Good news from Carolinas members!
News of agent and contract signings, launch dates, awards and other special recognitions are updated monthly. When good news happens, please be sure to let Elizabeth Rawls ARA know, subject line ‘HURRAHS!’
August 2022
Jane Smith’s picture book, Miss Meow, has been honored by the Cat Writers’ Association with a Certificate of Excellence in the category of Book/Children’s & YA/Illustration-Focused, making Miss Meow a finalist for the CWA Muse Medallion in the same category.
July 2022
Jake Burnett’s MG novel The Chaos Court (Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2020) is on this month’s SCBWI Reading List!
June 2022
Joan Holub’s BOO-NICORNS! A TOUCH-AND-FEEL BOOK pubs June 2022 with Scholastic. EVERY BUNNY DANCE NOW! A TOUCH-AND-FEEL BOOK pubbed spring 2022. Her BIG-size board book BIG STUFF PLANES, ROCKETS, SPACECRAFT! pubs with Simon & Schuster July 2022 and has the cutest art ever! Two new books in her co-authored LITTLE GODDESS GIRLS series have pubbed in 2022: #9 ATHENA & THE MERMAID’S PEARL; #10 PERSEPHONE & THE UNICORN’S RUBY with more to come. Her chapter book biography, WHO WAS CHARLES SCHULZ?, (Penguin Workshop, a New York Times best-selling series). Four graphic novel versions of the long-running GODDESS GIRLS series have pubbed in 2022 (co-author Suzanne Williams; Simon & Schuster): ATHENA THE BRAIN; PERSEPHONE THE PHONY; ZEUS AND THE THUNDERBOLT OF DOOM; POSEIDON AND THE SEA OF FURY.
May 2022
Carole Gerber has a a new picture book out, HOW YOU CAME TO BE, published by Penguin Workshop on April 5, 2022. “A sweet gift for expectant parents and a suitable read-aloud for an older sibling or a child curious about baby development.”
December 2021
November 2021
Ebony Mudd signed with Erin Murphy with Erin Murphy Literary Agency.
Dorothy H. Price has a chapter book deal (four books) with Capstone Publishing. The title is JALEN’S BIG CITY LIFE and the first book will be published next fall, 2022.
Carolyn Bennett Fraiser’s debut picture book MOON TREE was acquired by Reycraft Books and is scheduled for publication in Fall 2022. Simona Mulazzani will illustrate. Tara Gonzalez of EM Literary represented the author.
Rhett Trull Won a Work-in-Progress Grant for his picture Book Text: “MS. MINNIE AND ME”.
October 2021
Marie Boyd’s author/illustrator debut, JUST A WORM, was acquired in a 2-book deal by Greenwillow Books (HarperCollins) to publish in Winter 2023; Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Jennie Liu’ s Enly and the Buskin’ Blues, her first middle grade novel was acquired by Carolrhoda Lab. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights
Joan Holub’s “THIS LITTLE RAINBOW A Love is Love Primer” board book with an LGBTQAI+ theme will be published October 2021 (Simon& Schuster). It’s the 7th book in the series. Her “FA-LA-LA LLAMA” picture book with touch-and-feel elements will be published November 2021 (Scholastic). “HECATE THE WITCH” (Goddess Girls #27) publishes November 2021. Joan’s GODDESS GIRLS middle grade series (co-author Suzanne Williams) has been optioned by Netflix!
August 2021
Anna Ouchchy has just signed with Ana Crespo of East West Literary to represent her picture books.
Michele “Micki” Bare signed a 5-book contract deal with Level Best Books. The first book is SOCIETY OF THE SENTINELIA with a release date of May 19, 2022 and future releases in May 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
June 2021
Dinah Johnson has two books, H is for Harlem and Marching for the Vote: The Story of Ida B. Wells and the Women’s March of 1913, under contract with Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown, forthcoming in 2022 and 2023. Also in 2022 her Indigo Dreaming is forthcoming with HarperCollins, edited by Luana Horry. Allison Hellegers is her wonderful agent.
May 2021
Landra Jennings represented by Adams Literary has sold “Neve and Rose” to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, publication is being planned for fall 2022.
March 2021
Jane Smith is now represented by the fabulous Alli Hellegers at Stimola Literary Studio
Travis D. Peterson’s debut children’s book, Ada and the Helpers, is now available! Order it now on the Launch Mission Creative website or on Amazon.
Jerald Pope has been awarded the North Street Books first prize for Best Children’s Book for his wordless picture book, “Fetch.” link to Award
February 2021
Nora Shalaway Carpenter’s newest book, RURAL VOICES, was selected as Country Living Magazine‘s February Front Porch Book Club book. It was also named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2020.
Vincent X. Kirsch’s book FROM ARCHIE TO ZACK is a finalist for this year’s Golden Kite Award and is in the NY Times Book Review 2/14/21
Danielle Rose’s first children’s publication, an article on Hearing Dogs will be appearing in High Five Magazine March 2021 edition.
January 2021
Gillian McDunn’s CATERPILLAR SUMMER (2019) was named to the Nebraska Golden Sower award list. THESE UNLUCKY STARS (forthcoming, 2021) got a starred review from Publishers Weekly.
