2022 Mentees
ILLUSTRATION MENTEES
Alana Ladson (Mentored by Nick Bruel)
Alana Ladson is an illustrator and character designer who loves to read, write, and draw. Her experiences are rooted in the arts, education, and advocacy—she loves working with youth, making art, and sharing what her students call “sage-wisdom”. You can find Alana sipping chai lattes with oat milk, taking online courses, or reading all types of books—from adult fiction to young adult to poetry to comics to picture books. Alana’s favorite picture books are The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Bilal Cooks Daal, and The Proudest Blue. She is currently working on writing and illustrating her own children’s picture book. You can find her illustration work at alanaladsonart.com.
Ariana Padron (Mentored by Andy Passchier)
Ariana Padron is an Ace Kidlit illustrator/author born in Venezuela and raised in Massachusetts. She's inspired by their curiosity of children and their ability to imagine the world without restraints. Hayao Miyazaki’s films forever changed her perception of stories and how much a story can be life-changing. His movies showed her the beauty of the quiet moments between scenes. Her goal is to create stories that children can see themselves in while reminding adults of their childhood dreams. Ariana wants to be able to share her experiences and struggles of growing up in between two cultures. Her illustration brings forth a beautiful combination of handmade textures and vibrant colors that fill the page with wonders and warmth. She enjoys illustrating scenes that revolve around relationships and how different characters interact within whimsical settings. She enjoys mixing the fantastical with everyday things. She holds a degree in Illustration from Ringling College of Art and Design. She is a current member of SCBWI, a Children’s book Academy Graduate, took classes at MATS, and is a Storyteller Academy student. She won first place in the portfolio showcase at the 2021 JambaLAya conference in New Orleans, was a recipient of The NESCBWI Windows, and received the Mirrors Scholarship for 2021. She currently lives in the suburbs of Massachusetts with her family and many pets. You can find her online at @artofarianapadron on Instagram and @arianapadronart on Twitter. Her website is www.arianapadron.com
Gabriela Vega (Mentored by Olivia Aserr)
Hola! Gabriela Vega is an aspiring Children’s Book Illustrator. She recently graduated with a BFA in Illustration at Cal State Fullerton. Her admiration and inspiration come from Disney artists such as Mary Blair, as well as children’s book illustrators such as Eric Carle, which led me to study and pursue a career in illustration. In her work, Gabriela enjoys using simple shapes while also playing with different textures and bright colors. She has had the honor of being recognized for her work with two other awards from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. As a Latina artist, Gabriela has felt encouraged to create work that explores a sense of her culture, voice, and worldview. Throughout her artistic journey, she has made it her goal to not only represent her community but also to never stop learning from other underrepresented voices.
PICTURE BOOK MENTEES
Remi Kathawa (Mentored by Janet Costa Bates)
Remi Kathawa writes fiction for children and adults. He has a special love for picture books and their ability to shape and inspire young readers. A former lawyer, he began writing picture books while in law school (as one does). After working as a corporate lawyer for four years, he decided to give law a break and pursue his true passion, storytelling. Remi’s parents emigrated from Iraq to the United States. His writing is often inspired by their experience and the Iraqi diaspora. Remi received his JD from Boston College Law School and his BA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he studied Philosophy and Near Eastern Studies. When he’s not writing or reading, he loves cooking for family and friends and spending time with his wife. He is grateful to WNDB for this opportunity and is looking forward to working with his mentor, Janet Costa Bates.
Ashley Murray (Mentored by Valerie Bolling)
Ashley Murray has always loved to read and write stories. She began writing her first story in a Black and White Composition Notebook when she was in the ninth grade. As a Black woman and mother, Ashley aspires for all children to have access to children’s books that take place in various settings featuring main characters with which they can identify. Sometimes, events that occur in life can force children to grow up too quickly. Ashley is passionate about writing stories that allow children to truly be children; stories they can escape to with characters and storytelling that spark their imaginations. She is thankful for the WNDB mentoring opportunity and is excited to work with Mentor Valerie Bolling over the next year. Ashley is a member of SCBWI and has published several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in her role as a public health professional. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Relations and a Master of Public Health. Ashley lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her husband Spencer and her caring, loving, energetic daughter, Harper. When she’s not working, you can find Ashley with a book in her hand, baking her favorite cheesecake recipes, or spending time with her large extended family and close circle of friends.
