SCBWI
International Summer Conference
FACULTY
SUMMER 2016
Divided into three categories:
Agents ☼
Authors/Illustrators
☼
Editors, Art
Directors, Advisors☼
Agents:
Victoria Wells Arms started as an editor at Dial Books for Young Readers, and
then Putnam. One day, she spotted an ad for an editorial director at Bloomsbury
and was chosen to set up Bloomsbury USA’s children’s division. Starting with
three people (and a dog), Bloomsbury grew quickly, soon hitting the bestseller
lists and acquiring major awards. In 2013, Victoria opened her own agency,
Wells Arms Literary, where she represents authors and illustrators for the full
range of children’s books, from board books to young adult, as well as some
nonfiction. Visit: www.wellsarms.com and
follow her on Twitter: @VWArms and @WALiterary
Ginger Clark has been a literary agent with Curtis Brown, LTD. since the fall
of 2005. She represents science fiction, fantasy, paranormal romance, literary
horror, and young adult and middle grade fiction. In addition to representing
her own clients, she also represents British rights for the agency’s children’s
list. Previously, she worked at Writers House for six years as an assistant
literary agent. She is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and Chair of the
Contracts Committee of the AAR, as well as a member of the Board of Directors
of the AAR.
Kirsten Hall is President of Catbird, a boutique children’s literary and
illustration agency. She has brokered many hundreds of children’s book deals
between authors, illustrators, and all of the major American publishers. She is
also the author of many books for kids. Her first trade picture book, The
Jacket, was a 2014 New York Times Notable). Kirsten opened Catbird's
wings in March 2014, and she likens her agency to a creative playground. Her
focus is debut talent, and she works intimately with her clients to create and
develop original story pitches—especially picture books. According to
Publishers Marketplace, Kirsten reported more new picture book deals in 2015
than any other agent. Visit: www.catbirdagency.com
Natalie Lakosil is an agent at the Bradford Literary Agency. Her specialties are
children’s literature (from picture book through teen and New Adult), romance
(contemporary and historical), cozy mystery/crime, upmarket women’s/general
fiction, and select children’s nonfiction. Her interests include historical,
multicultural, magical realism, sci-fi/fantasy, gritty, twisted and darker
contemporary novels, middle grade with heart, and short, simplistic, quirky or
character-driven picture books. A few of her recent sales include:Twas Noche
Buena by Roseanne Thong, Trains Don't Sleep by Andria
Rosenbaum, You Throw Like a Girl by Rachele Alpine, Island
of Stars And Bone and Piper Morgan Joins the Circus. Visit
Natalie’s blog www.adventuresinagentland.com.
Steven Malk is the third generation of his family to be involved in the
children's book industry. The son and grandson of children's booksellers, he
worked as a bookseller for six years before becoming an agent. He opened
a West Coast office for Writers House in 1998, where he represents a wide range
of best-selling and award-winning authors and illustrators, including Jon
Klassen, Ruta Sepetys, Jon Scieszka, Lane Smith, Marla Frazee, Matt de la Peña,
Mac Barnett, Kadir Nelson, Colin Meloy, Carson Ellis, Jennifer Donnelly,
Jillian Tamaki, Molly Idle, Jory John, Cynthia Rylant, Adam Rex, Loren Long,
Sara Pennypacker, Deborah Wiles, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Sonya Sones, Christian
Robinson, Bob Shea and many others. Follow him on Twitter @StevenMalk.
Kathleen Rushall is an agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency, representing
authors for all age groups of children’s literature, including picture books
(fiction and nonfiction), middle grade, and young adult novels. Kathleen also
represents illustrators. The most important element that draws Kathleen to any
project is a strong voice and unforgettable characters. A few of Kathleen’s
recent published books include Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth
Flynn, Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban, Unhooked by
Lisa Maxwell, Pink is for Blobfish by Jess Keating, The
One Thing by Marci Curtis, Lady Pancake and Sir French
Toast by Josh Funk, Mira Tells the Future by Kell
Andrews, and Poison’s Kiss by Breeana Shields. On
Twitter: @KatRushall
Brooks Sherman is a literary agent with the Bent Agency. He is a
hands-on editorial agent who delights in developing projects with his
clients before bringing them to the attention of publishers. Brooks seeks
projects that balance strong voice with gripping plot lines. (Stories that make
him laugh earn extra points!) He is looking for middle grade fiction of all
genres (particularly fantasy adventure and contemporary), humorous projects
from author/illustrators, and young adult fiction of all types except
paranormal romance. He would especially love to get his hands on a creepy
and/or funny contemporary young adult project. Follow him @byobrooks on
Twitter.
