By Kelly McWilliams I’m the author of a book called Your Plantation Prom is Not Okay, and it had just gone into copyedits when friends started texting me about Bennifer’s very-much-not-okay plantation wedding in August 2022. Because I, along with the rest of America, was rooting for Bennifer, I … [Read more...] about Why Plantation Celebrations Keep (Violently) Breaking Our Hearts
Cover Reveal for Dragging Mason County by Curtis Campbell
Today we're thrilled to reveal the cover for Dragging Mason County by Curtis Campbell! The cover was illustrated by Jenn Woodall and designed by Rachel Nam. The book will be released on October 3, 2023 by Annick Press. Preorder it here. A laugh-out-loud YA debut that examines the realities of … [Read more...] about Cover Reveal for Dragging Mason County by Curtis Campbell
Cover Reveal for Pritty by Keith F. Miller, Jr.
Today we're delighted to reveal the cover for young adult novel Pritty by Keith F. Miller, Jr.! The cover art is by SOGO Arts. The book was designed by Alison Klapthor and edited by Carolina Ortiz. It will be released on November 14, 2023 by HarperTeen. Preorder it here. Keep scrolling for an … [Read more...] about Cover Reveal for Pritty by Keith F. Miller, Jr.
Celebrating the Spring 2023 Educators Making A Difference Grantees!
This month We Need Diverse Books is celebrating our second round of Educators Making a Difference Grants! WNDB has directly impacted over 21,000 students with this program, which provides up to $2,000 to educators who are eager to share diverse books with their students, but who lack the funding to … [Read more...] about Celebrating the Spring 2023 Educators Making A Difference Grantees!
Cover Reveal for Ganesha Goes Green by Lakshmi Thamizhmani, illustrated by Debasmita Dasgupta
Today we're thrilled to reveal the cover for Ganesha Goes Green by Lakshmi Thamizhmani, illustrated by Debasmita Dasgupta! The book was designed by Lindsey Leigh and edited and art directed by Lisa Rosinsky with editorial assistance by Aayushi Agarwal. It will be released on September 5, 2023 by … [Read more...] about Cover Reveal for Ganesha Goes Green by Lakshmi Thamizhmani, illustrated by Debasmita Dasgupta
Magical Realism As a Genre for Youth: Author Karla Valenti Invites Exploration of Big Questions
By Nawal Qarooni Karla Valenti is the author of several books for young people, including the highly-acclaimed middle grade novel Loteria (Fall 2021) and the forthcoming picture books Esperanza Caramelo (Fall 2023) and Maria Mariposa (Spring 2024). She connected with educator and literacy coach … [Read more...] about Magical Realism As a Genre for Youth: Author Karla Valenti Invites Exploration of Big Questions
Spilling the Tea: Author Katherine Locke on Author Finances
With this month’s Spilling the Tea column we are talking author finances with Katherine Locke! Katherine chats about advances, earning out, their thoughts about day jobs and much more. Be sure to check out Katherine’s YA historical This Rebel Heart. * Say an author gets a $100,000 advance, can … [Read more...] about Spilling the Tea: Author Katherine Locke on Author Finances
Writing Autistic Characters with Lyn Miller-Lachmann and Meg Eden Kuyatt
By Thushanthi Ponweera Today we're pleased to welcome Lyn Miller-Lachmann (Torch) and Meg Eden Kuyatt (Good Different) to the WNDB blog to discuss writing autistic characters and more! * Both Selah (in Good Different) and Tomas (in Torch) are on the autism spectrum but are both … [Read more...] about Writing Autistic Characters with Lyn Miller-Lachmann and Meg Eden Kuyatt
The Need for “Window-Mirrors”
By Jennifer De Leon During a recent school visit, a young woman came up to me in the signing line and burst into tears. We had never met before, but I felt that in that moment, that we had a connection. I saw that she was crying for herself, for all that she understood and didn’t yet understand … [Read more...] about The Need for “Window-Mirrors”
