Hurray! It’s almost time for the #50PreciousWords 2026 International Writing Contest.
Some of you have been participating since the beginning. But others are here for the first time. So, I’d like to share a bit about the back story of this contest.
In 2012 I had a dream. I wanted to write picture books. One of the most important things I did was to participate in writing challenges like Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 and all of Susanna Hill’s contests. Why was that important? Because it got me writing. It got me revising. It got me submitting. Hmmm….writing/revising/submitting. I believe that if we do those three things enough times, our writing improves, and agents and editors get a chance to see our work. And as much as I am thrilled with my own success, nothing makes me happier than to hear about the success of others in our kid-lit community.
When I first got the idea for this contest back in 2016, I thought a few of my friends might take pity on me and submit a story – to my surprise, there were 128 entries.
The first place winner that year went on to sign with my wonderful agent, Essie White, and the story that won, LITTLE TIGER, is now part of a beautiful board book series written by award-winning author Julie Abery. illustrated by Suzie Mason, and published by Amicus Ink.
Over the years, other entries have become books…Amber Hendricks launched TWO books in 2022 that were both past entries for #50PreciousWords.
And in 2023, a 50,000-word YA novel launched that first appeared as a 50-word contest entry in 2021.
What a thrill to read that incredibly moving book by Federico Erebia, PEDRO & DANIEL (Levine Querido, June 6, 2023) – and discover that Federico’s #50PreciousWords entry are the final 50 words of the story!
I remember the assignment.
“Bring something special; your one true treasure.”
Girls displayed dolls, dresses, diaries.
Boys brought baseball cards, cars, comics.
I’d been nervous on the bus.
How had I convinced Mom?
I remember the teacher’s face, her open mouth.
Because my one true treasure was
Daniel, my brother.
I also love the enthusiasm and the positive energy that this contest generates. Every year, hundreds of writers submit their stories. And every year, there are thousands of comments on the contest blog post – ALL of them are encouraging and supportive – and that’s not something you find in many places these days. The contest has grown since 2016 – last year we had 587 submissions!
With all of those submissions, you know I need lots of help…and I am blessed to have a team of fabulous authors who stand ready to read! They are the BEST! A huge thank you to Maria Marshall, Carmen Castillo Gilbert, Amber Bouchard, Pamela Courtney, Leah Moser, Shirin Shamsi, and Diane Tulloch.
I also created something new a couple of years ago – a #50PreciousWords Literacy Initiative! I asked participants to purchase a children’s book from one of my local indie bookstores. And because of the generosity of this amazing kid-lit community, over the past four years, we have been able to deliver over 1000 brand-new books to local schools in need. This year, we will be using The Bookery, a fabulous indie bookstore in Manchester, NH. Their phone number is (603) 836-6600 and their website is: https://shopbookerymht.com/ Call or go online to order your favorite board book, picture book, chapter book, MG or YA…every book will be donated! Cassie Mosher, the manager, will help us choose the Title I schools that will receive the books. In addition, any books mailed directly to me by authors and publishers will be delivered to Sunset Heights Elementary School in Nashua, NH.
So, my friends, please put on your thinking caps, sharpen your pencils, and get busy writing. The contest opens on March 2nd right here on my blog. I wanted to give everyone a heads-up today so that they can start thinking about their stories now!
GUIDELINES FOR #50PRECIOUSWORDS
- Write a story appropriate for kids ages 12 or under.
- Total word count of 50 words or less.
- It can be prose, rhyme, free verse, silly or serious…whatever works for you.
- This needs to be a story, with a beginning, a middle, and an end.
- Title is not included in the word count.
- No illustration notes please.
- If you have children who want to write a story, please hold onto their stories until the kids’ challenge in May, #50PreciousWordsforKids.
- The contest officially opens Sunday, March 2nd, in a special post on my blog entitled: #50PRECIOUSWORDS 2026 CONTEST IS OPEN
- On March 2nd or March 3rd, post your story in the comments of that #50PRECIOUSWORDS 2026 CONTEST IS OPEN post. .
- If you know how, capture the url address of your contest entry – you hover over the date/time stamp…and if you copy it and paste it somewhere and save that, you’ll be able to find it easily.
- Only ONE entry per person, please.
- If you have trouble posting, please email me…but please don’t wait until 11pm on March 3.
- Winners will be announced towards the end of March.
- First place winner will choose their prize first. Second place winner goes next and can choose from the remaining prizes. And so on. There are critiques and submission opportunities with EDITORS and AGENTS and critiques and Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chats with PUBLISHED AUTHORS, seats in WRITING CLASSES, Author coaching sessions, a 2-night Personal Retreat at The Barn at Boyds Mills (formerly Highlights Foundation) in Pennsylvania…and more. Some authors are offering a choice of critique/Zoom chat or books and the book prizes are limited to USA addresses, please.
HERE IS THE LIST OF PRIZES – Look through the entire list…there may be editor prizes out of place although I did my best to put editors and Agents mostly in the first group, seats in picture book writing classes and coaching/promotional opportunities in the second group, and author critiques and Zoom Ask-Me-Anything sessions and signed books in the third…but some of the prizes might be mixed in here and there. Just because something is Prize 1 or 2 doesn’t mean it’s the best prize…if you are one of the 60+ prize winners, the best prize is the prize that is best for you.
Prize 1: A 2-night personal retreat at Boyds Mills (formerly the Highlights Foundation). It includes two nights lodging plus meals (based on availability).
Boyds Mills offers personal retreat opportunities at our campus in northeastern Pennsylvania.
On your personal retreat, time is yours to focus on your work, be in nature, and spend as you please. No structure. No schedule (unless you make one). You can come as an individual, or in groups (friends, critique groups, writing partners, interest groups, and more).
PRIZE 2: One PB Manuscript Critique/Review with Michele McAvoy, owner and editor at The Little Press, an independent children’s book publisher, publishing picture books through YA.
Michele McAvoy is a multi-award-winning author, attorney, educator, and publisher from New Jersey. Her publishing company, The Little Press, publishes picture books through YA. She is also the host of the popular kidlit podcast, My Messy Muse, and the creator of #GirlPowerHour, an annual event celebrating strong women and diversity in children’s literature. Michele’s titles include Buckingham Gets A New Shell, (Pigman Books), multi-award winning Cookie & Milk (Cardinal Rule Press), The Gorilla Picked Me! (The Little Press), and the award-winning My Superhero Grandpa (The Little Press.) You can find Michele on social media @michele_mcavoy (Twitter) and @michelemcavoy (Instagram.)www.MicheleMcAvoy.comwww.littlepresspublishing.com
PRIZE 3: One PB manuscript feedback or comments on the 1st 5 pages of a Chapter Book or Middle Grade with Marissa Moss, author, editor and publisher at Creston Books
Marissa Moss has written more than seventy children’s books, from picture books to middle-grade and young adult novels. Best known for the Amelia’s Notebook series, her books are popular with teachers and children alike. Her young adult novel, A Soldier’s Secret: the Incredible True Story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, a Civil War Hero, won the California Silver Book Award. Barbed Wire Baseball, a picture book biography won the California Book Award, Gold medal and was named an ALA Notable Book and a Notable Book for Social Studies this year. Her books have been translated into French, Spanish, Chinese, Indonesian, Korean, and Polish. Her first adult book, Last Things: a Graphic Memoir of Loss and Love, won the Cowan Award.
