Win a 30-minute virtual classroom visit with award-winning author Alex Gino! Alex can discuss writing craft or the business of publishing with a class!

Alex does not answer "Trans 101" type informational questions.

Alex Gino is author of middle grade novels Alice Austen Lived Here; Rick; You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P!; and the Stonewall Award-winning Melissa. They love glitter, ice cream, gardening, awe-ful puns, and stories that reflect the complexity of being alive. For more information, visit alexgino.com.

Image: A headshot of Alex Gino.

Win a one-page written critique of your complete YA or Middle Grade manuscript from award-winning author Francisco X. Stork! Let an award-winning author provide written insight into your work!

Francisco X. Stork 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 and received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus and Publisher's Weekly.

Image: A headshot of Francisco X. Stork.

Win a critique and review of your query and the first five pages of your manuscript from New Leaf Literary & Media's Vice President and Agent, Suzie Townsend.

Suzie Townsend represents all brands of children's and adult fiction. She loves women's fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir, and debut fiction. On the children's side, she is interested in select YA and MG. Suzie loves strong characters and voice-driven stories that break out of the typical tropes of their genres, and she's always looking for unique new voices in stories.

Image: A headshot of Suzie Townsend.

Win a full manuscript critique (Middle Grade or Young Adult, up to 85,000 words) from Maria Vicente, Senior Literary Agent at P.S. Literary Agency.

The winning bidder can expect their critique within one month of sending the manuscript.

Maria Vicente (she/they) is a Senior Literary Agent at P.S. Literary representing bold and innovative books for kids, teens, and curious adults. Her favorite books to work on allow readers to experience something new about the real world or invite them into fictional worlds they'll never want to leave.

Image: A headshot of Maria Vicente.

Have your manuscript critiqued by author Saadia Faruqi! The manuscript can be up to 50,000 words (chapter book or middle grade).

Submissions must be polished and revised. No first drafts please!

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). Her new book "Yusuf Azeem Is Not A Hero" details the experiences of the Muslim American community twenty years after 9/11. 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.

Image: A headshot of Saadia Faruqi.

Win a 30-minute call with Joanna Volpe, New Leaf Literary & Media's President and Literary Agent to discuss the industry. Joanna will also provide a critique of your query and first 20 pages during your call!

Joanna Volpe is the founder of New Leaf Literary & Media, an all service literary management firm. While her list of books is eclectic, her focus is consistent on client brand and career building.

Image: A headshot of Joanna Volpe.

Win a 30-minute AMA consultation with Laurie McLean, Partner and Literary Agent at Fuse Literary. Laurie has 17 years of experience as an agent and 20+ years of experience in high-tech marketing. Laurie's specialties are promotion, how to sell a book, querying, pitching agents and editors, what makes a good story, etc. Anything publishing-related is fair game. And if you want to spend 30 minutes pitching Laurie your work in progress, she is all ears.

Laurie McLean spent 20 years as the CEO of a multi-million-dollar marketing agency and 8 years as an agent/senior agent at Larsen Pomada Literary Agents before co-founding Fuse Literary in 2013 with her business partner Gordon Warnock. At Fuse Lit Laurie specializes in middle grade, young adult and adult genre fiction including romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, and weird westerns. Laurie is also the Director of the San Francisco Writers Conference, in its 18th year, and she co-founded two ePublishing companies that she eventually sold: Joyride Books for romance, and Ambush Books for tween and teen books. Find out more at FuseLiterary.com or on Instagram @fuseliterary, and on Twitter @FuseLiterary and @AgentSavant.

Image: A headshot of Laurie McLean.

Win an AMA phone call consultation about children's publishing with Phoebe Yeh, Publisher at Crown Books for Young Readers, Random House Children's Books. Phoebe used to edit THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS. Now she publishes Lincoln Peirce and Nic Stone. Phoebe has worked in children's publishing for more than 35 years. Ask her anything about children's publishing, especially but not limited to books by and about people of color!

The phone call will take place on a mutually agreed-upon date.

A VP/Copublisher of Crown Books for Young Readers, Phoebe Yeh has published all the WNDB short story anthologies in addition to working with Cheryl Willis Hudson and Wade Hudson of Just Us Books, Ashley Spires, Laurie Keller, Kelly J. Baptist, Jeffrey Brown, Lincoln Peirce, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Mahogany L. Browne and Nic Stone: fiction and non-fiction for all age categories.

Image: A headshot of Phoebe Yeh.

Win a written critique of a query letter and the first 25 pages of your Middle Grade or Young Adult fiction or nonfiction manuscript from Jim McCarthy, Literary Agent and Vice President at Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret LLC.

Will receive response 4-6 weeks after receipt.

Jim McCarthy has been with DGB for over two decades, the entirety of his publishing career. His client list includes bestselling and award-winning authors including Richelle Mead, Eric Gansworth, Morgan Rhodes, Livia Blackburne, Joy McCullough, Fonda Lee, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Kosoko Jackson, and many more.

Image: A headshot of Jim McCarthy.

Win a written critique of your query letter and the first 25 pages of your Middle Grade or Young Adult fiction or nonfiction manuscript from Jim McCarthy, Literary Agent and Vice President at Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret LLC.

Will receive response 4-6 weeks after receipt.

Jim McCarthy has been with DGB for over two decades, the entirety of his publishing career. His client list includes bestselling and award-winning authors including Richelle Mead, Eric Gansworth, Morgan Rhodes, Livia Blackburne, Joy McCullough, Fonda Lee, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Kosoko Jackson, and many more.

Image: A headshot of Jim McCarthy.

Win a 30-minute one-on-one mentoring session with publishing executive and New York Times bestselling author, Andrea Davis Pinkney. As a bonus, the recipient of this offering will receive a 30-minute follow up session!

Andrea Davis Pinkney is The New York Times bestselling and Coretta Scott King award-winning author of numerous books for children and young adults. She is a four-time NAACP Image Award nominee, and recipient of both the Regina Medal and the Arbuthnot Honor Award, for her singular body of work and distinguished contribution to the field of literature. Ms. Pinkney is among Children's Health Magazine's "25 Most Influential People in Our Children's Lives," and has been inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame.

Image: A headshot of Andrea Davis Pinkney.

Win a signed hardcover of MAYBE MAYBE MARISOL RAINEY by New York Times bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly and signed original art! The pen-and-paper drawing will resemble the image here, of Marisol with her stuffed animal.

Will ship in the United States.

Erin Entrada Kelly is a Newbery Medalist and Newbery Honoree. She is also the author and illustrator of the MAYBE MAYBE MARISOL RAINEY series.

Image: A graphic of the book cover of Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly, featuring a black-and-white illustration from the book to represent original art. The text reads: 'Signed original art, signed book.'

Win a signed, Advanced Reader Copy of the forthcoming young adult novel At The End of Everything by Marieke Nijkamp.

Will ship internationally.

About At The End of Everything:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of This Is Where It Ends comes another heartbreaking, emotional and timely page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Hope Juvenile Treatment Center is ironically named. No one has hope for the delinquent teenagers who have been exiled there; the world barely acknowledges that they exist.

Then the guards at Hope start acting strange. And one day?they don't show up. But when the teens band together to make a break from the facility, they encounter soldiers outside the gates. There's a rapidly spreading infectious disease outside, and no one can leave their houses or travel without a permit. Which means that they're stuck at Hope. And this time, no one is watching out for them at all.

As supplies quickly dwindle and a deadly plague tears through their ranks, the group has to decide whom among them they can trust and figure out how they can survive in a world that has never wanted them in the first place.

Marieke Nijkamp is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels, graphic novels, and comics, including This Is Where It Ends, Critical Role: Vox Machina - Kith & Kin, and The Oracle Code.

Image: The book cover of At The End of Everything by Marieke Nijkamp.

Win signed, personalized copies of both 2021 Newbery Honor Books: A Wish in the Dark and All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat.

This item ships within the US.

Christina Soontornvat is the award-winning author of over a dozen books for children of all ages. Her picture books include The Ramble Shamble Children, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Lauren Castillo, and Simon at the Art Museum, illustrated by Christine Davenier. She is the author of the beloved Diary of an Ice Princess chapter book series. Her recent works include the middle grade fantasy, A Wish in the Dark, which was named a 2021 Newbery Honor Book, and was chosen as Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post and School Library Journal, and All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team, which has received numerous nonfiction awards and was also named a 2021 Newbery Honor Book.

Image: A graphic of the books A Wish in the Dark and All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat side-by-side.

Win A 30-copy classroom paperback set of Flying Lessons - plus a 30-minute virtual class visit from anthology editor Ellen Oh!

Give the books to a classroom of your choosing, or let WNDB select a school in need to receive the titles and author visit!

Published in partnership with WNDB, this short story collection for tweens, edited by Ellen Oh, with contributions from such authors as Kwame Alexander, Meg Medina, Jacqueline Woodson, "will resonate with any kid who's ever felt different-which is to say, every kid." (TIME)

Will ship in the United States.

Image: Three Flying Lessons book covers popping out of a cardboard box with the text above in purple, "Win a 30-copy classroom set & virtual visit!" The background is pink and blue clouds.

Win 30-copy classroom paperback set of The Hero Next Door - plus a virtual 30-minute virtual class visit from anthology editor Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich!

Give the books to a classroom of your choosing, or let WNDB select a school in need to receive the titles!

"A stellar [short story] collection that, in celebrating heroes, helps readers find the universal in the specific." (starred Kirkus review of the WNDB tween collection featuring R.J. Palacio, Rita Williams-Garcia, Linda Sue Park, and others.

Will ship in the United States.

Image: Three The Hero Next Door book covers popping out of a cardboard box with the text above in purple, "Win a 30-copy classroom set & virtual visit!" The background is pink clouds.

Win a signed 30-copy classroom paperback set of Fresh Ink, edited by Lamar Giles! This starred YA short story collection features Nicola Yoon, Jason Reynolds, Melissa de la Cruz, and Gene Luen Yang, among others.

Give the books to a classroom of your choosing, or let WNDB select a school in need to receive the titles!

Fresh Ink, a WNDB YA short story collection called "powerful" (starred Booklist) and "compelling" (starred SLJ), is a Rainbow Book and an International Latino Finalist.

Will ship in the United States.

Image: Three Fresh Ink book covers popping out of a cardboard box with the text above in purple, "Win a 30-copy classroom set!" The background is pink and blue swirl.

Win one annotated copy of one of Aminah Mae Safi's books - winner's choice! Choose from:

• Not the Girls You're Looking For (hardcover)
• Tell Me How You Really Feel (paperback)
• This Is All Your Fault (hardcover)
• Travelers Along the Way (winner must wait until March 2022 for this annotated title)

Will ship internationally.

Aminah Mae Safi is the author of four novels for young people, including the enemies to lovers rom-com TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL as well as the forthcoming TRAVELERS ALONG THE WAY: A Robin Hood Remix. She's an erstwhile art historian, a fan of Cholula on popcorn, and an un-ironic lover of the Fast and the Furious franchise. Her writing can be found on Bustle and Salon and her award-winning short stories can be found in FRESH INK and the forthcoming FRESHMAN ORIENTATION.

Image: A graphic with covers of Aminah Mae Safi's books Not the Girls You're Looking For, Tell Me How You Really Feel, This Is All Your Fault, and Travelers Along the Way. The text reads: 'Pick a title to be annotated.'

Win a book bundle that includes ARCs! Win:

• Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
• Beasts and Beauty by Soman Chainani
• Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera
• A Face for Picasso by Ariel Henley (ARC)
• Briar Girls by Rebecca Kim Wells (ARC)
• Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray (ARC)
• Both Can Be True by Jules Machias (ARC)

Will ship in the United States.

Image: A photo of the books Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers, Beasts and Beauty by Soman Chainani, Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera, A Face for Picasso by Ariel Henley (ARC), Briar Girls by Rebecca Kim Wells (ARC), Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray (ARC), and Both Can Be True by Jules Machias (ARC).

Win a 60-min video chat AMA with 20-year veteran editor Jenne Abramowitz. Chat about anything including querying best practices, demystifying the publishing process, strategies for career building, the market landscape, and more.

Jenne Abramowitz is an Executive Editor at Scholastic Press, where she primarily acquires chapter book and middle grade fiction. She's been lucky to work with a diverse list of talented authors including Varian Johnson, Debbi Michiko Florence, Aaron Blabey, Kate Messner, Ash Van Otterloo, Booki Vivat, Stephanie Kuehn, Jess Keating, Kevin Sherry, and Keith Calabrese, among many others. Jenne is the co-chair of the Brooklyn Book Festival's children's and YA programming committee, a cat lover, surprisingly good roller-skater, and lifelong Murder, She Wrote enthusiast.

Image: A headshot of Jenne Abramowitz.

Win a 30-minute Zoom video call AMA about publishing with Candlewick Press editor Carter Hasegawa. He's been an editor at Candlewick Press for 11 years and a bookseller for 13 years, so he's spent a lot of time around books and would love to share anything that he can to help you on your publishing journey.

Must use before June 1, 2022.

Carter Hasegawa has been an editor at Candlewick Press since 2010. He also has over a decade of experience working as a bookseller at indie bookstores. He lives in Boston with his wife and son.

Image: A headshot of Carter Hasegawa.

Win anthologist/author autographed copies of Ancestor Approved edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith and Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith, plus a "Next Generation" enamel pin, designed by Sarah Agaton Howes (Anishinaabe), from Eighth Generation.

Will ship in the US.

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the 2021 NSK Neustadt Laureate and a New York Times bestselling author of books for young readers, including HEARTS UNBROKEN, which won the American Indian Library Association's Youth Literature Award. Her 2021 releases are the middle grade anthology ANCESTOR APPROVED: INTERTRIBAL STORIES FOR KIDS and novel SISTERS OF THE NEVERSEA. Cynthia is also the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children's Books, and serves as the Katherine Paterson Inaugural Endowed Chair on the faculty of the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Cynthia is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and lives in Austin, Texas.

Image: A photo of the books Ancestor Approved and Sisters of the Neversea edited and authored by Cynthia Leitich Smith, and a 'Next Generation' enamel pin designed by Sarah Agaton Howes.

Win a signed copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot by New York Times-bestselling author Jeff Kinney!

Will ship in the US.

Jeff Kinney is a #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and the Awesome Friendly Kid series. He is a six-time Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award winner for Favorite Book and has been named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to New England, where he and his wife own a bookstore named An Unlikely Story.

Image: The book cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot by Jeff Kinney.

Win a signed copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot by New York Times bestselling author Jeff Kinney.

Will ship in the US.

Jeff Kinney is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and the Awesome Friendly Kid series. He is a six-time Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award winner for Favorite Book and has been named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to New England, where he and his wife own a bookstore named An Unlikely Story.

Image: The book cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot by Jeff Kinney.

Win a Meg Medina elementary school readers pack! The bundle includes three signed hard cover books by Meg Medina: Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away, She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor; and Merci Suárez Can't Dance.

Will ship in the United States.

Meg Medina is a Newbery award-winning and New York Times best-selling author who writes picture books, as well as middle grade and young adult fiction. Her works have been called "heartbreaking," "lyrical" and "must haves for every collection." She lives with her family in Richmond, Va.

Image: A graphic of three books by Meg Medina-Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away, She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor; and Merci Suárez Can't Dance. The text on the graphic reads 'Meg Medina Books for Young Readers. Signed Readers pack!'

Win a 45-minute virtual school visit (grades 3-6) from children's book author Remy Lai! The visit will consist of a 35-minute presentation (includes live drawing) and a 10-minute Q&A. Generally, Remy will talk about the process of creating an illustrated book or a graphic novel from the idea stage, to research, writing, revising, and drawing it.

The visit will take place in 2021 or 2022.

Remy Lai writes and draws stories for kids. She's the author and illustrator of the critically acclaimed PIE IN THE SKY, and FLY ON THE WALL. Her latest book is the middle grade graphic novel PAWCASSO, and her early reader graphic novel series (SURVIVING THE WILD) will be published in April 2022.

