BEHIND THE STORIES

Brooke Hannel

Brooke Hannel is a Utah local who graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in journalism in 2021. Since then, she has worked as a freelance writer and has words in Teen, Vogue, Refinery29, and SLUG Magazine. When she is not writing, you’ll find her reading outside or playing with her dog.

Heather L. King

Heather is a food and beverage writer and anonymous restaurant critic for a variety of publications in Utah. She’s happy to have reported on Utah’s changing food landscape for more than 20 years. When not dining out, you’ll often find her at local farmers markets shopping for fresh produce and meeting local vendors.

During the pandemic lockdown, she spent her time perfecting gin cocktails — often using locally produced spirits and garnishes. She shares her love of great food with her husband and two Great Danes.

Her passion for traveling is fueled by experiencing the food cultures of other countries and regions. She owns SLCLunches.com, and you’ll find her sharing her favorite dishes @slclunches.

Tani Leavitt

Tani Marie Leavitt is a freelance writer who lives in Bountiful, Utah and is a University of Utah graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with honors from Sigma Alpha Pi. She has written hundreds of fictional narratives and essays. Tani served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rosario, Argentina. She is part of a Hispanic/White background and grew up in Las Vegas close to the hood, and considers herself an honorary gangster thanks to the good friends she has there.

She is the founder of the Bountiful Writers’ Club and has co-authored several books, and screenplays. She loves reading the classics along with action, fantasy, and mystery. She writes young adult fiction and children’s stories for fun, some of which are on the verge of being published. Her purpose in writing is to “teach life lessons and spiritual values” as well as “take you on a heart-breakingly lovely wild adventure”.

Today, Tani is pursuing her dream of being a published novelist and screenwriter, in between the multitudinous demands of adult life. When she is not writing, she is usually on a walk with her cat. She loves working out at the gym, archery, and playing tennis. Tani looks forward to change and is full of ideas. When online, she is constantly looking for ways to better the environment and participate in innovation. She hopes that one day she will be one of the great authors of her time.