In 2013, Moss founded Creston Books, starting the small children’s press with a kickstarter campaign. Dedicated to strong storytelling, the creator-centered house hopes to give debut and established authors a bigger role in their books, from design to marketing. Each list of four titles has a good balance of picture book and older readers, debut authors and well-known names, and strives to showcase the very best in children’s books. Of the nineteen titles published so far, a third have earned starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and Publishers Weekly, three are Junior Library Guild selections, one was named a Notable Book for Social Studies, one an Outstanding Trade Science Book, Cook Honor Book, Eureka Gold Medal Winner, and Amelia Bloomer book, and three made the Kirkus Best Books lists
PRIZE 4: One Picture Book Manuscript Feedback from Thalia Leaf, associate editor at Calkins Creek/Astra Books for Young Readers.
Thalia Leaf is the associate editor at Calkins Creek, the US history imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers. Thalia works on everything from picture books through YA, but she is particularly interested in narrative nonfiction picture books for ages 7 to 10. She has previously worked as a writing tutor, as an English teacher, and in academic publishing. She is an audiobook enthusiast and enjoys knitting and baking. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.
PRIZE 5A: A submission opportunity with Sandra Sutter, owner and editor at Gnome Road Publishing
PRIZE 5B: A submission opportunity with Sandra Sutter, owner and editor at Gnome Road Publishing
Gnome Road produces books that engage and inform, develop and strengthen a love for reading, and bring smiles and laughter to the world.
Our books are made with all readers in mind and with a focus on the “R” factor … Re-Readability! We want them to be read time and again, to be cherished, and to light the way on a lifetime of reading adventures.
PRIZE 6: 30-MINUTE ASK ME ANYTHING PHONE CALL with editor Saba Sulaiman, Senior Editor at Talcott Notch Literary.
Saba says “I was drawn into the world of literature by default when my sister’s growing collection of books in our tiny room began to overflow onto my bed. Born to Pakistani immigrants in Sri Lanka, and knowing how to express myself only in English for the first fifteen years of my life, I found comfort in reading about other culturally displaced people, unable to communicate in their native tongues, and hesitant to assert themselves in environments where there were few examples of people like them. Moving to Pakistan and absorbing what it meant to be an educated and empowered girl coming of age in a traditional Islamic society contributed greatly to my desire to seek similar narratives, especially from other women. I took the next step in my immigrant journey by moving to the United States to study Economics and Middle Eastern Studies at Wellesley College. I then studied modern Persian Literature at the University of Chicago, where I helped edit our department’s academic journal. After a stint at Sourcebooks as an Editorial Intern, I joined the team at Talcott Notch Literary, and the rest is history.
Being an author today is an entrepreneurial endeavor, and I see my role as my clients’ primary advocate as they navigate each and every stage of the publishing process – from digging deep into developing their craft, to representing their interests zealously even after they find homes for their books. I am also committed to highlighting marginalized voices with bright careers ahead of them and compelling stories to tell; stories that demonstrate the true range of perspectives that exist in this world, and address urgent and often underexplored issues with veracity and heart.
When I’m not reading, you’ll probably find me running after my two small children, secretly learning another foreign language, playing Scrabble, watching a Bollywood movie, or singing in the bathroom (the acoustics, am I right?)”
PRIZE 7: PB Critique OR a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat or a bundle of her books from Helen H. Wu, author, illustrator, publisher, and founder of CapyFun.
Helen H. Wu is an award-winning children’s book author, illustrator, translator, and publisher. Her works include Tofu Takes Time, Long Goes to Dragon School, Ping’s Perfect Pot, and her author-illustrated titles, A Cup of Happy: Capybara Bubble Tea, Cozy Capy Cuddles Coloring, and Capybara Zen. Helen is passionate about sharing stories that celebrate cultural connections and empower children to better understand the world. CapyFun is the first brand to comprehensively develop the capybara as an IP worldwide. Inspired by capybara, CapyFun provides gentle emotional support through books, stories, animations, and content that spark fun and comfort. Through licensing and collaboration, CapyFun offer accessories, stationery, apparel and more—bringing capybara cozy to everyday life.
PRIZE 8: A Submission Opportunity with my fabulous agent, Essie White of Essie White Literary (Essie is rarely open for submission and so this is a much sought-after chance)
After relocating to Minneapolis, Minnesota, Essie entrenched herself in the local children’s book community. She started receiving inquiries from local authors, asking about the path to publication. A lot of research later, as well as a lot of work, Essie opened her first small agency with the hope of ensuring capable artists and authors, could eventually get their work seen by editors and publishers. Storm Literary Agency was subsequently launched in 2014. Now in the capable hands of Vicki Selvaggio, Essie left Storm to launch her new literary agency, Essie White Literary.
Essie loves strong writing that hits an emotional core. For her, the writing must be unforgettable, as should the characters and the place. Whether a snippet of life, or a full life, the story should not be easily forgotten. She wants to represent literature that leaves an impact on children’s lives, and she wants to represent artists who know how to speak to the child, through their art.
PRIZE 9: An MG direct submission and feedback – the winner who chooses this prize can send a MG query letter and full manuscript directly to Michelle’s email (whether she is open to queries or not) and she’ll provide some feedback in the event she passes on it – from Michelle Hauck, Agent at Storm Literary.
Michelle been helping writers long before taking the step to become an agent. Her Midwest roots taught her to pay things forward, and along with several co-hosts, she ran an impressive collection of contests for writers, including Query Kombat, Nightmare on Query Street, and Picture Book Party. She also learned much from six years as a successful Pitch Wars mentor in adult SFF.
Publishers Marketplace Website | Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram
PRIZE 10: A Submission Opportunity Choice – Picture Book or Middle Grade project – with Lisa Amstutz, literary agent at Storm Literary
Lisa Amstutz is the author of more than 150 books for children, including Our Christmas Tree Farm, Mammal Mania, Plants Fight Back, and Applesauce Day. After 16 years as an author and freelance editor, she joined Storm Literary Agency in 2021. Find her online at https://linktr.ee/LJAmstutz.
PRIZE 11: A fiction pb manuscript critique up to 700 words (non-rhyme or rhyme both okay) or first 10 pages for a fiction MG from Kaitlyn Sanchez, Literary Agent at Bradford Agency
Kaitlyn Sanchez is a mom, wife, agent with Bradford Literary Agency, and middle school math teacher. She’s also the proud co-creator and co-host of the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest and Kidlit Zombie Week as well as creator and co-host of the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest. In her free time, she loves to play soccer, binge-watch TV shows, and, of course, read. Especially when she’s all cozied up with her husband and daughter reading together.
Website: https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/
Twitter: @KaitlynLeann17
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaitlynLeann17
Please follow my clients on social media: https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/literary-clients/
PRIZE 12: Winner can choose ONE of these prizes: A full PB Critique OR a submission opportunity or a 30 minute Ask Me Anything zoom chat from Heather Cashman – Literary Agent and Agent Mentor at Storm Literary
Surrounded by books from her earliest memories, Heather reads picture books, biographies and select nonfiction, poetry, and all genres of fiction. While she devours any book that tells a good story and introduces a new world, she especially loves the ones that make her want to be the heroine of her own life. She was a professional editor for Cornerstones Literary Consultancy, helped authors by working as Managing Director of Pitch Wars, and interned for three years at The Bent Agency. She’s now a Literary Agent and Agent Mentor with Storm Literary Agency. You can find her latest deal announcements on her website, but many more have yet to be announced.