Image: A designed illustration from Remy Lai's graphic novel Pawcasso and a headshot of Remy Lai.

Win a picture book critique from author Silvia López.

Cuban-born Silvia López lives in Miami. Her books include Just Right Family: An Adoption Story, Handimals: Animals in Art and Nature, Pacho Nacho, and the English/Spanish versions of Queen of Tejano Music: Selena, My Little Golden Book about Frida Kahlo and My Little Golden Book about Sonia Sotomayor (scheduled for 2022.)

Image: A headshot of Silvia López.

Win an "Ask Me Anything" chat with the Brand Marketing Manager at Penguin Young Readers! Ask Chelsea Villareal about children's book marketing, especially concerning titles and IP in a larger brand scope. The winner will also receive a Penguin Kids Book Bundle!

Will ship in the United States.

Chelsea Villareal is a children's media strategist and marketing professional from Portland, Oregon. She holds a BUPA in Political Science & Media Studies from Portland State University and is currently pursuing her Master's in Communication & Education at Columbia University, TC with a focus on civic imagination and Latinx representation. She works on the Brand Marketing team at Penguin Young Readers. Chelsea lives in Brooklyn with her partner and two crazy, lazy feline beasts.

Image: A headshot of Chelsea Villareal.

Win a 30-minute portfolio review over Zoom with author and illustrator Mike Curato.

Mike Curato loves drawing and writing almost as much as he loves cupcakes and ice cream (and that's a LOT!). He is the author and illustrator of everyone's favorite polka-dotted elephant, Little Elliot. His debut title, Little Elliot, Big City, released in 2014 to critical acclaim, has won several awards, and has been translated into over ten languages. There are now five books in the Little Elliot series, including Little Elliot, Big Family; Little Elliot, Big Fun; Little Elliot, Fall Friends; and Merry Christmas, Little Elliot. Meanwhile, Mike had the pleasure of illustrating What If... by Samantha Berger, All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle, Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian, The Power of One written by Trudy Ludwig, and contributed to What's Your Favorite Color? by Eric Carle and Friends, Sunny Day: A Celebration of the Sesame Street Theme Song, and Dear Heartbreak: YA Authors and Teens on the Dark Side of Love. Publishers Weekly named Mike a "Fall 2014 Flying Start." In the same year he won the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show Founder's Award. In 2021, Mike's debut young adult graphic novel, Flamer, was awarded a 2021 Golden Kite Award Honor for Illustrated Book for Older Readers by The Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators.

Image: A headshot of Mike Curato.

Win custom graphics for your social media! Communications Manager Karina M. Monteiro will produce either a series of up to four creatives for Twitter or a single 30-second 2D animation clip with iconography for you.

A work in progress graphic memoirist, Karina leads design, videography, and communications in her day job. When not sheltering in place or working from her (home) office, she loves traveling, relaxing, and dissecting compelling stories.

Image: Karina M. Monteiro Headshot

Win a detailed written critique of one (1) picture book manuscript (or picture book dummy) by Lee & Low Books associate editor Kandace Coston. The critique will include feedback on the story's plot/structure, character development, voice, marketability, and next steps for strengthening the project.

Winner of this auction item must submit a PDF of their picture book manuscript (including a cover letter) to Kandace via email no later than February 1, 2022. They will receive their critique from Kandace via email no later than February 28, 2022. The picture book submission should be written in English and not exceed 2,500 words (including the cover letter).

Kandace Coston is the associate editor at Lee & Low Books and the Alumnx Manager on WNDB's Internship Grant Committee. She grew up in the Bronx, New York, where she spent her weekends at the public library reading stories and writing her own. After graduating from Barnard College, Columbia University, she won an internship grant from WNDB and joined the Lee & Low team. Kandace enjoys working with new writers and illustrators and helping their projects grow into published picture books. Professionally and personally, Kandace loves strong female protagonists as well as any story that can make her laugh!

Image: A headshot of Kandace Coston.

Win a 45-minute "Ask Me Anything" call with Alaina Lavoie, program manager at We Need Diverse Books and faculty in Emerson College's MA and MFA programs in Writing, Literature, and Publishing.

Want to learn about how to break into the publishing industry, and interested in pursuing a career in books? Alaina has six years of experience working in children's literature and prior to being a program manager at WNDB, she was the communications manager and a social media and programs volunteer. Alaina can also speak to how to find a remote job in publishing (she have worked full-time remote since 2017). Do you want to learn about marketing and promotion as a writer? Alaina teaches Personal Marketing for Authors in the MFA program at Emerson College and has consulted for a number of authors, both self-published and traditionally published. We can talk about any aspect of the marketing process from before you even have an agent all the way through scaling your career when you have several books out, or marketing as someone who writes across genres and age categories. Do you want to know more about the world of freelancing, how to get clients, and how to pitch your work? Alaina is a freelance journalist with six years of experience, and her work has been published in the New York Times, Teen Vogue, Refinery29, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Publishers Weekly, the Washington Post, the Oprah Magazine, Glamour, and more. Alaina would be happy to talk about the pitching process, navigating rejections, following up, negotiating rates, getting recurring clients, and everything else that comes with freelancing, whether you intend to freelance full-time or on the side of a day job. If you have something entirely different you'd like to talk about-diversity in publishing, navigating the industry with a disability, whether or not to go to grad school-Alaina is here for that too!

Alaina Lavoie (publishes journalism under the byline Alaina Leary) is a Program Manager for the literary nonprofit We Need Diverse Books. She also teaches graduate-level courses in the Publishing, Literature, and Writing department at Emerson College, and is a book reviewer for Booklist. Alaina has also led workshops, keynotes, and training sessions for ACES: The Society for Editing, the Bisexual Resource Center, Bravery Magazine, Everyday Feminism, Bookbuilders of Boston, the Editorial Freelancers Association, and Westfield State University. Her journalism has been included in a number of syllabi for undergraduate and graduate-level courses, including in the Simmons University MFA in Writing for Children. Her work has been published in New York Times, Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, The Oprah Magazine, Boston Globe Magazine, Refinery29, Good Housekeeping, Glamour, and more.

Image: A headshot of Alaina Lavoie.

Win a 45-minute combination AMA call and consultation/critique with JoAnn Yao, Social Media Manager at We Need Diverse Books.

Need help demystifying social media as a professional who needs to build a platform? Unsure how to dig into analytics, plan posts, and/or build an effective online presence? Hop on a 45-minute call with JoAnn! She'll not only go over your current web presence to assess what you're doing well and what you can do to further develop your personal brand, but she'll also answer any questions you have regarding professional websites, establishing yourself via social media, and (perhaps most importantly) how to be online without burning out. She's managed and grown We Need Diverse Books' online presence since 2017, but she's also been using the biggest social media platforms since they first came on the scene. She can offer accessibility tips, graphic design hacks, habits to avoid, insights into algorithmic flows and SEO, and more!

JoAnn Yao is the Social Media Manager for We Need Diverse Books. She holds a B.S. in Computational Media from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a M.A. in TV, Radio, & Film from Syracuse University. She has worn many hats throughout the course of her career, including researcher for the American Film Institute, script reader and TV Lit assistant in Hollywood, webmaster, online narrative game designer, video editor, and New Frontiers comic anthology writer. She lives in New York City with her dragon's hoard of books.

Image: A headshot of JoAnn Yao.

Looking for an internship or your first job? Get advice on your job application, how to prep for your first interview, and more-from someone who's been there very recently: Jean Li Spencer, editorial assistant at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Get tips via a phone call or email and be prepared to nab that internship or first job!

If you are trying to break into editorial publishing, Jean Li really wants to help you in any way she can!

A Summer 2021 WNDB grant recipient, Jean Li Spencer (she/her/?) is currently employed at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers where she is an Editorial Assistant. Prior to her employment at LBYR, Jean Li interned with the editorial team at Random House Children's Books and interned at several literary agencies. She is a proud alumni of a historically women's college.

Image: A headshot of Jean Li Spencer.

Win a 20-minute Zoom Session for a classroom with award-winning children's book author Janet Wong. Janet will answer students' questions about writing. Plus, receive five autographed books: Her & More collections (Good Luck Gold & MORE; A Suitcase of Seaweed & MORE) and diverse and inclusive anthologies curated by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong that feature the work of dozens of poets (Here We Go: A Poetry Friday Power Book; You Just Wait: A Poetry Friday Power Book; Hop To It: Poems to Get You Moving).

Will ship in the US.

Janet Wong is a graduate of Yale Law School and a former lawyer who switched careers to become a children's author. She is the author of more than 35 books for children and teens on a wide variety of subjects, including identity (A Suitcase of Seaweed & MORE) and racism (Good Luck Gold & MORE)-and is the winner of the 2021 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children, a lifetime achievement award that is one of the highest honors an American children's poet can receive. You can learn about her work at janetwong.com and pomelobooks.com.

Image: A headshot of Janet Wong.

Win an author website or blog review that includes a personalized author color palette suggestion by motion design producer Sam Elyse.

Must send website or blog to be reviewed by end of April 2022.

Sam Elyse is a motion design producer and a middle grade paranormal author and graphic novelist. She is represented by Bre Stephens with Jennifer De Chiara Literary agency.

Image: A headshot of Sam Elyse.

Win personalized copies of four of award-winning author Minh Lê's picture books: Let Me Finish, Drawn Together, The Perfect Seat, and Lift - along with their accompanying manuscripts!

Will ship in the United States.

Minh Lê is the award-winning picture book author of Lift (Eisner Award-nominee) and Drawn Together (winner of the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature), The Perfect Seat, and Let Me Finish. He is also the author of the middle grade graphic novel Green Lantern: Legacy for DC Comics. He serves on the board of We Need Diverse Books and has been published by NPR, the Huffington Post, and the New York Times. Outside of spending time with his wonderful wife and kids at their home in San Diego, Minh's favorite place to be is in the middle of a good book.

Image: A photo of Minh Lê's finished published copies of the books Let Me Finish, Drawn Together, The Perfect Seat, and Lift, along with the manuscripts of these books.

Win signed (and personalized, if you wish) copies of Gloria Chao's: American Panda (paperback), Rent a Boyfriend (hardcover), Our Wayward Fate (paperback), and bookmarks!

Will ship in the United States.

Gloria Chao is the critically acclaimed author of AMERICAN PANDA, OUR WAYWARD FATE, RENT A BOYFRIEND, and the upcoming WHEN YOU WISH UPON A LANTERN (2022). 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. She is honored to be a YA Mentor for the 2022 WNDB Mentorship Program. Visit her tea-and-book-filled world at GloriaChao.wordpress.com, and find her on Twitter and Instagram @GloriacChao.

Image: A graphic of the book covers for Gloria Chao's AMERICAN PANDA, RENT A BOYFRIEND, and OUR WAYWARD FATE. The text reads: 'Win signed copies.'

Win seven (or more!) new books, including:

• a signed copy of A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman
• a signed copy of Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman
• plus 5 "surprises"-books by other authors!

Will ship in the United States. Winners must have a shipping address within the United States.

Padma Venkatraman is the author of BORN BEHIND BARS ( Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House ) as well as THE BRIDGE HOME, A TIME TO DANCE, ISLAND'S END and CLIMBING THE STAIRS. She is the winner of a WNDB Walter Dean Myers Award, Golden Kite Award, Crystal Kite Award, Nerdy Book Award, two South Asia Book Awards and many other awards and honors. Her novels have received over 20 starred reviews, appeared on numerous best book lists. Her poetry has been published in Poetry magazine and elsewhere. Before becoming an American author, Dr. Venkatraman spent time under the ocean and in rainforests, served as chief scientist on oceanographic research vessels where she was the only BIPOC female, and also worked as a teacher and diversity director. When she's not writing, she loves speaking to others about her love for books and her passion for diversity, equity and inclusion and has presented keynote addresses, conducted writing workshops and attended festivals and conference around the world. Visit her at www.padmavenkatraman.com and arrange for a visit via The Authors Village.

Image: A graphic with book covers of A Time to Dance and Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman. The text reads 'Win signed copies! and...five surprise books!'

Win a signed, personalized copy of Alex Gino's Rick, the story of a boy named Rick who needs to explore his own identity apart from his jerk of a best friend.

Prize can be shipped internationally.

Alex Gino is author of middle grade novels Rick, You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! and the Stonewall Award-winning George. They love glitter, ice cream, gardening, awe-ful puns, and stories that reflect the complexity of being alive. For more information, visit alexgino.com.

Image: The book cover of Rick by Alex Gino.

Have your query letter, synopsis, and picture book (fiction or nonfiction) critiqued by DK Senior Editor Tori Kosara!

Tori Kosara is a senior editor at DK where she edits and writes award-winning and best-selling nonfiction books for children and young adults. Tori also has experience working on award-winning picture books, and she holds a master's degree in Children's Literature from Roehampton University. Originally from New York, Tori now lives in East London, England with her family and a story-time-loving Labrador.

Image: Headshot of Tori Kosara.

Win a full three-pass query critique with detailed in-line notes and unlimited brainstorming sessions from Donald Maass Literary Agency Assistant Rae Loverde!

Rae Loverde has been an agency assistant at Donald Maass Literary Agency for 5 years - a position she owes largely to the generous WNDB grant that helped her get started in publishing. She is also a freelance editor and agented author who loves writing diverse adult SFF and chasing Inej and Kell, her too-appropriately named editor cats, off her keyboard.

Image: A headshot of Rae Loverde.

Win a Query Coaching Package with author and librarian Sarah Loch and start or continue your querying journey!

The querying quest is dangerous if you go it alone! Before you start, Sarah can help make your query the best it can be!

Query Coaching starts with you. No query letter yet? Sarah will help you gather information and start a draft. Already got one? Let's look and see what you have.

This package includes a detailed review and edit of your query letter, and a 30-minute one-on-one to discuss the edits and answer your questions.

Sarah Loch (she/her) has been making up stories since childhood, first for her own amusement and then to entertain her younger siblings and cousins. She is a young adult librarian and an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Sarah has authored and self-published several queer romances under a pseudonym while working to write and revise her first YA novel. She lives in Northwest Arkansas with her family and a corgi mix named Daisy.

Image: A headshot of Sarah Loch.

Win a picture book critique by author Silvia López.

Cuban-born Silvia López lives in Miami. Her books include Just Right Family: An Adoption Story, Handimals: Animals in Art and Nature, Pacho Nacho, and the English/Spanish versions of Queen of Tejano Music: Selena, My Little Golden Book about Frida Kahlo and My Little Golden Book about Sonia Sotomayor (scheduled for 2022.)

Image: A headshot of Silvia López.

Win a picture book critique of a manuscript from children's book writer Paola Santos. It could be a work of fiction or a concept book. The style could range from prose, lyrical prose, to poetry (free verse).

Manuscript must be less than 1000 words.

Paola Santos is an aspiring author born and raised in Venezuela. She always wanted to write, and when she moved to Canada, she found the courage to tell stories of hope and happiness. Paola defines herself as a seeker who wonders at the world like a child and as a person that loves to give voice to deep emotions. Her work brings forward the celebration of her own culture and the blending that inevitably occurs when immigrants first step into a different land. Her writing also calls to cherish people's differences and similarities. Paola holds a bachelor's degree in Literature and a master's degree in Children's Literature and Reading Promotion from the Castilla-La Mancha University in Spain. She is a member of the SCBWI, a graduate of the Children's Book Academy, a Las Musas-Hermana mentee (fall 2020), and a We Need Diverse Books mentee (2021).

Image: A headshot of Paola Santos.

Win a 25-page critique from award-winning author Swati Avasthi!

Swati Avasthi is the award-winning author of two novels for young adults: Split, which received the Cybils, ILA, and New Mexico State Book award and was a finalist for 15 other state books awards; and Chasing Shadows, which made "Best of" the year lists from YALSA, Kirkus, and Bank Street. She loves her day job, teaching at Hamline's MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults where she gets to critique manuscripts and chat with other writers. She has an MFA from University of Minnesota and BA from University of Chicago.

