FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE We Need Diverse Books Announces Children’s Day, Book Day Mini-Grant Winners Ten literary organizations will receive funds for a Children’s Day, Book Day event. April 20, 2020 Washington, DC — We Need Diverse Books, a national grassroots organization that advocates for … [Read more...] about We Need Diverse Books Announces Children’s Day, Book Day Mini-Grant Winners
How to Keep Teens Virtually Connected With Their Friends
By Jess Pullis In today’s world, it seems like we are constantly complaining about teenagers overusing technology. They seem to be attached to their phones—texting, “selfie-ing”, Snapchatting, and tweeting. This use of technology has caused a shift in their language skills, as they write more … [Read more...] about How to Keep Teens Virtually Connected With Their Friends
Diverse Autistic Authors Are Changing Neurodiversity Representation in Books
By Haley Moss The first time I encountered an autistic character in a chapter book was Ann M. Martin’s The Baby-Sitters Club series in an installment called Kristy and the Secret of Susan. Kristy, the titular protagonist babysitter, is assigned to look after 8-year-old Susan, a talented, … [Read more...] about Diverse Autistic Authors Are Changing Neurodiversity Representation in Books
Without WNDB, I Would Never Have Written Another Book. Here’s Why.
By I.W.Gregorio When people asked me how WNDB affected my life, I think of three things: How it gave me a sense of community, how it laser-focused my intentions as an author, and how it gave me hope that the stories that I truly wanted to tell would someday be heard. At its heart, writing for … [Read more...] about Without WNDB, I Would Never Have Written Another Book. Here’s Why.
How to Write Consistent Characters and Build Realistic Worlds
This piece is the first stop in the Spring 2020 #DVpit Blog Hop! #DVpit is a Twitter pitch event for marginalized authors and/or illustrators. The next event is scheduled for April 22-23. For more information, please visit dvpit.com. by Sarah Guan When readers describe books they love—those … [Read more...] about How to Write Consistent Characters and Build Realistic Worlds
WNDB Launches Emergency Fund for Diverse Creatives in Children’s Publishing
To learn more about the WNDB Emergency Fund for Diverse Creatives in Children’s Publishing and to apply, click here. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE We Need Diverse Books Launches Emergency Fund for Diverse Creatives in Children’s Publishing April 13, 2020 Washington, DC — We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) … [Read more...] about WNDB Launches Emergency Fund for Diverse Creatives in Children’s Publishing
How to Use Diverse Books in Your At-Home Learning
By Melissa Hart Recently, my seventh grader and I curled up together on the couch in our pajamas with a bowl of popcorn between us to attack her schoolwork. On the TV, the New Zealand comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople about a boy of Māori descent and his foster father on the run from authorities … [Read more...] about How to Use Diverse Books in Your At-Home Learning
Stop Calling Popular Tropes in YA Novels ‘Overused’
By Arriel Vinson When readers talk about their favorite YA novels on Twitter, they typically mention the tropes they love reading, such as enemies to lovers, chosen ones, spontaneous road trips, or any other popular trope. Sometimes, readers will specifically seek out novels that keep tropes in … [Read more...] about Stop Calling Popular Tropes in YA Novels ‘Overused’
What It’s Like Launching Your Debut MG Novel During a Pandemic
By Karis Rogerson Claribel A. Ortega, the debut middle-grade author of Ghost Squad, said her parents used to make up stories to tell her at bedtime. “My dad's was a take on the Lone Ranger and he did sound effects to go with everything,” she told We Need Diverse Books. “These were all in … [Read more...] about What It’s Like Launching Your Debut MG Novel During a Pandemic
