The former library promotion director at HarperCollins Children's Books, Catherine Balkin started arranging author visits in schools for about 70 authors on Balkin Buddies in 2004. For the last two years, she has also been researching and working on Skype chats for authors in schools and libraries. In the interest of helping students to improve their language art skills, Ms. Balkin continues to work at bringing authors and artists in contact with students across the country.