Image: A headshot of Swati Avasthi.

Win your choice of a critique or consult with middle grade author Malia Maunakea:

• Malia will critique your query and first ten pages; or
• Malia will consult with you via phone or video call, you can ask her anything about her publishing journey

Malia Maunakea is a part-Hawaiian author who's debut MG book LEI AND THE FIRE GODDESS will publish May 2023 with Penguin Workshop. Malia is represented by Patrice Caldwell at New Leaf Literary.

Image: A headshot of Malia Maunakea.

Win a 30-minute call to discuss either your picture book manuscript or the first 50 pages of your Middle Grade or Young Adult project with an Assistant Editor from Dial Books!

Michelle Lee (she/her) received her M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the New School before joining Dial in 2019 and is a junior mentor with the Representation Matters Mentorship Program. She acquires picture books, novels, and graphic novels, and is looking for stories that present the world through a clever lens, have fresh takes on tropes, and celebrate community-especially from marginalized creators.

Image: headshot of Michelle Lee

Win a written critique from literary agent Jas Perry! Choose from:

1) query letter and sample of first 3 pages for a MG or YA fiction manuscript, or

2) pitch package for a MG or YA graphic novel.

Jas Perry is a literary agent with KT Literary representing MG, YA, and Graphic Novels. A WNDB Intern Grant alum, Jas was an editorial intern with Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Books and Levine Querido as well as a freelance editor/authenticity reader prior to agenting.

Image: A headshot of Jas Perry.

Win a picture book manuscript critique over a 30-minute Zoom call. Award-winning author and illustrator Jim Averbeck will read the manuscript with the writer and provide coaching on how to improve it and get it closer to submission-ready. The Zoom call will be recorded and the recipient can download the recording.

Expires June 5, 2022.

Jim Averbeck works, plays, and evades the law in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. His first book, In a Blue Room, was a Charlotte Zolotow Honor book. His popular books Except If and Oh No, Little Dragon! feature charming protagonists with pointy teeth. His book, The Market Bowl and his middle grade novel A Hitch at the Fairmont were Junior Library Guild Selections. Chosen by indie booksellers for their very first Diversity Initiative his book, One Word From Sophia, was a Top 100 African-American Kids' Book included in Marley Dias' viral 1000blackgirlbooks video, as well as a Kirkus and Bank Street Best Book of 2015 and a "must read" IndyNext Top 10. Other books include Trevor for Roaring Brook Press/Neal Porter; and the "fun, clever, and empowering" Two Problems for Sophia and Love by Sophia, companion volumes to One Word From Sophia.

Spy agencies can find Jim online at jimaverbeck.com

Image: A headshot of Jim Averbeck.

Win a one-hour consultation call with Sara Maher, Project Editor, Licensed Product, at Printers Row Publishing Group. Sara has hired and supervised both permanent and temporary/freelance positions and will review one resume or one portfolio as part of our consultation (if desired). Sara is happy to answer general interest questions about the industry. For those with more specific questions, Sara can offer early- to mid-level career guidance in the areas of print book production, editorial, project management, and department management.

There is a one-hour limit for the consultation call. The consultation will occur at a date and time agreed upon by both parties, but not before January 2, 2022.

Sara Maher is a Project Editor for licensed books and kits at Printers Row Publishing Group, the publishing division of Readerlink. Before this she was the Publishing Manager at Western National Parks Association; worked in production at Hachette, DK, and Rizzoli; and did freelance writing and editing for small publishers and newspapers. She holds dual BAs in English and history from Salem College and a Certification in Publishing from New York University. Her publishing career has taken her from Colorado to North Carolina, New York City, Arizona, and San Diego, where she currently lives and works.

Image: A headshot of Sara Maher.

Win a full picture book critique from Karen Grencik, Literary Agent at Red Fox Literary, LLC.

Karen Grencik became a literary agent because of a man she admired. She wanted the world to know his story, so she set out to make that happen. In 2001 she accomplished her goal when Double Luck, Memoirs of a Chinese Orphan, written by Lu Chi Fa with Becky White, was published by Holiday House. Double Luck received many awards, including The Parents' Choice Gold Award for Best Nonfiction. Karen's next sale, George Hogglesberry, Grade School Alien, written by Sarah Wilson, was acquired by a brand-new editor, Abigail Samoun, at Tricycle Press. George Hogglesberry went on to win the coveted Golden Kite Award for Best Picture Book Text. Many other award-winning titles followed. In June 2011 Karen joined forces with Abigail Samoun to open Red Fox Literary, LLC, a boutique agency that specializes in children's book for all ages and genres. She focuses primarily on narrative nonfiction and BIPOC picture books, and she loves matchmaking authors and their manuscripts with just the right editors in order to create the magic that is at the heart of children's books.

Image: A headshot of Karen Grencik.

Win a full picture book critique from Karen Grencik, Literary Agent at Red Fox Literary, LLC.

Karen Grencik became a literary agent because of a man she admired. She wanted the world to know his story, so she set out to make that happen. In 2001 she accomplished her goal when Double Luck, Memoirs of a Chinese Orphan, written by Lu Chi Fa with Becky White, was published by Holiday House. Double Luck received many awards, including The Parents' Choice Gold Award for Best Nonfiction. Karen's next sale, George Hogglesberry, Grade School Alien, written by Sarah Wilson, was acquired by a brand-new editor, Abigail Samoun, at Tricycle Press. George Hogglesberry went on to win the coveted Golden Kite Award for Best Picture Book Text. Many other award-winning titles followed. In June 2011 Karen joined forces with Abigail Samoun to open Red Fox Literary, LLC, a boutique agency that specializes in children's book for all ages and genres. She focuses primarily on narrative nonfiction and BIPOC picture books, and she loves matchmaking authors and their manuscripts with just the right editors in order to create the magic that is at the heart of children's books.

Image: A headshot of Karen Grencik.

Win a full picture book critique from Karen Grencik, Literary Agent at Red Fox Literary, LLC.

Karen Grencik became a literary agent because of a man she admired. She wanted the world to know his story, so she set out to make that happen. In 2001 she accomplished her goal when Double Luck, Memoirs of a Chinese Orphan, written by Lu Chi Fa with Becky White, was published by Holiday House. Double Luck received many awards, including The Parents' Choice Gold Award for Best Nonfiction. Karen's next sale, George Hogglesberry, Grade School Alien, written by Sarah Wilson, was acquired by a brand-new editor, Abigail Samoun, at Tricycle Press. George Hogglesberry went on to win the coveted Golden Kite Award for Best Picture Book Text. Many other award-winning titles followed. In June 2011 Karen joined forces with Abigail Samoun to open Red Fox Literary, LLC, a boutique agency that specializes in children's book for all ages and genres. She focuses primarily on narrative nonfiction and BIPOC picture books, and she loves matchmaking authors and their manuscripts with just the right editors in order to create the magic that is at the heart of children's books.

Image: A headshot of Karen Grencik.

Win a full picture book critique from Karen Grencik, Literary Agent at Red Fox Literary, LLC.

Karen Grencik became a literary agent because of a man she admired. She wanted the world to know his story, so she set out to make that happen. In 2001 she accomplished her goal when Double Luck, Memoirs of a Chinese Orphan, written by Lu Chi Fa with Becky White, was published by Holiday House. Double Luck received many awards, including The Parents' Choice Gold Award for Best Nonfiction. Karen's next sale, George Hogglesberry, Grade School Alien, written by Sarah Wilson, was acquired by a brand-new editor, Abigail Samoun, at Tricycle Press. George Hogglesberry went on to win the coveted Golden Kite Award for Best Picture Book Text. Many other award-winning titles followed. In June 2011 Karen joined forces with Abigail Samoun to open Red Fox Literary, LLC, a boutique agency that specializes in children's book for all ages and genres. She focuses primarily on narrative nonfiction and BIPOC picture books, and she loves matchmaking authors and their manuscripts with just the right editors in order to create the magic that is at the heart of children's books.

Image: A headshot of Karen Grencik.

Win a full picture book critique from Karen Grencik, Literary Agent at Red Fox Literary, LLC.

Karen Grencik became a literary agent because of a man she admired. She wanted the world to know his story, so she set out to make that happen. In 2001 she accomplished her goal when Double Luck, Memoirs of a Chinese Orphan, written by Lu Chi Fa with Becky White, was published by Holiday House. Double Luck received many awards, including The Parents' Choice Gold Award for Best Nonfiction. Karen's next sale, George Hogglesberry, Grade School Alien, written by Sarah Wilson, was acquired by a brand-new editor, Abigail Samoun, at Tricycle Press. George Hogglesberry went on to win the coveted Golden Kite Award for Best Picture Book Text. Many other award-winning titles followed. In June 2011 Karen joined forces with Abigail Samoun to open Red Fox Literary, LLC, a boutique agency that specializes in children's book for all ages and genres. She focuses primarily on narrative nonfiction and BIPOC picture books, and she loves matchmaking authors and their manuscripts with just the right editors in order to create the magic that is at the heart of children's books.

Image: A headshot of Karen Grencik.

Win a critique of your query letter and the first 10 pages of your manuscript (or your entire picture book!), along with a 15-minute consultation call, from Paige Terlip, Associate Agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

Paige Terlip represents all categories of children's books from picture books to young adult, as well as select adult fiction. Regardless of genre, she is seeking inclusive, intersectional voices and gorgeous line-level writing with emotionally compelling narratives.

Paige has been with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency since 2017. She comes to agenting with a background in marketing, design, and freelance editorial. She's worked at Charlesbridge Publishing, The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and a ranch in the Rockies. She has an MA in Children's Literature and an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons University.

Image: A graphic that reads: 'A query and first 10 pages critique and 15 minute call with Paige Terlip, Associate Agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency,' and includes the Andrea Brown Literary Agency logo. A headshot of Paige Terlip.

Win a critique from Fuse Literary's Literary Agent! Carlisle Webber, Literary Agent at Fuse Literary, will critique either:

• a query letter
• or a critique of the first 5-10 pages of a middle grade, young adult, or adult novel

Carlisle Webber is an agent with Fuse Literary specializing in commercial fiction for children, teens, and adults. Her favorite genres include contemporary fiction, mystery, thriller, and horror. She holds a Professional Certificate in Editing from UC Berkeley, and when she's not reading or editing, she enjoys Muay Thai and watching true crime shows.

Image: A headshot of Carlisle Webber.

Win a 30-minute video chat and consultation about a career in writing, which includes a query letter critique and a critique of the first 5 pages of your manuscript, from Mary C. Moore, Literary Agent at Kimberley Cameron & Associates.

Mary will be in Pacific Standard Time for the consultation.

Mary C. Moore is a literary agent with Kimberley Cameron & Associates. She represents fiction for adult, young adult, and middle grade audiences. Find out more about her at marycmoore.com.

Image: A headshot of Mary C. Moore.

Win a 30-minute AMA consultation call with John Cusick, Agent at Folio Literary. John will also offer a critique of the first page of your manuscript or your query letter prior to the call, to discuss during the consultation.

This item expires one year from the fundraiser date, December 2021.

John Cusick is a Senior VP and literary agent with Folio Literary Management, representing a diverse list of award winners and New York Times bestsellers. His focus is middle grade, young adult, and crossover fiction. He is also the author of the YA novels Girl Parts and Cherry Money Baby (Candlewick Press), and the DIMENSION WHY middle-grade duology. (HarperCollins).

Image: A headshot of John Cusick.

Win a query critique for a young adult novel from YA author Dana Mele. Dana Mele will also answer questions via email about the querying process from the author's perspective.

This item expires one year from the fundraiser date, December 2021.

Dana Mele is the author of the YA thriller People Like Us and the forthcoming YA paranormal thriller Summer's Edge and graphic novel Tragic.

Image: A headshot of Dana Mele.

Win a critique of one picture book from Clarissa Wong, Executive Editor at Scholastic. If art is available, Clarissa is happy to critique art along with the text.

Fine print: please send the picture book as a Word doc.

Clarissa Wong is an executive editor at Scholastic and works mostly on picture books and the occasional graphic novel. Prior to Scholastic, she was an editor at HarperCollins, Abrams, and Disney Publishing. She was lucky enough to collaborate with amazing talents like Joanna Ho (EYES THAT KISS IN THE CORNERS), Thi Bui (THE BEST WE COULD DO), Yamile Saied Méndez (WHERE ARE YOU FROM?), and many more.

Image: A headshot of Clarissa Wong.

Win a query letter critique from young adult author Heather Kamins.

Heather Kamins is the author of the novel The Moth Girl, out 3/8/22 from Putnam/Penguin Teen. She is the recipient of an Artist Fellowship from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and her short fiction has appeared in Guernica and elsewhere. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband, two cats, and the variety of woodland creatures who stroll through her yard.

Image: A headshot of Heather Kamins.

Win a query letter critique from author, editor, and former literary agent Nathan Bransford.

Nathan Bransford is the author of the writing guides How to Write a Novel and How to Publish a Book and the middle grade novels Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow, Jacob Wonderbar for President of the Universe, and Jacob Wonderbar and the Interstellar Time Warp.

Nathan was formerly a literary agent with Curtis Brown Ltd. He started blogging in 2007 and his blog has consistently been named one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers by Writers Digest. He's dedicated to helping authors write what they love, navigate the publishing process, and successfully market their books.

Image: A headshot of Nathan Bransford with text that reads: 'Helping authors achieve their dreams.'

Win a query letter critique from Sera Rivers, Senior Literary Manager at Martin Literary Management.

The critique will take place within 15 days of the emailed query.

Sera Rivers is a Senior Literary Manager for Martin Literary & Media Management. Sera is actively building her lists, accepting queries for middle grade and young adult fiction, graphic novels, and the occasional picture book. To get a better sense of what Sera is looking for, you can read her Manuscript Wish List and submission guidelines at SeraRivers.com. Prior to agenting, Sera worked in educational publishing for seven years and launched Avenue A Books, a children's graphic novel imprint at Center for Responsive Schools. She holds an MFA in writing for children from Simmons University.

Image: A headshot of Sera Rivers.

Win a query letter critique from Sera Rivers, Senior Literary Manager at Martin Literary Management.

The critique will take place within 15 days of the emailed query.

Sera Rivers is a Senior Literary Manager for Martin Literary & Media Management. Sera is actively building her lists, accepting queries for middle grade and young adult fiction, graphic novels, and the occasional picture book. To get a better sense of what Sera is looking for, you can read her Manuscript Wish List and submission guidelines at SeraRivers.com. Prior to agenting, Sera worked in educational publishing for seven years and launched Avenue A Books, a children's graphic novel imprint at Center for Responsive Schools. She holds an MFA in writing for children from Simmons University.

Image: A headshot of Sera Rivers.

Win a query letter critique from Sera Rivers, Senior Literary Manager at Martin Literary Management.

The critique will take place within 15 days of the emailed query.

Sera Rivers is a Senior Literary Manager for Martin Literary & Media Management. Sera is actively building her lists, accepting queries for middle grade and young adult fiction, graphic novels, and the occasional picture book. To get a better sense of what Sera is looking for, you can read her Manuscript Wish List and submission guidelines at SeraRivers.com. Prior to agenting, Sera worked in educational publishing for seven years and launched Avenue A Books, a children's graphic novel imprint at Center for Responsive Schools. She holds an MFA in writing for children from Simmons University.

Image: A headshot of Sera Rivers.

Win a critique of:

• the first five pages of your Middle Grade or YA manuscript; or
• a critique of a pitch package for a MG or a YA graphic novel (for author/illustrator graphic novel projects only)

from Sera Rivers, Senior Literary Manager at Martin Literary Management.

Sera will provide the written critique within 21 days of emailed pages.