Storm Literary Agency520-850-5043 heather.stormliteraryagency@gmail.comWay-Word Writer | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
PRIZE 13: A 30-minute video call for an Ask Me Anything and/or PB critique of a non-rhyming picture book from Charlesbridge assistant editor Natalia Vázquez Torres.
Assistant editor at Charlesbridge, Natalia Vázquez Torres…check out her manuscript wish list: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/natalia-vazquez-torres/
PRIZE 14: A 1-hour Zoom picture book critique from Dr. Mira Reisberg.
With a PhD in Education and Cultural Studies focused on Children’s Literature, Dr. Mira Reisberg is a 16-year veteran of running the Children’s Book Academy. She is super-proud that her hard-working students have published over 2,000 books and won many, many awards. Mira’s own long-ago published books also won awards and sold over 600,000 copies. Mira lives in Portland, Oregon with her hubs and cat. Find her here: https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/ or here: https://www.mirareisberg.com/
Plus, every participant in #50PreciousWords is invited to download a FREE POV (Point of View workbook… Here are the directions for that: Click on the Buy Now Purple button here: https://childrensbookacademy.com/discount/50Words?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fworkbook-point-of-view and then use this case-sensitive code to receive it for free: 50Words
An email will follow with the lovely download.
PRIZE 15A: A submission opportunity with Little Press acquiring editor, author, and Rate Your Story owner, Lynne Marie. Make sure you check her submission page/wish list for Little Press so you know if your work is appropriate for her.
PRIZE 15B: A 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat with Lynne Marie
PRIZE 15C: A Rate Your Story Speedpass
Lynne Marie is a multi-published, award-winning author of picture books. BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle (The Little Press 2024), is a 2025 Anna Dewdney Read Together Award honor book, a 2025 Children’s Book Council Favorite from Teachers, Kids and Librarians, and a 2024 Northern Lights Book Awards Holiday Category winner. She’s an Editor at The Little Press, Director of RateYourStory.org, Mentor at ThePictureBookMechanic.com, Creator of March On With Mentor Texts (www.rateyourstory.org/march-on) and Mentor Text Talk, Co-Host of #SeasonsOfKidLit (www.seasonsofkidlit.com) and Columnist at Children’s Book Insider (https://writeforkids.online/). Visit her at www.LiterallyLynneMarie.com.
PRIZE 16: PB Critique or a critical review and analysis of a chapter book with Brunella Castagiola, founder of The Military Editor Agency.. Her review will consist of: analyzing narrative structure, characters, marketability (and ways to optimize it), readability, pace, and flow.
Brunella Costagliola is an award-winning children’s book author, best-selling editor, and translator. Raised in Bacoli, a small coastal town west of Naples, Southern Italy, Brunella is passionate about sharing her home country’s culture, traditions, and history through her stories. Founder and owner of The Military Editor®Agency, LLC, a ghostwriting and editing agency catering to military authors and military-related manuscripts, and recognized by Forbes NEXT1000, Brunella helps fellow writers tell their stories and achieve their publishing dreams. Author of A Stroke of Magic: The Dinosaur Woman, and A Stroke of Magic: The Hawaiian Princess, a chapter book series that celebrates diversity and marginalized historical figures, Brunella is a proud Mamma of her two Italian American children, who are an endless source of inspiration for her stories, and devoted Air Force wife to her now-retired husband. Brunella lives in Florida with her family and their three dogs.
PRIZE 17: A 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Chat with the amazing Harold Underdown, editor and revision guru.
A Half Hour with Harold: You get a half hour to talk with Harold Underdown. You’re free to choose the topic or topics, and while he says he’d be happy to talk about such things as baking, cricket (the sport), gardening, or urban wildlife, he suggests you choose something connected to the writing, illustrating, and publishing of books for children.
Harold Underdown has worked as an independent editor and publishing consultant, providing developmental edits and strategic consulting; and as an in-house editor with Kane Press, McGraw-Hill Education, Charlesbridge, and Orchard Books. He enjoys every part of the editing process, though he admits line-editing can be a chore.
Harold also enjoys teaching, in a variety of contexts. He speaks and gives workshops through the Highlights Foundation and SCBWI’s national and regional conferences. He wrote The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Children’s Book Publishing, now in its third edition. He founded and runs “The Purple Crayon,” a respected web site with information about the children’s publishing world at www.underdown.org.
PRIZE 18: An Author Career Consult with award-winning author and bookstore buyer, Susan Kusel
Susan Kusel is an author, synagogue library director, an independent bookstore buyer, and children’s book consultant. She has served on multiple book award committees including the Caldecott Medal and as the chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award. Her debut picture book, The Passover Guest was illustrated by Sean Rubin, published by Neal Porter Books/Holiday House and won the Sydney Taylor Book Award.
Want to know more about children’s book publishing? This mentor session with children’s book expert, librarian, bookseller, book buyer and consultant Susan Kusel will help guide you on your path to publication and figure out the next steps in your journey. https://www.susankusel.com/
PRIZE 19: A winner’s choice of a Seat in the Self-Study Making Picture Book Writing Magic course OR a picture book critique from the founder of Perfect Picture Book Friday and New York Times Best-selling author Susanna Leonard Hill. https://susannahill.com/for-writers/making-picture-book-magic/
What can I say about Susanna? Her class was the first picture book writing course I took – and it provided an amazing foundation for me. She is a mentor to all, providing challenges and contests to keep us motivated and inspired!
PRIZE 20: The Lyrical Language Lab Rhyme & Meter Self-Study course from RENEE LA TULIPPE
I took Renee’s Lyrical Language Lab class in 2014…it helped me with every word that goes into a picture book, whether it is rhyming or prose. And her website offers tons of videos and resources – she’s a shining light for this kid lit community!
renee@reneelatulippe.com
PRIZE 21: The Complete Picture Book Submission System and one free 12 x 12 webinar from author and fearless founder of the 12×12 Challenge, Julie Hedlund
Julie says, “I cannot remember a time when I didn’t know how to read (although I know there WAS such a time). I have always lived surrounded by books. Therefore, it’s probably no surprise that I ended up wanting to create my own. This too, I started at a young age.
I continued writing through high school and college, but I didn’t consider writing books for children a possible career. I spent many years working in the banking industry before deciding I needed to try my hand at writing books that would inspire children the way I had been inspired myself. It was super scary, but I never looked back!