Erica Rand Silverman is an agent at Sterling Lord Literistic primarily interested
in books for and about children. She represents some of the most exciting
new talent and treasured mainstays in the industry. Forthcoming books
include Moo in a Tutu by Tim Miller,Shivers! The Pirate
Book You’ve Been Looking For by Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor
White, Speak of Me As I Am by Sonia Belasco, The
Wizard’s Dog by Eric Kahn Gale, Monkey Brother by
Adam Auerbach, Starring Cindy Sherman by Jan Greenberg and
Sandra Jordan, Hey, Wall! by Susan Verde, The Summer
of Owen Todd by Tony Abbott, Tea with Oliver by Mika
Song, and Max by Alice Provensen. Before joining SLL Erica was
a teacher and dean at a NYC public high school. Twitter and Instagram:
@ericarsilverman
Tina Wexler is a literary agent at ICM Partners, specializing in middle
grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction. Noteworthy titles include Sid
Fleischman Award Winner Teddy Mars: Almost A World Record
Breaker by Molly B. Burnham, YALSA Award for Excellence in
Nonfiction Honor Laughing at my Nightmare by Shane
Burcaw, Michael L. Printz Award Winner Bone Gap by Laura
Ruby, and National Book Award Longlist Selection The Real Boy by
Anne Ursu. She has an MFA in poetry. @tina_wexler
Authors/Illustrators:
Caroline Arnold is the author of 160 books for children. Recent titles
include A Polar Bear’s World, illustrated with her own cut paper
art, which won the Eureka Award for Nonfiction from the California Reading
Association; A Day and Night in the Rain Forest in her
Habitats series; Living Fossils, Clues to the Past; and Wiggle
and Waggle, five stories about two hardworking worms. A noted science
writer, Caroline has had thirty-three books on the NSTA Outstanding Science
Trade Books list including Too Hot? Too Cold? and A
Warmer World. Her books are inspired by her travels, her love of animals,
fossils, and the out-of-doors.www.carolinearnoldbooks.com
Jessixa Bagley, is an author/illustrator who has a BFA in painting
and printmaking and has worked as fine artist, comics creator and illustrator
since 2002. Her acclaimed debut picture book Boats for Papa was
released June 2015, shortly followed up by her second book Before I
Leave in February 2016-both Neal Porter books published by Roaring
Brook Press. Her upcoming picture books with Neal Porter are Laundry
Day (February 2017) and Vincent Comes Home (Winter
2018). Vincent Comes Home is a collaboration with her husband
Aaron Bagley. Boats for Papa was just awarded The Golden Kite
for picture book text.
Susan Campbell Bartoletti writes poetry, short stories, picture books, novels, and
nonfiction for young readers. A former teacher, her students inspired her
to start writing. Her award-winning books include They Called Themselves the
KKK: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group (HMH, 2010), Hitler
Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow (Scholastic 2005), and The
Boy Who Dared (Scholastic 2008.) Learn more at www.scbartoletti.com
Sophie Blackall is a Brooklyn-based Australian artist who has illustrated
over thirty books for children, including Ruby’s Wish, Big
Red Lollipop, The Baby Tree, A Fine Dessert, the
Caldecott-winning Finding Winnie and the New York
Times bestselling series, Ivy and Bean. She has won the
Ezra Jack Keats Award, the Founder’s Award from the Society of Illustrators, a
Horn Book Honor, and a Golden Kite Honor, and two books have been New
York Times Top Ten Picture Books. Learn more at www.sophieblackall.com.
Martha Brockenbrough is the author the outstanding YA novels The Game of
Love and Death and Devine Intervention, and The
Dinosaur Tooth Fairy, a picture book. Both are with Arthur A. Levine at
Scholastic, as is her forthcoming picture book, Love, Santa, as
well as two Bigfoot picture books written jointly with Samantha Berger. Martha
also wrote the nonfiction middle grade Finding Bigfoot for
Feiwel & Friends. In addition to her work on SCBWI's Team Blog, she is the
founder of National Grammar Day and author of the hilarious grammar guide Things
That Make Us [Sic]. Martha is both a journalist and content
strategist and marketer. Visitwww.martha-brockenbrough.squarespace.com and
on Twitter @mbrockenbrough.
Peter Brown studied Illustration at Art Center College of Design and moved to
New York City to pursue a career as an author and illustrator of children's
books. Since then he has written and illustrated seven picture books,
including Mr. Tiger Goes Wild and My Teacher is a
Monster, and illustrated two others. His books have earned numerous honors,
including two E.B. White Awards, a New York Times Best
Illustrated Book Award, a Children’s Choice Award for Illustrator of the Year,
two Irma Black Honors, five New York Times bestsellers, and
his illustrations for Creepy Carrots, written by Aaron Reynolds,
earned Peter a 2013 Caldecott Honor. His first novel for young people
is The Wild Robot. Visit www.peterbrownstudio.com.
Priscilla Burris is an author/illustrator and native Californian of Hispanic
descent. Creating characters and images from ink, whether in the real
world or digitally, Priscilla delights most in bringing out the element of
expression, emotion, and what’s bursting to be shared from heart and soul and
life! She is enthusiastically involved in the SCBWI as National Illustrator
Coordinator and advisor, as well as a member of their Board of Advisors, and
the SCBWI Illustrator Committee. Learn more about Priscilla at www.priscillaburris.com.
Molly B. Burnham is the author of the Teddy Mars series and
this year’s winner of the Sid Fleishman Humor Award. At one time she
studied theater but gave it up to write. She holds a Masters in Elementary Ed.,
and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. She has taught emotionally
challenged high school students, as well as kindergartners and third graders.
Before that she walked dogs, scooped ice cream, and worked at a number of
record stores and bookstores. At various times during the day, she can be found
eating pie at The Florence Pie Bar, which is just around the corner from where
she lives. Visit: www.mollybburnham.com
Bruce Coville is the author of over a hundred books for children and young
adults, including My Teacher is an Alien, Into the Land of
the Unicorns, Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, and Diary of A Mad
Brownie. His books have appeared in a dozen languages, and have won
children's choice awards in numerous states, including twice in California.
