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karen m. greenwald
GET YOUR 1980'S ON!
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"Life and
publishing all
comes down to
a few moments. #SunWriteFun
is one of them.
-Bud Fox
Wall Street
"Enter
#SunWriteFun
or enter not.
There is no try."
-Yoda
The Empire
Strikes Back
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KIDLIT NONFICTION / INFO FI. CONTEST
Whether you lived through the 1980's or just like the culture, the items below are a veritable time capsule to get you in the WRITE frame of mind! So take a little perusal. Clearly, some of these fashions were GRODY to the Max. Others, well...who doesn't love rocking a pair of leg warmers (just not in the summer!)?
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Feeling well-versed? Inspired? (Missing your old
Trapper Keeper? We won't tell!)
One thing we'd like you to remember comes from the
international sages of 1989, Bill and Ted:
“The best place to be is #SunWriteFun!
The best time to be is
#SunWriteFun,
and all we can say is…
let’s rock and WRITE!
"Be excellent to each other...
And, party on
RAD WRITER dudes!"
YO, Yo, Yo! STOP MAXIN' N RELAXING
OR CHILLIN' LIKE A VILLAIN...
CHECK OUT THESE, LIKE, FER SURE
WICKED, EPIC, MEGA COOL PRIZES
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GRAND PRIZES
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30-MINUTE ASK ME ANYTHING ZOOM
GNOME ROAD PUBLISHING
Publisher, Editor - Sandra Foreman Sutter is the owner ("top gnome") at GRP. She is the author of two traditionally published picture books, a former attorney and addictions counselor. She's also a mom, crazy cat lady, and fan of kind people.
We provide a system of respect and support for creatives and their work throughout the publishing process and beyond. We are committed to communication, collaboration, cultivation, and community! Visit us at Gnome Road Publishing!
OUT OF THE SLUSH PILE READ
HELEN WU/YEEHOO PRESS
Helen H. Wu is a children’s book author and illustrator, as well as a translator and publisher. Her books include Tofu Takes Time and Long Goes To Dragon School. Helen is the publisher of Yeehoo Press, an independent children’s book publisher based in San Diego, California. Fascinated by the differences and similarities between cultures, Helen loves to share stories that empower children to understand the world and our connections.
2025 12 x 12 SILVER MEMBERSHIP
JULIE HEDLUND/12X12
The 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge is a calendar-year challenge to write 12 picture book drafts in 12 months, but it’s so much more than that too! 12 x 12 is a community of writers offering motivation, support, and accountability at all milestones of the picture book writing journey. Join us in an exclusive forum, private Facebook group, and monthly webinars focused on the craft of writing and publishing picture books. It’s the friendliest writing community on Earth! Follow on Twitter and Instagram.
$50 INDIE BOOKSTORE GIFT CARD
JUDY BLUME'S BOOKSTORE
Co-founded by Judy Blume, Books & Books @ The Studio of Key West is a locally-owned, nonprofit, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore. Affiliated with Books & Books, one of the nation’s great independent bookstores, our home is part of The Studios of Key West, a non-profit arts center and cultural organization.
The Studio’s distinctive three-story nineteen-fifties former Masonic Temple is already buzzing with art classes, performances, artist studios and exhibitions. With Books & Books, it now has a dedicated space for the literary arts as well.
MAKING PICTURE BOOK MAGIC CLASS
SUSANNA LEONARD HILL
Susanna has penned over 25 books, including the New York Times Bestseller, Moon’s First Friends: One Giant Leap For Friendship (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky 2019). Her most recent books include Grandma’s Girl (Sourcebooks Wonderland (2020), Mars’ First Friends: Come On Over Rovers! (Sourcebooks Wonderland, 2020) & Dear Grandma (2021). She’s also the founder of Making Picture Book Magic, and the creator of several popular kidlit contests such as: Halloweensie & Valentiny.
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~2 INDIVIDUAL 30-MINUTE MENTOR SESSIONS and
~2 INDIVIDUAL RATE YOUR STORY SPEED PASSES
LYNNE MARIE - RATE YOUR STORY
Lynne Marie is the award-winning author of 9 picture books including The Palace Rat -- art by Eva Santana (Yeehoo Press 2023), and Broommates co-written with Brenda Reeves Sturgis – art by Nico Ecenarro (The Little Press 2024). You can find out more about Lynne at her website and Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
She’s the Director of RateYourStory.org, a Mentor at ThePictureBookMechanic.com, the Creator of March On With Mentor Texts (www.rateyourstory.org/march-on) and Mentor Text Talk, a Co-Host of #SeasonsOfKidLit (www.seasonsofkidlit.com) and a Feature Columnist at Children’s Book Insider (www.writeforkids.org).
2024 PBSUMMIT - SUMMIT ONLY TICKET
PICTURE BOOK SUMMIT
Picture Book Summit is the original online writing conference specifically designed for picture book creators. This year’s world-class event, Picture Books That Sing!, features the one and only Julie Andrews with fellow Superstar Speakers Nikki Grimes, Philip C. Stead, and Erin E. Stead! Plus, the full-day event includes in-depth workshops and agent and editor panels. It’s seven hours of picture book fun and insight coming October 7, 2023. Follow on Twitter and Instagram.
