Hello dear friends. Have you caught your breath from #50PreciousWords? While I and my assistant judges are busy reading the 677 fabulous entries, there are more opportunities for kid-lit writers on the horizon. Have you heard of #PB Rising Stars Mentorship Program? If not, please check it out…this is the LAST year and it has helped many writers move forward on their path to publication. And please keep in mind that the deadline is March 13 at 11:59pm EST.

Kailei Pew shares the following:
PB Rising Stars is a completely FREE program that pairs up and coming picture book creators with experienced mentors to help across the turbulent publishing ladder. We have a more diverse group of mentors than ever and are looking forward to welcoming a similarly diverse group of mentees. Because this is our LAST year, we want to reach as many creators as possible.

Applications are NOW OPEN for the FREE PB Rising Stars Mentorship Program!

The FREE PB Rising Stars Mentorship Program has officially opened applications for picture book creators for the fifth and FINAL time!

PB Rising Stars pairs up-and-coming picture book creators (text-only authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators) with experienced mentors to provide help and guidance along the turbulent publishing ladder. They are accepting both unagented and agented creators without agent-repped traditional picture book deals. The program runs for four months and is completely FREE.

More than anything, PB Rising Stars fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a space that publishing should look like! 

How To Apply: 

1. Read the eligibility requirements and FAQs on the PB Rising Stars Website 

2. See what mentors are looking for on their mentor pages HERE

3. Click on a mentor’s profile

4. Scroll down and click on the apply button at the bottom of the page

5. Fill out the linked Google form and submit

6. Check your email and spam folder after submitting for an email confirmation

**And don’t forget, you can apply to as many mentors as you’d like as long as you are eligible**

Applications are open NOW through March 13th. They close on March 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time SHARP. Please check your time zone and plan ahead for technical difficulties!

Finally, be sure to subscribe to the PB Rising Stars newsletter. They will send out reminders and details throughout the application window, so you’ll never miss an opportunity. Remember, 2026 is the FINAL year of PB Rising Stars, so make sure to take the opportunity to apply now! Mentees have gone on to secure agents, book deals, and more! 

WOW! This is an incredible opportunity! Good luck to all who participate!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend…here in NH we are expecting MORE SNOW…and then weather in the 50s and 60s…which will feel quite balmy compared to the single digits we’ve had recently.