Today, I write books, I share them with children, and I help other authors do the same. I get to imagine, create, and inspire every day in my dream job, right from my desk in Boulder, Colorado. I get inspiration from my two kids, my high-maintenance hound dog, and the view of Rocky Mountain National Park outside my window.”
https://juliehedlund.com/
PRIZE 22: A 30-minute Virtual Consultation to discuss strategies for designing curricular materials and activities that supplement your picture book(s) or chapter book(s). You can discuss one or more projects, including how to align materials to specific state and/or Common Core standards, how to choose activities, and what digital tools you can use to design your materials. The winner will also receive $50 off any curricular design project created by The Book Links from Stephanie Fitzpatrick
Stephanie Fitzpatrick is the owner and content creator of all materials at The Book Links LLC. An educator with 16 years of elementary education experience, Stephanie was a fifth- and third-grade teacher before becoming a school administrator. As an elementary school assistant principal for 10 years, she spent a decade working directly with teachers and librarians to ensure that today’s best books are in the hands of our kids. Stephanie has an Ed.M. in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, an MST in Elementary Education from Pace University, and a B.A. in History and Political Science from Binghamton University. A writer in her spare time, she is a member of The Writing Barn’s Courage to Create Community, Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, and SCBWI.
Instagram: @thebooklinksllc Facebook: www.facebook.com/the.book.links.llcTwitter (X): @stephanie_skibaThreads: @thebooklinksllcWebsite: www.thebooklinksllc.com
PRIZE 23: A 30-minute video call for a career consult or to ask anything about the path to publication with Independent YA & Children’s Book Editor Julie Scheina
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. Please visit www.juliescheina.com to learn more about Julie’s work. Julie also recently launched a free resource for writers, www.youreditorfriend.com, a series of weekly letters filled with writing guidance, revision advice, and encouragement.
PRIZE 24: Winner can choose ONE of these prizes: A one-on-one consultation on either ‘techniques for inventing ideas for picture books’ or ‘how to create and edit dummy books in minutes’ OR a video interview which may subsequently appear as an NBN podcast from Mel Rosenberg, host of the Children’s Literature Channel of the New Books Network and co-creator of OurBoox.
Mel Rosenberg is a scientist-inventor-musician turned children’s book author. His debut picture book in North America, “Emily Saw a Door,” launched with Random House Studio on Feb. 24th, 2026. Mel is founder and host of the Children’s Literature Channel of the New Books Network and co-founder of Ourboox, an online platform for creating and sharing picture books and dummies. His three TED-Ed animations have been viewed over 14 million times.
Author website: authormel.com
linktree: https://linktr.ee/doctormel
New Books Network: Host, Children’s Literature Channel, NBN
New book: Emily Saw a Door
Ourboox: www.ourboox.com
PRIZE 25: A 30 MINUTE Ask Me Anything ZOOM CHAT WITH MARKETING/PROMOTIONAL GURU, Heidi Vance, Storm Literary Agency Marketing Coordinator.
Heidi Vance has loved books since she was old enough to hold one in her hands. The library has always been a big influence. Inspiring and expanding upon her need to read and write as much as she can. In addition to writing for children and adults, Heidi is published in the magazine market.
Since 2015, Heidi has managed her daughter’s small-turned-worldwide “Sammie’s Buddy Bench Project,” and successfully helped her daughter through the publishing process of her debut book, Inspire the World: A Kid’s Journey to Making a Difference, which has been highlighted on Disney, Nightly News, and mentioned in publications such as People Magazine and New York Times, to name a few.
www.stormliteraryagency.com
heidi.stormliteraryagency@gmail.com
PRIZE 26: A Picture Book Critique (up to 800 words) from award-winning author and former editor, Alayne Kay Christian
Alayne Kay Christian is an award-winning children’s book author and the creator and teacher of a picture book writing course Art of Arc. A few of her picture books are An Old Man and His Penguin: How Dindim Made João Pereira de Souza an Honorary Penguin and The Weed That Woke Christmas: The Mostly True Story of the Toledo Christmas Weed.
Alayne’s latest picture book, Turkey on the Run! with Flamingo Books, will make its way into the world in September 2026. To learn more about Alayne, visit her websites and blog at . . .
https://alaynekaychristianauthor.com
Art of Arc http://www.alaynekaychristian.com/contact.html
Blog https://alaynekaychristian.wordpress.com/
PRIZE 27: Choose One Virtual Visit with award-winning, author-illustrator Federico Erebia: A Pedro & Daniel Book Club, A School Visit, or A Critique Group AMA.
Author/poet/illustrator Federico Erebia is a retired physician who received the 2024 Lambda Literary Exceptional New Writer Award. His debut novel, Pedro & Daniel (Levine Querido 2023), garnered numerous awards, starred reviews, and other commendations. His work is included in Just YA, an anthology.
He is on the SCBWI Impact & Legacy Fund’s steering committee, the Read Your World board of trustees, and is active in the Lambda Literary Writers in Schools program, along with several other writing groups.
Federico is an avid woodworker. He and his husband live near Boston, Massachusetts, in the home he re-designed and renovated.
Website: https://FJEbooks.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B08NLCYPM6https://twitter.com/FedericoErebia
PRIZE 28: PB Critique and a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom from award-winning author Lindsay Leslie.
Lindsay Leslie is the award-winning author of Gus Hearts the Bus (JLG Gold Standard Selection), So You Want to Build a Library, Dusk Explorers (SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner, Bank Street Best Book of 2021 with Outstanding Merit, and Amazon Editors’ Pick), Nova the Star Eater, This Book Is Spineless, and Rock & Moss: The Physics of Friendship. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, sci-fi/fantasy novelist Ryan Leslie, two teenagers, and two fur-beasts (a.k.a. dogs
https://lindsayleslie.com/
PRIZE 29: Winner can choose one: A Picture Book Critique or a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom from author award-winning Laura Roettiger
Laura Roettiger is a reading specialist and award-winning educator from Chicago, IL who began submitting her writing to contests in third grade. Since then she interviewed two future presidential candidates, raised three children, won a stand-up comedy contest, published two children’s books, took up photography, and after nine years in Colorado, recently relocated to New Jersey.
Her blog https://lauraroettigerbooks.com/ includes photography, ideas about writing, reading updates, and author interviews. She can be found on instagram and Bluesky @ljrwritenow
PRIZE 30: A 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom Chat from award-winning author Nancy Churnin (Nancy is a long-time CP and a marketing genius)
A native New Yorker, Nancy is a graduate of Harvard University, with a master’s from Columbia University. She lives in North Texas with her husband, a dog named Dog and two cantankerous cats. Learn more about Nancy at www.nancychurnin.com
PRIZE 31: A PB Critique with a Zoom call from award-winning author Ellen Leventhal. (Ellen is one of my long-time critique buddies – I love her feedback!)
Ellen Leventhal is an educator and writer in Houston, TX. Her writing usually contains universal themes to which children can relate–even if the thoughts occasionally come from talking cows or lambs. She can’t remember a time when she wasn’t writing in some capacity. Ellen is the co-author of Don’t Eat the Bluebonnets and the author of Lola Can’t Leap. Her picture book based on the many flood disasters she and her family endured, Flood of Kindness, has helped many children cope with loss. And her newest book, Debbie’s Song: The Debbie Friedman Story, illustrated by Natalia Grebtsova, launched last year from Kar Ben. She has been published in magazines and newspapers as well as in short story and poetry anthologies. Ellen loves school visits! When visiting schools, she coordinates with and supports literacy programs as well as diversity and anti-bullying programs. Ellen’s best days are when she can interact directly with the students and spread her love of literacy and kindness. To find out more about Ellen’s books and writing projects, please go to www.Ellenleventhal.com
PRIZE 32: Picture Book Critique from award-winning author Tina Cho (Tina is one of my long-time critique partners – her insights are spot on!)
