Denise Williams wrote her first book in the second grade. I Hate You and its sequel, I Still Hate You, featured a tough, funny heroine; a quirky hero; witty banter; and a dragon. Minus the dragons, these are still the books she likes to write. After penning those early works, she finished second grade and eventually earned a PhD in education, going on to work in higher education. After growing up around the world and across the country as a military brat, Denise now lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with her husband, son, and two ornery shih tzus who think they own the house.