Jonathan Standing just signed a contract for his second picture book with the Salariya Book Company, which is due to be published in October.
Joan Holub’s THIS LITTLE DREAMER board book was chosen as an Amazon Best Children’s Book of 2020 for baby to age 2. It’s the 6th book in the series with 3 more to come. Her Goddess Girls series #26: PERSEPHONE THE GRATEFUL published December 2020 (co-author Suzanne Williams). Little Goddess Girls series #6 PERSEPHONE & THE EVIL KING pubs January 2021 (also with Suzanne) with 6 more to come. Her board book THIS LITTLE ENVIRONMENTALIST: A LOVE THE EARTH PRIMER illus by Daniel Roode releases February 2021.
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
July 2020
June 2020
Amy Hansen Harding signed with Kelly Dyksterhouse at Raven Quill in May
Barbara O’Connor’s middle grade novel, Halfway to Harmony, will be published by Macmillan/FSG in January 2021.
May 2020
Annette Marie Griffin’s debut picture book, What Is A Family?, illustrated by Nichola Cowdery and published by Familius Publishing, will be released on June 9th and Annette has been named Word Weavers International’s Kidz Lit 2020 Writer of the Year.
Ann Harrell’s board book, BABY’S BUSY DAY, was released November 2019. Ann’s manuscript was the winner of a national contest by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Learn the signs-Act Early” program. BABY’S BUSY DAY was selected to encourage literacy and awareness of early developmental milestones as part of the project’s Amazing Books preschool series.
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
Sue Soltis’ picture book The Stars Just Up the Street illustrated by Christine Davenier, published by Candlewick Press, comes out March 17, 2020. Here’s a link on Candlewick’s site
January 2020
Teresa Kiser’s debut board book, A Little Catholic’s Book of Liturgical Colors, illustrated by Chris Pelicano, was published by Holy Heroes in October 2019.
Michelle Nott’s second Early Reader, Dragon Amy’s Flames, illustrated by KC Snider, was released in December 2019 by Guardian Angel Publishing, and recently signed a contract with Enchanted Lion Books to publish her debut picture book entitled Teddy, Let’s Go!, illustrated by Nahid Kazemi.
December 2019
Derick Wilder’s picture book, Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt?, was acquired by Taylor Norman at Chronicle. The rhyming picture book, illustrated by K-Fai Steele, follows a girl whose constant curiosity reveals an assortment of butts, on storm clouds and ghosts and dinosaurs and more. Publication is planned for fall 2021; Jenna Pocius at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the illustrator.
November 2019
OCTOBER 2019
John Strong has been awarded a 2019-2020 Screenwriting Fellowship through the North Carolina Arts Council. Here is the press release with more information.
Gillian McDunn’s novel, Caterpillar Summer (Bloomsbury, 2019) has been named to the Best Books of 2019 list by Parent’s Magazine.
Caterpillar Summer was also named to the 2020-2021 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List, one of the most prestigious children’s literature lists in the country. the committee considers more than 500 books in order to select outstanding books of carious genres for grades 3, 4, 5, and 6.
SEPTEMBER 2019
Megan Hoyt’s SCBWI Work in Progress Award-winning manuscript, Bartali’s Bicycle, has been acquired by Harper Collins Children’s Books for publication in early 2021, illustrated by Iacopo Bruno.
Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Chrystal Giles, Megan Hoyt, and Becky Shillington all have poems included in THANKU: POEMS OF GRATITUDE, released on September 3rd from Lerner/Millbrook. Edited by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Marlena Myles, this children’s poetry anthology features a diverse group of poets and celebrates finding gratitude in everyday moments.
AUGUST 2019
Jane Smith’s newest picture book, Same Sun, New Ocean was acquired by Andrea Hall at Albert Whitman. Publication is planned for fall 2020; Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau2 handled the deal for world rights.
JULY 2019
Chrystal Giles, a debut author announces a deal for Take Back the Block and an untitled second book with Random House. Publication is planned for spring 2021 and fall 2022; Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic negotiated the deal for world English rights.
APRIL 2019
Joan Holub announces a deal for This Little Artist (pub date September 2019) and This Little Dreamer, books 5 and 6 in her board book series with Simon & Schuster. A boxed set of the first four board books including This Little Trailblazer: A Girl Power Primer released last October. Athena and the Magic Land, the first book in Holub’s new Little Goddess Girls early chapter book series for ages 5-8 co-authored with Suzanne Williams pubs May 2019 with Simon & Schuster.
MARCH 2019
Kathleen Burkinshaw’s MG historical fiction, THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM, (Sky Pony Press,2016) is now a United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs Education Resource for Teachers and Students.
LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss’s picture book I Love Me! has been sold to Beaming Books and Beth Hughs will illustrate.
Sandra Headen’s short story Papa’s Gifts has won the first-ever Jacobs/Jones African-American Literary Prize and has been published in the March online edition of The Carolina Quarterly.