Tina Cho is a kindergarten teacher and author of many books including Rice from Heaven, The Ocean Calls, (4 starred reviews JLG, Freeman Honor Award), God’s Little Oceanographer, and The Princess & the Grain of Rice which launched on February 10, and the forthcoming The Kimchi Fridge (Oct. 6th). Her graphic novel, The Other Side of Tomorrow received five starred reviews, a JLG Gold Standard Selection, SLJ Best Graphic Novels List 2024, Kirkus Best Middle Grade 2024, Freeman Book Honor Award from NCTAsia, SCBWI Golden Kite Award, state lists, etc…
You can visit her website at www.tinamcho.com
Twitter: @TinaMCho
IG: @TinaMCho
website: http://www.tinamcho.com
PRIZE 33: Winner’s choice: A Rhyming PB Critique OR a look at a 1st chapter of a MG or YA novel from award-winning author Gayle Krause
https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Twisted-Gayle-Krause/dp/1950169049
Named the 2022 MG first place winner of the Kid’s Choice KIDLIT Writing Contest, I’m a PAL SCBWI member and currently write PB, MG and YA novels. My YA novel, Ratgirl:Song of the Viper, a retelling of The Pied Piper in a globally-warmed future was nominated for the Boston Globe /Horn Book and The International Reading Association Award. My picture book Rock Star Santa was performed as a play in Australia and presented at Storytime in Montserrat, British West Indies with a real British Rock Star. My picture book Daddy, Can You See the Moon? shares royalties with Our Military Child, an organization that helps veteran’s children deal with their parent’s war injuries/deployment. And my newest picture book, Zadie and the Witch’s Tea launched in 2023..
Website – www.gayleckrause.com
Blog – https://thestorytellersscroll.blogspot.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/gayle.c.krause
Twitter – @GeeCeeK
PRIZE 34: Winner’s choice: A Picture Book Critique OR a 30-minute AMA OR a signed copy of one of her books with swag from award-winning author Melissa Stoller
Melissa Stoller writes to bring heartfelt connection and joy to her readers. Her recent picture books include: Hazel and Mabel: Two Hearts Apart, illustrated by Anita Bagdi, released from Gnome Road Publishing in September, 2025 and Mojo’s Return: A Story of Resilience and Hope, illustrated by Uzi Binyamin (co-authored), released from Niv Publishing in December 2025. Melissa’s next picture book, Stella’s Special Recipe: A Rosh Hashanah Story, illustrated by Valerya Milovanova, will release from Kar-Ben Publishing on August 4, 2026. Melissa is also the author of the chapter book The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection – Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written). Melissa is a Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a member of SCBWI, and a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Trustee. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and long walks in Central Park.
https://www.MelissaStoller.com
https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller
PRIZE 35: A 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom for Picture Book Writers from award-winning author Lori Degman
From Lori: “I went to MacMurray college, in Jacksonville, IL and when I graduated, I got a job teaching deaf and hard of hearing students at Waukegan West High School. I stopped teaching after ten years so I could stay home with my two sons, Sean and Brian. That’s when I decided to write picture books for children. After six years at home (and not a single published book), I went back to work. This time, I was a Hearing Itinerant Teacher with the Special Education District of Lake County – SEDOL. After about ten years, I started writing again and finally sold my first picture book, 1 Zany Zoo.”
For more about her MANY books: https://loridegman.com/
PRIZE 36A: A 30-min AMA Zoom about the path to publication with Rosie Pova.
PRIZE 36B: 30-minute verbal feedback on a PB manuscript (fiction, non-rhyming, up to 700 words) with Rosie Pova.
PRIZE 36C: An admission ticket to one of Rosie’s editor/agent webinars for an un-
agented/ unpublished writer.
Rosie J. Pova is a multi-published, award-winning children’s book author, mentor, and founder of Picture Book Author Academy. Her picture books include Sally’s Musical Tale (2025), Sunday Rain—featured in The New York Times and recommended by Parents magazine—and The School of Failure: A Story About Success, a Readers’ Favorite silver medal winner published in the U.S. and China.
Through her mentorship programs, courses, and industry-led workshops, Rosie helps aspiring picture book authors master the craft, understand the business of publishing, and build a strong, submission-ready body of work. Learn more at www.rosiejpova.com
IG PBAA: https://www.instagram.com/pbauthoracademy/
IG Rosie J. Pova: https://www.instagram.com/rosiejpova/
Website: https://www.rosiejpova.com/
PRIZE 37: A manuscript critique with a 30 minute virtual session for feedback with award-winning author Carrie Finison (Carrie is one of my long-time critique buddies…her insights are amazing!)
Carrie Finison writes children’s books with humor and heart that are fun to read aloud. Her books include Dozens of Doughnuts and the sequel, Plenty of Pancakes; Don’t Hug Doug, an ALA Notable Children’s Book; Even Steven: A Book About Sharing; Lulu & Zoey: A Sister Story; Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School; Pigs Dig a Road; and Touch a Truck Day, a lift-the-flap board book. She lives in the Boston area. Visit her at www.carriefinison.com , or follow on social media @CarrieFinison.
PRIZE 38: A PB Critique from award-winning author Hannah Holt. (Hannah is also one of my long-time critique partners – and her critiques are AMAZING!
Hannah Holt is a children’s author with an engineering degree. Her picture books weave together her love of literature and lifelong learning. They include, The Diamond and the Boy (HarperCollins), A Father’s Love (Penguin), and A History of Underwear with Professor Chicken (Macmillan). She lives in Oregon with her husband, four children, and a very patient cat.
Find out more about Hannah and her books here.
PRIZE 39: A 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom Chat from best-selling author Allie Millington
Allie Millington is the author of heartfelt books for the young and young at heart. Her debut middle grade novel, Olivetti, was an instant USA Today Bestseller and Indie Bookstore Bestseller, received a glowing review in the New York Times by Tom Hanks, and made several Best of 2024 Lists including School Library Journal, NPR, and The Boston Globe. In Spring of 2025, her next middle grade novel, Once For Yes (a Junior Library Guild selection) and the start of her picture book series, When You Find A Hope were released. Allie lives near Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, their dog Crumpet, and a collection of clacking machines. You can find her on instagram: @allieinink or on her website: alliemillingtonbooks.com
PRIZE 40: A 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom Chat with award-winning author Keila Dawson.
Keila V. Dawson is an award-winning author and former educator who writes fiction and nonfiction books. A former educator and New Orleans native, she is the author of Yumbo Gumbo, a 2025 NSTA-CBC title; Opening the Road: Victor Green and His Green Book, a 2025 Choose to Read Ohio selection; The King Cake Baby; and the forthcoming Annabelle’s Beignet Café. She is a co-editor and contributor to the youth activism series that includes the award-winning No Voice Too Small, its companion No World Too Big (winner of the 2024 Green Earth Book Award and the 2024 ILA Social Justice Literature Award), and the forthcoming third book in the series, No Brain the Same (June 2, 2026). Dawson has lived and worked across the U.S. and abroad in the Philippines, Japan, and Egypt. Today, she lives in Cincinnati. .