Sera Rivers is a Senior Literary Manager for Martin Literary & Media Management. Sera is actively building her lists, accepting queries for middle grade and young adult fiction, graphic novels, and the occasional picture book. To get a better sense of what Sera is looking for, you can read her Manuscript Wish List and submission guidelines at SeraRivers.com. Prior to agenting, Sera worked in educational publishing for seven years and launched Avenue A Books, a children's graphic novel imprint at Center for Responsive Schools. She holds an MFA in writing for children from Simmons University.

Image: A headshot of Sera Rivers.

Win a 30-minute consultation to either brainstorm your novel idea or receive feedback on your draft-in-progress, from Michelle Schusterman, author, ghostwriter, and YouTuber.

Michelle will review up to 10 pages of your draft, brainstorming documents, or any other material prior to the call.

Michelle Schusterman is the author of over a dozen critically acclaimed novels for middle grade and young adult readers. Her books have received starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and Publisher's Weekly and have received honors including multiple Junior Library Guild selections, the CBCC Best of 2019 List, ALA's Rainbow List and Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers List, and the NC State College of Education Comic Relief Reading List. She shares videos on the writing craft and traditional publishing, as well as writing vlogs documenting her own journey, on her quickly growing YouTube channel.

Image: A headshot of Michelle Schusterman.

Win a 60-minute phone or video call about marketing in the publishing industry with the Associate Director of Marketing at William Morrow and Avon Books, DJ DeSmyter.

Chat about everything from social media to working with booksellers, marketing overseas and numerous other aspects of the publishing process. If you've ever wanted to learn more about a marketer's role and how you can successfully market yourself and books, here's your chance to get answers!

DJ DeSmyter is a professional bookworm in pursuit of magic. He is currently an associate director of marketing for William Morrow and Avon Books at HarperCollins and is responsible for title-specific marketing campaigns as well overseeing the Avon brand. Previously, he was a marketer at St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books, where he specialized in YA and romance, working with authors like Casey McQuiston, Roshani Chokshi, and Rainbow Rowell. You can follow him at @lifeinfiction on Instagram and Twitter.

Image: A headshot of DJ DeSmyter.

Win detailed editorial feedback on:

• a query letter, or
• a picture book manuscript, or
• up to the first 2,500 words of a middle grade or YA novel manuscript

from YA and MG author and children's book editor Leila Sales.

Leila Sales is the author of seven middle grade and young adult novels published by Abrams, Chronicle, Macmillan, and Simon & Schuster. She spent more than a decade as an editor at Viking Children's Books and now runs the Book Engineer, a book development company. Learn more at leilasales.com.

Image: A headshot of Leila Sales.

Win a full picture book manuscript critique from Katie Heit, Senior Editor at Scholastic! This critique will include an edit letter and an edited manuscript.

Katie Heit is an editor at Scholastic, where she edits nonfiction picture books and chapter books, as well as select fiction picture book titles. She is drawn to books that approach nonfiction in a unique, kid-friendly way and is especially on the lookout for nature and STEAM topics.

Image: A headshot of Katie Heit.

Win an in-depth critique of:

• a fiction proposal, or
• the first 20 pages of a fiction novel

from Laura Wheeler, Acquisitions Editor at Harper Muse.

Laura Wheeler has over ten years of editorial experience in the book industry. She worked on titles for Hachette Book Group and Abingdon Press before becoming an acquisitions editor for Harper Muse (an imprint of Harper Focus). Originally from Louisville, Laura currently lives in Nashville with her husband, Micah, and their very good canine boy, (Mr.) Knightley. She is most content when her days include baking French pastries, playing nerdy board games, laughing over a meal with good friends, and (of course) getting lost in an excellent novel.

Image: A headshot of Laura Wheeler.

Win one picture book manuscript critique (rhyming or prose) via a Zoom call with picture book author Anne Marie Pace.

In spite of the adage to write what you know, Anne Marie Pace has never been a vampire, a ballerina, a groundhog, or a tow truck driver. Her picture books include SUNNY'S TOW TRUCK SAVES THE DAY (Abrams Appleseed, illustrated by Christopher Lee); GROUNDHUG DAY (Disney-Hyperion, illustrated by Christopher Denise); PIGLOO (Henry Holt, illustrated by Lorna Hussey); BUSY-EYED DAY (Beach Lane Books, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon); and the four books of the VAMPIRINA BALLERINA series (Disney-Hyperion, illustrated by LeUyen Pham), which has been adapted into Disney Junior's Emmy-nominated hit animated series VAMPIRINA. Forthcoming is MOUSE CALLS, illustrated by Erin Kraan, from Beach Lane Books. She lives with her family in Virginia.

Image: A headshot of Anne Marie Pace

Second Image: The book cover of Vampirina Ballerina

Win a critique of the first 50 pages of a Middle Grade manuscript by author of The Dream Weaver, Reina Luz Alegre.

Reina Luz Alegre is the author of THE DREAM WEAVER, a contemporary middle grade novel out now from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. THE DREAM WEAVER is a Junior Library Guild Selection and was named a Parents Latina Best Latino Children's Book of 2020.

Image: A headshot of Reina Luz Alegre.

Win a query critique for your Young Adult or Middle Grade novel from Jennie Kendrick, a Literary Agent at Red Fox Literary!

Fine Print: Winner has 6 months from the date of auction to redeem. Query critiques may take 2-3 weeks. Queries should be sent in .doc/.docx form. If you have any questions or specific concerns about your query, please note them and I will do my best to address them. You can attach a synopsis to better help me understand the query. Unfortunately, I can't offer representation, but I hope to help you polish your query for an agent who can!

Jennie Kendrick represents YA, MG and select picture books with Red Fox Literary. A former criminal defense attorney and history major, she has worked in the publishing industry since 2013, including reviewing for publications such as Kirkus, and part-time bookselling at a local independent bookstore. Jennie's passions include history (especially medieval European history), the criminal justice system, art, tarot, rock music, and cooking. She loves well-researched character-driven fiction, narrative non-fiction, and is particularly looking for Own Voices works and books from marginalized creators. Jennie is always looking for a phenomenal ghost or vampire story, regardless of children's age group. You can find more about her taste at jenniekendrick.com.

Image: A headshot of Jennie Kendrick.

Win a query critique for your Young Adult or Middle Grade novel from Jennie Kendrick, a Literary Agent at Red Fox Literary!

Fine Print: Winner has 6 months from the date of auction to redeem. Query critiques may take 2-3 weeks. Queries should be sent in .doc/.docx form. If you have any questions or specific concerns about your query, please note them and I will do my best to address them. You can attach a synopsis to better help me understand the query. Unfortunately, I can't offer representation, but I hope to help you polish your query for an agent who can!

Jennie Kendrick represents YA, MG and select picture books with Red Fox Literary. A former criminal defense attorney and history major, she has worked in the publishing industry since 2013, including reviewing for publications such as Kirkus, and part-time bookselling at a local independent bookstore. Jennie's passions include history (especially medieval European history), the criminal justice system, art, tarot, rock music, and cooking. She loves well-researched character-driven fiction, narrative non-fiction, and is particularly looking for Own Voices works and books from marginalized creators. Jennie is always looking for a phenomenal ghost or vampire story, regardless of children's age group. You can find more about her taste at jenniekendrick.com.

Image: A headshot of Jennie Kendrick.

Win a critique from Sheldon Fogelman Agency's Literary AgentJanine Le! Choose from a critique of:

• one picture book manuscript or dummy,
• GN pitch packet, or
• the first three chapters of a novel for young readers (chapter book, Middle Grade, Young Adult)

Janine Le is an agent at Sheldon Fogelman Agency representing authors and illustrators of picture books through young adult novels.

Image: A headshot of Janine Le.

Win a written critique of your query letter and the first 10 pages of your middle grade or young adult novel, followed up with a 30-minute phone call consultation with Park & Fine Literary and Media's Literary Agent Peter Knapp.

Materials must be submitted by the end of February 2022. Peter will revert his critique within 3 weeks of receipt, and the follow up call should happen within 1 month of receiving the critique.

Peter Knapp is a literary agent at Park & Fine Literary and Media, where he represents middle grade and young adult fiction.

Image: A headshot of Peter Knapp.

Win a query and first chapter critique and chat with Prospect Agency's Literary Agent Ann Rose. She will review your query letter and first chapter, providing inline comments and notes, and then together you will arrange a time to chat about the piece or anything publishing. The choice is yours. Your project should be Middle Grade or Young Adult of any genre or if it's an adult project, thriller, contemporary, romance, and LIGHT science fiction or fantasy will get you best results.

Ann Rose is an agent at Prospect Literary Agency. Over the last few years she has been exploring this field by working and mentoring with literary agents in various capacities. Everything she has experienced from editorial work to the magic of finding the perfect match between author and editor has hardened her resolve to join this wonderful profession. Now she's thrilled to be building her own list and is actively seeking clients ready to grow amazing careers with her. Ann's perfect manuscript is a character driven story that isn't afraid to push boundaries. She loves an unlikeable character - even though she is incredibly likeable herself!

Image: A headshot of Ann Rose.

Win a critique of your query letter and the first 50 pages of a Middle Grade or Young Adult project - plus a 30-minute follow-up call with Kari Sutherland, Literary Agent at Bradford Literary Agency.

Please allow 3-4 weeks from time of submission of the critique materials.

Kari Sutherland joined the Bradford Literary Agency in 2017 after a decade of experience in publishing from the editorial side. Previously a Senior Editor at HarperCollins Children's Books, she has worked with bestselling and critically acclaimed authors on projects such as the #1 New York Times bestselling Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard and the #1 New York Times bestselling Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard. With her editorial insight and experience with the entire publishing process, Kari works with her clients to polish projects before submission. She is honored to represent and uplift traditionally underrepresented voices including those from the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities, as well as people with disabilities. Recent sales include works by Isabel Canas, Saadia Faruqi, Amitha Jagannath Knight, PJ Gardner, and Rimma Onoseta.

Image: A headshot of Kari Sutherland.

Win a critique of your query letter and the first ten pages of an Middle Grade or Young Adult manuscript (fiction or nonfiction) by Raven Quill Literary Agency's Founder and Literary Agent Jacqui Lipton.

Jacqui Lipton is the founder of Raven Quill Literary Agency. She represents all genres of kidlit from picture book through young adult (and occasionally beyond).

Image: A headshot of Jacqui Lipton.

Win a critique of two to three picture book manuscripts (maximum 12 double-spaced pages total) from Raven Quill Literary Agency's Founder and Literary Agent Jacqui Lipton.

Jacqui Lipton is the founder of Raven Quill Literary Agency representing all genres of kidlit from picture book through young adult.

Image: A headshot of Jacqui Lipton.

Win a review with feedback on an illustration portfolio by author and artist Nidhi Chanani. The review can take place via email or over a 30-minute Zoom call.

Portfolio review must be completed within 3 months of winning bid.

Nidhi Chanani was born in Kolkata, India, and raised in California. She holds a degree in literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She creates illustrations that capture love in everyday moments. In 2012, she was honored by the Obama Administration as a Champion of Change. Her illustrations are often featured at Disney Parks. She's the author of Pashmina and Jukebox, graphic novels, Shubh Raatri Dost/Good Night Friend, a bilingual board book and illustrator of picture books. Nidhi draws and dreams in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and kid. Everydayloveart.com

Image: A headshot of Nidhi Chanani.

Win a virtual portfolio review of your illustration work, cover designs, and/or website from Macmillan Children's Book Group's Associate Art Director Aurora Parlagreco.

Aurora Parlagreco is an Associate Art Director at Macmillan Children's Book Group who has designed many YA and Middle Grade titles, including New York Times Bestsellers by Julie Murphy, Joan He, and Marie Lu. Her work has been featured in the New York Book Show as well as Spine Magazine, Paste Magazine, and The Casual Optimist.

Image: A headshot of Aurora Parlagreco.

Win a critique of a non-rhyming fiction picture book from award-winning picture book author Aya Khalil!

Aya Khalil is an award-winning author of The Arabic Quilt (2020, Tilbury House), and The Night Before Eid (2023, Little, Brown).

Image: A headshot of Aya Khalil.

Win a written critique of a picture book manuscript by Tugeau 2's Associate Agent Lillian Mazeika!

Lillian Mazeika is an associate agent at Tugeau 2. Coming from an art background herself, Lillian loves engaging with creators and seeing them bring stories to life. Lillian enjoys graphic novels and is always on the hunt for spooky stories and diverse voices. However, she really just adores all things kidlit. When she isn't working, you can find her at a concert or flea market.

Image: A headshot of Lillian Mazeika.

Win a 30-min AMA call with picture book author Anitra Rowe Schulte or receive a picture book critique by Anitra! Your choice.

Anitra Rowe Schulte is the picture book author of DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen, and WILLOW AND BUNNY, illustrated by Christopher Denise, which is set for Fall 2022. Anitra is a proud member of the 2021 debut group PB Debut Troupe 21 and 2022 group PB Tales of 2022.

Image: A headshot of Anitra Rowe Schulte.

Win a query letter critique from published author Misa Sugiura!

Misa Sugiura is the author of the award-winning It's Not Like It's A Secret as well as This Time Will Be Different and Love & Other Natural Disasters.

Image: headshot of Misa Sugiura

Win a 30-minute video call consultation on querying, researching, writing, editing, or working at a literary agency with Donald Maass Literary Agency Assistant, Rae Loverde.

Rae Loverde has been an agency assistant at Donald Maass Literary Agency for 5 years - a position she owes largely to the generous WNDB grant that helped her get started in publishing. She is also a freelance editor and agented author who loves writing diverse adult SFF and chasing Inej and Kell, her too-appropriately named editor cats, off her keyboard.

Image: A headshot of Rae Loverde.

Win a critique from writer and poet Gloria Munoz! Gloria will give you feedback on three to five poems or up to ten pages of a novel-in-verse.

Gloria Munoz is a Colombian American writer, literary translator, and advocate for multilingual literacy. Her poetry book Dawn's Early / Danzirly was awarded the Academy of American Poets 2019 Ambroggio Prize. Other honors include Lumina's Multilingual Nonfiction Writing Award, a Las Musas Mentorship for Latinx Kid Lit authors, and a New York State Summer Writers Institute Fellowship. Munoz was in the inaugural Tin House YA workshop. She is also the author of Your Biome Has Found You. A proponent of cross-disciplinary collaboration, Munoz has worked alongside botanists, musicians, dancers, historians, visual artists, conservationists, and neuroscientists. She is a co-founder of the film organization Pitch Her Productions and she is one half of the songwriting team Moonlit Música. She teaches creative writing at Eckerd College.

Image: Gloria Munoz Headshot

Win a full illustration portfolio critique from children's book illustrator/author Joe Cepeda!

Joe Cepeda is an award-winning illustrator/author of more than forty books, including those by notable authors like Pam Munoz Ryan and Toni Morrison, as well as illustrating jackets for titles, Esperanza Rising and Newberry winner Merci Suarez Changes Gears. He received an ALA 2002 Pura Belpre' Honor Award.

Image: A headshot of Joe Cepeda.

Win a critique for your writing from editor Elizabeth Lee! For the critique, Elizabeth will evaluate one (1) picture book manuscript, or the first ten (10) pages of a middle grade or young adult manuscript.

Elizabeth Lee is an editor at Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, who acquires middle grade, young adult, and the select picture book. She has had the pleasure of editing books by New York Times-bestselling and award-winning authors such as Libba Bray, Reyna Grande, and Josh Davis. Elizabeth is currently looking for bold, character-driven stories featuring diverse ensemble casts, surefire commercial hooks, and strong points of view. When she is not editing, she writes children's and teen novels under the penname, E.L. Shen. Her debut novel, The Comeback (Macmillan, 2021), received two starred reviews and was praised for its "fast-paced prose, big emotions, and authentic dialogue" in The New York Times.

Image: A headshot of Elizabeth Lee.

Win a critique package from author Carrie Allen! She will assess your query letter and 10 pages of your manuscript.

Carrie is willing to wait to critique if you're working on your NaNoWriMo book and need more time!

