’07

Christine Van Zandt, a Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV alumna, is the author of Hot Dog! The History of America’s Favorite Sausage—a funny and fact-filled nonfiction picture book that takes readers on a flavorful journey through time. Guided by a witty dachshund narrator, young readers (and adults alike) can laugh and learn as they explore the surprising history behind one of America’s most beloved foods.
Van Zandt’s work blends humor, curiosity, and creativity to make learning irresistible. Beyond Hot Dog!, her Mighty Models series introduces children to simple machines through hands-on exploration, featuring The Legendary Life Story of the Lever (with a catapult model) and The Cogwheel (with a clock model). She is also the author of Milkweed for Monarchs, a beautifully illustrated story that celebrates nature and includes a free downloadable educator’s guide.
Inspired by the curiosity and innovation she cultivated at Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV, Van Zandt continues to embody the Pioneer spirit—sparking imagination and discovery in young readers everywhere.
You can learn more or purchase Hot Dog! The History of America’s Favorite Sausage at .

Myles Watkins ’19

Myles Watkins, a proud Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV alumnus, is the author of No More Toys, a delightful children’s picture book that combines humor, heart, and a gentle lesson on responsibility. Set in the colorful world of Chow Chow Town, the story follows Mayor Lion as he discovers the chaos of too many toys and learns, with the help of his niece and nephew, that balance and teamwork make playtime more enjoyable.
In addition to its engaging story, No More Toys includes four coloring pages that invite young readers to participate creatively in the tale. Watkins has built an imaginative world through his growing collection of books, including No More Dogs, No More Pizza, and No More Coffee, as well as his Sports Series and Short Stories.
Drawing from the creativity and community he experienced at Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV, Watkins continues to embody the Pioneer spirit—using storytelling to inspire laughter, learning, and connection across generations.
You can learn more or purchase No More Toys on Amazon or through Myles Union – No More Toys.

Fiction / Literature

Michael J. Costa ’99

Michael J. Costa, a Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV alumnus, is the author of The Aumakua Necromancer, a gripping supernatural thriller set on the island of Molokai, Hawaii. The novel follows two Americans who inherit a sprawling ranch and uncover ancient Native Hawaiian burial sites hidden in underground caverns and lava tubes. As the dead begin to rise, the mystery deepens—who is behind the reanimation, and why? Costa masterfully blends Hawaiian legend, horror, and action to deliver a story that is both chilling and unforgettable.
Since graduating from Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV, Costa has built an extraordinary writing career, publishing more than 180 books across genres under his name and the pen name Horus Michael. His expansive catalog showcases his creativity, versatility, and dedication to the craft of storytelling.
Costa’s prolific work continues to embody the Pioneer spirit—driven by curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong passion for discovery.
You can learn more or purchase from his full collection at 

 Julia Park Tracey ’00

Julia Park Tracey, a Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV alumna, is the author of Silence: A Novel (Sibylline Press, 2024), a powerful work of historical fiction inspired by her own ancestor. The story follows a Puritan woman who, after being silenced for questioning God in church, must decide whether to speak out at a witchcraft trial or face accusation herself. Through vivid prose and historical depth, Tracey brings to life a tale of faith, courage, and the enduring cost of truth.
Tracey is an award-winning author whose body of work spans fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and women’s history. Her titles include The Bereaved: A Novel (2023), Reaching for the Moon (2013), I’ve Got Some Lovin’ to Do (2012), and Amaryllis: Collected Poems (2009). Her upcoming novel, Whoa, Nelly! A Love Story with Footnotes, is set for release in November 2025.
Rooted in the creativity she cultivated at Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV, Tracey continues to embody the Pioneer spirit—using storytelling to uncover women’s voices, challenge history, and inspire new generations of readers.
Silence: A Novel and all of her work is available through  

Page Gatz, ’10 (English – Creative Writing)

Author and journalist Page Gatz has lived half her life in Kansas and the other half in California, working as a reporter for the Los Angeles Times and Pacifica Radio. Her writing—spanning essays, fiction, and journalism—explores themes of diaspora, mysticism, addiction, classism, labor justice, queerness, and small-town life.

Her debut novel, A Town with Half the Lights On, follows a family of culture-shocked Brooklynites who move to Goodnight, Kansas, and find themselves fighting to save the town’s beloved May Day Diner. Told through diary entries, letters, and local gossip columns, it’s a funny, tender story about loss, belonging, and the strange alchemy of community.

Now based in Vancouver with her family and a rotating cast of dogs, Gatz credits Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV’s creative writing program for sharpening her storytelling instincts and giving her the courage to “write the messy truth.”

Learn more about Page Gatz and her work at

Nonfiction / Literature

Katherine Briccetti, B.A. and M.S.