Bruce is also the founder of Full Cast Audio, an audiobook publishing company
devoted to producing full cast, unabridged recordings for family listening.
Bruce is a member of the SCBWI Board of Advisors and a noted SCBWI speaker. You
can visit him at www.brucecoville.com.
Pat Cummings is the author/illustrator of over thirty-five books for young
readers. She also edited the award-winning series, Talking With Artists,
which profiles prominent children's book illustrators. She teaches at Parsons
and Pratt, and her children's book illustration class has a growing number of
notable illustrator/authors among its graduates. Pat serves on the SCBWI
Board of Advisors as well as on the boards of the Authors Guild, the Authors
League Fund, The Authors Guild Foundation, and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture
Book Art. Learn more about Pat at www.patcummings.com.
Drew Daywalt is an award-winning, New York Times #1
best-selling children’s author. His books
include
The Day the Crayons
Quit, The Day the Crayons Came Home and the upcoming
The
Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors (2017). He likes peanut butter. A lot.
If pressed to live on it for the rest of his life, he could easily do so. His
mother once told him when he was ten, that if he kept this up he’d turn into a
peanut. As a matter of fact, she knew this was going to happen. And briefly on
the evening of October 19, 2008, he did turn into a peanut, but it quickly wore
off. The lesson here? Moms are always right. Also, Drew is a writer.
www.crayonspicturebooks.com
David Diaz was awarded the 1995 Caldecott Medal for illustrating Eve
Bunting’s Smokey Nights, a story about a boy’s point of view of the
Los Angeles riots in 1992. He received Pura Belpré Honor Awards for Diego:
Bigger Than Life by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, César: ¡Sí, Se
Puede! Yes, We Can! By Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, and The
Pot That Juan Built by Nancy Andrews-Goebel. Recent books includeSharing
the Seasons by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Before You Came by
Patricia and Emily MacLaughin, Ocean’s Child by
Christine Ford and Chris Holland, and Me Frida by Amy
Novesky.
Margarita Engle is the Cuban-American author of many verse novels, including
the Newbery Honor winner, The Surrender Tree, and PEN USA
Award winner, The Lightning Dreamer. Her verse memoir, Enchanted
Air, won the Pura Belpré Award, Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction, WNDB
Walter Award Honor, Arnold Adoff Teen Poetry Award, Lee Bennett Hopkins/Penn
State Poetry Award, California Gold Eureka! Award, and was a finalist for the
YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award. Margarita’s other books
have received multiple awards and honors; they include such titles as
Mountain Dog, Summer Birds, and the Charlotte Zolotow Award
winner, Drum Dream Girl. Margarita’s 2016 books are Lion
Island and Morning Star Horse/El Caballo Lucero. www.margaritaengle.com
Marla Frazee was awarded a Caldecott Honor for All the World and A
Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, and the Boston Globe Horn Book
Award for Picture Book for her wordless book The Farmer and the
Clown. She is the author-illustrator of Roller Coaster,Walk
On!, Santa Claus the World's Number One Toy Expert, The Boss
Baby, and Boot & Shoe, as well as the illustrator
of many other books including The Seven Silly Eaters, Stars,
the NYT bestselling Clementine series, God Got a Dog by
Cynthia Rylant, and Is Mommy?by poet Victoria Chang. Boss
Baby is currently in production as a major animated feature film.
Visit www.marlafrazee.com.
Bruce Hale is the author/illustrator of over thirty-five seriously funny
books for kids. This Edgar-nominated author’s series include the
popular Chet Gecko Mysteries, School for S.P.I.E.S., and Clark
the Shark, which recently turned up in a McDonald’s Happy Meal (not the way
you’re thinking). His Murder, My Tweet won a Little D
Award for Humor Writing, and Snoring Beauty was one of Oprah’s
Recommended Reads for Kids. A recovering actor and Fulbright Scholar (in
Storytelling), Bruce is in demand as a speaker at conferences, universities,
and schools nationally and internationally. Peak authorial experiences
include visiting India, riding a parade float, and judging a chocolate chip
cookie bake-off.
Kate Hannigan is the author of The Detective’s Assistant,
winner of this year’s Golden Kite Award for middle-grade fiction and inspired
by the rollicking adventures of America’s first woman detective. It was a
Booklist “Best of 2015” pick, an Amelia Bloomer Project title, a Bank Street
College “title of distinction,” and a Nerdy Book Club winner. Kate is also the
author of the humorous cooking-caper series Cupcake Cousins and Cupcake
Cousins: Summer Showers (Disney-Hyperion). Look for Book 3, Cupcake
Cousins: Winter Wonders, coming this fall, as well as non-fiction picture
book biographies with Calkins Creek in 2018. Kate joined SCBWI back in 2003 and
started the Hyde Park/South Side Chicago Network not too long after. Say hello
online at www.KateHannigan.com.
Jennifer L. Holm is a New York Times best-selling children's
author and the recipient of three Newbery Honors for her novels Our
Only May Amelia, Penny From Heaven, and Turtle in
Paradise. Jennifer collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on three
graphic novel series—the Eisner Award-winning Babymouse series, the
best-selling Squish series, and My First Comics. Her upcoming novel isFull
of Beans. Visit: www.jenniferholm.com
Ellen Hopkins is a poet and the award-winning author of eleven New
York Times best-selling young adult novels-in-verse and three adult
novels. Her twelfth YA is Traffik (McElderry Books, November,
2015) and her third adult novel, Tangled, was released spring 2015.