CRITIQUE
BAPTISTE PAUL
Baptiste Paul is the award-winning author of The Field, To Carnival!, and I Am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon. His works have garnered many starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and School Library Journal, and several titles have been translated into multiple languages. He loves writing stories inspired by his childhood in Saint Lucia, and featuring words from his native language, Creole. Baptiste is also a mentor for We Need Diverse Books and the co-author of several works with Miranda Paul, including their newest collaboration, Peace. He lives in WI with his family.
To learn more, visit: www.baptistepaul.net.
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CRITIQUES
FEDERICO EREBIA (NON-RHYME)
Author, poet, & illustrator, woodworker and a retired physician, he does it all! He received the 2024 Lambda Literary Award for Exceptional New Writer for his debut novel, Pedro & Daniel (Levine Querido 2023), which has had other commendations: 2024 Ohioana Book Award - Finalist; 2024 Massachusetts Book Award - Longlist; 2024 Crystal Kite Award - Honor Book; 2024 Américas Award - Commended Book; 2024 Bank Street BEST BOOK; 2023 Kirkus Reviews BEST BOOK; 2023 Nerdy Book Club BEST BOOK; and starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Shelf Awareness.
HEATHER MACHT
Heather has always had a niche for storytelling. She's the author of 15 books including The Mutant Critter Sitter, a six-book chapter book series featuring #girlpower, responsibility, spliced mutant creations, and science-filled fun! (ABDO, 2024), The Woodlot Monster Mysteries, a six-book chapter book series featuring less-common monsters and promoting #girlpower, problem solving, and teamwork (ABDO, 2023), Rex the...We-Don't-Know (Pelican, 2020), The Ant Farm Escape! (Pelican, 2019), and You May Just Be a Dinosaur (Pelican, 2015).
When she's not writing, Macht enjoys blogging at her popular blog, #SeasonsOfKidLit.com, painting, reading poetry, watching scary movies, and spending time with her husband and children. You can follow Heather at Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook or at her website www.heathermacht.com.
CARLA KETNER
Carla is owner and manager of the Indie bookstore, Chapters Books & Gifts in Seward, Nebraska. She is a former elementary school teacher & instructor of college-level children's literature courses. Her debut picture book, Ted Kooser: More than a Local Wonder (2023) won the 2024 MIPA Midwest Book Award for Children's Nonfiction.
JENNIFER BUCHET
Jennifer is an award-winning kidlit author, former marketing guru, and super-fun pre-k educator (AKA chaos coordinator!). Co-founder & co-creator of #SunWriteFun, she's the author of Little Medusa’s Hair Do-Lemma (Clear Fork Publishing, 2021) and a regular feature contributor to Cricket Media, including the social studies magazine, FACES. She is an active member of many writing communities including SCBWI, 12x12 and the Writing Barn's Courage to Create.
F. EREBIA
JENNY BUCHET
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ZOOMS
JILANNE HOFFMAN
Jilanne is the author of the nonfiction picture book A River of Dust: The Life-giving Link Between North Africa and the Amazon (Chronicle, 2023)—which received a Bank Street Best, ALA Notable, SCBWI Crystal Kite, and Junior Library Guild Gold award as well as a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly. Jilanne is also the author of the board books Happy Camper (an Amazon editor’s pick) and The Honey Bear Hive (both from Mudpuppy, 2023), the forthcoming middle grade novel in verse/prose titled Heartland (Little Brown, Fall 2025), and the nonfiction picture book, The Ocean's Heart (Lerner, Spring 2026). Her love of travel, art, music, science, and nature; BS in Industrial Engineering; and MFA in Fiction support her interest in writing STEAM-oriented stories. For more fun about Jilanne, check her out at www.JilanneHoffmann.com. Follow Jilanne on Twitter: @Jill_SF and Instagram: @jilanne2694 and BlueSky @jilanne.bsky.social.
ROB SANDERS
Rob is a teacher who writes and a writer who teaches. He is known for his funny and fierce fiction and nonfiction picture books and is recognized as one of the pioneers in the arena of LGBTQIA+ literary nonfiction picture books. Rob’s nonfiction books continue to break new ground, including the first picture books about the Pride Flag, the Stonewall Uprising, a transgender Civil War soldier, a gay presidential candidate, and the first gay marriage in America. His work also continues to introduce readers to heroes of the LGBTQIA+ community—from Harvey Milk to Gilbert Baker, from Cleve Jones to Bayard Rustin, and more. His fiction explores friendship, relationships, standing up for others, and being allies. Blood Brothers, his first middle grade novel, (July 2022.) And Rob pays it forward. He is a frequent speaker, teacher, mentor, coach, and critiquer. He is also a member of the SCBWI Impact and Legacy Fund Steering Committee. Rob is represented by Rubin Pfeffer.