FEBRUARY 2019
Bea Birdsong’s picture book Sam’s First Word has been sold to Little, Brown. Holly Hatam will illustrate; publication is set for winter 2021.
Jo Watson Hackl’s book Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe, published by Random House Children’s Books has been awarded the SIBA Southern Book Prize in Children’s Literature.
DECEMBER 2018
Kati Gardner has sold Finding Balance, a companion to her debut YA novel, Brave Enough, to North Star Editions/Flux for publication in spring 2020.
Tameka Fryer Brown‘s picture book Twelve Dinging Doorbells has been sold to Kokila/Penguin Random House for publication in fall 2022.
NOVEMBER 2018
Eileen Lettick‘s first novel, Sarah the Bold, is now available in a Kindle edition from Amazon, published and in print by Ingram Spark under the imprint, Scribbles ‘n Lit.
Vanessa Brantley-Newton will illustrate two new picture books by Tammy Sauer: Mary Had a Little Plan and Mary Had a Little Jam, due from Sterling Children’s Books in fall 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Alison Paul Klakowicz children’s travel and adventure picture book, Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck is now available.
OCTOBER 2018
Carolyn Bennett Fraiser will have two articles published in Clubhouse Magazine this year: “Planting Blessings” was published in their May 2018 edition and “The Ripple Effect” will be published in December 2018.
Kelly Starling Lyons‘s Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon, a biography of the acclaimed architect who led the team that designed the National Museum of African American History and Culture, will be published by Lee & Low Books in spring 2020.
AUGUST 2018
Derick Wilder‘s picture book, The Longest Letsgoboy, has been purchased by Chronicle Books for publication in spring 2021.
Tara Luebbe‘s and Becky Cattie’s picture book, Operation Photobomb, will be published by Albert Whitman in fall 2019.
Nora Carpenter‘s debut YA novel, The Edge of Everything, has been purchased by Running Press fr publication inspring, 2020.
Jonathan Fenske’s picture book, I’m Fun, Too! (Scholastic) was released in August 2018. Penguin Workshop has purchased two titles, After Squidnight and an as-yet-untitled book to be published in 2019 and 2020. Penguin Workshop will also publish I Will Race You Through This Book! in 2019.
Joan Leotta has sold a short story to Clubhouse magazine for publication in the December issue.
Barbara Younger‘s picture book manuscript, “Randolh Caldecott, Forever in Motion,” won Honorable Mention in the 2018 Katherine Paterson Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing.
Sheri Levy‘s second novel, Starting Over, won a bronze medal with Readers Favorite Book Awards in their ‘Fiction: Animals’ category.
MAY 2018
Nora Carpenter‘s debut picture book, YOGA FROG (Running Press Kids), was released May 29.
MARCH 2018
Barbara O’Connor‘s novel WISH has won the Rhode Island Children’s Book Award and the Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Book Award.
Alan Gratz has sold Grenade, a new manuscript set during World War II, to Scholastic, for publication this fall. The deal also includes two additional, unnamed middle grade novels.
Molly Jones has an article on Costa Rica in the May-June 2018 issue of Faces (Cricket Media). A French translation of her MG book RELATIONSHIPS WITH ABORIGINAL FIRST NATIONS (Welcome to New France series) was published by Beech Street Press in January; and her nonfiction chapter book, BIGFOOT, will be published this fall as part of Red Line Editorial’s Mythical Creatures series.
Carole Boston Weatherford’s SCHOMBURG: THE MAN WHO BUILT A LIBRARY has won the 2018 Walter Dean Myers Award for Younger Readers given by WNDB: https://diversebooks.org/our-programs/walter-award/
FEBRUARY 2018
Alan Gratz’s novel REFUGEE won the 2017 Cybil Award for Middle Grade Fiction. REFUGEE has also been named a 2017 Malka Penn Award for Human Rights in Children’s Literature Honor Book.
Lina Maslo‘s picture book, THE DOOR TO NARNIA, a biography of C.S. Lewis and the journey that led him to create the world of Narnia, has been picked up for publiction in fall 2019 by Harper Collins/Balzer+Bray.
Linda Barshay‘s poem/puzzle Rocking Robots was featured in the February 2018 issue of Highlights’ High Five magazine.
JANUARY 2018
Carole Boston Weatherford is the winner of the 2017 Golden Kite Award in the Non-Fiction for Younger Readers category for her picture book, SCHOMBURG: THE MAN WHO BUILT A LIBRARY (Candlewick).
Halli Gomez has signed with Deborah Warren of East West Literary.
DECEMBER 2017
Sheri Levy has an article in the December issue of VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) magazine. “A Novel Adopts a Cause” details how her writing supports PAALS (Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services), a SC nonprofit. Sheri’s novel, STARTING OVER, has been nominated in the Fiction, YA or Humor Awards category of The Dog Writers Association of America.
Tara Luebbe has sold CONAN THE LIBRARIAN, a picture book co-authored by her sister, Becky Cattie, to Roaring Brook for publication in 2019, with a second book to follow in 2020.
Bea Birdsong‘s picture book, I WILL BE FIERCE, will be published by Roaring Brook in Spring, 2019.