She is a current SCBWI Board member. Visit: www.ellenhopkins.com
Deborah Halverson is the award-winning author of Writing New Adult
Fiction and Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies, as
well as the teen novels Big Mouth and Honk If You Hate
Me, the picture book Letters to Santa, and three books in
the Remix series for struggling readers. Formerly an editor at Harcourt
Children's Books and now a freelancer specializing in Young Adult/Middle Grade
fiction, New Adult fiction, and picture books, Deborah has been working with
authors—bestsellers, veterans, debut, and aspiring—for twenty years. She is
also the founder of the popular writers’ advice site DearEditor.com. Learn more
at www.DeborahHalverson.com.
Jon Klassen grew up in Niagara Falls, Canada, and now lives in Los Angeles,
California. He is the Caldecott Award-winning author and illustrator of I
Want My Hat Back and This Is Not My Hat, as well as the
illustrator of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and Extra Yarn by
Mac Barnett; The Dark by Lemony Snicket; House Held Up by
Trees by Ted Kooser; Cats' Night Out by Caroline
Stutson; and the first three books in the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place
series.
Linda Sue Park began her writing life as a poet and believes that the many
years of composing poetry have had a greater effect on her work than anything
other than reading. She is the author of A Single Shard, awarded
the Newbery Medal in 2002, and A Long Walk to Water, which has been
on the New York Times bestseller list for over a year and a
half, as well as many other titles for young readers, including rhyming picture
books. Her newest works are Wing & Claw, and Yaks
Yak. Learn more at www.lindasuepark.com.
John Parra is
an award-winning illustrator, fine artist, designer, and educator, best known
for his illustrated Latino themed children’s books such as Waiting for
the Biblioburro, Green is a Chile Pepper, and Gracias/Thanks. His
books have earned numerous starred reviews and ALA’s Notable designations. He’s
also received ALA’s Pura Belpré Honors, The Christopher Award, and The
Golden Kite Award from SCBWI. John also illustrates for commercial clients
including: United Airlines, Hitachi, National Geographic, and PBS. Parra’s
original artwork has also been showcased and displayed in numerous gallery
shows and museum exhibitions internationally. He regularly speaks at schools
and literary conferences advocating art and reading education. Recently John
was invited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to present a special
story-time event. Visit www.johnparraart.com.
Elizabeth Partridge is
the author of more than a dozen books, including Marching for Freedom:
Walk Together Children and Don't You Grow Weary, and Dogtag
Summer, a novel. Because she loves nothing better than doing research
on complicated, creative people, she's done several biographies: Restless
Spirit: The Life and Work of Dorothea Lange, This Land Was Made for
You and Me: The Life and Songs of Woody Guthrie, and John Lennon:
All I Want is the Truth. Her work has received many honors, including
the Golden Kite, National Book Award Finalist, Los Angeles Times Book Prize,
and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. www.elizabethpartridge.com.
Richard Peck was the first young people's
author to receive the National Humanities Medal in 2002. He is a Newbery
medalist for A
Long Way From Chicago,
(the Newbery Silver Medalist in 1999) and A Year Down Yonder (the Newbery Gold
Medalist in 2001). Universally acknowledged as a master of the art form,
RIchard’s body of work is one of the true gems of contemporary children’s
literature. His newest book, forthcoming in September and dedicated to Lin
Oliver, is The Best Man, a twelve-year-old boy’s
view of same sex marriage when one of his role models wants to marry another of
his role models.
Pam Muñoz Ryan is the author of the New York Times Best
Seller, Echo, a 2016 Newbery Honor Book, and winner of the Kirkus
Prize. She has written over forty books for young people—picture books, early
readers, and middle grade and young adult novels. She the author recipient of
the NEA's Human and Civil Rights Award, the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award,
the Willa Cather Award, the Pura Belpré medal, the PEN USA award, and many
others. Her novels include Esperanza Rising, Riding Freedom, Becoming
Naomi León,Paint the Wind, The Dreamer, and Echo.
She was born and raised in Bakersfield, California and holds a bachelor's and master's
degree from San Diego State University. www.PamMunozRyan.com
Barney Saltzberg is an author/illustrator and musician. He has written and
illustrated close to fifty books for children, including the best-selling Touch
and Feel Kisses series, which has over one million copies in print.
After deciding he wasn’t going to join the Beatles, he took a class at
Otis/Parsons in children's book writing and illustration. The teacher, Barbara
Bottner, was terrific! Some of his picture books include Arlo
Needs Glasses, Beautiful Oops!, and All Around the
Seasons. Learn more at www.barneysaltzberg.com.
Pamela S. Turner is one of our mossy-acclaimed writers of nonfiction for
young people, the author of the Golden Kite Honor books Hachiko: The True
Story of a Loyal Dog and The Dolphins of Shark Bay, as
well as the Golden Kite book A Life in the Wild: George Schaller’s
Struggle to Save the Last Great Beasts. Her 2016 releases are Samurai
Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune, recipient of four starred
reviews, and the upcoming Crow Smarts: Inside the Brain of the World’s
Brightest Bird. You can visit her atwww.pamelasturner.com.
