Debra J. Miller (“A Mother’s Crime,” page...

Debra J. Miller (“A Mother’s Crime,” page 16) teaches English at a private high school in Los Angeles.

Brad Holland (Cover illustration) has contributed to Vanity Fair, Time and the New Yorker.

Brandon Kalpin (“A Mother’s Crime” photo) is a photographer whose work was featured in the book “L.A. Now.”

Charles E. Johnson (The Rules of Hollywood, page 14) is a screenwriter whose projects include “The George McKenna Story” and “Beyond Atlantis.”

Gerald Haslam (“Back Off, Bakersfield,” page 22) is a contributing writer for West and the author of 25 books, including “Workin’ Man’s Blues: Country Music in California.”

James Erin de Jauregui (“Back Off” photos) has done work for Angeleno magazine.

Rebecca Solnit (“Celebrating the End That Never Came,” page 26) is a contributing writer for West and the author, most recently, of “A Field Guide to Getting Lost.”

Elizabeth Bernstein (California Story, page 29) is the founder and editor of the Big Ugly Review, an online literary journal.

Gary Polakovic (“Fatal Attraction,” page 32) is a Times staff writer.

Barbara Thornburg (“A Cozy Cabin,” page 34) is a senior editor for West.

Dominique Vorillon (“Cabin” photos) has done work for House Beautiful and Coastal Living.

Ann Herold (“Into the Frying Pan,” page 38) is West’s managing editor.

Dana Gallagher (“Fatal” and “Frying Pan” photos) has been published in Martha Stewart Living, House & Garden and others.