Laurie Edwards has signed a contract for two more middle grade titles in the Second Chance Ranch series. The first two books, WILD MIDNIGHT and TAKING CHANCES, are out in January 2018 from Northstar Editions.
Linda Ashman’s new picture book WILLIAM’S WINTER NAP (Disney-Hyperion) is a Junior Library Guild selection, and has received starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly. Also, the publisher has announced plans to print Chinese and Hebrew editions.
NOVEMBER 2017
Barbara O’Connor’s middle grade novel, WONDERLAND, will be published by FSG/Macmillan Fall 2018
Nora Carpenter‘s debut picture YOGA FROG will be out in May from Running Press Kids.
Stacy McAnulty‘s SUN! ONE IN A BILLION and an as yet untitled “autobiography” of the moon have been acquired by Henry Holt for publication in fall, 2018, and spring, 2019.
Alan Gratz’s middle grade novel, REFUGEE, is one of five books selected as 2018 Charlotte Huck Award Honor winners. The announcement was made during the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) conference in November.
Susan Diamond Riley‘s first MG novel, THE SEA ISLAND’S SECRET, will be published by Young Palmetto Books (University of South Carolina Press) in July 2019. The book is the first in a series of historical mysteries.
OCTOBER 2017
Linda Phillips has sold her second YA novel in verse, HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS, to Light Messages for publication in October, 2018.
Vanessa Brantley-Newton‘s picture book, SHAKE IT OFF will be published by Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin), Summer 2021.
Camille Andros‘s ELIZA’S STORY, a picture book biography about Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, co-founder and director of the first private orphanage in New York City, and wife of founding father Alexander Hamilton, will be published by Christy Ottaviano Books (Holt) in 2019.
Julia Day‘s YA novel FADE TO US, (Wednesday Books/Macmillan), will debut in February, 2018.
Rebecca Petruck‘s MG novel, BOY BITES BUG, debuts in May, 2018, from Abrams/Amulet.
Constance Lombardo‘s third book in the Mr. Puffball MG series, MR. PUFFBALL: ESCAPE FROM CASTAWAY ISLAND, will be out in April, 2018, from HarperCollins. Constance also has a picture book under contract at HarperCollins, EVERYBODY SAYS MEOW, due in 2019.
SEPTEMBER 2017
Derick Wilder has signed with Jenna Pocius of Red Fox Literary.
Megan Hoyt won the 2017 SCBWI Work in Progress Award for Picture Book Text, for my manuscript, Bartali’s Bicycle
Joan Holub‘s board book THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER: A GIRL POWER PRIMER (Little Simon) pubbed in September (bumped up from December due to popular demand). It’s the third in a series that includes THIS LITTLE PRESIDENT and THIS LITTLE EXPLORER.
Jaime Zollars‘s debut picture book, The Truth About Dragons, and a second book, have sold to Little, Brown in a six-house auction. Publication of the first book is scheduled for fall 2019 with the second following in 2020.
Sheri Levy‘s novel SEVEN DAYS TO GOODBYE won a gold medal in the Readers Favorite contest.
AUGUST 2017
Megan Hoyt has signed with Deborah Warren of East West Literary Agency.
Sally Matheny has signed with Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency. Also, Sally’s nonfiction article, “Blend In or Stand Out?” was published in the August 2017 issue of Clubhouse Jr.
Cynthia Surrisi‘s third book in the Quinine Boyd Mystery series, A SIDE OF SABOTAGE (Carolrhoda Books), will be out March 1, 2018. Her picture book, THE BEST MOTHER (Abrams), will be out in April of next year.
Joanna Sisk-Purvis‘s story, “The Girl Who Lived with Robots,” appears in the September issue of Cricket magazine.
JULY 2017
Jane Smith‘s latest two books in the Chloe Zoe series, IT’S HALLOWEEN, CHLOE ZOE! and IT’S THANKSGIVING, CHLOE ZOE!, are releasing in August from Albert Whitman & Co. Publishers Weekly reviewed the Halloween title: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-8075-1210-4
Holly Hughes has signed with Carlie Webber at Fuse Literary.
Kati Gardner has sold her debut novel, BRAVE ENOUGH, to Flux, for publication in Spring, 2018.
Kirsten McDonald has been asked to write four more books in the Carlos and Carmen early chapter book series for ABDO. The new books will be numbers 17-20 in the series.
Joan Holub‘s picture book TOOL SCHOOL (Scholastic Press) and her early reader Halloween book VAMPOODLE (Random House Step Into Reading) both debuted in July. The newest book in the Goddess Girls middle grade series Joan co-authors with Suzanne Williams is #22, NYX THE MYSTERIOUS (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster), out now.
Sheri Levy‘s latest novel in the Trina Ryan series, STARTING OVER (Barking Rain Press), debuts August 1st.
JUNE 2017
Viviane Elbee has signed with Natascha Morris of BookEnds Literary Agency. Also, Viviane’s poem “Dinosaur Moves” will be published in September Highlights’ High Five magazine.