Carole Boston Weatherford is an award-winning, New York Times best-selling
author of over forty books, mostly for young people. Her books have won two
NAACP Image Awards, two Caldecott Honors, and a Coretta Scott King Award. Her
best-known titles includeMoses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to
Freedom; Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of
the Civil Rights Movement; Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-ins; and Gordon
Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America. Her latest
release is You Can Fly: The Tuskegee Airmen, a collaboration with
her son, debut illustrator Jeffery Weatherford. She is an English professor at
Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. Visit www.caroleweatherford.com.
Suzanne Morgan Williams has given hundreds of school and library presentations
across the U.S. and Canada. A former teacher, she creates programs for pre-K
through adult—from demonstrating Chinese inventions, to writing with veterans,
to assemblies on sharing your story—that actively connect her books to her
readers. Suzanne doesn’t wait for invitations or funding to come to her. She
finds them. www.suzannemorganwilliams.com
Lisa Yee’s debut novel, Millicent Min, Girl Genius, won the first
Sid Fleischman Humor Award in 2004. She now has sixteen books in print
including Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time, So Totally Emily
Ebers, and Warp Speed, about a Star Trek geek who gets beat up
every day at school. The Kidney Hypothetical – Or How To Ruin Your Life
In Seven Days is Lisa's latest novel for teens. Her 2016 books includeWonder
Woman at Super Hero High, and Supergirl at Super Hero high,
part of DC Super Hero Girls middle grade series and American Girl's 2016 Girl
of the Year books. A Thurber House Children’s Writer-in-Residence, Lisa's
books have been named a NPR Best Summer Read and USA Today Critics’ Top Pick.
For the past three years Lisa has selected and written reviews for NPR's Best
Books of the Year. Visit: www.lisayee.com
Paul O. Zelinsky has illustrated thirty-odd books for children, written some
of them, and been awarded numerous honors, including the Caldecott Medal
for Rapunzel and three Caldecott Honors. His most widely-known
book is probably the movable Wheels on the Bus; the most recent
is Z is for Moose (written by Kelly Bingham), which received a
star from all six star-giving trade journals. Visitwww.paulozelinsky.com.
Editors/Art Directors or SCBWI Advisors:
Bonnie Bader is the former Associate Publisher/Editor-in-chief at Grosset
& Dunlap/Penguin Young Readers, where she edited many best-selling series
including Here's Hank by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, George Brown, Class
Clown by Nancy Krulik, and The Fantastic Frame by Lin Oliver. In addition,
Bonnie has edited many nonfiction picture books and leveled readers. She is
also the author of several biographies including Who Was Martin Luther
King Jr., Who Was Christopher Columbus, and Who Was
Alexander Graham Bell. She is currently the Publishing Advisor for SCBWI as
well as a member of the Board of Advisors.
Stacey Barney is a Senior Editor at Penguin/Putnam Books for Young Readers. She
acquires middle grade, young adult and select nonfiction and picture books. She
has edited the #1 New York Times bestselling The Wrath
and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh as well as the 2015 Coretta Scott King
Illustrator Award-winning Firebird by Misty Copeland,
illustrated by Christopher Myers. Stacey has edited award-winning authors Kristin
Levine (The Lions of Little Rock), Tara Sullivan (The Bitter Side of
Sweet) and Sheila O’Connor (Sparrow Road). Some recent and upcoming
publications include Free Verse a tale of a girl who loses her
family and then her voice to the coal mines of West Virginia; The
Reader by Traci Chee, a fantasy set in a word where reading is unheard
of; and Our Chemical Hearts, a story of unrequited first love.
Stacey is looking for rich and memorable stories with pacey plots and writing
that sparkles and shines.
Kat Brzozowski is an Associate Editor at Thomas Dunne Books, a division of
St. Martin's Press, where she has worked since 2009. She works on a wide range
of young adult fiction, including new Fear Street books in R.L. Stine’s
best-selling series, which has sold over eighty million copies worldwide; Romancing
the Dark in the City of Light, The Weight of Feathers, In Real
Life, and Firsts. Kat is looking to acquire young adult
fiction across a wide range of genres, especially contemporary, realistic YA
with a strong hook; dark, contemporary fiction (not too issues-y), mysteries,
suspense, and thrillers; and sci-fi that’s mostly rooted in this world. She is
especially interested in YA with crossover appeal. When she’s reading YA, she
looks for a strong sense of voice, multi-dimensional characters, and realistic
dialogue.
Justin Chanda is Vice President & Publisher of the four flagship
children's imprints at Simon & Schuster: S&S Books for Young Readers,
McElderry Books, Atheneum, and the new Salaam Reads. He oversees the
publication of two hundred and fifty titles per year ranging from the youngest
picture book to the edgiest YA. Justin continues to edit, working with the
likes of Jon Sciezka, Loren Long, Kenneth Oppel, Patricia MacLachlan, Peter
Brown, Michael Ian Black, Karma Wilson, Dan Krall, Morgan Matson, Mike
Lupica, and Debbie Ohi. He is also the publisher of Saga press, a newly
minted adult Sci-Fi-/Fantasy imprint. Follow him on Twitter @jpchanda.
Emma D. Dryden is the co-author of What Does It Mean To Be An
Entrepreneur? (Little Pickle Press) and founder of drydenbks, a
premier children’s editorial and publishing consultancy firm after twenty-five
years as a highly regarded editor and publisher. She consults with authors,
illustrators, agents, editors, publishers, start-ups, and app developers.