Katherine Briccetti, a Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV alumna, is the author of two deeply personal and insightful works: Blood Strangers and Beyond Rain Man. Through her writing, Briccetti explores themes of family, identity, and resilience, weaving together her professional expertise as a psychologist with her lived experiences.
In Blood Strangers, she reflects on three generations of absent fathers and her search for family lost through adoption—a moving exploration of belonging and self-discovery. In Beyond Rain Man, Briccetti offers a heartfelt professional memoir that captures her journey as both a psychologist and a mother raising a son on the autism spectrum, bringing empathy and understanding to the challenges and triumphs of neurodiverse families.
Grounded in the compassion and insight she cultivated during her time at Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV, Briccetti continues to embody the Pioneer spirit—using her voice to inspire reflection, connection, and hope through storytelling.
You can learn more or purchase Blood Strangers directly from the author, and Beyond Rain Man is available through .

Dr. Karwanna D. Irving ’97

Dr. Karwanna D. Irving is a government contracts strategist, entrepreneur, and author of Don’t Duck the Government, They’ve Got Your Money!—a powerful guide designed to help small and disadvantaged business owners access one of the world’s largest funding sources: government contracts.
With more than 20 years of industry experience, Dr. Irving has helped over 200 small businesses collectively secure more than $3 million in government revenue. Her book breaks down the complex process of pitching and winning contracts, teaching readers how to turn their social and economic disadvantages into pathways for wealth and independence.
Rooted in the determination and resilience she developed during her time at Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV, Dr. Irving continues to embody the Pioneer spirit. Her mission is to empower entrepreneurs to see government systems not as barriers, but as opportunities waiting to be leveraged. Find her work on .

Leigh E. Johnson ’99

Leigh E. Johnson, a Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV alumna, is the author of Building The Case: Storytelling When Facts Are Fixed And Stakes Are High (Trial Whisperer Press, 2025), a groundbreaking work that bridges law, psychology, and storytelling. Through this powerful book, Johnson teaches advocates how to transform fixed facts into living stories, guiding them to communicate truth with empathy, authenticity, and courage.
Drawing on her extensive experience in law and applied psychology, Johnson introduces a compelling framework for rehumanizing advocacy, empowering lawyers and leaders alike to connect more deeply with the people they represent. Her work challenges traditional notions of persuasion, emphasizing emotional honesty and ethical storytelling as tools for justice.
In addition to Building The Case, Johnson is the author of Building The Case: Capital & Death Penalty Cases (2025) and contributed Chapter 14, “Emotional Honesty and Ethos,” to The Way of the Trial Lawyer: Beyond Technique (2020). She also shares ongoing insights through her Building The Case Substack series.
You can learn more or purchase Building The Case at or from all major publishers. 

Venkata Vemuri ’12

Venkata Vemuri, a Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV alumnus, is the author of Principles and Practices of Front-End Engineering, a comprehensive guide to modern web development that bridges foundational theory with real-world application. This essential resource covers semantic HTML5, modular CSS, ES6+ JavaScript, performance optimization, and component-based architecture while introducing professional tools such as Git, Webpack, Vite, Jest, and CI/CD pipelines.
Designed for aspiring and early-career engineers, Vemuri’s book transforms beginner-friendly concepts into professional best practices. By integrating performance budgets, accessibility audits, and AI-assisted development, he provides readers with a clear roadmap to creating scalable, efficient, and industry-standard front-end workflows.
Rooted in the innovative and hands-on approach he developed at Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV, Vemuri continues to embody the Pioneer spirit—sharing knowledge that empowers the next generation of engineers to build the web of the future.
You can learn more or purchase Principles and Practices of Front-End Engineering on .

Poetry

Jose L. Alonzo Jr. ’19

Jose L. Alonzo Jr., a proud Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV alumnus, is the author of In My Words / En Mis Palabras, a bilingual poetry collection written in English and Spanish that explores identity, heartbreak, resilience, and the power of self-expression. Through raw and heartfelt verse, Alonzo captures his experiences growing up Latino, overcoming personal challenges, and finding healing through art.
His book received an Honorable Mention from the Juan Felipe Award for Poetry, presented by the International Latino Book Award Committee. Beyond this work, Alonzo has been recognized for his writing in Occam’s Razor and contributed to the award-winning collection You Are Not Alone: Recipes to Obtain Success by Students for Students.
Grounded in the creativity and community he experienced at Cal State 麻豆蜜桃AV, Alonzo continues to embody the Pioneer spirit—using poetry to uplift, inspire, and give voice to underrepresented stories.
You can learn more or purchase In My Words / En Mis Palabras on .