Joan Marie Verba (she/her) is an autistic author, publisher, and web developer. She earned a bachelor of physics degree from the University of Minnesota and attended the graduate school of astronomy at Indiana University, where she was an associate instructor of astronomy for one year. She has worked as a computer programmer and health coach. She currently works as a writer, an editor/publisher and a web developer and social media consultant.

An experienced writer, Joan is the author of the nonfiction books Voyager: Exploring the Outer Planets and Boldly Writing as well as the novels Twelve, Defying the Ghosts, Sword of Queens, The Arachne Portal, Wondry Dragon Finds a Home, Countdown to Action!, Action Alert!, Deadly Danger!, Situation: Critical!, Extreme Hazard!, and Danger Zone! plus numerous short stories and articles. She is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association and The International Association of Media Tie-In Writers. She has served on the board of directors of both the Minnesota Science Fiction Society and the Mythopoeic Society.

Joan is a proud member of the National Weight Control Registry. This is a registry of people who have lost at least 30 pounds and have kept it off for at least a year.