This Star Won't Go Out

SARA (CLEVERESTWITCH) BANFIELD is a culinary school graduate who met Esther for the first time in late 2009. She resides in Connecticut, where she spends her time playing video games, wasting hours on social media, being a nerd, and overanalyzing the world around her.


VALERIE BARR is an Ohio native currently studying English in Cleveland. She serves on the board of directors for the Foundation to Decrease Worldsuck and has plans to continue her education to attain a master’s degree in library studies.


PAUL DEGEORGE and his younger brother, Joe, created the band Harry and the Potters in 2002. They are cited as the founders of Wizard rock (a genre of music based on Harry Potter) and have spent much of the past decade touring the US and beyond. Paul also co-founded the Harry Potter Alliance and serves on their board of directors and as their Director of Campaigns and Operations. He and his wife, Meredith Moore, own and operate Wonder Fair, an art gallery and design store in lovely Lawrence, KS, where they reside. Online: harryandthepotters.com. Twitter: @hatp.


JULIAN GOMEZ (@ittakesii) is a Film and Media Arts student at American University who is on the volunteer staff for the Harry Potter Alliance, which he was inspired to join in part by Esther’s enthusiasm for and support of the organization. He is a member of Catitude, a nerdfighter since mid-2007, and just really misses Esther a lot. You can also find his videos at http://youtube.com/ittakesii.


TERYN GRAY comes from Ladera Ranch, California, and is now attending her first year at University of California, Davis, where she is participating in theater and competing on the women’s rowing team. She has been a nerdfighter since 2008, a part of Catitude since its creation, and now spends her time performing, working with the Girl Scouts of America, vlogging, crying over fictional characters, and collecting cool socks. YouTube: holeysaintgeorge. Tumblr: holeysaintgeorge.


JOHN GREEN is an award-winning, #1 international bestselling author whose many accolades include the Printz Medal, a Printz Honor, and the Edgar Award. He has twice been a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize. With his brother, Hank, John is one half of the Vlogbrothers (youtube.com/vlogbrothers), one of the most popular online video projects in the world. You can join the millions who follow John on Twitter (@real-johngreen) and tumblr (fishingboatproceeds.tumblr.com) or visit him online at johngreenbooks.com. John lives with his family in Indianapolis, Indiana.


THE HARRY POTTER ALLIANCE is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that makes social change accessible to young people through the power of story. The HPA brings together fans, activists, and nerdfighters to form a real-world Dumbledore’s Army that is actively working to decrease worldsuck. Since 2005, the HPA has engaged millions of young people to become the heroes they read about through their work for equality, human rights, and literacy. If you’ve ever wished for an eighth Harry Potter book, the Harry Potter Alliance is living it! Join today at thehpalliance.org. You can follow the HPA on Twitter (@thehpaalliance) and tumblr (thehpalliance.tumblr.com).


MANAR HASEEB has a complicated, but fulfilling, relationship with her home state of Texas. One day she will launch a rap career, but until then she remains beholden to The Man and attends the University of Texas at Dallas.


PAUL HUBER is a college grad from St. Louis who has been involved in nerdfighteria since 2008. He is a Ravenclaw who loves books, heavy metal, and Star Wars among many other nerd obsessions.


MORGAN JOHNSON is a native Iowan currently in the College Student Personnel master’s program at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She has a penchant for cotton candy, nerdy graphic tees, the color yellow, and the Oxford comma.


ALYSIA “LYSH” KOZBIAL is an aspiring writer currently residing in Ohio. She’s been involved in the Potter and nerdfighteria fandoms for a long time and enjoys long walks under the stars, knowing the brightest one is probably Esther.


ANDREW KORNFELD is a person who lives in the state of New York. He likes fun and good things, and maintains a measured and reasonable discomfort with bad things.


ALEXA LOWEY is from Medway, Massachusetts, where she was lucky enough to begin her friendship with Esther in first grade. In honor of Esther and along with their mutual friend Melissa Mandia, they created the green wristbands with the original phrase, “This Star Won’t Go Out.” Alexa said the idea for the name “just came” to her. She loves her family and friends more than anything in the world and is thankful to be able to have been part of this book.


BLAZE MITTEFF lives in Florida, where she attends community college. She was convinced by fellow Catitude member Lindsay to submit her writing for this book.


ARKA PAIN studies philosophy and literature at Boston University. He lives in Boston IRL and nerdfighteria online.