MAY 2017
Barbara O’Connor’s latest middle grade novel, WISH (FSG/Macmillan), has received a Parents Choice Gold Award, Nerdy Book Club Award, American Booksellers Association Best Books and has been nominated for state awards in Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania and Wyoming.
WISH also won the 2017 Crystal Kite Award for the Southeast division (North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida).
Christine Burillo-Kirch‘s nonfiction books, MICROBES: DISCOVER AN UNSEEN WORLD and BIOENGINEERING: DISCOVER HOW NATURE INSPIRES HUMAN DESIGNS, placed on the 2016 Best Science Books & Film list by SB&F, an arm of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Cailin Garfunkel has signed with Melissa Edwards of Stonesong Literary Agency.
Tara Luebbe (with Becky Cattie) has sold two picture books to Albert Whitman: I AM FAMOUS is scheduled for spring 2018; I USED TO BE FAMOUS will follow in 2019.
Sarah Maury Swan‘s picture book, ZOË TO THE RESCUE, won third place in the Carteret Writers Annual Contest.
Laurie J. Edwards was chosen as one of two writers for the MG series SECOND CHANCE RANCH (North Star Editions/Flux/Jolly Fish Press).
Also, Laurie and Caroline McAlister were both finalists in the Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt Scholarship contest.
APRIL 2017
Nancy Lemon has sold her debut author-illustrated picture book, EMMA AND MUSE, to Albert Whitman for publication in spring, 2018.
Katie Cruice Smith has sold her book WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ME? to Ambassador International for release in November 2017.
Laurie J. Edwards’ BURIED SECRETS, Book 2 in her YA/adult crossover Sisters & Friends series, released from Charisma House/Realms in March, and Book 3, GIFT FROM ABOVE, will be out in June. The first book in the series, CHANGE OF HEART, is coming out in hardcover in July. Laurie has also signed a 3-book contract with Hachette/Grand Central for the Love & Promises series, featuring members of a buddy bunch (a close-knit group of Amish teens). The first book is slated for a March 2018 release.
MARCH 2017
Samantha Bell has two nonfiction books out from Focus Readers: DETECTING WILDFIRES and DETECTING HURRICANES.
Nancy Lemon has been named to illustrate JOHN MARCO, a debut picture book by IVY & BEAN author Annie Barrows, due from Chronicle in 2018.
FEBRUARY 2017
Constance Lombardo has sold EVERYBODY SAYS MEOW and another untitled picture book to HarperCollins. The first book is due in 2019.
Linda Ashman‘s TAKE YOUR PET TO SCHOOL DAY will be published by Random House in 2019.
Vanessa Brantley Newton will illustrate THE KING OF KINDERGARTEN by Derrick Barnes (Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books); for publication in summer of 2019.
Stacy McAnulty has been awarded a 2017 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Award for her picture book, EXCELLENT ED (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2016).
JANUARY 2017
Deb Johnson wrote and illustrated six 32-page activity books for Aquinas Press.
Sheri Levy‘s novel STARTING OVER (the sequel to SEVEN DAYS TO GOODBYE) is due in July from Barking Rain Press.
Megan Shepherd‘s modern gothic YA fantasy, Grim Lovelies, at auction, the first in a duology has been purchased by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for pubication in 2018.
Joan Holub and writing partner Suzanne Williams have signed a contract with Aladdin/Simon & Schuster to publish four books in a new MG Norse Mythology series called Thunder Girls. The newest title in the Goddess Girls MG series by this writing team is PALLAS THE PAL (December 2016). Joan has also published the second title in a board book series with Simon & Schuster called This Little Explorer, with two more titles to follow.
Carole Boston Weatherford‘s book FREEDOM IN CONGO SQUARE, illustrated by Gregory Christie, won a 2016 Caldecott Honor as well as a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor.
Beth Revis’s REBEL RISING, chronicling the story of Rogue One heroine Jyn Erso, is now available for preorder from Disney/Hyperion.
Anna Totten has signed with agent Marietta B. Zacker of Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency.
NOVEMBER 2016
Alan Gratz‘s middle grade novel, REFUGEE will be published by Scholastic in fall of 2017.
Stacy McAnulty‘s middle grade debut has been acquired by Random House in a two-book deal, with the first, THE MISCALCULATIONS OF LIGHTNING GIRL, set for publication in fall of 2018.
Linda Ashman‘s picture book ELLA, WHO?, will be published by Sterlin in spring of 2017.
Kristin Smith‘s YA novel, CATALYST (Clean Teen Publishing), debuted this month and was was picked up by Barnes and Noble for distribution nationwide in December.
The work of several Carolinas members appeared in the Fall issue of the SCBWI BULLETIN: Vanessa Brantley Newton’s cover, plus artist interview inside; Andrea Jacobsen’s article “Setting the Mood: Create a Mood Board,” and spot art from Constance Lombardo.
OCTOBER 2016
Halli Gomez has signed with Kathy Green of Kathryn Green Literary.
Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie’s picture book SHARK-NATE-O (Little Bee Books) is scheduled for publication in spring 2018.
Tameka Fryer Brown‘s BROWN BABY LULLBY has been acquired by Farrar Straus & Giroux for publication in winter of 2019.
