Korena Di Roma Howley grew up in Asia and the U.S. and always had plenty of books in tow while traveling around the Pacific. After earning her B.A. from Franklin College (now Franklin University) in Lugano, Switzerland, she moved to Washington, D.C., and became a writer and editor on the digital team at National Geographic. Over nearly 10 years with the organization she encountered numerous tales of resilience, innovation, and discovery from explorers and storytellers whose work has continued to inspire her as she ventures into the world of children’s literature.
A freelance writer and editor, Korena primarily reports on science news and education for multiple outlets. Her debut picture book, Sarang Saves the School, with illustrator Joowon Oh, will be released by Candlewick in spring 2025, and her second picture book, A Hanbok for Hana, also with Candlewick and illustrated by Jaime Kim, will be published in 2026. She lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, with her husband and son.
She is represented by Lisa Amstutz at Storm Literary Agency.