Jane Palmer (Mentored by Kyle Lukoff)
Jane Palmer (she/they) is a professor, MFA student, and scholar-activist in Washington, DC. She believes books (and kids!) have the power to change the world. As a social worker, she worked with children whose lives were affected by violence (and other inequities) and oversaw several youth-led violence prevention initiatives. Although she currently spends her time writing academic articles and creative non-fiction for adults, she wants to write picture books that help kids deal with tough issues (like grief, loss, oppression, violence) in a meaningful way. She believes kids are agentic, brilliant, and resilient, which are themes she hopes to explore in picture books. When she's not reading, writing, sewing, or hanging out with her family and friends, she is dreaming of a world without violence and on quests with her four-year-old to find the best playground ever. Twitter: @jane_e_palmer
Melanie Singer (Mentored by Silvia López)
Melanie Singer is a picture book writer and speech-language pathologist. As a second-generation Colombian-American, she is greatly inspired by immigration stories such as that of her mother. She strives to write picture books that feature diverse characters and help to build understanding and empathy. In addition, given her work with the geriatric population in skilled nursing facilities, intergenerational relationships are often woven into her stories. She was shortlisted for the spring 2021 WriteMentor Flash Fiction contest and received runner-up for the 2021 PBChat Mentorship. She is represented by Naomi Davis and Ramona Pina at BookEnds Literary Agency and is so grateful to WNDB for the opportunity to work with author Silvia López this year. Originally from Wisconsin, she now lives in Michigan, where she enjoys hiking, reading, painting, and having dance parties with her 5-year-old daughter. You can connect with her on Twitter @MelanieWSinger.
MIDDLE GRADE MENTEES
Kris Fields
Kris Fields hails from Jacksonville in the sunny state of Florida. She is a single mom to two really cool (on most days) daughters; 28-year-old Lindsay, a graduate student in math at USF and 25-year-old Natalie, a budding filmmaker. Kris currently teaches college-prep English classes at a local high school. This is her first completed middle grade manuscript.
Madhuri Mukhtyar Messenger (Mentored by Saadia Faruqi)
Madhuri Mukhtyar Messenger is a first-generation Indian-American who often takes the path less traveled. While her family members are all doctors living in NY, she obtained two master's degrees and a law degree and moved to Oregon. She has worked at a law firm, human rights NGOs, and in academia and is now pursuing her writing dreams. An active member of Inked Voices and Yale Women Writers Group, Madhuri earned merit scholarships from the Children’s Book Academy and the Oregon Writers Colony. Her protagonists are almost always spunky Indians who do not bow to cultural norms or adhere to expectations. Madhuri writes punny picture books, magic-filled middle-grade, and upmarket women’s fiction.
Crystal Roget (Mentored by Sundee T. Frazier)
Crystal Roget is an aspiring children’s author, born and raised in the upper Harlem area of New York City known as “Sugar Hill.” It was there, at her local public library, and through the monthly Scholastic Book Clubs order forms that she eagerly received at school, that her love for reading, and later, writing, began. It is her hope that her writing will, as well as inform and entertain, one day encourage and inspire children to have that same lifelong love and voracity for reading and writing. After graduating from Wesleyan University with a BA in English and economics, Crystal moved to Teaneck, NJ with her family and worked in reference publishing in NYC for nearly 20 years. During those years, she immersed herself in learning about writing for children, joining Verla Kay’s original “Blue Boards,” participating in an online critique forum, Critique Circle, and later being accepted as a mentee in the Rutgers One-on-One Plus Conference in both 2008 and 2010. Currently residing in Middletown, Connecticut with her family, Crystal works full-time as a financial proofreader, and enjoys reading (of course!), travel, and watching Hallmark Christmas movies. She is grateful for the opportunity to grow as a writer through the WNDB Mentorship program and is honored to work with Sundee Frazier as a 2022 mentee.