Carrie Allen is a Colorado girl who wears flip-flops year-round and never skips dessert. She is retired from sports medicine, and extra-tired from chasing around two kids and two dogs. She writes contemporary YA about girls who kick butt in sports. She is the author of Michigan vs. The Boys and a forthcoming short story in the anthology Out of Our League.

Image: A headshot of Carrie Allen.

Win a query, synopsis, and first chapter critique along with a 30-minute editorial call with author, freelance editor, and book coach Julie Artz!

Julie Artz spent her young life sneaking into wardrobes searching for Narnia. When people thought that was creepy, she went in search of other ways to go on mystical adventures. Now she finds those long-sought doors to magical story worlds in her work as an author, editor, and book coach. An active member of the writing community, she volunteers for SCBWI and Pitch Wars and is a member of EFA and AWP. Julie lives in an enchanted forest outside of Redmond, Washington, with her husband, two strong-willed teenagers, and a trio of naughty furry familiars.

Image: A headshot of Julie Artz.

Win a premium, two-round query letter critique by freelance fiction editor Michelle Rascon.

First round: Receive a copy of your query letter with in-line comments providing feedback and asking questions to gain more insight. Then send a revised version back to Michelle with adjustments and answers to the questions.

Second round: Includes a re-read of your revisions, more in-line comments providing feedback, and annotations as needed.

A premium query letter critique is for authors who want to level up their query letter before submitting it to agents or publishers.

Michelle Rascon (she/her) is a freelance fiction editor with over six years of experience working with successful self-publishing and querying authors. Her goal is to strengthen your writing while respecting your unique voice. Her specialties are adult books in dark fantasy, LGBTQIA+, paranormal, romance, urban fantasy, and women's fiction.

Image: A headshot of Michelle Rascon.

Win a non-rhyming picture book critique by Yeehoo Press's Associate Publisher Helen H. Wu.

Helen H. Wu is the associate publisher at Yeehoo Press, and a children's book author and illustrator of over 20 picture books.

Image: A headshot of Helen H. Wu.

Win a query and first 10 pages critique by The Bent Agency's Literary Agent Laurel Symonds!

Laurel Symonds joined The Bent Agency in Fall 2018 after nearly a decade of experience in the publishing industry. She began her publishing career in the editorial department of HarperCollins Children's Books where she worked with a number of award-winning and bestselling authors. She's also worked in the marketing department at a small publishing house, in a library, and as a bookseller at one of the nation's best independent bookstores. What she loves most about being an agent is being the author's advocate through all parts of the publication process.

She represents young adult and middle grade fiction, graphic novels, picture books, and select nonfiction for children and teens. In every category, she is seeking voices that have previously been underrepresented and stories that have been overlooked. Laurel's profile and submission guidelines are at www.thebentagency.com and she can also be found online on Twitter and Instagram (@LaurelSymonds).

Image: A headshot of Laurel Symonds.

Win a signed copy of Baptiste Paul's picture bookThe Field! Soccer fan or not, the call of The Field is irresistible.

Will ship in the United States.

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Winner of the Sonia Lynn Sadler Award

Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2018

School Library Journal Best Book of 2018

The Horn Book Fanfare 2018

Shelf Awareness Best Children's Book of the Year

Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year

Baptiste Paul grew up in St. Lucia, where at age seven he propagated a root cutting that still produces breadfruit for his community. He holds an Environmental Science degree and is the author of several books, The Field which received multiple starred reviews and To Carnival - A Celebration in St. Lucia (2021). He is also the co-author of, I Am Farmer, Adventures To School and Peace (2021), with Miranda Paul. Learn more at baptistepaul.com.

Image: A graphic of the cover of The Field by Baptiste Paul.

Win signed hardcover copies of Get A Grip, Vivy Cohen! and The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family by Sarah Kapit!

Will ship in the United States.

Sarah Kapit is the author of Get A Grip, Vivy Cohen! and The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family. Get A Grip, Vivy Cohen! has received the Schneider Family Honor and Washington State Book Award. She lives in Bellevue, Washington.

Image: Text that reads "Win Signed Books" and the book covers of Get A Grip, Vivy Cohen! and The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family by Sarah Kapit

Win a signed and annotated copy of Foreshadow: Stories to Celebrate the Magic of Reading & Writing YA, featuring thirteen stories written by new voices in young adult fiction. In addition, it includes craft essays exploring those stories by the editors, bestselling and award winning authors Emily X.R. Pan and Nova Ren Suma. Contributor Maya Prasad will sign and include 13-plus annotations in the winning copy!

Will ship in the United States.

"An ingenious collection of 13 short stories that will especially be enjoyed by aspiring writers. Each of these selections displays great talent, and readers will hope to see future works by these up-and-coming creators. Ranging from deliciously creepy to glowingly hopeful, this collection offers a master class in short stories." -Kirkus Reviews

"Dazzling short stories by new YA voices along with enlightening essays about the writing process by established authors make Foreshadow a treasure for aspiring writers." -- Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Give this to a reader who wants to dig deeply into the craft of storytelling." -- BookPage, starred review

Maya Prasad is a South Asian American author, a Caltech graduate, and a former software engineer. She currently resides in the Pacific Northwest, where she enjoys hiking, canoeing, and raising her budding bookworm daughter.

Her YA debut Fall Winter Spring Summer will be published by Disney-Hyperion in fall 2022. Sejal Battles Super Storms is the first in her chapter book series to be published by S&S/Aladdin in spring 2023. Maya has also had short fiction published in Foreshadow: Stories to Celebrate the Magic of Reading and Writing YA, Cast of Wonders, and Voyage YA. A recipient of the We Need Diverse Books mentorship program, she is passionate about creating brown girl leads in children's literature.

Visit her website www.mayaprasad.com or find her on Instagram and Twitter @msmayaprasad.

Image: A graphic of the cover of the anthology Foreshadow: Stories to Celebrate the Magic of Reading & Writing YA.

Win an autographed set of three books from the Farah Rocks series by Susan Muaddi Darraj!

Will ship in the United States.

Susan Muaddi Darraj won an American Book Award in 2016. She is the author of Farah Rocks, the first chapter book series to feature a Palestinian American character.

Image: A photo of Farah Rocks Fifth Grade, Farah Rocks Summer Brunch, and Farah Rocks New Beginnings by Susan Muaddi Darraj, styled with some gemstones and themed bookmarks.

Win two signed books by Anna-Marie McLemore:

The Weight of Feathers, a William C. Morris Debut Award Finalist, and

Blanca & Roja, one of TIME Magazine's 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time.

Will ship in the US. Winners must provide a shipping address within the United States.

Anna-Marie McLemore (they/them) is the author of The Weight of Feathers, Stonewall Honor Book When the Moon Was Ours, Wild Beauty, Blanca & Roja, Indie Next List title Dark and Deepest Red, and the recently released Mirror Season, which was longlisted for the National Book Award. Lakelore and Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix will be released in 2022.

Image: A photo of two books by Anna-Marie McLemore, The Weight of Feathers and Blance & Roja, sitting amidst a bed of colorful flowers.

Win one copy each of Selena: Reina de la Música Tejana and Mi Little Golden Book sobre Frida Kahlo by Silvia López.

Will ship in the United States.

Cuban-born Silvia López lives in Miami. Books include Just Right Family: An Adoption Story, Handimals: Animals in Art and Nature, Pacho Nacho, and the English/Spanish versions of Queen of Tejano Music: Selena, My Little Golden Book about Frida Kahlo and My Little Golden Book about Sonia Sotomayor (scheduled for 2022.)

Image: A colorful graphic of the books Selena: Reina de la Música Tejana and Mi Little Golden Book sobre Frida Kahlo by Silvia López.

Win signed copies of the first three books in the Bad Kitty series, by Nick Bruel! These are full color reissues:

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath
Happy Birthday Bad Kitty
Bad Kitty vs. the Babysitter

Will ship within the United States.

Nick Bruel is the creator of the New York Times bestselling Bad Kitty series. He lives in Pleasantville, NY, with his wife Carina, their daughter Izzy, and their sometimes-good-sometimes-bad cats Rose and Noodles.

Image: A graphic of the books by Nick Bruel: Bad Kitty Gets a Bath, Happy Birthday Bad Kitty, and Bad Kitty vs. the Babysitter. The text reads: 'Win.'

Win a signed hardcover copy of YA memoir A Face for Picasso by Ariel Henley.

This item ships internationally.

Ariel Henley is a writer from Northern California. She has a B.A. in English and Political Science from the University of Vermont and a Masters in Education from University of the Pacific. She is passionate about writing as a form of activism, and hopes to use her story to promote mainstream inclusion for individuals with facial differences. Her work has appeared in outlets like The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Narratively.

Image: The book cover of A Face for Picasso by Ariel Henley.

Win a signed copy of The Reckless Kind by Carly Heath.

This item ships within the US.

Carly Heath (she/they) earned her BA from San Francisco State University and her MFA from Chapman University. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Carly teaches design, art, theater, and writing for various colleges and universities. She spends all her time and most of her money tending to a menagerie of rescued farm animals. The Reckless Kind is her first novel.

Image: A photo of The Reckless Kind by Carly Heath.

Win an ARC of The Pearls of Yesterday L. S. Rydde, and an invitation to an exclusive virtual YA romance book party on February 18, 2022. Win prizes, chat about the book, and show off your dance moves. Plus book swag!

This item ships within the US. 13+ years old; Winner needs to respond by January 15, 2022, to receive the book.

The YA romance The Pearls of Yesterday features coming of age, friends to lovers, muscular dystrophy representation, and first kisses. It's a book unboxing you don't want to miss!

Image: The book cover of The Pearls of Yesterday L. S. Rydde on a bright pink background with white confetti. Text reads: "Win an ARC & a virtual book party invite."

Win a signed paperback copy of A Dragonbird in the Fern by Laura Rueckert, plus a matching bookmark.

Items ship internationally from Germany, so transportation may be slow depending on where you live.

Laura Rueckert is a card-carrying bookworm who manages projects by day. At night, fueled by European chocolate, she transforms into a writer of young adult science fiction and fantasy novels. Laura grew up in Michigan, USA, but a whirlwind romance after college brought her to Europe. Today, she lives in Germany with her husband, two kids, and one fluffy dog.

Image: The book cover of A Dragonbird in the Fern by Laura Rueckert.

Win three autographed LGBTQIA+ picture books by Lesléa Newman: Heather Has Two Mommies, Donovan's Big Day, and Sparkle Boy.

This item ships within the US.

Lesléa Newman is the author of 78 books for readers of all ages including the LGBTQ+ picture books, "Heather Has Two Mommies," "Donovan's Big Day," "Sparkle Boy," and the teen novel-in-verse, "October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard." She has received creative writing fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Artists Foundation, two American Library Association Stonewall Honors, and two National Jewish Book awards. From 2008 - 2010, she served as the poet laureate of Northampton, MA.

Image: A colorful graphic of three books by Lesléa Newman: Heather Has Two Mommies, Donovan's Big Day, and Sparkle Boy. The text reads: 'Signed copies.'

Win a personalized, diverse, and inclusive children's book box from Marvelous Me Books. A survey will be sent to the winner, allowing Marvelous Me Books to personalize a book box catered to the recipient.

This item ships within the US. Boxes will be valid for one year. Shipping is included in the purchase of the auction item.

Marvelous Me Books is a children's bookstore offering thoughtfully curated books that speak naturally to diversity, inclusion, and hard to talk about topics. Our one-of-a-kind personalized book boxes speak directly to each recipient. The giver will fill out questionnaires about the recipient and we will hand-select books that speak directly into who the reader is. We focus on children's books, but recommend these boxes for readers of all ages. Picture books are a type of therapy unlike anything else and we're committed to marketing diverse and inclusive books to the child in all of us.

Image: Two photos of sample Marvelous Me Books boxes, which include a variety of books catered to the recipient.

Win a personalized diverse and inclusive children's book box from Marvelous Me Books. A survey will be sent to the winner, allowing Marvelous Me Books to personalize a book box catered to the recipient.

This item ships within the US. Boxes will be valid for one year. Shipping is included in the purchase of the auction item.

Marvelous Me Books is a children's bookstore offering thoughtfully curated books that speak naturally to diversity, inclusion, and hard to talk about topics. Our one-of-a-kind personalized book boxes speak directly to each recipient. The giver will fill out questionnaires about the recipient and we will hand-select books that speak directly into who the reader is. We focus on children's books, but recommend these boxes for readers of all ages. Picture books are a type of therapy unlike anything else and we're committed to marketing diverse and inclusive books to the child in all of us.

Image: Two photos of sample Marvelous Me Books boxes, which include a variety of books catered to the recipient.

Win a three-month subscription to the Equal Opportunity Book Box. Receive three picture books each month featuring characters of color, LGBTQIA+ characters, and/or disabled characters (nine books in total).

This item ships within the US.

The Equal Opportunity Book Box is a diverse children's book subscription that donates one book to an underserved child for every book sold. All of our books feature characters of color, LGBTQIA+ characters, and/or characters with disabilities.

Image: A photo of a sample Equal Opportunity Book Box, which features three picture books.

Win a signed book bundle from award-winning children's author Aubre Andrus. The Book Bundle includes all three books from The Look Up Series: Real Women in STEAM. This is a nonfiction biography series is for children ages 8-12.

Will ship in the United States.

Aubre Andrus is the award-winning children's book author of The Look Up Series, a nonfiction biography series featuring real women in S.T.E.A.M. careers. She also has written dozens of books for National Geographic, Lonely Planet, American Girl, Disney, Scholastic, and young YouTube stars.

Image: A graphic of The Look Up Series: Real Women in STEAM by Aubre Andrus, including Amanda: Toy Engineer, Zi: Video Game Developer, and Dr. Maya: Ice Cream Scientist.

Win a set of "Living in Harmony" books from Language Lizard! You will receive the 3 books in the set, each in a different language (all books include English).

This set comes with three titles in three different bilingual editions:

1. BE KIND: Shows many ways to help others with simple acts of kindness.
2. WE CAN ALL BE FRIENDS: Shows how much we have in common even though we are all different.
3. WHO ARE WE?: Helps us to understand and appreciate the diversity in our community.

Will ship in the United States.

Language Lizard offers books in over 60 languages for schools, libraries and bilingual families. Language Lizard's Living in Harmony Books use colorful multicultural illustrations and simple text to explain concepts of diversity, kindness, and friendship.

The books are published in over 25 language editions and come with FREE multicultural lessons and activities to support culturally responsive teaching.

Image: A photo of a set of three bilingual Language Lizard books: BE KIND, WE CAN ALL BE FRIENDS, and WHO ARE WE?

Win a copy of Across the Rio Grande/A traves del Rio Bravo del Norte: Original Fabulist Folktales from both sides of Our Great River by Sephoné Zorro. These original stories are in both English and Spanish (side-to-side), with full color illustrations. Includes 385 pages with animal and human characters and themes of understanding and unity in the face of adversity. For ages 8 to adult; suitable for family reading together, out loud.

Will ship internationally.

Sephoné Zorro has authored and published many fairytales, myths, children's stories, and poems. She is a literary ward of L.R. Baxter.

Image: The book cover of Across the Rio Grande/A traves del Rio Bravo del Norte: Original Fabulist Folktales from both sides of Our Great River by Sephoné Zorro.

Win a signed copy of Alice's Adventures in #Wonderland by Penny Farthing with illustrations by Bats Langley; and a copy of Unicorn Horn Mountain by Ammie Elliott, illustrated by Travis McCoy.

Will ship in the United States.

Alice's Adventures in #Wonderland reimagines Lewis Carroll's classic stories through the digital lens, down the rabbit hole, and beyond the smartphone glass. With the help of Penny Farthing and illustrations by Bats Langley comes a new adventure for Alice.

