Vanessa Ziff Lasdon is the founder and executive director of W.O.R.D. Ink Agency whose mission is to help emergent writers develop their unique voice. Since 2002, Vanessa has been an LA-based educator, author, and editor. A UT Austin Longhorn, Vanessa earned dual degrees in Communications & Spanish with a minor in Digital Journalism before receiving an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her graduate thesis, "Please, Sweat the Small Stuff: Shaping Tone with Sound and Syntax," was awarded highest honors. 

As a writer for kids, teens, and new adults, Vanessa feels fortunate to be represented by the fabulous Sara Crowe. In her first novel, Vanessa's junior-high protagonist discovers that life's biggest battles aren't against bullies; they're in owning up to one's self. Vanessa's second novel, a YA romantasy, explores the paradoxes inherent within all of us and one girl's unlikely destiny to weave Light out of Dark. Her forthcoming anthology short story “Venus Descending” will be published by Flame Tree Press in June 2025.

Vanessa began her teaching career as a selected 4th grade corps member with Teach For America, a division of the Peace Corps. She earned her multi-subject teaching credential from California State University, Los Angeles where she also developed and presented professional writing courses for LAUSD educators as a teaching fellow with Cal State’s L.A. Writing Project. Vanessa moved on to join The Curtis School as a 5th grade teacher for several years where she also designed and directed a host of innovative summer writing workshops for kids.

As a freelance writer, editor, and curriculum developer for scholastic sites such as Newsela.com, Shmoop.com, and National Geographic Education, Vanessa works on projects like "leveling" news articles for grades 2-12 and crafting teaching guides that target critical reading and writing skills.