Beth Revis has been signed to write a novel featuring a licensed character in the new Star Wars YA anthology series.
AUGUST 2016
Anica Lewis has signed with Amanda Rutter of Red Sofa Literary.
Kathleen Burkinshaw is SCBWI’s 2016 Book Launch Honor Award winner for THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM (Sky Pony Press).
Nancy Lemon’s illustration interpreting the July prompt, “Admire,” was chosen as a winner in the SCBWI INSIGHT’s “Draw This!” competition.
Stephen Baker is the winner of SCBWI’s 2016 Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award for his novel PRAYERS TO BROKEN STONE.
JULY 2016
Jean Matthew Hall has signed with Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.
Linda Ashman‘s picture book, WHEN THE STORM COMES, has been acquired by Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin). Publication is slated for 2019.
Tara Luebbe has signed with Tracy Marchini from Bookends Literary.
David Kwee‘s short story “Miami by Fujian” was published in Cricket magazine in April.
Bonnie J. Doerr‘s MG novel, TANGLED LINES, the third in her eco-mystery series, releases from Leap Books in August.
Kathleen Burkinshaw‘s novel, THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM (Sky Pony Press), debuted on August 2nd.
MAY 2016
Stacy McAnulty‘s picture book, LOVE, has been acquired by Running Press Kids. Publication is scheduled for fall 2018.
Frankie Bolt‘s short story debut, “The Driver,” is online at the Young Adult Review Network (YARN).
APRIL 2016
David Macinnis Gill has signed a two-book deal with Greenwillow. The first book, UNCANNY, is scheduled for summer 2017.
Camille Andros has sold her picture book, THE DRESS AND THE GIRL, to Abrams for publication in fall 2018.
Joan Leotta has signed three picture book contracts with THEAQ Publishing: SUMMER IN A BOWL is due September 2016; ROSA AND THE RED APRON will be out in November, and ROSA’S SHELL will debut in February 2017.
Viviane Elbee has sold her poem, “Dinosaur Moves,” to Highlights High Five magazine.
Dave Kwee‘s short story “Miami by Fujian” was published in Cricket magazine.
Cat Michaels‘ blog post, “11 Tips to Help You Build Your Online Community,” was picked up by Anne R. Allen, whose blog has been named one of Writer’s Digest’s Top 101 Websites for Writers.
Kristin Smith has signed a book deal with Clean Teen Publishing to publish her YA novel, CATALYST! It will release November 2016.
Film rights to Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams’s GODDESS GIRLS series have been optioned to Universal Home Entertainment. The series is about young MG-age goddesses and gods attending Mount Olympus Academy, where Zeus is the principal. Twenty-five books in the series have been published or are under contract to date.
MARCH 2016
Carrie Ryan’s YA novel, DAUGHTER OF DEEP SILENCE (Dutton Books for Young Readers), has been nominated for the 2016 SIBA Book Awards, recently renamed The Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize. Winners will be announced in July.
Deanna K. Klingel‘s , BLUE-EYED DOLL, is out from 4RV Publishing. The YA historical fiction is based on the Friendship Doll and Ambassador Doll exchange event with Japan in 1927.
Kelly Starling-Lyons‘ first two books in a new chapter book series, JADA JONES, about a science-loving fourth grader, have been picked up by Grosset & Dunlap for publication in fall of 2017.
FEBRUARY 2016
Judy Allen Dodson has won a SCBWI Emerging Voices Award for her manuscript Fast Friends, the story of Jesse Owens and Marty Glickman’s inspiring relationship during the race for the gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
JANUARY 2016
Barbara O’Connor’s middle grade novel, WISH, will be published by FSG/Macmillan this fall.
Joan Holub‘s new books include THIS LITTLE PRESIDENT, A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMER (board book, Little Simon) and WHAT WAS WOODSTOCK? (chapter book bio, Grosset & Dunlap). Joan also has two new books with co-author Suzanne Williams: Goddess Girls #18: HESTIA THE INVISIBLE (middle grade series, Aladdin); and the newest in their chapter book series, Heroes in Training #11: URANUS AND THE BUBBLES OF TROUBLE (Aladdin).
DECEMBER 2015
The Teeny Tiny Woman, a picture book illustrated by Laurie J. Edwards was selected to be included in the Billion EBook Gift, a program sponsored by RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) to give books to families around the world: http://billionebookgift.org/.
Cynthia Surrisi‘s debut middle grade novel, THE MAYPOP KIDNAPPING, received a favorable review at Kirkus:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/cm-surrisi/the-maypop-kidnapping/
Monika Schröder‘s middle grade novel, BE LIGHT LIKE A BIRD, has been acquired by Capstone Publishing.
Jenn Bower will illustrate Audrey Vernick’s A CLOWN WALKED INTO A BALLPARK, a nonfiction picture book biography due in 2018 from Clarion.
Lina Maslo‘s picture book biography of activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai that Lina both wrote and illustrated has been acquired by Balzer + Bray (HarperCollins).
