Natalie is a sixth-grade student at the Deary School who holds a deep passion for writing. Following the death of her father, she set up a personal workspace in her family's loft using his old red desk chair and Macintosh computer to feel close to him. She commutes daily by bus through the city to her mother's office building after school. She maintains a strong moral compass and generally prefers honesty, which sometimes causes friction when her best friend suggests bending the rules.

Zoe is a confident and headstrong sixth grader who acts as Natalie's primary motivator. She is a fast talker who learned early in life how to manipulate conversations to achieve her goals. Recognizing the emotional depth in her best friend's writing, she makes it her personal mission to get the manuscript published. She handles logistics and strategy, often viewing rules as mere suggestions.

Hannah is a widowed mother working as an editor at Shipley Junior Books in New York City. She commutes daily from New Jersey and works exceptionally hard to advance her career. She cares deeply for her daughter but often worries about her emotional state following a family tragedy. At the office, she frequently manages the stress of working under an overbearing supervisor.

Letha is the editor in chief at Shipley Junior Books. She is a cold, ambitious manager who prioritizes her own career advancement over the development of her editors. She wears high heels, maintains long fingernails, and rarely shows genuine warmth to her employees. She aggressively controls the promising projects that enter her department.

Laura Clayton is an English teacher at the Deary School who places a strong emphasis on writing assignments. She often feels overwhelmed by the daily grind of her profession. She recognizes exceptional writing talent in her classroom and finds herself unexpectedly drawn into her students' ambitious extracurricular plans. She wants to be seen as a bold educator but frequently worries about professional risks.

Mr. Reisman is a practicing lawyer who humors his daughter's persistent questioning. He is intelligent and articulate, serving as a direct role model for his child's communication skills. He believes in the importance of aggressive representation in business, comparing a good agent to a bulldog.

Tom Morton is the head publisher and president of Shipley Junior Books. He holds the ultimate decision-making power at the company and trusts the judgment of his close administrative staff. He values promising new manuscripts and prioritizes the company's success over internal office politics.

Kelley is the secretary to the president at Shipley Junior Books. She takes the initiative to read incoming submissions when her boss is out of the office. Her judgment regarding new manuscripts is highly respected by the company leadership.

Natalie's late father passed away several years ago. During her childhood, he read stories to her in a loud, reckless style, acting out character voices and making sound effects. His memory heavily influences his daughter's writing process and his widow's daily life.

Uncle Fred is the brother of Natalie's late father. He lives close to the family and takes a vested interest in his niece's upbringing. He is highly supportive and proud of the children's accomplishments.

Mr. Karswell is a teacher at the Deary School. He is known among the staff and students for being cool and slightly rebellious. His reputation serves as a benchmark for other teachers who wish they were bolder in their own careers.