Find out more about her and her books at www.keiladawson.com . Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky.
PRIZE 41: A 30 minute Ask Me Anything Zoom Chat from award-winning author Lisa Katzenberger
Lisa Katzenberger is the author of several picture books including IT WILL BE OK (Sourcebooks 2021), I CAN DO IT EVEN IF I’M SCARED (Sourcebooks 2024), A LOVE LETTER TO MY LIBRARY (Sourcebooks 2024), and IT BELONGS TO THE WORLD (HarperCollins 2024). She lives in the Chicago area with her husband and two children where she writes full-time, drives her kids around, volunteers in her community, and serves on The Board of Trustees of her local library. She has been on The Writing Barn faculty for several years and she loves helping writers find their picture book voice. Learn more about Lisa at www.lisakatzenberger.com.
PRIZE 42: An Ask-Me-Anything Zoom Chat with award-winning author Marzieh Abbas
Marzieh Abbas is a baker turned award-winning author. She loves adding magic to her creations, from a seven-layered rainbow cake to the books she writes for children all over the world. Her work is inspired by her Pakistani culture and Muslim heritage. Marzieh is a member of Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Picture Book Challenge and a graduate of the Lyrical Language Lab and Children’s Book Academy. She is the author of the middle grade novel Aarzu All Around, along with several board and picture books. Marzieh enjoys learning new skills, sipping chai, and observing nature. She dreams of owning a talking parrot someday. But until then, she lives in Pakistan with her husband and children who inspire her daily. You can find her on the web at MarziehAbbas.com
PRIZE 43: 30 Minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat from award-winning author ARIEL BERNSTEIN
Ariel Bernstein is an author of children’s books including the picture books WE LOVE FISHING! (starred review Publisher’s Weekly), YOU GO FIRST (starred review Kirkus Reviews), and MABEL WANTS A FRIEND (starred reviews Kirkus Reviews and Publisher’s Weekly), and the early reader OLIVE AND OSCAR: THE FAVORITE HAT, all illustrated by Marc Rosenthal. She also wrote the WARREN & DRAGON chapter book series, illustrated by Mike Malbrough. Honors include a Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of 2024, Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Title, Junior Library Guild Gold Selections, CCBC Choices, and Bank Street College Best Book of the Year. Ariel lives in New Jersey with her family and you can find her online at www.arielbernsteinbooks.com.
PRIZE 44: A 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat from award-winning author Lydia Lukidis
Lydia is very involved in the kidlit community. She volunteers as a judge on Rate your Story, co-hosts the annual Fall Writing Frenzy competition, and is an active member of SCBWI, CANSCAIP, 12 x 12, and The Authors Guild. Another passion of hers is fostering a love for children’s literacy through the writing workshops she regularly offers in elementary schools across Quebec with the Culture in the Schools program.
Lydia is represented by literary agent Miranda Paul from Aevitas Creative Management.
For more information, please visit www.lydialukidis.com.
PRIZE 45: A 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat regarding manuscript support or book marketing advice with best-selling author and Children’s Book Review editor, Bianca Schulze
Growing readers is my calling, writing books is my dream come true.
Bianca Schulze is the founder and editor of The Children’s Book Review—a resource devoted to children’s literature and literacy—and the host of The Growing Readers Podcast.
Bianca is also the author of the popular Don’t Wake the Dragon series (translated into 14 languages) and the bestselling 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (an Amazon “Book of the Month”). She is a reader, reviewer, mother, and children’s book lover.
Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Bianca now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.
https://www.biancaschulze.com/
PRIZE 46: Winner’s choice: Feedback on a PB manuscript OR a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom Chat with award-winning author and editor Tina Shepardson. Winner also receives a signed copy of Tina’s latest release: THE SORRY SEEDS.
An award-winning teacher for 34 years, Tina was privileged to share her love of books with many students. She is the author of Walkout, a picture book, with Clear Fork Publishing (2020), Canines Unleashed, a chapter book with CFP (2024), and The Sorry Seeds, a picture book, with Gnome Road Publishing (2024). She is an active member of 12×12 and a Rate Your Story judge. When Tina, a winter enthusiast, isn’t writing, she enjoys Upstate New York and the Catskills with her husband, daughter, and two Akitas, one snowstorm at a time. Learn more about Tina at www.tinashepardson.com.
PRIZE 47: Feedback on a PB manuscript or a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom on the Path to Publication from award-winning author Carole Ekster
Carol Gordon Ekster was a passionate elementary school teacher for thirty-five years. Now retired, Carol is grateful that her writing allows her to continue communicating with children. She is the author of Before I Sleep: I Say Thank You which won 3rd place in the children’s category of the Catholic Press Association Book Awards and was also a finalist for the ACP Excellence in Publishing Awards 2016. Her picture book, You Know What?, came out first in Dutch (Mama, Wist Je Dat?), December 2016 with Clavis Books. The English version released September 2017 and was a CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards Nominee for Talk (2018) and a finalist for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award in the New England region, 2018. The Korean language edition came out 2019 and Arabic and Chinese editions are in process. Another picture book, Some Daddies, with Beaming Books, came out May 2022. Trucker Kid, illustrated by Russ Cox came out spring 2023 with Capstone. When Carol is not in a critique group or at her computer she might be doing yoga or biking. She lives in Andover, Massachusetts with her husband Mark. Find out more at www.carolgordonekster.com
PRIZE 48: A 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything chat from award-winning author and non-fiction guru Laurie Wallmark
My full-time job is writing for children, and I love it. Some previous jobs I’ve held are software engineer, owner of a mail order company (I had a bookstore on the Web before Amazon did!), and computer science professor.
My books have earned six starred trade reviews, been chosen as Junior Library Guild Selections, and received awards such as Outstanding Science Trade Book, Best STEM Book, Cook Prize Honor Book, Mathical Honor Book, AAAS/Subaru Prize Longlist, and Parents’ Choice Gold Medal.
I have seven picture book biographies of #WomenInSTEM: THE QUEEN OF CHESS (Little Bee, 2023), HER EYES ON THE STARS (Creston Books, 2023), CODE BREAKER, SPY HUNTER (Abrams, 2021); NUMBERS IN MOTION (Creston Books); HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE (Sterling Children’s Books, 2019); GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE (Sterling Children’s Books, 2017); and ADA BYRON LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE (Creston Books, 2015). In addition, I’ve published two fiction picture books RIVKA’S PRESENTS (Random House Studio, 2023) and DINO PAJAMA PARTY (Running Press Kids, 2021). Learn more about my books by clicking on the “Books” tab.I speak at many educator conferences such as NCTE, NSTA, TLA, ISTE, NJASL and have been a keynote speaker at the Kutztown University Children’s Literature Conference and the NJ SCBWI annual conference. I enjoy doing school visits and sharing my love of reading and STEM with children. Learn more by clicking on the “Speaking” and “Visits” tabs.
I have an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. I also have a BA from Princeton University in Biochemistry and an MA in Information Systems from Goddard College.