Website: robsanderswrites.com; Blog: robsanderswrites.blogspot.com; Facebook: RobSandersWrites; Twitter: RobSandersWrite; Instagram: RobSandersWrites
JYOTI GOPAL
Growing up, Jyoti lived in Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, China and India. She finally settled in New York where she raised two daughters with her husband (who also grew up all over the world). As a child, she adored and devoured books but did not enjoy writing. At all. As a grown up, she is a forever kindergarten teacher and mom. She still adores and devours books. But now, she likes to write! Find out more at www.jyotirajangopal.com.
She is the author of American Desi (LBYR, 2022) and My Paati's Saris (Kokila, 2022), Desert Queen (Levine Querido, 2023) and One Sweet Song (Candlewick, 2024).
ELISA BOXER
KAREN M. GREENWALD
Karen is a children’s author, (non-practicing) attorney, and international award-winning brand strategist. Her debut, A Vote for Susanna, The First Woman Mayor, is a Kansas Notable Book and a Library of Congress (LOC) 2022 Great Reads from Great Places selection. It represented Kansas at the LOC’s 2022 National Book Festival. Her nonfiction book, The Mud Angels-How Students Save Florence (2024) launched this spring and has been featured in a wide range of publications, from Italy's Tuscan news source, Intoscana to the cover of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works' June/July magazine. . Greenwald has won numerous prestigious international awards for STEM creative, writing, video, rebranding, and self-promotion, including a Platinum international Summit Marketing Effectiveness Award for her strategic marketing campaign for A Vote for Susanna. Bylined credits include online, print magazines, and The Washington Post.
Greenwald is a 12x12 NF "Elf," member of the Children's Book Guild, and co-founded #SunWriteFun. She oversees brand-new/free book donations to underserved elementary school libraries (in conjunction with 501(3)c charity, Reader to Reader).
You can follow her on Instagram at: @karenmgreenwald, on GoodReads by clicking HERE, and on BlueSky at: @kmgreenwald.bsky.social
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BOOKS
NANCY CHURNIN
Nancy Churnin writes children's books about people that inspire kids to make a positive difference in the world and encourage kids to be heroes, too. Dear Mr. Dickens, the story of a woman who spoke up to Charles Dickens, won the 2021 National Jewish Book Award, a 2022 Sydney Taylor Honor; and is a Junior Library Guild selection. Among her other honors: Junior Library Guild, National Council for the Social Studies Notables, Silver Eurekas, Mighty Girl lists, Sakura Medal finalist, Notable Book for a Global Society, Anne Izard Storytellers Choice Award, the South Asia Book award, and starred reviews. Nancy lives in North Texas. You'll find free teacher guides, resources, and projects on her website at nancychurnin.com
Visit her on Facebook at Nancy Churnin Children's Books, on Twitter @nchurnin and Instagram @nchurnin
LAURIE WALLMARK
Laurie is an award-winning author of picture book biographies focusing on women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) as well as fiction. Her books have earned six starred trade reviews, been chosen as Junior Library Guild Selections, and received awards such as Outstanding Science Trade Book, Best STEM Book, Cook Prize Honor Book, Crystal Kite Award, Mathical Honor Book, and Parents’ Choice Gold Medal. Her titles include Ada Byron Lovelace & The Thinking Machine, Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code; Rivka's Presents: Code Breaker, Spy Hunger; The Queen of Chess and Dino Pajama Party. Laurie has an MFA in Writing from VCFA and is a former software engineer and computer science professor.
You can find Laurie online at lauriewallmark.com
CAROLINE PERRY
Caroline L. Perry is the author of THE CORGI AND THE QUEEN and several forthcoming books for children. When she’s not writing, Caroline loves to travel: she's lived on three continents and visited more than sixty-five countries, and has yet to find a cure for chronic wanderlust! She also enjoys hiking, baking and photography, and spending time with her husband and three children in the Los Angeles city they call home. Find out more at www.carolinelperry.com.
SUSAN JOHNSON TAYLOR
Susan Johnston Taylor is author of the Crystal Kite Award-winning book Animals in Surprising Shades: Poems About Earth's Colorful Creatures (Gnome Road Publishing, 2023). Her next book, If Pets Wrote Poems, unleashes with Gnome Road Publishing in spring 2026. Her nonfiction articles have appeared in publications for kids and adults including Highlights for Children, Scout Life, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, and The Boston Globe. She's also written over a dozen books for the educational market.
Learn more at staylorwrites.com.
JOLENE GUTIERREZ
Jolene Gutiérrez is an award-winning teacher and librarian for the past 26 years. She’s the author of Mac & Cheese and the Personal Space Invader (Clear Fork, 2020), Bionic Beasts: Saving Animal Lives with Artificial Flippers, Legs & Beaks (Millbrook/Lerner, 2020), and the Stars of Latin Pop series (Rourke Educational Media, 2021). Jolene is an active member of SCBWI and The Author’s Guild, part of the KidLitCollective group and a co-creator of #KidlitZombieWeek.
KELLY RICE SCHMITT
After a career in the competitive, male-dominated world of energy trading, Kelly felt compelled to advocate for girls in STEM, business, and other fields with gender gaps. Combining a love of writing with my STEAM background, she create books to inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators!
And like, so much more, fun
so, like, stay tuned!