Rita D. Russell (Mentored by Varsha Bajaj)
Rita D. Russell is a word lover and story creator who is awed and inspired by the hope, heart, honesty, and humor of children. Over the years, she has parlayed her storytelling skills into writing assignments for daytime and primetime network television series. She has also written, produced, and edited stories for broadcast news programs. Currently, Rita volunteers as a marketing and social media copywriter for a lung cancer-focused nonprofit in St. Louis, MO. An avid reader as a child, her desire to write for kids deepened after the Ferguson Uprising in 2014. Much of her work now shines a light on the lives of diverse children in all their tearfully painful, sidesplittingly funny, and extraordinarily ordinary circumstances. When she isn’t writing or reading kidlit, Rita enjoys sussing out story ideas while baking sweet treats for her family. She tweets only good stuff @RRussellWrites.
Maureen Tai (Mentored by Cindy Baldwin)
Maureen Tai is a Malaysian writer with published creative works in literary magazines such as Cha, Mekong Review, and the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, as well as in local and international anthologies and magazines. She has also been shortlisted in several international competitions, most recently for flash fiction in UK’s Bridport Prize 2021. However, Maureen’s ultimate dream is to write for children. Having published children’s short stories with Oxford University Press and Marshall Cavendish, she is currently working on her first middle-grade novel set in her home country, Malaysia. Her work and children’s book reviews can be found at www.maureentai.com.
YOUNG ADULT MENTEES
Alexandra Bazrafshan (Mentored by S. K. Ali)
Alexandra Bazrafshan has a career as a teacher and secretly hopes to start a career as a writer—although perhaps not so secretly anymore. She was born and raised in Toronto and has been living in China for the past four years, where she teaches at a Canadian international school. Twice in her life, she has tried her hand at blogging—most recently a travel blog—but her true passion lies in writing novels. She is currently working on a young adult contemporary as well as a rom-com, and all of her projects include a great teacher character somehow.
Marianna Leal (Mentored by Gloria Chao)
Marianna Leal is a Venezuelan writer of Young Adult, currently focused on contemporary stories and with great fantasy and sci-fi ideas. She is determined to represent her gente and writes about strong and vulnerable girls who make their way in a world that tells them they don't belong or are not enough, and boys who are not afraid to show emotion and grow from it. And yes, her stories usually have a little campiness. She currently resides in Florida, after a couple of years in the US Midwest which were preceded by a few years in Scandinavia. Fortunately for her, she enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures, and this has been a wonderful adventure she sometimes worries has been a dream all along. In her spare time, she is a full-time employee for an engineering company that does care about the planet. Even though she's an awkward turtle with the YOLO energy of a bull in a china shop, she has deep feelings about the environment and social issues. You can also count on her terrible sense of humor and colorful language.
Meg Rao (Mentored by Padma Venkatraman)
Meg Rao grew up in Michigan, where a food-crusted copy of Harry Potter was a feature of her family's kitchen table. Her passion for telling stories comes from reading, narrating the day's events to her family and friends, and a childhood fascination with Indian cinema and epic poems. Meg now lives in the San Francisco area with her husband. She works in healthcare by day and dreams up dangerous encounters for her characters by night. Find her politicking on Twitter or being extra on Instagram at @raomegan.
Silvia Rodriguez Kembel (Mentored by Francisco X. Stork)
As an author and archaeologist, Silvia Rodriguez Kembel explores diversity across the deep timespan of human experience. Her writing invites readers to discover the complex cultural richness of underrepresented lives in both the present and the ancient past. Silvia is an anthropologist based at the University of Colorado-Boulder and a National Geographic Explorer, specializing in the prehistoric Andes of Perú. She serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Ñawpa Pacha, the journal of the Institute of Andean Studies, and is a member of SCBWI. She graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Human Biology and an MA and a PhD in Anthropology. She is a first-generation Hispanic-American with roots in Cuba, Venezuela, and Spain. Visit her at silviarodriguezkembel.com and on Instagram and Twitter @Silvia_explores.
