Jessica Powers writes novels that explore teen violence, sexuality, and race. Her first novel, The Confessional (Knopf, 2007) dealt with teen violence and race issues on the U.S.-Mexico border in the wake of a bombing attack and strained relationships with Mexico. Her second novel, This Thing Called the Future (Cinco Puntos Press, 2011), is a coming of age novel that explores AIDS in South Africa. She is also the editor of Labor Pains and Birth Stories: Essays on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Becoming a Parent (Catalyst Book Press, 2009) and is the editor of The Fertile Source, an online literary magazine that focuses on fertility, infertility, and adoption issues. She has an MFA from the University of Texas-El Paso and is currently earning a second MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her blog can be read on her website.