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.