Elle Zhang (Mentored by Sabina Khan)
Elle Zhang is an aspiring YA writer who was born and raised in South Carolina. After making her way up to New England for a degree in American Studies, she has been teaching and coaching young adults in high schools and universities while writing as much as possible on the side. She now lives with her husband and two children in the suburbs of Boston.
2022 Mentors
ILLUSTRATION MENTORS
Olivia Aserr
Olivia Aserr is an artist for animation and illustrator living in Los Angeles. She currently does background paint for animation, and writes and illustrates children's books. She developed her skills at both Art Center School of Design and Rhode Island School of Design (earning her BFA from the latter in 2014). Olivia is passionate about telling stories that are fantastical and diverse. In her free time, Olivia swing dances all over Los Angeles and the rest of the world, and loves to bake and hike with her dog, Bonnibel.
Olivia's Mentor Statement
Working with me will include critiques on illustrative pieces geared for a children's book portfolio, suggestions and ideas for additional pieces to be created, answering questions on the process and timeline of children's books, as well as discussing any other aspects of being a children's book illustrator.
Nick Bruel
Nick Bruel is the creator of the New York Times bestselling series Bad Kitty. He lives in Pleasantville, NY with his wife Carina, their daughter Izzy, and their sometimes-good-sometimes-bad cats Rose and Noodles.
Nick's Mentor Statement
I've been writing and illustrating books for kids since 2004 when my first picture book was published. I'm perhaps best known for a series called Bad Kitty which has appeared on the NY Times Bestseller list several times in three different categories. Currently, there are around 15 million Bad Kitty books in print.
Prior to doing what I do now, I was a freelance cartoonist and illustrator as well as a full-time bookseller. It was the combination of these two disciplines that brought me to this career. As a mentor to those of you who are just starting out, here is what we'd discuss:
• Story. Whether your target audience is a toddler or a teenager, creating a compelling story that will draw in your audience and communicate your intentions is key to a successful career as a writer.
• Illustration. I do not consider myself an illustrator as much as a writer who uses words and pictures to tell a story. Balancing these two tools is also critical to communicating your story.
• The Industry. As the children's book industry has grown over the years, so has the demand to be a part of it. Breaking into this competitive career is challenging, but clearly not impossible. I will help any mentee navigate past the ever-changing obstacles and pitfalls that can block anyone's pathway into this glorious profession.
Andy Passchier
Andy Passchier (also credited as Anne) is an illustrator originally from The Netherlands, currently based in the USA. They are non-binary and use they/them pronouns. In their work Andy aims to focus on positivity, inclusivity and LGBTQIA+ advocacy. They have previously illustrated several children's books focusing on identity and the LGBTQIA+ community, including Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart, Trans+: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You by Karen Rayne, PhD, and Katherine Gonzales, MBA, What Are Your Words? by Katherine Locke, and Being You: A First Conversation About Gender by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli. Honors include being featured on the ALA Rainbow List, and they have contributed to social media Pride campaigns for Disney+ and Warner Music UK. Andy also enjoys surface design, and loves working on children’s products and gift packaging. Outside of illustrating, they like hanging with their cats, videogames, Dungeons & Dragons, shows about aliens, and anything spooky or Halloween-related.
Andy's Mentor Statement
I've been working as a professional illustrator since 2015 and as a full-time freelancer since 2018. I started out in surface design (gift packaging, fabric, etc.), but decided I wanted my work to pertain a little closer to my identity and aimed at LGBTQIA+ young people. If you're interested in any or all of the below, I'm your person!
