Denise McConduit grew up in a family of thirteen children in New Orleans, Louisiana, a city that enjoys unique traditions like Mardi Gras, Jazz Festivals, and Debutante balls. Denise began writing at a young age, so it was only natural that she became a writer as an adult. She started with poetry, then magazine articles, and finally… books. When her son D.J. was seven years old, he had the opportunity to ride in a Mardi Gras parade. So Denise wrote a story about his ride. She submitted it to a publisher and D.J. and the Zulu Parade became her first children’s book. That book led to two other stories about the intrepid boy: D.J. and the Jazz Fest and D.J. and the Debutante Ball. Since then, Denise has inspired countless children to write and has become a cultural ambassador for the City of New Orleans.