Amy MacKinnon is a former congressional aide whose commentaries have appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Boston Globe, Seattle Times, and on National Public Radio. She began her writing career at age eleven when she nominated her dad to the National Father of the Year Committee. He won.

Her debut novel, Tethered (Random House, August 2008), and was chosen by Borders for their Original Voices program.

Amy lives outside of Boston with her husband, their three children, two cats, and English bulldog, Babe.