Get ready to discover a new kind of unicorn in the children's picture book Unicorn Horn Mountain (the third book of The Dreamscape Series). Leave behind the overdone, glittery rainbow unicorn and meet the unicorn born of mural street art and poetry who reclaims the true power of the animal. Uniqueness!! Enter into an inclusive world-the dreamscape-where differences of race, gender, or culture are celebrated, and where children learn to welcome new points of view while feeling safe to explore, discover, and become their true, inner unicorn selves.

Image: A colorful graphic featuring the book covers of Alice's Adventures in #wonderland by Penny Farthing with illustrations by Bats Langley; and Unicorn Horn Mountain by Ammie Elliott, illustrated by Travis McCoy.

Win the first two books of the Rose Island Lighthouse Series: The Curious Childhood of Wanton Chase by Lynne Heinzmann (Rose Island Lighthouse Series Book 1) and The Island Adventures of Paul Stedman by Lynne Heinzmann (Rose Island Lighthouse Series Book 2).

Will ship in the United States.

The Rose Island Lighthouse Series and was lovingly created by Rhode Island author Lynne Heinzmann in concert with the Rose Island Lighthouse and Hamilton Trust.

Wanton Chase lived with his grandparents at the Rose Island Lighthouse from 1910 to 1916, from the time he was 1 to 7 years old. Later in life, he recorded his memories of his adventures on the island, which he shared with the Lighthouse Foundation. His recollections are the basis for the story chapters of this book. The history chapters contain additional information and photographs to provide context for the stories. This first book of the The Rose Island Lighthouse series, The Curious Childhood of Wanton Chase, was published by Woodhall Press in 2019.

The Island Adventures of Paul Stedman is a rare glimpse into a childhood spent at a lighthouse during the Great Depression. Young Stedman lived with his lighthouse keeper grandfather on Rose Island in Narragansett Bay within view of Newport, Rhode Island. The book is based on first-hand accounts from Stedman that he shared later in life. Island Adventures is unique in that it features historical fiction interspersed with history of the era, brought to life through rare archival photos, news accounts, and beautiful original illustrations.

Image: A colorful graphic of the book covers of two books in the Rose Island Lighthouse Series: The Curious Childhood of Wanton Chase by Lynne Heinzmann (Rose Island Lighthouse Series Book 1) and The Island Adventures of Paul Stedman by Lynne Heinzmann. The text reads: 'Win books from the Rose Island Lighthouse series.'

Win a copy of Ex Marks the Spot by Gregory Norris; a signed copy of My Body Is a Big Fat Temple by Alena Dillon; and a copy of Four Funerals, No Marriage by Mike Keren.

Will ship in the United States.

About Ex Marks the Spot

How far would you go to save the first love of your life?

Ten years ago on an August night, Steve Ranley crashed his ride into a tree, taking a big part of Oliver Canfield's soul with him. In the decade since, Oliver and Bradley MacIntyre have built a successful life together, but their relationship has always been haunted by Steve's death. On the dark anniversary, Oliver is thrust back counterclockwise in time to the summer before Steve's accident. Using his second chance, Oliver vows to alter the events leading to the tragedy. He reunites with Steve, only history doesn't follow the exact course as he remembers it, and circumstances lead to him meeting Bradley years before he was meant to. His corrupting of established time could save the first love of his life while dooming the second.

My Body Is A Big Fat Temple, a memoir of pregnancy and early motherhood, follows a writer as she debates having children, miscarries, faces morning sickness, uncertainty, physical impairments, labor, breastfeeding, the "baby blues," the heartache of not loving her son as she thinks she should, parenting through a plague, until finally (basically, mostly) blossoming into her new identity.

The undertaking of creating life is airbrushed to preserve the ideal of motherhood, and exacerbated by a culture that dictates what women can do and how they should feel. We don't get the full story, so mothers with unromantic experiences feel like aberrations, and worse, alone. This is why the voices of women matter. The voices of mothers matter. Here's one to remind you of the important things.

In Four Funerals, No Marriage: A Memoir, author Mike Keren gives his readers an inside look at his unexpected foray into caregiving to his sick and dying parents and in-laws. Often funny and always poignant, the story begins when his loving but difficult parents announce they are moving back to New Jersey from their retirement home in North Carolina because they "never really liked it there." Within days of arriving on a house-hunting trip, his father is hospitalized with a stroke and his mother with another in a series of heart attacks. At the same time, his partner's mother is recuperating from a hysterectomy and struggling with chemotherapy after a diagnosis of uterine cancer. Additionally, he must deal with the unhappy marriage between his parents, sibling relationships that have often been his undoing, a homophobic world, and his own lifetime of affective dysregulation."

Image: A colorful graphic with the book covers of Ex Marks the Spot by Gregory Norris, My Body Is a Big Fat Temple by Alena Dillon, and Four Funerals, No Marriage by Mike Keren.

Win a signed copy of A Soft Place to Land and From the Desk of Zoe Washington by MG author Janae Marks.

Will ship in the United States.

Janae Marks is an author of middle grade novels. Her debut From the Desk of Zoe Washington is an indie bestseller and was named a Best Book of the Year by Parents Magazine, Book Riot, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Chicago Public Library and the Boston Globe. Her second novel is A Soft Place to Land. She has an MFA in Writing for Children from The New School, and lives in Connecticut with her family. Learn more at janaemarks.com.

Image: A bright yellow graphic with the book covers of A Soft Place to Land and From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks. The text reads: 'Win signed books.'

Win a signed hardcover copy of The Secret Garden on 81st Street by Ivy Nicole Weir, award-winning co-creator of Archival Quality!

Will ship in the United States.

Ivy Noelle Weir is a writer of comics and prose. She is the writer of The Secret Garden on 81st Street and the upcoming Anne of West Philly (both Little, Brown for Young Readers) and the co-creator of the Dwayne McDuffie Award-winning graphic novel Archival Quality (Oni Press). Her writing has also appeared in anthologies such as Princeless: Girls Rock (Action Lab Entertainment) and Dead Beats (A Wave Blue World). She likes baking bread, walking in cemeteries, and hanging out with her husband and their two tiny, weird dogs.

Image: The book cover of The Secret Garden on 81st Street by Ivy Nicole Weir

Win two signed, lined, and dated first edition first print copies of Padma Venkatraman's latest novel Born Behind Bars, a Junior Library Guild Selection which was released to starred reviews in September 2021.

Will ship internationally.

Padma Venkatraman is the author of Born Behind Bars, The Bridge Home, A Time to Dance, Island's End, and Climbing the Stairs. She is the winner of a WNDB Walter Dean Myers Award, Golden Kite Award, Crystal Kite Award, Nerdy Book Award, two South Asia Book Awards, and many others. Her novels have received over 20 starred reviews and appeared on numerous best book lists, such as the ALA Notable, NYPL Best Book, Kirkus Best Book, Booklist editor's Choice, and Junior Library Guild selection. Before becoming an American author, Dr. Venkatraman spent time under the ocean and in rainforests, served as chief scientist on oceanographic research vessels where she was the only BIPOC female, and also worked as a teacher and diversity director. Visit her at www.padmavenkatraman.com; follow her on twitter (@padmatv) and (@venkatraman.padma) on fb and ig.

Image: A graphic of the book cover of Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman.

Win a 30-minute AMA about publishing with Rotem Moscovich, Editorial Director of Picture Books at Knopf Books for Young Readers/Random House!

Rotem Moscovich is the Editorial Director of Picture Books at Knopf Books for Young Readers/Random House, and also edits graphic novels. Find more at rotem.nyc.

IMAGE CREDIT: Ryan T. Higgins

Image: An illustration by Ryan T. Higgins portraying two people sitting down at a table with paper and pens in front of them in what appears to be a classroom setting.

Win an AMA about publishing with literary agent Monica Odom! Ask anything about the industry!

Monica Odom is the founder of Odom Media Management, where she represents authors and illustrators. Her list includes fiction, nonfiction, and illustrated titles for children and adult readers.

Image: A headshot of Monica Odom.

Win an 20-minute phone or video call to ask anything about publishing with Stephanie Fretwell-Hill, literary agent at Red Fox Literary.

Date of call to be mutually agreed by email.

Stephanie Fretwell-Hill is a literary agent with over 15 years' experience in the children's book publishing industry. After starting her career in foreign rights at Walker Books in the UK, Stephanie moved home to the US as an acquiring editor at Peachtree Publishers. In 2016, she joined Red Fox Literary where she represents authors and illustrators of fiction and nonfiction picture books, middle grade, and YA. Her clients include R. W. Alley, Beth Anderson, Carolyn Crimi, Edith Cohn, Brad Sneed, Christina Soontornvat, and Archana Sreenivasan. Stephanie lives in North Carolina with her English husband, two very spirited daughters, a rescued border collie, and four chickens.

Image: A headshot of Stephanie Fretwell-Hill.

Win a 30-minute phone or video call to ask anything about publishing or editing with Independent YA & Children's Book Editor Julie Scheina.

To be scheduled at a mutually convenient time in January, February, or March 2022.

Julie Scheina is a former senior editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers with over fifteen years of experience editing acclaimed and bestselling books for children and young adults. Julia has edited more than 200 titles across a variety of genres, from picture books and poetry collections to middle grade and young adult novels, and brings that depth of experience and industry knowledge to every project.

Image: A headshot of Julie Scheina.

Win a 30-minute ask me anything session with Alia Maria Almeida, a Sales Representative at HarperCollins who has nine years of publishing experience in various publishing systems (big five, indie press, non-big five but backed by education money, university press), with a focus in kids book marketing.

Here's how to use a meeting with Alia Almeida:

1- Alia can talk through how to tool your publishing team for success, give feedback on how to self-promo yourself and/or your book, and walk through any sales questions you may have.
2- Alia can deep dive with you on the publishing process and the interior makeup of a publishing house. Gearing the discussion more specifically on whether you're an author or someone looking to work in publishing.

3- If you're looking to work in publishing, Alia can give feedback on your resume, talk through departments you want to work in and departments Alia thinks you'd excel in, and answer any questions on how she got started/any lessons she's learned.

4- Sometimes life is just SO heavy and you just need someone to look at all the cards on the table and help you sort your deck. How do you make it happen? Alia will work with you on all the things you need to do in your life (up to 6 big projects) and break them down into manageable bit sizes goals. Some examples include: updating all your documents after getting married, applying to jobs, looking at school programs, organizing all your medical documents and lining up a team of doctors to help you, whatever you need.
NOTE: if you pick this one, please give her your list of projects ahead of time for a better experience.

5- Alia loves writing and editing cover letters, application essays, etc. She will review and critique two pieces of your professional writing (suggestion: resume/CV and other writing piece) and walk through with you on how to best make you stand out.

**Any of these calls will be accompanied by an additional 15 minute grace period of getting into the groove, or talking about which Lacroix flavor is the best. So you actually get 45 minutes with her.

This opportunity is good for a year and will expire on 12/31/22. Blackout dates include: 12/20-12/26, 1/9, 1/26, 11/20-11/27. She is more than HAPPY to follow up with you if you need reminders on scheduling a time.

Alia Maria Almeida is a Cuban-Miamian who lives for croquetas, pastelitos de guayaba, and teasing people lovingly. She currently lives in Brooklyn, working as a telesales rep for HarperCollins Publishers. Spanglish is her native tongue.

Image: A headshot of Alia Maria Almeida.

Win an hour-long phone or Zoom consultation with Emma D. Dryden, Founder & Principal of drydenbks LLC (Children's Editorial and Publishing Consultancy Firm). During the call you can discuss your publishing questions, submission strategies, writing conundrums, and more! Prior to the consultancy, Emma will ask you to send some information by email which will be kept confidential and which will guide your conversation to make it as valuable for you as possible.

Emma D. Dryden established her premiere children's editorial and publishing consultancy firm, drydenbks, in 2010 after many years as a highly regarded children's book editor and VP, Publisher with Simon & Schuster. In her 35-plus year career, Emma has edited more than 1,000 books for young readers, many of which received awards and medals, including the National Book Award Honor, Newbery Honor, and Caldecott Honor, and which hit bestseller lists in USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly. Emma is on SCBWI's Advisory Council, leads craft workshops around the world, and can be found at drydenbks.com.

Win a 20-minute AMA about publishing with Kathleen Ortiz, a literary agent at New Leaf Literary & Media.

Kathleen Ortiz is a Literary Agent who has over a decade of experience in the industry, both as an agent and international licensing expert. She focuses on brands for adults and children that bring humor and joy and inspire others in life - she specializes in helping authors build their brands beyond the book.

Image: A headshot of Kathleen Ortiz.

Win an AMA about publishing via Zoom call with Literary Agent Eva Scalzo from Speilburg Literary.

Eva Scalzo has a B.A. in the Humanities from the University of Puerto Rico and a M.A. in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College. Since graduating, she has spent her career in scholarly publishing, working for Houghton Mifflin, Blackwell Publishing, John Wiley & Sons, and Cornell University in a variety of roles. She has been with Speilburg Literary since 2013, and started accepting clients in 2017. Eva is a member of the AALA, RWA, and SCBWI.

In Adult Fiction, Eva represents Romance (all subgenres but inspirational) and Science Fiction/Fantasy. She also represents all subgenres of Young Adult Fiction and select Middle Grade.

Image: A headshot of Eva Scalzo.

Win a 30-minute AMA with Writer, Editor, and Creative Coach Heidi Fiedler.

Heidi says, "You bring the questions. I'll bring the answers. Together we will tend to your confidence, creative process, career goals, and more. Sessions are designed to be energizing, actionable, and totally customized to meet your needs. This is a chance to talk in real time about all the different elements of your writing life, so you can bring your vision to life!"

Valid for 6 months

Heidi Fiedler does the deep thinking that's needed to transform ideas into children's books. She makes picture books, chapter books, and nonfiction for kids with curious minds and kind hearts. It's been her pleasure to work on more than 300 titles for clients ranging from Scholastic to Chronicle. Her credits include 180 nonfiction books in partnership with Time for Kids, 90 picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, plus a wide variety of activity books, and art and craft books. After working in publishing for nearly 15 years, She's so excited to see her own picture books and chapter books making their way into the world.

Image: A headshot of Heidi Fiedler.

Win an autographed copy of Law & Authors: A Legal Handbook for Writers plus a 30-minute Zoom consultation on preparing for a career in publishing (or anything else the author/illustrator wants!) with Attorney, Contract Consultant, and Literary Agent Jacqui Lipton.

Will ship in the United States.

Jacqui Lipton is an attorney, contract consultant, and literary agent who specializes in children's literature and the law of the publishing industry. She founded Raven Quill Literary Agency in 2019 and is the author of LAW & AUTHORS: A LEGAL HANDBOOK FOR WRITERS.

Image: A headshot of Jacqui Lipton.

Win a 30-min AMA with New York Times bestselling author of 31 books, including titles with Taraji Henson, Steve Harvey and Will Smith, and publisher of her eponymous imprint at Simon & Schuster, Denene Millner. Ask about publishing - from writing a proposal, to what to look for in a solid agent, to finding story inspiration, to ghostwriting, to books-to-film, to getting published, and so much more. Consultation will be virtual, informative, and fun!

Denene Millner is the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of 31 books, including "The Fresh Princess," co-written with Will Smith, and "The Vow," the novel on which the Lifetime movie, "With This Ring," was based. Denene is also the editor of Denene Millner Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint that won Newbery and Caldecott honors and the Kirkus Prize for Children's Literature in its debut year. Denene co-hosts Georgia Public Broadcasting's "A Seat at the Table," a talk show about black women, and is the host of "Speakeasy," a podcast that examines blackness. Her upcoming novel, "The Beautiful Blood," (St. Martin's Press) a multi-generational epic about motherhood, adoption and race, debuts in 2023. The mom of two lives in Atlanta; she is @mybrownbaby across all social media platforms.

Win a 30-minute "ask me anything" video call with author Sarah Prager! You can talk writing, publishing, Sarah's professional experiences, agents, financials, illustrators, or anything else related to what Sarah has learned about the book world since her first book deal in 2015.