- Working in children's books
- Focusing on illustration and building a portfolio for children's publishing
- Creating a story pitch along with art
- Behind the scenes insights on working with book publishers
- Advice on transitioning to self-employment
- Seeking agency representation for art or writing for children
- Incorporating LGBTQIA+ advocacy and activism into your work
PICTURE BOOK MENTORS
Valerie Bolling
Valerie Bolling is the author of the 2021 SCBWI Crystal Kite award-winning LET’S DANCE! (March 2020) and has been an educator for 28 years. Since her book was released a week before the pandemic shutdown, she has been engaged in virtual storytimes and author panels. Immersed in the writing community, Valerie is on the faculty at Westport Writers’ Workshop, is a member of SCBWI (and former co-chair of the NESCBWI Equity and Inclusion Team), the Authors Guild, NCTE, and ILA. She is also a 2020 WNDB Mentee and a member of Kid Lit in Color, Black Creators HeadQuarters, Soaring 20s PBs, PB Crew 22, 12X12 Picture Book Challenge, and three picture book critique groups. Valerie has two books scheduled for release in 2022 (TOGETHER WE RIDE and CITY FUN), five more slated for 2023, and one for 2024.
Valerie's Mentor Statement
As an author and educator, I love connecting with both children and adults. Having benefited from the generosity of so many in the writing community—including my WNDB mentor, Kelly Starling Lyons—I want to “pay it forward” and be a sounding board, information provider, and, most of all, a cheerleader for another PB writer. In particular, I'd be happy to answer questions about the path to publication and querying, provide feedback on a manuscript, and share any and all news about conferences, organizations, and writing opportunities that may be of interest to my mentee.
Janet Costa Bates
Janet Costa Bates is the author of TIME FOR BED, OLD HOUSE which received starred reviews from the School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and the Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books. She drew inspiration from her Cape Verdean-American background to write her first picture book, SEASIDE DREAM, winner of a Lee and Low New Voices Honor Award. Her RICA BAPTISTA chapter book series, to be published by Candlewick Press, also features a Cape Verdean-American family. She has served as a judge for the NESCBWI Windows and Mirrors Scholarship, the NESCBWI Peg Davol Picture Book Scholarship, and the Boston Authors Club Discovery Award. She lives in Massachusetts with her family.
Janet's Mentor Statement
My writing focus is on picture books and chapter books. With my strong background in career coaching for college students, I’m adept at helping people to create plans to bring them closer to reaching their goals.
Kyle Lukoff
Kyle Lukoff is the author of the middle grade novel "Too Bright To See," the Stonewall-award winning picture book “When Aidan Became A Brother,” "Explosion at the Poem Factory," and many more. While becoming a writer he worked as a bookseller for ten years, and then nine more years as a school librarian. He lives in New York City, and hopes you’re having a nice day.
Kyle's Mentor Statement
My strengths lie in editing texts, whether that's your manuscript or your query letter, and also affirming that publishing is really hard and can be really distressing and that it's okay to get frustrated. So I guess you say that I'm best equipped to offer editorial work and emotional labor.
Silvia López
Silvia López was born in Cuba and emigrated to Miami as a child. Her lifelong love of books led to a career as school librarian and later as a children’s author. López’ work reflects her interest in animals, history, folklore, and people who overcame obstacles to achieve great things. Her books include Just Right Family: An Adoption Story (2018 Florida Book Award) Handimals: Animals in Art and Nature (Illinois 2022 Bluestem Award nominee), Pacho Nacho, Queen of Tejano Music: Selena, (Junior Library Guild selection, 2020 Florida Book Award, and Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature Best Books, 2013-2020), and My Little Golden Book about Frida Kahlo. Both picture book biographies are in English and Spanish. My Little Golden Book about Sonia Sotomayor, also in English and Spanish, is scheduled for release in 2022.
Silvia's Mentor Statement
I consider myself an eclectic writer. I love writing about anything that catches my interest and I think will spark the interest of a child. My published work consists of picture books on various genres, from nonfiction to biography, realistic fiction, and folktale retellings. I am bilingual and have an interest in Hispanic culture, but don’t feel limited by it because I consider myself a global citizen. I enjoy mentoring any writer who has a true belief in, and is excited about, what their manuscript has to say regardless of the topic.
