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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 professional headshot session with Boston-based photographer Carter Hasegawa. Receive up to five high-resolution, professionally edited images. Put your best self forward with a professional headshot. Great for publicity, social media, online profiles, author photos, etc.

Must come to the metro Boston area for the session.

Carter Hasegawa is a children's book editor and photographer based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Image: A headshot of Carter Hasegawa.

Intimidated by sites like Patreon and Ko-Fi? This coaching package is especially for you!

Win 30-minute AMA call about using Patreon and Ko-Fi as an author with author and librarian Sarah Loch.

Start with a one-on-one where you can talk with Sarah about:

• which platform is best for you,
• who your fans are,
• what you can offer as rewards, and
• how to create something manageable while still providing an income stream.

Afterward, you'll receive a step-by-step guide to creating your first membership subscription, including suggested verbiage.

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 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.