Sarah Prager is the author of three books on LGBTQ+ history for youth. Queer, There, and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World (HarperCollins, 2017), a young adult book, has received numerous distinctions including three starred reviews and was named a 2017 Best Book for Teens by the New York Public Library. Her second book, Rainbow Revolutionaries: 50 LGBTQ+ People Who Made History, released in May 2020 from HarperCollins for ages 8-12, is a Junior Library Guild selection. Her third book, Kind Like Marsha: Learning from LGBTQ+ Leaders, will be released on May 3, 2022.

Image: Sarah Prager headshot

Win a 30-minute Ask Me Anything Zoom call with educator and author NoNieqa Ramos! During your call, you can discuss querying, submissions, choosing the right agent, how to connect with the writing community, and ask any questions you have about publishing. You can also discuss craft and the revision process with NoNieqa as it relates to your current work-in-progress.

This offer expires December 5, 2023.

NoNieqa Ramos is an educator and writer of picture books and young adult literature. They wrote THE DISTURBED GIRL'S DICTIONARY, a 2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens and a 2019 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection

Their debut picture book YOUR MAMA illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara was Virginia's GREAT READ for 2021 and was shortlisted for The Kirkus Prize. Lerner books released their picture book HAIR STORY illustrated by Keisha Morris, September 7th, 2021. Versify will publish BEAUTY WOKE illustrated by Paola Escobar, February 15th, 2022. NoNieqa is a proud member of Las Musas Books collective and the Soaring 20s PB debut group.

Image: Headshot NoNieqa Ramos

Win a 30-minute "Ask Me Anything" video call with professional illustrator & instructor Julia Kuo!

Julia Kuo is a Taiwanese-American illustrator who has worked with the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Science Friday and has taught illustration courses at Columbia College Chicago and at her alma mater, Washington University in St. Louis. Books she's illustrated include Livia Blackburne's I Dream of Popo, Martha Brockenbrough and Grace Lin's I Am an American: The Wong Kim Ark Story, and Katrina Goldsaito's The Sound of Silence. Julia lives in Seattle, Washington.

Image description: Julia Kuo headshot

Consult literary agent Sara Megibow with your questions! Win a 30-minute meeting via phone or Zoom to chat about publishing, your book, and anything in between.

Sara represents authors who write middle grade, young adult, romance, and SF/F for the adult market. The ideal winning bid would be from an author who writes in one of these genres. Yes, the meeting can include pitching-Sara is actively acquiring! And the meeting should be completed by December 31, 2021, if at all possible.

Sara Megibow is a literary agent with kt literary out of Highlands Ranch, CO. She has worked in publishing since 2006 and represents New York Times bestselling authors including Rebecca Roanhorse, Casey McQuiston, Roni Loren, Margaret Rogerson, Jason M. Hough and Jaleigh Johnson. She specializes in launching debut authors and working on long-term career development and profit strategy with them. She is a graduate of Northwestern University with degrees in Women's Studies, Gender Studies and American History. Always LGBTQIA+ Friendly!

www.ktliterary.com
on twitter @SaraMegibow

Image: A headshot of Sara Megibow.

Win a 60-minute consultation call with editor Holly Ingraham! Ask anything about publishing, get career advice, brainstorm current story ideas, and more!

Holly Ingraham is an award-winning developmental editor with over thirteen years' worth of industry experience. After working at BookEnds Literary and spending 10 years as an acquisitions editor for St. Martin's Press, she founded Holly Ingraham Editorial in 2018. She is a RevPit Board member and lives just outside NYC with her husband, twin daughters and two furbabies.

Image: A headshot of Holly Ingraham.

Win a 30-min AMA with Executive Editor at Scholastic Inc. (Acorn & Branches) Katie Carella. Ask her anything about her experiences around publishing, teaching, or books! She's worked in children's editorial for over 14 years. Earlier in her career, she worked on the adult side of publishing-in marketing, and then in publicity. In addition, she's taught first through third grades in both public and private school settings. So there's plenty you can chat with her about!

Katie Carella oversees Scholastic's Acorn early reader and Branches early chapter book lines. She has worked in publishing for almost twenty years. Her career began in marketing and publicity on the adult side of publishing. Then she earned her master's degree in elementary education from the University of Pennsylvania, and taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades-all before entering children's editorial. During Katie's time as a teacher (2005-2007), she saw how much her newly independent readers craved complex stories and yet how few quality books there were on their reading level. Since then, she has been on a mission to deliver page-turning books to hook new readers! Outside of work, Katie can be found reading for fun, doing crossword puzzles, crocheting misshapen blankets, or traveling someplace by train.

Image: A headshot of Katie Carella.

Win a 20-min AMA chat with Context Literary Agency's Literary Agent Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez!

Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez is a mom, wife, literary agent at Context Literary Agency, middle school math teacher, and picture book author. She's the proud co-creator and co-host of the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest, creator and co-host of the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest, and one of the hosts along with the critique group 6 Ladies and a MANuscript, of Kidlit Zombie Week.

Image: A headshot of Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez.

Win an AMA phone call with Keyes Literary's Literary Agent Emily S. Keyes!

Ask Emily anything about agents (why are we weird?), the market and/or publishing in general (why is IT weird?)"

Emily S. Keyes is the founder of Keyes Agency, LLC. She was previously an agent at Fuse Literary. She has also worked at Simon & Schuster, the World Almanac, and the L. Perkins Agency. For some reason, she has a master's degree in publishing from New York University.

Image: A headshot of Emily S. Keyes.

Win a 30-min AMA with Middle Grade Author Kelly Jones!

Always wanted to ask a writer something? Have questions for a traditionally published author of middle grade books? Bid now, and let's schedule a 30-minute video (or audio) conversation* to talk about anything from writing and revising your work, to what happens after you send those queries, to how to handle your career post-publication (from the writer's side). I'm happy to talk with writers of any age or experience who've got questions about working as a writer.

*Can substitute up to three detailed email responses in place of the video chat if that works better for you and your questions.

Perfect for:
- Beginning writers who want to know more about their next steps or what being a writer is like
- Experienced/pro writers with questions that go beyond the basics (or who want a second opinion on something)
- Friends/family of writers of any age who want to give a thoughtful and supportive gift (I can send you a "gift card" to print for this, and I'm happy to talk with young writers)
- Teachers and librarians who'd like to share a special experience with a class or book group (I'm happy to modify this to be a presentation for a group of kids or adults, and you can schedule it during a future school year if that works better.)

Kelly Jones is the author of 5 novels for kids and teens that were published by Knopf Books for Young Readers and various international publishers, including Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer. She's been a writing mentor and presenter through SCBWI Western Washington, and has presented in person and virtually to schools and libraries around the country.

Image: A headshot of Kelly Jones with text that reads 'Let's talk writing.'

Win a copy of Walking Cookie Dough by children's book author Lili Kim!

Will ship in the US.

About Walking Cookie Dough:

Walking Cookie Dough by Lili Kim is a children's book for ages 3-8. Having a puppy can be a daunting task, and requires a lot of responsibility and care. However, walking your pup each day can open you up to a world full of possibilities and wonder. Join Cookie Dough as he guides us on how to be more open with others, and teaches us how to live life to its fullest.

Lili Kim delved into the amazing world of children's literature about five years ago, due to her son's love for reading. She was introduced to a myriad of amazing authors, and got enveloped in a so many creative stories and beautiful illustrations. So, she decided-why not write a children's book herself? It didn't take long to think of what to write about-She would dedicate this book to her family's Jack Russell, Cookie Dough. He was adopted nearly a decade ago on a whim, while Lili Kim and her were vacationing in Texas. The animal shelter (The Humane Society in Harlingen) was right by the airport (ironic, isn't it?) and they had some time to check it out. And so, after looking at Cookie Dough's adorable puppy eyes when he was just a few weeks old, they decided to fly him over to NY. And their lives have changed incredibly ever since.

Lili Kim on WALKING COOKIE DOUGH:

"This book has been a labor (pun intended) of love while my son was a newborn. I decided to put in a ton of mementos from my childhood, people who I look up to, and memories of my loved ones. You'll see a page alluding to Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken," my fave motto "Carpe Diem," a painting of a sheep since my son was born in the year of the sheep, a bear that my now 96-year-old grandmother crocheted for me, and a photo studio my late mom used to own. There's a lot more references (such as taking the "J" subway, which spells out "JOY" versus the "ACE" in NYC), and I love how this book is filled with so many inside jokes and love. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!"

Image: The book cover of Walking Cookie Dough by Lili Kim.

Win a 30-minute Zoom AMA with picture book author Darshana Khiani. Discuss anything to do with the writing life-craft, publishing, work-life balance, marketing. Plus, receive a signed copy of her picture book How To Wear A Sari

Will ship in the US.

Darshana Khiani is the author of the funny, charming picture book HOW TO WEAR A SARI. She is also a champion of South Asian children's literature. She runs a quarterly newsletter featuring upcoming South Asian Kidlit titles which is read by booksellers, librarians, and influencers.

Image: A headshot of Darshana Khiani.

Win a 30-minute publicity consultation with Tracy van Straaten, founder and president of TvS Media Group LLC. Ask Tracy anything about publicity, marketing, social media, publishing, and brand strategy!

Tracy van Straaten has nearly 30 years of publicity and marketing experience and has created hundreds of campaigns for bestselling, award-winning, and debut authors, as well as beloved characters, celebrities, and brands. Over the course of her career, she and her teams have launched more than 200 New York Times bestsellers, including Suzanne Collins's bestselling The Hunger Games trilogy and Olivia by Ian Falconer. Van Straaten has held publicity and marketing positions at Little, Brown and Company, HarperCollins, William Morrow, Simon & Schuster, and Scholastic. In 2019, she founded TvS Media Group LLC, a boutique public relations and consulting firm specializing in book publishing, entertainment, and brand management, with particular expertise in children's and young adult books.

Image: A headshot of Tracy van Straaten.

Win a 30-minute chat with author A.M. Dassu! Chat about anything related to publishing, submitting to agents, writing freelance, the publishing process, or Boy, Everywhere. Even have Dassu look at a query letter within the 30 minutes.

A.M. Dassu is an award winning writer of both non-fiction and fiction including the internationally acclaimed novel Boy, Everywhere which is one of The Guardian's, Bookriot's, and BookTrust's Best Children's Books of 2020 and has been given a much coveted star from Kirkus, Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. It is on Amnesty's Books That Inspire Activism list and has been listed for 12 awards including the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the "most prestigious accolade for children's books in the UK" and is the 2021 winner of The Little Rebels Award for Radical Fiction and also the 2021 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award. She is Deputy Editor of SCBWI-BI's magazine, Words & Pictures, and a Director of Inclusive Minds, a unique organisation for people who are passionate about inclusion, diversity, equality, and accessibility in children's literature. She is also patron of The Other Side of Hope, a new print and online literary magazine, edited by immigrants and refugees which serves to celebrate the refugee and immigrant communities worldwide and one of The National Literacy_Trust 's Connecting Stories campaign authors which aims to help inspire a love of reading and writing in children and young people. Previously, she has worked in project management, marketing, and editorial. Her work has been published by The Huffington Post, Times Educational Supplement, SCOOP Magazine, Lee and Low Books, DK Books and Harper Collins. When she isn't battling emails or writing, she mentors aspiring authors and loves to shout about other people's books.

Image: A headshot of A.M. Dassu.

Win a 30-minute phone call or video chat with Capstone's Content Strategist, Miriam Moore-Keish. Ask her anything about publishing!

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Miriam Moore-Keish received her B. A. in English from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, and her MPhil in Education and Critical Approaches to Children's Literature from the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, UK.

She has written and edited books for all ages, consulted on manuscripts, taught creative writing classes, guest lectured, and engaged in general bookwormery. Miriam currently publishes children's books at Capstone, designs anti-bias preschool curricula, writes for We Need Diverse Books, curates libraries' children's collections, and edits everything she reads (including the morning crossword).

She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they don't (but she does) sweeten their tea.

Image: A headshot of Miriam Moore-Keish.

Pre-published and published authors: ask your questions about the query process, an author's relationship with an agent vs. an editor, critique groups, marketing your book, author visits, and more! Valerie looks forward to learning about your aspirations and sharing her knowledge and advice about the publishing industry.

Valerie Bolling is the author of the 2021 SCBWI Crystal Kite award-winning and CT Book Award finalist, Let's Dance!, and has been an educator for almost 30 years. Since her book was released a week before the pandemic shutdown, she has been engaged in numerous virtual storytimes and author panels. Immersed in the writing community, Valerie is on the faculty at Westport Writers' Workshop and a member of SCBWI, the Authors Guild, NCTE, and ILA. She is also a 2020 WNDB Mentee and a 2022 WNDB Mentor as well as a member of Black Creators HeadQuarters, The Brown Bookshelf and Highlights Foundation's Amplify Black Stories, and 12X12 Picture Book Challenge. In addition, Valerie is a member of three co-marketing groups - Kid Lit in Color, Soaring 20s PBs, and PB Crew 22 - 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.

Image: A headshot of Valerie Bolling.

Win a 30-minute AMA call with children's author Dorothy H. Price to talk about the writing journey.

Dorothy says: "Everyone has questions about the writing journey. Especially if you just started, or haven't reached the goal you set for yourself ... years ago. That's okay. Keep going, don't quit! Easier said than done, I know. But I've tucked away some wisdom nuggets (yep, I made that up) along my 10-plus year journey to landing an agent and my first agented book deal, this year! Might you be interested in hearing how those nuggets can help you cross the finish line too?"

Dorothy H. Price is a writer and author. Her first book, NANA'S FAVORITE THINGS, was published in 2016. In 2019, Dorothy was one of three picture book authors selected for the We Need Diverse Books Mentorship Program. Find her on Twitter @dorothyhp or IG @dhpwrites.

Image: A headshot of Dorothy H. Price.

Win a 45-minute phone or video call with Ashley Wells, who has worked in self-publishing for over five years.

Ashley says: "Ask me anything about self-publishing. We can discuss the publishing process, creating a marketing plan, resources...anything you'd like. If I don't know the answer to one of your questions, I probably know another expert who does."

Ashley Wells has worked in the self-publishing world for over five years. She can help equip self-publishing authors with resources for success.

Ashley Wells Ajinkya is a relationship manager in the publishing industry, a We Need Diverse Books blog contributor, and an Ambassador for The Pad Project. She's also a mental health advocate and public speaker, sharing relatable personal experiences to break down damaging stigmas surrounding disability and mental illness. Ashley loves to travel and enjoys planning trips just as much as hopping on a plane. She can almost always be found with an iced coffee in one hand and a book in the other. You can find her online at ashleywells.squarespace.com.

Image: A headshot of Ashley Wells.

Win an hour-long video call where you can ask Foyinsi Adegbonmire, Associate Editor at Feiwel & Friends, anything about publishing- from questions about getting a book deal to questions about becoming an editor.

Foyinsi Adegbonmire is an Associate Editor at Feiwel & Friends, under the Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. She acquires Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, from contemporary to mystery to grounded science-fiction, and enjoys lighthearted stories with conversational narrative voices. She's in love with romance and forever searching for fluffy YA contemporary romances. When not reading or thinking about her very large TBR pile, she can be found watching Black sitcoms from the 90s/early 2000s and crime shows like Criminal Minds, or obsessing over journals and bullet journaling.

Image: A headshot of Foyinsi Adegbonmire.

Win a 30-minute Zoom or phone call with Bent Agency Literary Agent Molly Ker Hawn. Need help understanding the publishing process? Let's talk! Molly has lots to say about middle grade and young adult publishing, and no question is too basic for her.

Molly Ker Hawn leads the Bent Agency's London office, where she works with writers from the US, the UK, Canada and Australia, selling directly into all four markets. Clients include Dhonielle Clayton, Heidi Heilig, Angie Thomas, Gita Trelease and more.

Image: A headshot of Molly Ker Hawn.