MIDDLE GRADE MENTORS
Varsha Bajaj
Varsha Bajaj is the award-winning author of picture books and middle grade novels. Her latest middle grade novel Count Me In (Nancy Paulsen books, Penguin Group, 2019) was a finalist for the Global Read aloud program. Abby Spencer goes to Bollywood, (Albert Whitman and Co., 2014) was shortlisted for the Cybils Award and included in the Spirit of Texas Reading program. Her picture books include The Home Builders, illustrated by Simona Mulazzani (Paulsen/Penguin 2019) This is Our Baby, Born today, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler (Penguin/Paulsen, 2016) and How many Kisses Do You Want Tonight? illustrated by Ivan Bates (Little Brown,2004). The Home Builders is an Dolly Parton Imagination Library selection for 2021 and 2022. To find out more about Varsha’s upcoming books and other projects please visit www.varshabajaj.com. She grew up in Mumbai, India and when she came to the United States to obtain her master’s degree, her adjustment to the country was aided by her awareness of the culture through books.
Varsha's Mentor Statement
Writing is a solitary act and can therefore at times be lonely. As a mentor, I hope to be a friend and advisor who you can trust to read, listen, guide, and cheer for you on your writing and publishing journey. I will share things that I’ve learned from experiences and colleagues who helped me along the way.
Cindy Baldwin
Cindy Baldwin the author of the critically acclaimed novels Where the Watermelons Grow (an Oregon Spirit Book Award Honor, Indies Introduce title, and Indie Next selection), Beginners Welcome, and The Stars of Whistling Ridge. She lives just outside Portland, Oregon, with her husband and daughter.
Cindy's Mentor Statement
Throughout my career, I've benefited from the guidance and mentorship of many wonderful writers, and I love the chance to pay that gift forward. I have a rigorous, in-depth mentoring style; I love digging deep into a manuscript to find the emotional heart of the story and make that shine. I've written or mentored books across multiple formats, including graphic novels, verse, and epistolary, and I love working with unique styles and innovative formats. I consider mentorship an ongoing relationship, and still keep in touch with many writers who I've mentored in the past.
Saadia Faruqi
Saadia Faruqi is a Pakistani American author, essayist and interfaith activist. She writes the children’s early reader series “Yasmin” and other books for children, including middle grade novels “A Place At The Table” co-written with Laura Shovan (a Sydney Taylor Notable 2021), and “A Thousand Questions” (a South Asia Book Award Honor 2021). Saadia is editor-in-chief of Blue Minaret, a magazine for Muslim art, poetry and prose, and was featured in Oprah Magazine in 2017 as a woman making a difference in her community. She lives in Houston, TX with her husband and children.
Saadia's Mentor Statement
I would like to mentor a middle grade writer on their journey towards publishing. My area of expertise is contemporary fiction full of rich, authentic representations of culture and faith. Mentorship to me means not only offering craft expertise, but also in-depth guidance and sharing of connections.
Jarrett Lerner
Author-illustrator Jarrett Lerner is the creator of the EngiNerds series of Middle Grade novels, the Geeger the Robot series of early chapter books, and the activity books Give This Book a Title and Give This Book a Cover. Jarrett is also the creator of the forthcoming Hunger Heroes graphic novel series, the forthcoming illustrated novel in verse A Work in Progress, a forthcoming set of early readers, and more. All of Jarrett's books are published by Simon & Schuster. In addition to writing, drawing, and visiting schools and libraries across the country, Jarrett co-founded and co-organizes the #KidsNeedBooks and #KidsNeedMentors projects. He can be found at jarrettlerner.com and on Twitter and Instragram at @Jarrett_Lerner. He lives with his wife and daughters in Medford, Massachusetts.
