Justin Alcala was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. He attended Columbia and Roosevelt University, where he first studied law enforcement, before following his true calling as a writer and finishing his major in English with a concentration in creative writing. Since then he has completed two books of a three part series for young readers titled, "The Magic Doorway: The Guardian", and "The Magic Doorway: The Dragon Girl". He looks to complete the final book of the set, "The Magic Doorway, The Necromancer" by early next fall. When not writing children's books, Justin is a freelance reporter and journalist. Possessing a dinstinctly playful style in his small collection of poetry, Justin has won several contests for his creativite prose; most recently taking both 2nd place and honorable mention for his dark poem, "Faithless Bride to Be" in a pair of Allpoetry competitions. Currently, Justin resides in downtown Chicago with his one true love Mallory, their Great Dane Poseidon, and Halloween cat Miserey. In his off time, he studies Brazilian Ji Jitsu, produces independent sketch comedy, and draws for his books. Some of his future works include the 19th century thriller, "The Scarlet Consumption"; a folklorish mystery involving a British Constable during the Tuberculosis epidemic who comes across the memoirs of a professional witch-hunter from Romania (Justin traveled to the city of Sibiu, Transylvania for research), and also an illustrated children's book, "Bathtubs for Pirates".