Thomas M. Kostigen (“The Profiting Prophet of...

Thomas M. Kostigen (“The Profiting Prophet of Playa del Rey,” page 16) is the author of “What Money Really Means.”

Eric Tucker (Cover photo illustration) has contributed to Money and Men’s Health.

Gregg Segal (“Profiting” photos) has done work for West, Premiere and Newsweek.

Larry Gelbart (The Rules of Hollywood, page 14) is a writer, producer and director. His credits include “MASH,” “Tootsie” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

Aris Janigian (“Burning Bridges Brilliantly,” page 20), a contributing writer to West, is the author of the novel “Bloodvine.”

Lara Tomlin (“Bridges” illustration) has been published in the New Yorker and Spin.

A.M. Homes (“California Story,” page 25) is the author of seven works of fiction.

Barbara Isenberg (“Memories,” page 28) is the author of “State of the Arts: California Artists Talk About Their Work.”

Damon Winter (“Memories” photo) is an award-winning Times staff photographer.

Paul Mazursky (“Open Huge,” page 30) directed”Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” “Down and Out in Beverly Hills,” “Harry and Tonto” and “An Unmarried Woman.”

Douglas Fraser (“Open Huge” illustration) has done work for Time, Newsweek and others.

Randye Hoder (“Sir Elton,” page 32) has written for The Times and Wall Street Journal.

Jessica Coen (“The Near-Miss Kiss,” page 34) is co-editor of www.gawker.com.

Joe Ciardiello (“Kiss” illustration) has done work for the New Yorker and Rolling Stone.