Stacy McAnulty‘s nonfiction picture book, EARTH! MY FIRST 4.6 BILLION YEARS, has been acquired by Henry Holt for publication in 2018.
NOVEMBER 2015
Samantha Bell has sold a ‘hidden picture’ illustration to Highlights magazine.
Sarah Maury Swan published her first novel, TERROR’S IDENTITY.
Alice Ratterree signed with Henry Holt (Macmillan) to provide illustrations for a mid-grade novel by Elise Broach, THE ZOOKEEPER’s DAUGHTER. A book she illustrated for Peachtree Press, LILLIPUT, is a Junior Library Guild selection, and received a gold Parent’s Choice award.
Linda Ashman’s latest picture book, OVER THE RIVER & THROUGH THE WOOD (Sterling, October 2015), received a starred review in Publishers Weekly.
OCTOBER 2015
Christopher (Chris) Ledbetter has signed a contract with Month9Books for a YA Fantasy, THE SKY THRONE, scheduled for Spring 2017.
Linda Barshay will have one of her poems (“Rocking Robots”) published by Highlights’ Hive Five magazine.
Lina Maslo has signed with agent Rubin Pfeffer of Rubin Pfeffer Content.
JJ Johnson’s novel, BELIEVAREXIC, is out from Peachtree Press.
Jo Hackl has sold her debut novel SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF MAYBE to Random House. Publication is set for fall 2017.
SEPTEMBER 2015
Nancy Lemon Carney‘s illustration was featured in Draw This!, SCBWI INSIGHT, September 2015.
Virginia Lieto has published FINDING PATIENCE, the first volume of her Adventures of Faith, Hope, and Charity series for children aged 4 to 8.
Marcia Spencer announces the release of POTLUCK, MESSAGE DELIVERED: “THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS ARE SAVED!” (Grateful Steps Foundation, Asheville, NC), based on the story of a homing pigeon who played a significant role in the creation of the Great Smokies National Park. In November, History Press will release Marci’s nonfiction book for middle grade through adult readers, PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST: A HISTORY, a semifinalist for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. Her essay, “Pine Siskins Make History,” will be included in Yosemite Conservancy’s upcoming book, INSPIRING GENERATIONS: 100 STORIES FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.
AUGUST 2015
Vanessa Brantley Newton‘s cover illustration for the December 2014 issue of HIGHLIGHTS magazine was named “Cover of the Year 2014” by the editorial, art and production staff.
Vanessa’s submission for the Illustration Friday topic “GROW”, posted on July 31 for the following week, was chosen as the blog sites’ Pick of the Week: http://illustrationfriday.com/2015/08/pick-of-the-week-for-grow-and-this-weeks-topic/
Lucy Margaret Rozier‘s picture book, JACKRABBIT McCABE AND THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH (Schwartz & Wade), debuts in September, 2015. Lucy notes that the manuscript won Second Place, Picture Book Category, in the SCBWI-Carolinas Writing Contest of 2012.
Elizabeth Langston has signed a two-book contract with St Martin’s Press. Her first YA contemporary, THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEWHERE, will release in September, 2016. A second book is expected to release in Summer 2017.
Donna Earnhardt has signed with Jodell Sadler of Sadler Children’s Literary.
Sally Matheny has had several articles published lately: “The Who’s Who of WWII and the Paths That Led Them to War,” SchoolhouseTeachers. com, a division of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, August 2015; “Pickin’ and Grinnin’ with Music and NC History at the Earl Scruggs Center,” NCHE Greenhouse Report Magazine, Summer 2015 [story and photos]; “Teaching the Boy,” Homeschooling Today Magazine, Fall 2014; “A Good Catch,” Clubhouse Jr. Magazine, Sept. 2014 [chosen to be illustrated for the issue’s cover].
Samantha Bell had several nonfiction books released in August: MEET A BABY GIRAFFE; MEET A BABY LION; MEET A BABY LEMUR; and MEET A BABY ELEPHANT, all from Lerner Publications; and ATHLETIC TRAINER; ARCHITECT; and SPORTS MEDICINE DOCTOR, from Cherry Lake Publishing.
Laurie Edwards has signed a three-book contract with Charisma House/Realms for her crossover YA/adult Amish series, Sisters & Friends. The first book, CHANGE OF HEART, comes out in Spring 2016, with the others, BURIED SECRETS and GIFT FROM ABOVE, to follow at 6-month intervals.
JULY 2015
Gloria Glenn has signed with Ron Zollshan at the Kirchoff/ Wohlberg Literary Agency.
Alan Gratz’s THE LEAGUE OF SEVEN has won the 2015 SIBA Award in the Young Adult category. Independent booksellers across the south vote each year for the best books either set in the south or written by a Southern author, and published in the previous calendar year.