Jarrett's Mentor Statement
I am an author-illustrator who writes and draws for a broad range of ages (for the youngest and all the way up through upper Middle Grade), creates a variety of kinds of books (early readers, chapter books, graphic novels, novels, novels in verse, and activity books), and has developed a sizable social media presence and active following. As a Mentor, I hope to help equip my Mentee with the tools, knowledge, and skills to both achieve their short-term goals and launch a long, successful career in the kid lit world.
YOUNG ADULT MENTORS
S. K. Ali
S. K. Ali is the author of Saints and Misfits, a finalist for the American Library Association's 2018 William C. Morris award, winner of the APALA Honor Award and Middle East Book Honor Award, and Love from A to Z, the first YA title chosen as an NBC Today Show’s “Read with Jenna” Book Club selection. Both novels were critically acclaimed and named top ten YA books of the year by various media including Entertainment Weekly and Kirkus Reviews. Her newest novel, Misfit in Love, is a People magazine best book of summer 2021. She's also the co-editor of the MG anthology, Once Upon an Eid,and the co-author of the New York Times bestselling picture book, The Proudest Blue. She has a degree in Creative Writing and lives in Toronto with her family — which includes a very vocal cat named Yeti.
S. K.'s Mentor Statement
I would love to help guide mentees through the writing and publishing process and can offer monthly check-ins via audio or video zoom sessions. I've learned a lot since becoming a published author five years ago and will use my experience working on eleven books under contract (some TBA) to try to answer all your questions — to the best of my ability — as you embark on the amazing journey that is authordom. Please note: due to several deadlines, I will not be able to read and give input into any works in progress; however, through our monthly sessions, I can be a sounding board/detangler for your projects.
Gloria Chao
Gloria Chao is the critically acclaimed author of American Panda, Our Wayward Fate, Rent a Boyfriend, and the forthcoming When You Wish Upon a Lantern. After a brief detour as a dentist, she is now grateful to spend her days in fictional characters’ heads instead of real people’s mouths. Her award-winning books have been featured on the Indie Next List and the “Best of” lists of Seventeen, Bustle, Barnes & Noble, PopSugar, Paste Magazine, Chicago Public Library, and more. Her debut novel received four starred trade reviews and was a Junior Library Guild Selection, a YALSA Teens’ Top 10 Pick, and an Amelia Bloomer list pick. Visit her tea-and-book-filled world at GloriaChao.wordpress.com, and find her on Twitter and Instagram @GloriacChao.
Gloria's Mentor Statement
I am looking to mentor a contemporary young adult writer who is pursuing traditional publication. I hope to help a passionate writer bring their manuscript to the next level and help them navigate the publishing industry. My expertise lies in character development, voice, balancing humor and heart, and writing complicated family dynamics and romance inspired by real-life experiences.
Sundee T. Frazier
Sundee T. Frazier is the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent award-winning author of six novels including Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It, The Other Half of My Heart, and Cleo Edison Oliver: Playground Millionaire. Her heartfelt, entertaining stories address subjects close to her heart: biracial/bicultural identity, growing up in interracial families, and multi-generational dynamics. Her books have been nominated for twelve state children’s choice awards, the Washington State Book Award, and been recognized by the Children’s Book Council (Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People) and Kirkus Reviews (Best Children’s Books of the Year). Bank Street Bookstore chose Brendan Buckley as one of its “40 Favorite Books from the Last 40 years,” and Frazier has appeared on the TODAY Show with Al Roker’s Book Club for Kids and NPR’s “Talk of the Nation.” Her most recent novel, Mighty Inside (Levine Querido, October 2021), was inspired by her African-American family integrating a white neighborhood in 1950s Spokane. Frazier lives near Seattle, WA, with her husband and two daughters, and you can learn more about her and her work at www.sundeefrazier.com.
