Picture book and middle-grade novel authors Allison and Wayne Marks, authors of A Gefilte Fishy Tale, met in a Canterbury Tales class at the University of Cincinnati while finishing their degrees in English literature. Today, they spend many an afternoon spinning stories of their own as a husband-and-wife writing duo. Allison received her MLS from the University of Kentucky and worked over two decades as the librarian at Temple Israel synagogue in Akron, Ohio. She also spent six years reviewing Jewish children's books for the Association of Jewish Libraries newsletter. Wayne has worked as a proofreader and copywriter at a North Canton, Ohio, marketing company for 25 years. Allison enjoys reading, journal writing, and filling her urban garden with morning glories, Shasta daisies, and heirloom tomatoes. Wayne plays fiddle in several local bands, sings bass in Akron's Gaelic choir, and pens novelty tunes, such as the YouTube hit "The Wiener Dog Song." They are also the authors of Og's Ark (Kar-Ben), The Art Lesson: A Shavuot Story (Kar-Ben), Benny Feldman's All-Star Klezmer Band (Green Bean Books), and The $150,000 Rugelach (Yellow Jacket).

They live in a 100-year-old home in Akron, where they raised twins, Elliott and Claire.