Find out more about Laurie and her books: https://www.lauriewallmark.com/
PRIZE 49: A 15 minute Ask Me Anything with author/illustrator/editor Ann Koffsky
Ann Diament Koffsky is the award-winning author and illustrator of more than 50 books for children, including PING PONG SHABBAT ( Little Bee) the KAYLA AND KUGEL SERIES (Apples and Honey) and THE MIRACLE OF MATZAH PIZZA (Intergalactic Afikoman). She is the co-author of DIFFERENT KINDS OF MINDS with Temple Grandin.
Ann’s artwork has also been featured on products by Hallmark, Costco, and Rite Lite Judaica, as well as in publications like The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jewish Action Magazine and Hadassah Magazine. Previously she was an editor and art director at Behrman House Publishers, and an illustration Professor at Stern College, Yeshiva University.
Ann creates free, Jewish coloring pages before each Jewish holiday. If you’d like to sign up to receive them, visit coloringjewish.substack.com.
Ann lives with her family in West Hempstead, NY
PRIZE 50: Winner’s choice: A 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom Chat or a PB Manuscript Critique from award-winning author Beth Anderson (Beth is one of my favorite critique buddies, she is a research and nonfiction pb bio genius.
Beth Anderson, a former educator, has always marveled at the power of books. Driven by curiosity and a love for words, she writes untold tales, hoping to inspire kids to laugh, ponder, and question. She’s the award-winning author of THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE (5/14/24), CLOAKED IN COURAGE, FRANZ’S PHANTASMAGORICAL MACHINE, REVOLUTIONARY PRUDENCE WRIGHT, TAD LINCOLN’S RESTLESS WRIGGLE, “SMELLY” KELLY AND HIS SUPER SENSES, LIZZIE DEMANDS A SEAT!, and AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET. Beth has more historical picture books on the way.
https://bethandersonwriter.com/
PRIZE 51: A 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom from award-winning author Jilanne Hoffman
Jilanne Hoffmann is the author of the award-winning picture book, A River of Dust: The Life-Giving Link Between North Africa and the Amazon. Her second nonfiction picture book, The Ocean’s Heart: The Tiny Creatures Essential to Life, received a starred review from Kirkus and is forthcoming from Lerner/Millbrook in March 2026. HeartLand, Jilanne’s middle grade historical-contemporary novel in verse and prose, is forthcoming from Little Brown in July 2026. She is also the author of the chapter book, The Gold Rush: Shifting Sands and Dreams of Gold, forthcoming from Core Knowledge in Spring 2026, and two board books, Happy Camper and The Honey Bear Hive. Jilanne lives in San Francisco with her husband, son, and rescue dog.
PRIZE 52: Winner’s Choice: A Picture Book Critique (Fiction/nonrhyming) OR a 30 minute Ask Me Anything Zoom Chat from award-winning author Ana Siqueria
Ana says: “I think I’m still a child at heart, My grandson says I’m super silly. My family thinks I’m goofy. So, what can I do? All the adventures in my head and heart need to come out on paper. And, children are the best. Also, being a member of a Brazilian-Cuban-American family, I make sure all my stories have latinx children. As a co-founder of @Latinxpitch, I believe all children need to see them in stories.
Bonus: Educators, Librarians, and parents, check some activities, including my teacher’s guide activities for my two first books. I will be completing my Abuela one soon, but most ideas can be used for Abuela too.” Check them out HERE.
PRIZE 53: A Zoom Call Picture Book Critique from author Chloe Ward
Chloe is the author of Love Grows Here, Made for More, and forthcoming picture books Chopsticks Are (March 31st 2026) All the Ways We Learn (July 7th 2026) Yuki’s Special Delivery (2027) and My Mind is an Ocean (2027).
A former curriculum director, Chloe has a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She spent the last decade teaching kindergarten, where she discovered her passion for picture books.
When Chloe isn’t perfecting her ramen recipe, you can find her rock climbing or chasing her husband, son, and their imaginary dog Miso across Kalapaki beach.
Twitter: @ChloeItoWard
Website: www.ChloeItoWard.com
Instagram: ChloeItoWard
PRIZE 54: A 30-page MG manuscript critique plus a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom Chat from award-winning Darlene Beck Jacobson
Darlene Beck Jacobson is a former teacher and speech therapist who has loved writing since she was a girl. She is the author of the middle grade historical novel WHEELS OF CHANGE (Creston 2014) which is a 2015 Notable Social-Studies Trade Book from the Children’s Book Council (CBC), A 2015 Mighty Girl Pick, and The Grateful American Book Prize Honorable mention for 2015. Her middle grade novel-in-verse WISHES, DARES, AND HOW TO STAND UP TO A BULLY (Creston 2020) is a Notable Verse Novel for 2021 from the CBC.
Darlene lives and writes her stories in New Jersey with her family and a house full of dust bunnies. When she’s not writing , she enjoys baking and eating pies, dancing to the oldies in the supermarket, and discovering new things. She’s caught many fish, but never asked one to grant her a wish. She’s a firm believer in wishes coming true, so she tries to be careful what she wishes for.
Her blog features recipes, activities, crafts, articles on nature, book reviews, and interviews with children’s book authors and illustrators.
www.darlenebeckjacobson.com
Twitter: @DBeckJacobson
PRIZE 55: A 30-mnute Ask-Me-Anything Phone Chat and a signed copy of one of her books from award-winning author Hanh Bui
Inspired by her first teacher at the refugee camp, Hanh Bui pursued a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and taught second grade. She serves as co-chair of the Equity and Inclusion Team for the Mid-Atlantic region of SCBWI. She is a member of Diverse Verse and has been featured in Highlights For Children magazine and Next Avenue. She is the author of The Yellow Áo Dài and Ánh’s New Word (Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan).
To find out more about Hanh and her books:
https://twitter.com/HanhBuiWrites
https://www.facebook.com/hbui333
https://hanhbui.net/
PRIZE 56: A 30-minute Zoom Chat for a writer or an Illustrator from award-winning author/illustrator and artisan Mirka Hokkanen
Mirka Hokkanen is a Finnish-American author, illustrator, and printmaker, who creates nature centric art and household goods, with a mission to bring joy to wherever you call home. Her work is often inspired by retro and Scandinavian patterns and colors, made to be timeless and enjoyed by animal lovers everywhere.
Mirka is a versatile illustrator due to her background in fine art. She works comfortably with watercolors, digital and printmaking media. Her love for line and drawing underlies her style no matter which media or style she is working in. Her favorite subjects to illustrate are quirky animal characters.
Website http://www.mirkah.comInstagram http://www.Instagram.com/mirkadrawsTwitter http://www.twitter.com/mirkahokkanen
PRIZE 57: Winner’s choice of a 20-minute Ask Me Anything Chat OR a signed copy of BEA’S BALIKBAYAN BOX OF TREASURES from award-winning picture book author Christine Alemshah
Christine Alemshah (she/her is a bi-racial Filipino American children’s author and classically trained vocalist. Christine writes children’s picture books championing innovation, celebrating multiculturalism, and often having a musical vibe. She hopes readers will see themselves in the stories she writes. Her debut picture book BEA’S BALIKBAYAN BOX OF TREASURES released last summer with Free Spirit Publishing. Find out more about her: https://christinealemshah.com/
PRIZE 58: 45-minute Zoom Chat (PB critique + AMA) with award-winning author Astrid Kamalyan
Astrid Kamalyan comes from a big, happy Armenian family, where she is the oldest of five siblings. Childhood summers spent in Artsakh are what inspired her to paint with words. Astrid’s debut picture book Bábo: A Tale of Armenian Rug-Washing Day, is a NYPL Best Book of 2023, a JLG Gold Standard Selection and received starred reviews from Kirkus, The Horn Book, and Publishers Weekly.