Sundee's Mentor Statement
I received incredible mentoring through the Vermont College MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program and look forward to passing on what I learned there, as well as through 25 years of practice! I am a connector who enjoys helping writers dig deep into their work to find the emotional heart, develop characters who are active, and put the most effective scenes in the most effective order to create a compelling narrative. I encourage with positive feedback and will point out elements I believe can be strengthened without giving answers as to how. I strongly believe solutions for our stories lie within and hope to embolden mentees to look inward for these. I am happy to provide guidance along the lines of seeking representation, working with editors, and building awareness of one’s work, if that is desired. I also will encourage being a part of an artistic community, the best way I’ve found to stay energized and committed on this creative journey!
Sabina Khan
Sabina Khan
is the author of ZARA HOSSAIN IS HERE and THE LOVE & LIES OF RUKHSANA ALI. She is an educational consultant and a karaoke enthusiast. After living in Germany, Bangladesh, Macao, Illinois and Texas, she has finally settled down in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, with her husband, two daughters and the best puppy in the world.
Sabina's Mentor Statement
I’m hoping to mentor a young adult writer who is passionate about sharing their culture and relevant experiences through their writing. I would also love to help them navigate the publishing industry and share what I’ve learned so far. I believe my strengths lie in voice, character development, and packing an emotional punch, as well as writing about sweet and sometimes sour family dynamics. Together, I hope to build a relationship based on honesty, trust, and hard work to bring their manuscript to the next level.
Francisco X. Stork
Francisco X. Stork emigrated from Mexico at the age of nine with his mother and his adoptive father. He is the author of nine novels including: Marcelo in the Real World, recipient of the Schneider Family Book Award, The Last Summer of the Death Warriors, which received the Elizabeth Walden Award, The Memory of Light, recipient of the Tomás Rivera Award, Disappeared, which received the Young Adult Award from the Texas Institute of Letters and was a Walter Dean Myers Award Honor Book and Illegal, recipient of the In the Margins Award and the Young Adult Award from the Texas Institute of Letters. On the Hook published in May of 2021 received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly.
Francisco's Mentor Statement
My vision for the mentorship is to work with my mentee via e-mail and telephone conversation to conceive, draft, revise and complete a final manuscript for a novel that will be deemed publishable by an agent and a mainstream publisher. I also hope to provide the mentee with a realistic and heartfelt experience of the writing of fiction as a way of life.
Padma Venkatraman
Padma Venkatraman is the author of the ALA Notable book and 2019 Global Read Aloud, The Bridge Home (winner of a Walter Dean Myers Award from WNDB, as well as a Golden Kite, Crystal Kite, Nerdy, Audiophile, South Asia Book Award and more), and A Time to Dance, Island's End and Climbing the Stairs, all of which were also released to starred reviews and won multiple awards and numerous honors. In addition to writing, Padma has taught writing workshops and presented keynote addresses and participated on panels all over the world. Her poetry was most recently published in Poetry Magazine and she is the founder of Diverse Verse. Her next novel, Born Behind Bars, is a Junior Library Guild selection which is on preorder now (scheduled for September release by Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin), and it has just received its first review—a star from Kirkus. Visit Padma at www.padmavenkatraman.com, @padmatv (twitter) and venkatraman.padma (ig, fb).
Padma's Mentor Statement
To me, mentorships are opportunities for friendship, the first step in a lifelong relationship based on mutual regard, an invitation to broaden one's writing community in an intensely meaningful way. As a mentor, compassion is my compass, just as it is to me as a writer; sincere and honest respect is essential, from both mentor and mentee. I believe in centering the mentee’s needs, listening to the mentee’s specific visions for and struggles with the manuscript, providing concrete suggestions as well as pep talks if the mentee feels free to share disappointments and fears, and giving tips on navigating the writing life, and general feedback on aspects of craft, which often include recommended book lists— became exposure to excellent storytelling is a vital part of every author’s growth. I like to enter into discussions and understand what the mentee wishes for their own work. I view my mentees as colleagues with whom I'm delighted to share my experiences and any wisdom I've gained in my journey; as for aspects of craft, ultimately, my desire is to find, celebrate and help mentees hone individual strengths to create unique stories that they will love and be proud of.
For mentor and mentee bios from past years, click the link below.