Emma’s edited over 1,000 books for children and young readers. During her
tenure with Atheneum and McElderry Books, many of her titles hit national and
international bestseller lists and received numerous awards and medals,
including the Newbery Medal, Newbery Honor, and Caldecott Honor. Emma’s on the
Advisory Board of SCBWI; her blog “Our Stories, Ourselves” explores the
intertwined themes of life and writing. Follow her Twitter @drydenbks,
Facebook, and Pinterest.
Saho Fuji is an Art Director at Little, Brown Books For Young Readers. She has designed a wide range of
books including middle grade and young adult novels, activity and novelty
books, picture books, and board books. She currently oversees the LBYR's picture
book list. She has worked with many award-winning illustrators including Jerry
Pinkney, Sophie Blackall, Bryan Collier, Mordicai Gerstein and John Rocco. She
lives in New York City. www.sahofujii.com
Deborah Halverson is the award-winning author of Writing New Adult
Fiction and Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies, as
well as the teen novels Big Mouth and Honk If You Hate
Me, the picture book Letters to Santa, and three books in
the Remix series for struggling readers. Formerly an editor at Harcourt
Children's Books and now a freelancer specializing in Young Adult/Middle Grade
fiction, New Adult fiction, and picture books, Deborah has been working with
authors—bestsellers, veterans, debut, and aspiring—for twenty years. She is
also the founder of the popular writers’ advice site DearEditor.com. Learn more
at www.DeborahHalverson.com.
Allyn Johnston is VP & Publisher of Beach Lane Books, a San Diego-based
imprint of Simon & Schuster. Among the authors and illustrators with whom
she works are Mem Fox, Lois Ehlert, Marla Frazee, Jeanette Winter, Linda
Davick, Cynthia Rylant, Debra Frasier, Arthur Howard, Jan Thomas, Lauren
Stringer, Liz Garton Scanlon, Amy Schwartz, Avi, and M. T. Anderson. Books she
has edited include the New York Times bestseller Ten
Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen
Oxenbury; and A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by
Marla Frazee and the New York Times bestseller All the
World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee, both of
which received a Caldecott Honor. Allyn is especially proud of the fact that
Beach Lane has bought twenty-five projects from unpublished writers and
illustrators since it began in 2008!
Arthur A. Levine Books launched in 1997, a literary imprint of Scholastic
Inc. This imprint introduced North American audiences to the work of great
writers such as Markus Zusak, Francisco Stork, Lisa Yee, Dan Santat, Trent
Reedy, and of course, J. K. Rowling, and continues that tradition with
such fabulous newcomers as Mike Jung, Martha Brockenbrough, Greg Pincus,
Erin Bow, and Eric Gansworth. About thirty percent of the books the imprint
publishes are fully-illustrated, working with a group of artists that include
the incomparable Shaun Tan, well-known masters such as Richard Egielski, David
Small, Komako Sakai, and Axel Scheffler, and talented illustrators at the start
of their careers such as Israel Sanchez, Shino Arihara, and Bethany
Murguia. Arthur is also an author whose recent books include Monday is
One Day, illustrated by Julian Hector and A Very Beary Tooth
Fairy, illustrated by Sarah Brannen. Find out more about Arthur
at www.arthuralevinebooks.com.
Alvina Ling is VP and Editor-in-Chief at Little, Brown Books for Young
Readers where she’s worked since 1999. She oversees Little, Brown’s core
publishing program (including picture book, middle grade, and young adult), and
edits children's books for all ages. She has worked with such authors and
illustrators as Peter Brown, Bryan Collier, Ed Young, Grace Lin,
Wendy Mass, Justina Chen, Chris Colfer, Laini Taylor, Libba Bray, Barry
Lyga, Holly Black, and Matthew Quick. She is the co-founder and former
chair of the CBC Diversity Committee. She is on Twitter as @planetalvina.
Laurent Linn, Art Director for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers,
began his career as a puppet designer/builder in Jim Henson's Muppet Workshop,
creating characters for various productions. With Henson over a
decade, he worked primarily onSesame Street, becoming the creative
director for the Sesame Street Muppets and winning an Emmy Award. Currently, at
Simon & Schuster, Laurent art directs picture books, middle grade, and teen
novels, including The Blessing Cup, by Patricia Polacco; All
Different Now, by Angela Johnson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis; DRAW!,
by Raúl Colón; Better Nate Than Ever, by Tim Federle; and the Rot
& Ruin YA series by Jonathan Maberry. Laurent is on the Board of Advisors
for SCBWI, and is Artistic Advisor for the annual Original Art exhibit at the
Society of Illustrators in New York. He is also an author; his debut teen
novel, Draw the Line, released May, 2016 (Margaret K. McElderry
Books). Twitter/Instagram: @LaurentLinn and www.laurentlinn.com.
Melissa Manlove is an Editor at Chronicle Books in San Francisco. She has
been with Chronicle for 12 years. Her acquisitions tend to be all ages in
nonfiction; ages 0-8 for fiction. When acquiring, she looks for fresh takes on
familiar topics as well as the new and unusual. An effective approach and
strong, graceful writing are important to her. She has 17 years of children’s
bookselling experience.
Krista Marino is an Executive Editor at Delacorte Press (Random
House Children's Books) where she acquires and edits young adult and middle
grade fiction. Some of the books on her list include the Maze
Runner series by James Dashner, the Reckoners series by Brandon Sanderson,
and the Nightmares! series by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller. Other books she’s
published include The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh
Johnson, These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly, The
Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas, and the young adult works of Matt de
la Peña. Krista is always looking for strong new voices, innovative concepts,
and great stories for her list. @KristaMarino on Twitter.
