Aj Crestani

I was born and raised in San Diego, California, as an only child to two wonderful Italian-American parents. I grew up riding horses and competed in horse shows through my childhood and high school years, becoming the champion at the Del Mar National Horse Show two years in a row for my division. I was also very active in high school plays, winning the Drama Department award for acting at La Jolla Country Day School senior year.

I attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, graduating in 2009 with a BA in Art History. I had initially decided on majoring in Psychology but fell in love with Art History when I took a class as an elective. I decided to take another class after that, and switched my major junior year as Art History was more fitting to my creative personality and passion for both Art and History.

I moved back to California immediately after graduation and began working in the Title and Escrow industry the same week in 2009. I have kept that career path, except a two year stint in a different industry, until 2022 when I took time off due to a major spinal surgery. The time off allowed me to reflect on my life and occupation and inspired the decision to begin writing the story I had been wanting to write for years. I have always been an avid reader (a trait passed down from my mother), and I had always enjoyed the creative writing assignments in school.

I have two gentle and loving gigantic rescue dogs who are my children. Although I am an only child, I am very close to my extended family and love spending as much time with them as possible. Other than reading and writing, I enjoy cooking large family feasts, playing games, painting, and traveling.