Jessica Tvordi is Associate Professor of English at Southern Utah University, where she teaches courses in British literature, specializing in Shakespeare and early British women writers. In June 2024, she published her debut novel, The Schoolmaster, a richly researched historical novel set at the court of the young King James VI. Her new novel-in-progress, Astrea’s Fortunes, imagines the hidden early years of Aphra Behn—future spy, playwright, and feminist trailblazer—and marks the beginning of a planned historical adventure series. When she’s not teaching or writing, Jessica can be found exploring the mountain-bike trails and gravel roads around Cedar City.