Stephen Mooser, President of the SCBWI, is the author of nearly sixty books for
children. He began as the author of a number of reading programs including
those for SWRL/Ginn, ABC and Harcourt, but most readers know Stephen for his
trade books, which began with the publication of 101 Black Cats (Scholastic)
in 1975, and continues through his most recent series, Goofball Malone,
Ace Detective. He has written in every genre: picture books (The Ghost
with the Halloween Hiccups), to series books (The Creepy Creature Club;
It's a Weird, Weird School), to nonfiction (Lights! Camera! Scream!),
to novels (Elvis Is Back and He’s in the Sixth Grade).
Sandra Nickel has presented workshops on writing for children and young adults
throughout Europe, including in Paris, Amsterdam, and Switzerland. She has
published in both creative and academic journals, holds an MFA from Vermont
College of Fine Arts, and blogs about writers and illustrators by asking, What
Was on . . . their minds, desks, refrigerators, play lists, and more.
Learn more about Sandra and her blog at www.sandranickel.com.
Lin Oliver is a children’s book author and writer-producer of television
series and movies for children. With Henry Winkler, she writes the New
York Times best-selling book series, Hank Zipzer: World’s Best
Underachiever, which is also a hit television series on the BBC, and
its spin-off chapter book series, Here’s Hank. She is also
the author of the Who Shrunk Daniel Funk quartet, Sound
Bender andThe Shadow Mask, adventure/science fiction middle
grade novels she coauthored with Theo Baker. Her picture book debut was
the highly praised poetry collection Little Poems for Tiny Ears,
illustrated by Tomie dePaola. Lin’s newest work, the high-octane chapter
book series, The Fantastic Frame., is just out this Spring.
She is the co-founder and Executive Director of SCBWI, and a recipient of
The Christopher Award. Learn more at www.linoliver.com.
Neal Porter is the publisher of the Neal Porter Books imprint of Roaring Brook
Press. He has been in the book publishing business for decades. His work has
spanned both the editorial process and the marketing departments of the
industry. Neal has worked with a number of Caldecott Medal–honored
illustrators, including Eric Rohmann, Ted Lewin, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, and the
2011 Caldecott Medal winner, Erin Stead, in her book A Sick Day for
Amos McGee.
Susan Rich is Editor-at-Large for Little, Brown Books for Young
Readers. She publishes the work of Lemony Snicket, Sophie Blackall, Jon
Klassen, Frank Viva, Maira Kalman,Dav Pilkey, Christoph Niemann, children’s
poet laureate Kenn Nesbitt, Daniel Handler, and inaugural poet Richard Blanco.
Susan earned a Masters Degree in Children’s Literature from the Center for the
Study of Children’s Literature at Simmons College, began her publishing career
in New York, and now lives and works in Toronto.
Lauren Rille is an Associate Art Director at Simon & Schuster, where
she works with the Beach Lane, Atheneum, and McElderry imprints. Before joining
S&S, Lauren was a designer at Sterling and Harcourt Children’s Books. Some
books she’s designed include Are You There God, it’s Me, Margaret by
Judy Blume; Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff; Scraps by
Lois Ehlert; One Big Pair of Underwear by Laura Gehl,
illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, and the New York Times best-selling Bear
Says Thanks by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman. Lauren loves
the collaborative process of working with editors and illustrators, and she’s
always on the lookout for fresh new talent.
Matt Ringler is a Senior Editor at Scholastic specializing in chapter books,
middle grade and YA fiction. He has worked on the Little Rhino series
by Ryan and Krystle Howard, the Game Changers series by Mike
Lupica, and The Puppy Place series by Ellen Miles. He has also
been editor of all the Goosebumps series published by R. L.
Stine since 2009. Matt is on the lookout for books with humor, diverse voices,
and general weirdness. Twitter: @doesntmattr
Sara Sargent is an Executive Editor at HarperCollins Children’s
Books, focusing on fiction and nonfiction in the picture book, middle
grade, and young adult categories. Previously she was an Editor at Simon
Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Sara has worked with New
York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines, National Book Award
finalist Deb Caletti, Jennifer Echols, Julie Cross, Aaron Karo, and Martina
Boone, among others. She also received her Master of Science in journalism from
Northwestern University. You can find Sara online at www.sarasargent.wordpress.com and
on Twitter and Instagram @Sara_Sargent. Sara lives in Brooklyn.
Reka Simonsen is an Executive Editor at Atheneum Books for Young Readers,
where she edits all across the age range, though her favorite books to work on
are middle grade and younger YA novels. She is looking for believable, engaging
characters and stellar writing with the power to move her in some way. She
works with such amazing authors and illustrators as Margarita Engle, Carole
Boston Weatherford, Melanie Crowder, Julie Paschkis, Evan Turk, Patrice Kindl,
Lloyd Alexander, Rafael Lopez, and Sean Qualls, among others. Books she’s
edited have received Newbery, Geisel, Coretta Scott King, Walter Dean Myers,
and Charlotte Zolotow Honors; Pura Belpré Awards and Honors; Americás Awards
and Honors; Jane Addams Peace Awards and Honors; and a Christopher Medal, and
have been finalists for the YALSA Nonfiction Award, the Morris Award, the Andre
Norton Award, and the Edgar Award.