Astrid loves traveling, and currently shares her time between Chicago and Yerevan, Armenia.
You can read more about Astrid at astridkamalyan.com or connect with her on Instagram @astridkamalyan..
PRIZE 59: A 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom with kid-lit champion, mentor, and award-winning author Sylvia Chen
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Sylvia Chen has also lived and worked in Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Paris, and Tokyo, and now resides in Essex County, New Jersey. As the author of picture books TRICKY CHOPSTICKS (illus. Fanny Liem; Atheneum/Simon & Schuster) and SPARKLES FOR SUNNY: A Lunar New Year Story (illus. Thai My Phuong; Flamingo Books/Penguin Random House), Sylvia loves crafting picture books that spark kids’ interest in STEAM and creative thinking. She is also the creator of #PBStudyBuddy, which features amazing picture books on social media for fellow creators, teachers, and librarians. To connect more, visit her at sylviaichen.com or follow her @SylviaiChen..
PRIZE 60: Feedback on a PB manuscript from award-winning writer and my longtime CP and #50PreciousWords Judge, Maria Marshall
Maria is a children’s author, blogger, and poet passionate about making nature and reading fun for children. She’s a Cybils Awards judge ( http://www.cybils.com/) and a contributing blogger for STEM Tuesday – From the Mixed-up Files of MG Authors ( https://fromthemixedupfiles.com/stem-tuesday/). She interviews authors & illustrators and reviews books on -The Picture Book Buzz ( www.mariacmarshall.com/blog). Her poems are published in The Best Of Today’s Little Ditty 2017-2018, 2016, & 2014-2015 anthologies. When not writing, critiquing, or reading, she bird watches, travels the world, bakes, and hikes.
PRIZE 61 : Winner’s Choice: A Non-Rhyming Picture Book Critique OR a 30-minutes Ask Me Anything Zoom Chat from author Donna Cangelosi.
Donna Cangelosi spent her career counseling children in schools, clinics, and her psychology practice, and now, she writes stories for them. She is the author of MISTER ROGERS’ GIFT OF MUSIC, illustrated by Amanda Calatzis (Page Street Kids, 2022). Like Mister Rogers, Donna helps kids deal with feelings using play, art, music, and of course, books! Her forthcoming picture book, LIGHT, LETTERS, AND LOVE: How Jo van Gogh Saved Vincent’s Paintings for the World (Sleeping Bear Press) hits bookshelves Spring, 2027.
Website: https://www.donnacangelosi.com
Facebook: donna.cangelosi.5/
Instagram @donnacangelosi2
Bluesky: @donnacangelosibsky.social
PRIZE 62: The Paula Cohen Martin Big Dreams Mentorship – for an older (over 50) un-agented and unpublished writer who has been plugging away for 5+ years and would like to work with me to polish a manuscript, pitch and cover/query letter. The mentorship includes written feedback and Zoom chats.
I created this mentorship in 2022 after author/illustrator Paula Cohen Martin passed away right before BIG DREAMS, SMALL FISH, her debut book as an author/illustrator, launched. Paula epitomized this kid lit community – she was passionate about sharing her stories and her talent with children – she was devoted to polishing her craft and helping others with theirs. This mentorship honors her work ethic and celebrates her beautiful life.
WOW! What do you think about these amazing prizes? I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of this kid-lit community. Thank you to all the prize donors. And to all those who are participating, please remember that the best gift you can give an author or illustrator is to buy their books, review their books, tell friends about their books, and ask your local library to purchase the books for their collection.
This year we are continuing the #50PreciousWords Literacy Initiative. I’m asking each participant to purchase a children’s book – this is not required in order to enter the contest…this is just a request. You can buy whatever type of book you prefer that is suitable for children under 12 – a board book, picture book, chapter book, middle grade,. You can buy a book written by a friend. If you are a published author, you can buy a copy of your own book and it will become part of the library of a school in need or might go home as a special gift to a child who has few books in their life. This year, we will be using The Bookery, a fabulous indie bookstore in Manchester, NH. Their phone number is (603) 836-6600 and their website is: https://shopbookerymht.com/ Call or go online to order your favorite board book, picture book, chapter book, MG or YA…every book will be donated! Cassie Mosher, the manager, will help us choose the Title I schools that will receive the books. In addition, any books mailed directly to me by authors and publishers will be delivered to Sunset Heights Elementary School, a Title I school in Nashua, NH.
And if you are not able to buy a book or you’d rather not, please remember, this is not a requirement. I still want you to join the contest.
But if you buy a book, either online or over the phone, please let them know that this is for #50PreciousWords. That way, the bookstore staff will be able to put it aside in the #50PreciousWords pile. This is a win-win-win for the independent bookstore, for the schools, and of course, for the students. And also for the authors and illustrators of the books that are purchased.
Several author and illustrator friends have asked if they can donate their own books for the Literacy Initiative. YES! That would be lovely. If you have a new copy of a children’s book that you wrote or illustrated and you’d like to add it to the #50PreciousWords Literacy Initiative pile, you can mail it to me at 30 Gage Road, Bedford, NH 03110 and I will deliver it to Sunset Heights Elementary School in Nashua when the contest is over. And if you are just stopping by to enjoy reading the contest entries and perhaps commenting on them (it’s so lovely for writers to read encouraging words!) and you’d like to donate a book to schools in need, we’d be thrilled to accept it.
One final note…book reviews are really important. Not only do they help inform other customers, but they also give much needed encouragement and recognition to authors and illustrators. We talk about how much rejection there is in this business…and so, when a writer FINALLY has a book, they hope the world will love it. If folks don’t leave reviews, the author and illustrator have no idea that their words and pictures have been seen…and appreciated. Last year I asked for reviews for my newest book, ONE GIRL’S VOICE, which came out in February 2025, right before the contest. But even though the contest had almost 600 entries…the book only had 35 reviews at the end of the year. In my end of January blog post, I asked for reviews and I’m happy to say that 17 people responded with a review on Amazon – the book now has 52…THANK YOU. And Friday night, the book received the SCBWI Golden Kite Honor Award…I’m grateful for that.
If you’ve read the book and loved it, please leave a review on Amazon. Reviews help books find their readers. If you haven’t read it and want to and your library doesn’t have a copy (by the way…one of the ways we can help authors is to request that our local library purchase copies for their collection) please reach out and I will send you a PDF. And if you don’t want to review it, please review another book written or illustrated by one of our fabulous prize donors.
Dear friends…please put on your thinking caps and sharpen your pencils and rev up your computers. It’s time to write! And if you know someone who is always saying they are going to write a story, please let them know about this opportunity. Or if you know someone who has been discouraged with their writing journey, please share this wonderful community building event. If anyone has questions, please email me. I will be happy to answer each and every one: viviankirkfield@gmail.com.
AND WE ARE SO EXCITED TO READ YOUR PRECIOUS WORDS!
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
So happy it’s almost #50PreciousWords time again! 😊
LikeLike