The Hometown Authors

Colleen Dunn Bates, the publisher and editor, has written five books and stories for everyone from Bon Appetit to the Los Angeles Times to Westways; she's been fortunate to get to write about many of her loves, from skiing and surfing to traveling and eating. Most of all she loves bringing great people together, which was how the Hometown Pasadena empire was born.

Jill Alison Ganon is the author of three books and the former managing editor of American Bungalow magazine. She loves nothing more than a good interview . . . except maybe a great house. Jill's an accomplished cook, a swimmer, a writing jill-of-all-trades, a traveler and a storyteller.

Sandy Gillis is a former Tonight Show with Johnny Carson staffer who, as a college intern, was yelled at by John Belushi. Sandy's talents and passions are many, from gardening to jewelry making, chicken farming to teen raising, Spanish learning to flower arranging.

Mel Malmberg is a hometown girl who went to Occidental College and started her journalism career at the Pasadena Weekly. She has since written several books for Disney, produced two fine sons, and befriended seemingly everyone in the greater San Gabriel Valley. Mel is a world traveler, skier, avid student of both Pilates and yoga and all-around bon vivant.

Mary Jane Horton is the editor of Plum magazine and a founding partner of a literary agency. She has also written for Ms. and Fit Pregnancy. She's a workout maven, a clothes horse, a vegetarian cook and a first-rate shopper.