Win a 30-minute AMA with author Laekan Zea Kemp plus a PDF of 100s of resources from her presentation "Publishing 101" which covers idea generation to building a sustainable career - and every milestone in between.

Laekan Zea Kemp is a writer living in Austin, Texas. She's also the creator and host of the Author Pep Talks podcast, as well as a contributor to the Las Musas podcast. She has three objectives when it comes to storytelling: to make people laugh, cry, and crave Mexican food. Her work celebrates Chicane grit, resilience, creativity, and joy while exploring themes of identity and mental health. Her debut novel, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN BITTER & SWEET was released by Little Brown Young Readers on April 6th, 2021.

Image: A headshot of Laekan Zea Kemp.

Win a 30-min Google Meet AMA with adult romance author R. L. Merrill. Writing your first book or twentieth and need a brainstorming partner? Have a complete manuscript but unsure of what to do next? Published your first book and want some help deciding how much social media/promo is right for you? R. L. Merrill would love to chat with you via Google Meet and share ideas and experiences she's had throughout her publishing career. With follow-up email support!

Fun, Fresh Fiction with Feeling

If R.L. Merrill is your local hard rock/metal radio station, Rochelle is her Adult Contemporary alter ego. Spinning feel-good stories to make you laugh and swoon, Ro writes romance for grown-ups who use their words (mostly) and take care of business. She's a mom and wife who's on hiatus from a career in education while she explores the new terrain of mid-life adventures. You can catch her walking and gardening in her neighborhood by the Bay, spoiling her rescue pets, and dreaming of attending concerts and theaters again someday. Stay Tuned for more hits coming your way?

Image: A headshot of R. L. Merrill.

Win a 30-minute video or voice call to chat about all things publishing with HarperCollins children's book editor Carolina Ortiz. The call will take place over the phone or using Google Meet or Zoom.

Carolina Ortiz is an editor at HarperCollins Children's. She works on a variety of projects but specializes in middle grade, young adult, and graphic novels. Before her time at HarperCollins, she worked as a marketing and publicity associate at an independent press. Carolina is excitingly building a list that reflects the diverse world around us and that would allow readers to feel seen in the books they read-a feeling that she rarely experienced in her childhood. Find her on Twitter at @pushthepanorama.

Image: A headshot of Carolina Ortiz.

Win a 30-minute AMA call with Elizabeth Stranahan, Associate Editor at Penguin Random House. Are you interested in publishing but not sure what to expect as an aspiring author or publishing professional? Bring your questions for this 30-minute Q&A and learn the ins and outs from querying to acquisition to hitting the shelves for the first time.

Elizabeth Stranahan is an Associate Editor at Crown Books for Young Readers, a division of Random House Children's Books. She is interested in young adult and middle-grade fiction that is character driven, filled with banter, and challenges readers to life's big questions, as well as middle-grade nonfiction that makes complex concepts accessible and relatable. At Crown, she has worked with New York Times bestselling author Nicole Williams, Elle McNicoll, whose debut A Kind of Spark received the Waterstones Best Book of the Year, YA thriller writer Alexa Donne (The Ivies), and the Smithsonian Latino Center among others. When not tending to her email, Elizabeth can be found catching up on the latest gymnastics competition, quilting, and rewatching Derry Girls-occasionally at the same time.

Image: A headshot of Elizabeth Stranahan.

Win a 30-minute AMA consultation with Michelle Richter, Senior Literary Agent at Fuse Literary. Ask Michelle anything about publishing for 30 minutes. Michelle will answer any questions you have about a career in publishing or as an author/creator by phone or over Zoom.

If you'd prefer to discuss a particular project or query letter, Michelle will ask you to send materials by email at least one week before the conversation.

Michelle Richter moved from St. Martin's Press to the agenting side of the industry in 2014 and joined Fuse Literary, where she's been able to build a list of crime fiction, women's fiction, and very select nonfiction and young adult fiction. Michelle's clients have won or been shortlisted for such awards as the Edgar, Mary Higgins Clark, Strand Critics, Anthony, Agatha, Lefty, ITW Thriller, Macavity, Barry, Derringer, IPPY, and International Book Award. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, and an adjunct lecturer in Pace University's Publishing program.

Image: A headshot of Michelle Richter.

Win a 30-minute AMA Zoom or phone call with Alli Brydon, freelance editor. Alli invites you to ask anything about the publishing industry, including your personal career questions.

AMA Zoom call must be taken within the first 6 months of 2022.

Alli Brydon is a freelance children's book editor, author, and lifelong New Yorker who now lives in the UK. She is the editor of the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book Last Week Tonight with John Oliver presents A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo and writer of fiction and nonfiction for Scholastic, Lonely Planet, NatGeo Kids, Sourcebooks, and more. With over 15 years of experience developing, editing, writing, and selling books on both sides of the Atlantic, Alli has spent a large part of her career nurturing authors and illustrators to improve their craft and create outstanding children's books. Please drop in at allibrydoncreative.com to learn more, sign up to receive her blog posts by email, or just say "hi."

Image: A headshot of Alli Brydon.

Win an AMA phone call with Susan Hawk, Literary Agent at Upstart Crow Literary. Susan will answer questions you have about publishing, finding an agent, a tricky part of your manuscript, or whatever is most helpful for you!

Susan Hawk is an agent at Upstart Crow Literary, a boutique literary agency she joined after twenty-five years working across many areas of the children's book world. She's looking for all genres of fiction, from picture books through YA. She's also seeking picture book and graphic novel author-illustrators, as well as non-fiction projects. Stories with elegant, precise language; affecting, deeply drawn characters; a strong sense of place; and a sharp, irresistible hook will draw her attention. The thru-line in her client's work is a generous, wry humor that shines through, even - often - in the darker moments. Literary and commercial work is welcome; she loves to be surprised, and is actively seeking diversity in story as well as creators.

Image: A headshot of Susan Hawk.

Win a 30-minute consultation call with Gabrielle Gantz, Associate Director of Publicity, St. Martin's Press. Gabrielle can offer an overview of publishing with a focus on nonfiction publicity.

Gabrielle Gantz is an Associate Director of Publicity at St. Martin's Press, focusing on nonfiction titles. She has worked with Michael Eric Dyson, Patrisse Cullors co-founder of Black Lives Matter, and Senator Bernie Sanders. Previous publicity stints have included Viking/Penguin, Picador, and McSweeney's.

Image: A headshot of Gabrielle Gantz.

Win a 30-minute AMA phone consultation with Patrice Caldwell, literary agent and author. During this time, you can ask Patrice anything about publishing. This is not a critique of your work, but Patrice is happy to answer publishing questions.

This phone call offer expires on December 31, 2022.

Patrice Caldwell is a graduate of Wellesley College and the founder of People of Color in Publishing-a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting, empowering, and uplifting racially and ethnically marginalized members of the book publishing industry. Born and raised in Texas, Patrice was a children's book editor before becoming a literary agent.

She's been named to Forbes' "30 Under 30" media list, a Publishers Weekly Star Watch honoree, and featured on Bustle's inaugural "Lit List" as one of ten women changing the book world.

Patrice's debut novel, Where Shadows Reign-the first in a YA fantasy duology-is out in 2023 from Wednesday Books/Macmillan. She is also the editor of A Phoenix First Must Burn, 16 stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope (out now) and Eternally Yours, a YA Paranormal Romance anthology out in Fall 2022. Visit Patrice online at patricecaldwell.com, Twitter @whimsicallyours, and Instagram @whimsicalaquarian.

Image: A headshot of Patrice Caldwell.

Win a 30-minute AMA phone consultation with Patrice Caldwell, literary agent and author. During this time, you can ask Patrice anything about publishing. This is not a critique of your work, but Patrice is happy to answer publishing questions.

This phone call offer expires on December 31, 2022.

Patrice Caldwell is a graduate of Wellesley College and the founder of People of Color in Publishing-a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting, empowering, and uplifting racially and ethnically marginalized members of the book publishing industry. Born and raised in Texas, Patrice was a children's book editor before becoming a literary agent.

She's been named to Forbes' "30 Under 30" media list, a Publishers Weekly Star Watch honoree, and featured on Bustle's inaugural "Lit List" as one of ten women changing the book world.

Patrice's debut novel, Where Shadows Reign-the first in a YA fantasy duology-is out in 2023 from Wednesday Books/Macmillan. She is also the editor of A Phoenix First Must Burn, 16 stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope (out now) and Eternally Yours, a YA Paranormal Romance anthology out in Fall 2022. Visit Patrice online at patricecaldwell.com, Twitter @whimsicallyours, and Instagram @whimsicalaquarian.

Image: A headshot of Patrice Caldwell.

Win a 30-minute Zoom consultation with middle grade author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Kimberly invites questions about publishing or about her books.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and the recipient of Newbery Honor awards for The War That Saved My Life and Fighting Words.

Image: A headshot of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

Win a 100-page written critique of your middle grade or young adult manuscript from award-winning author Ellen Oh - and a 30-minute phone call to discuss anything about the publishing industry!

Ellen Oh is co-founder, President, and CEO of We Need Diverse Books (WNDB). She is also a former adjunct college instructor and corporate/entertainment attorney. Ellen is the award-winning author of the middle grade novels Finding Junie Kim, Dragon Egg Princess, Spirit Hunters and its sequel, The Island of Monsters, as well as the highly acclaimed, young adult Prophecy trilogy (Prophecy, Warrior, and King). She is the editor of the middle grade anthology Flying Lessons and Other Stories and the YA anthology Thousand Beginnings and Endings.

Get 50 pages of your manuscript critiqued by acclaimed author Zoraida Córdova via a 30-minute phone call! Manuscript can be Middle Grade, Young Adult, or Adult and must be in the romance or fantasy genre.

Zoraida Córdova is the acclaimed author of more than a dozen novels and short stories, including the Brooklyn Brujas series, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: A Crash of Fate, and The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina. In addition to writing novels, she serves on the Board of We Need Diverse Books, and is the co-editor of the bestselling anthology Vampires Never Get Old, as well as the cohost of the writing podcast, Deadline City. She writes romance novels as Zoey Castile. Zoraida was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and calls New York City home. When she's not working, she's roaming the world in search of magical stories. For more information, visit her at zoraidacordova.com.

Win 45-minute virtual class presentation, including Q&A and a class set of signed bookplates, with Linda Sue Park, New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Medal award winner.

Linda Sue Park is the author of many books for young readers, including the 2002 Newbery Medal winner A Single Shard and the New York Times bestseller A Long Walk to Water. Her most recent titles are Prairie Lotus, historical fiction for middle-grade readers, and The One Thing You'd Save, a novel in verse. You can find her website at www.lindasuepark.com

Win a critique by Cynthia Levinson, either:

• a full nonfiction picture book manuscript up to 1200 words, or
• the first ten pages of a nonfiction middle grade manuscript

Submission due by May, 2022

Cynthia Levinson writes nonfiction for young readers, mostly about social justice. Cynthia's most recent books received five starred reviews. Others have been designated Best of the Year by Kirkus, School Library Journal, the NY Public Library and have been recognized by NCTE, Junior Library Guild, ALSC, and other groups.

Win a critique from Associate Editor Erin Siu! Winners can choose from one of the below:

- One picture book manuscript or dummy
- First ten pages of a middle grade or young adult novel
- GN pitch packet

Erin Siu is an Associate Editor at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, where she manages MCPG's paperback imprint Square Fish and acquires and edits picture books, middle grade, young adult, and select graphic novels for Feiwel & Friends. She has a soft spot for stories about multicultural experiences, intergenerational relationships, food, and travel, and she's edited several children's books including, Have You Eaten? by Su Youn Lee and Old Friends by Margaret Aitken; illustrated by Lenny Wen. When she's not reading or editing, she can be found playing piano, watching scary movies, or cooking a bowl of ramen.

Win four signed books in the ASTRID AND APOLLO chapter book series by V.T. Bidania - and fun book swag!

Will ship in the US.

V.T. Bidania won the McKnight Fellowship for Writers in 2021. She is the author of ASTRID AND APOLLO, a chapter book series starring Hmong American twins Astrid and Apollo Lee. ASTRID AND APOLLO was named a Best Fiction for Younger Readers by the Chicago Public Library. The Starry Campout, the first book in the series, is an Amazon Editors' Pick for Best Books for Readers 6-8 and was chosen as a Read Brave title by the St. Paul Public Library. Visit her at www.vtbidania.com.

Win a stretched canvas abstract acrylic painting with circles and stripes that showcases many wonderful shades of brown. The artwork is 8" x 8" with the painting continuing on the sides so there's no need for framing.

Will ship in the US.

Stephanie Ruble is a children's book author/illustrator and artist who loves creating books and comics for young children as well as making art from crafts to paintings. She grew up in the Midwest, where the winters were cold and snowy, the summers were hot and mosquito-y, and there were lots of cows. Now she lives on the East Coast, where the seasons still change, but there are a lot more sea gulls. She is the illustrator of the picture book EWE AND AYE, written by Candace Ryan. To see more of her art, please visit her website at: https://sruble.com/

Win a copy of Around the World in the ATL, an amazing travelogue of Atlanta, and Let's Plant a Tree with Tylee is a step-by-step guide on how to plant a tree by Tylee, a Farm Manager.

Plus win Book Swag including a Mini Print of Ann Doll photographing the King Center in Atlanta, GA. The print is 4" x 6".

Will ship in the US.

Ann Doll is an Ambassador of Happiness; she travels the world passing out stars and stickers to make people SMILE! Ann Doll loves creating Children's Picture Books using her photographs.

Get your young adult query critiqued by author Lillie Lainoff!

A former Div I fencer and NCAA Championship competitor for Yale, Lillie Lainoff is the founder of Disabled Kidlit Writers and the winner of the 2019 LA Review Literary Award for Short Fiction. Her writing has been featured in The Washington Post Outlook, Washington City Paper, and via the Disability Visibility Project, amongst other places. One for All, her debut novel, will be published by FSG in 2022. More of her work is online at http://www.lillielainoff.com/, and @lillielainoff on Twitter and Instagram. She received her MA in Creative Writing Prose Fiction from the University of East Anglia.

Image: headshot of Lillie Lainoff

Win a signed copy of Big Dreams, Small Fish by Paula Cohen (Levine Querido) upon release in March 2022 and a signed art print from the book (sent now!).

Big Dreams, Small Fish is the story of Shirley, a little girl in the 1930's whose family lives above their shop in an immigrant neighborhood. Her family tells her "we didn't come to this country for you to work" but Shirley has big dreams for their store. She plans to make it prettier, more modern, and more profitable. Maybe she will even help sell Mama's slow selling gefilte fish and introduce a new flavor into the neighborhood!

Items will ship separately. Print will ship immediately. Book will ship upon release in March, 2022.

Paula Cohen is an author/illustrator with a long career as an editorial illustrator. A few years ago she decided to focus on children's books and she's very glad she did. Her debut picture book, Big Dreams, Small Fish (Levine Querido) will be out in March, 2022. She is the illustrator of Honey On The Page: A Treasury of Yiddish Children's Literature (Miriam Udel/NYU Press, 2020) and The Incredible Shrinking Lunchroom (Michal Babay/Charlesbridge, 2022.). Her work has also appeared in Honeycake Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, Scholastic Magazine, the Boston Globe, and more.
Paula lives in New Jersey with her family and cantankerous miniature schnauzer. She writes stories about all kinds of things but is often drawn to dogs, polar bears, and food!

Image: Cover of Big Dreams, Small Fish and a print, with the words "Signed Fine Art Print Now" and "Signed Book Upon Release (March '22)"

Win a 30-copy classroom paperback set of award-winning and New York Times bestsellingThe Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph!

Give the books to a classroom of your choosing, or let WNDB select a school in need to receive the titles!

Will ship in the United States.

Image: THE BLACK FRIEND book covers popping out of a cardboard box with the text above in purple, "Win a 30-copy classroom set!" The background is neutral.