Kate Sullivan is a Senior Editor at Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House,
where she works on middle grade and young adult content. Previously, she was at
Little, Brown, where she edited many bestselling and award winning authors,
including Malinda Lo, Darren Shan, Kody Keplinger, Gail Carriger, Carrie Ryan,
and Margaret Stohl. She’s a sucker for speculative fiction, humorous realistic,
happy endings, animal books, and anything that gives voice to marginalized
perspectives or people who can’t speak for themselves.
Don Tate is an award-winning author, and the illustrator of The
Cart That Carried Martin, Hope’s Gift, Duke Ellington’s
Nutcracker Suite, and Ron’s Big Mission. He is also the
author of It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw, an
Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor winner. His most recent titles include The
Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch and Poet: The Remarkable Story
of George Moses Horton, winner of the Ezra Jack Keats Award and Christopher
Award. Don is a member of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign, created to address
the lack of diverse, non-majority narratives in children’s literature. Visit www.dontate.com.
Harold Underdown is an independent editor and publishing consultant; he
critiques and develops manuscripts and provides other editorial and consulting
services for individuals and publishers. As an in-house editor, he worked at
Macmillan, Orchard, and Charlesbridge, and has experience in trade and
educational publishing. Harold wrote The Complete Idiot's Guide to
Children's Book Publishing, now in its third edition. He founded and runs
"The Purple Crayon," a respected web site with information about the
children's publishing world at www.underdown.org. He also speaks and gives workshops
through the Highlights Foundation, SCBWI's national and regional conferences,
and Kid’s Book Revisions. www.kidsbookrevisions.com.
Andrea Welch is a Senior Editor at Beach Lane Books, a San Diego-based
imprint of Simon & Schuster. She has the pleasure of working with a long
list of wonderful authors and illustrators, including Douglas Florian, Robert
Neubecker, and Angela DiTerlizzi. Recent books she has edited include the New
York Times best-selling LMNO Peas by Keith
Baker, Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff, and the Brownie
& Pearl series by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Brian Biggs. Andrea
acquires projects for children of all ages—especially those that are filled
with heart, humor, and irresistible characters.
Cecilia Yung is Art Director & Vice President at Penguin Books for
Young Readers where she oversees illustration and design for two imprints, G.
P. Putnam's Sons and Nancy Paulsen Books. She is fortunate to have worked with
some of the major illustrators of children’s books, but the highlight of her
work is to discover and develop new talent. She is on the Board of Advisors of
SCBWI, as well as a member of its Illustrators’ Committee.
Bloggers:
Martha Brockenbrough is the author of a growing collection of books for young
readers: the YA novels The Game of Love and Deathand Devine
Intervention, and The Dinosaur Tooth Fairy, a picture book.
Both are with Arthur A. Levine at Scholastic, as is her forthcoming picture
book, Love, Santa, as well as two Bigfoot picture books written
jointly with Samantha Berger. Martha also wrote the nonfiction middle
grade Finding Bigfoot for Feiwel & Friends. In addition to
her work on SCBWI's Team Blog, she is the founder of National Grammar Day and
author of the hilarious grammar guide Things That Make Us [Sic].
Martha has worked as a journalist for over twenty years and as a content
strategist and marketer for more than a decade. Visit www.martha-brockenbrough.squarespace.com and
on Twitter @mbrockenbrough.
Jolie Stekly is a freelance writer and novelist, teacher, fitness instructor,
and former SCBWI co-Regional Advisor of the Western Washington Chapter. She now
directs the fall retreats for the region. One of Jolie’s greatest honors was
being awarded SCBWI’s 2009 Member-of-the-Year.
Don Tate is an award-winning author, and the illustrator of The
Cart That Carried Martin (Charlesbridge), Hope’s Gift (Penguin), Duke
Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite (Charlesbridge), and Ron’s
Big Mission (Penguin). He is also the author of It Jes’
Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw (Lee & Low Books,
2102), an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor winner. His most recent titles
include The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch (Eerdmans, 2015)
and Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton (Peachtree,
2015), winner of the Ezra Jack Keats Award and Christopher Award. Don is a
member of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign, created to address the lack of
diverse, non-majority narratives in children’s literature. Visit www.dontate.com.
Jaime Temairik’s debut picture book, How to Negotiate Everything,
written by award-winning novelist Lisa Lutz, was published in 2013. She’s part
of SCBWI’s TEAM BLOG, which covers SCBWI International Conferences (TEAM BLOG
also covers Smothers Brothers songs). During the summer, Jaime teaches
Illustrating Children's Picture Books for the University of Washington
Extension program and she plans to blog about the class (and the doughnuts she
brings to class) at www.cocoastomp.blogspot.com.
Lee Wind, M.Ed., is the official blogger for SCBWI (www.scbwi.blogspot.com)
and Captain of SCBWI’s Team Blog. His award-winning personal blog, I’m Here.
I’m Queer. What The Hell Do I Read? has had over 1.3 million visits and is one
of only four sites linked from the American Library Association’s Rainbow Books
website. His interviews and articles about children’s literature, social media
and diversity are widely published, and he has moderated panels at KidLitCon,
the CA School Library Association, The LA Times Festival of Books and SCBWI
Conferences. A writer of picture books through young adult, he is represented
by Danielle Smith of Red Fox Literary. Visit www.leewind.org.
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