Laurie Edwards has signed a 3-book contract with Charisma House/Realms for three additional novels in an Amish-themed series, Sisters & Friends, the first book of which debuts in spring, 2016: The new titles are: CHANGE OF HEART, BURIED SECRETS, and GIFT FROM HEAVEN. In August, HER COLD REVENGE, book two in the YA Wanted series, set in the Wild West, comes out with Capstone/Switch Press, along with a picture book Laurie illustrated by Susanna Leonard Hill, THE FORGET-ME-NOT KEEPER. And in September, Laurie havs three YA nonfiction releases with Cengage–IMPERIAL CHINA, WEST AFRICAN KINGDOMS, and ANCIENT EGYPT.
Joan Holub‘s chapter book, WHAT WERE THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS? pubs in August 2015. Co-authors Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams’ August release in their middle grade series is Goddess Girls #17: AMPHITRITE THE BUBBLY (Aladdin); and the newest in their chapter book series is Heroes in Training #11: HEPHAESTUS AND THE ISLAND OF TERROR (Aladdin).
Camille Andros has sold her debut picture book, CHARLOTTE THE SCIENTIST IS SQUISHED to Clarion as part of a two-book deal. Publication is scheduled for 2017.
JUNE 2015
Carole Boston Weatherford’s picture book, GORDON PARKS: HOW THE PHOTOGRAPHER CAPTURED BLACK AND WHITE AMERICA (Albert Whitman & Co.), was reviewed on Huffington Post as a positive example of how to introduce children to the topic of racism: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/7522632?utm_hp_ref=arts
Camille Andros has signed with Lori Kilkelly at Rodeen Literary Management.
MAY 2015
Cara Bevan’s picture book IMPROBABLE…NEVER IMPOSSIBLE won a 2015 Indie Excellence Award in the “Children’s Fantasy: Young Reader” category.
APRIL 2015
Donna Earnhardt has signed with Jodell Sadler of Sadler Children’s Literary.
Ladianne Henderson has been invited to exhibit her illustrations at the Ciel Gallery in Charlotte.
MARCH 2015
Sheri Levy‘s YA novel, SEVEN DAYS TO GOODBYE (Barking Rain Press, 2014), has won The Dog Writers Association annual award in the Special Interest category. The announcement of the award on the DWA site led to an offer to present with a booth at the Charlotte Pet Expo in May.
Constance Lombardo‘s MR. PUFFBAL: STUNT CAR TO THE STARS (HarperCollins, September 2015) was featured as a cover reveal on Betsy Bird’s blog for School Library Journal.
Laurie Edwards had two March releases: she illustrated the picture book, THE TEENY TINY WOMAN, for Ustyme; and she also has a story in the YA anthology LOVE & PROFANITY (Capstone), along with this year’s Newbery winner, Kwame Alexander; National Book Award winner, Pete Hautman; Jon Scieszka, Adam Rex, and others.
Chris Ledbetter has signed with Ella Kennen of Corvisiero Literary Agency. Chris will publish his first YA novel, DRAWN, with Evernight Teen in June.
Vijaya Bodach‘s TEN EASTER EGGS (Cartwheel, January, 2015) has made the bestsellers list of the Southern California Independent Bookseller’s Association (SCIBA).
FEBRUARY 2015
Joan Holub‘s Mini Myths series that brings mythology to preschoolers will feature two new books in March: BRUSH YOUR HAIR, MEDUSA! and MAKE A WISH, MIDAS! (Abrams Appleseed).
Linda Phillips reported that her novel CRAZY (Eerdmans/2014) has been chosen by theNational Council for the Social Studies as a 2015 Notable Social Studies Trade Book.
Joan Edwards signed with Ravenswood Publishing to write and illustrate a chapter book series. The first of three due out this year is LARRY, THE TERRIFYING TURKEY.
Richard McEwan held a book signing for his first book, THE ADVENTURES OF SIR BUDDY AND MR. PUPPLES . . . THE RESCUE, released in December via Halo Publishing International.
JANUARY 2015
Samantha Bell had two new nonfiction books released this month: POWERFUL MILITARY VEHICLES and COOL MILITARY GEAR, both from ABDO Publishing.
Rebecca Petruck‘s STEERING TOWARD NORMAL (Abrams/Amulet) won a Blue Ribbon as a Best Book of 2014 awarded by The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, one of the leading children’s book review journals for school and public libraries.
Kara Stewart was chosen as an Honor winner in Lee & Low’s 15th annual New Voices Award competition, for her manuscript Talent, about a young Native American girl who goes to Sappony summer camp and is worried that she has nothing to perform at the camp talent show.
Rita Ford‘s short story, “Charlie’s Big Story,” was accepted by Soap Stone Creek Literary Journal for pubication in their May/June issue.
DECEMBER 2014
Dolores Andral was featured in an interview as Mom of the Week in the Charlotte Observer’s MomsCharlotte: You’re not on the moon! | MomsCharlotte.com
Laurie Edwards is illustrating a picture book app of The Teeny Tiny Woman for Ustyme, due out March of 2015.
Kristy Dempsey has sold a new picture manuscript to Bloomsbury: A Hop Is Up is described as a whimsical exploration in verse of hops, skips and other childhood games. Publication is slated for fall 2016.
Joan Holub‘s manuscript Seed School has been purchased by Egmont USA for publication in the fall of 2016.
Linda Phillips‘ CRAZY was listed as a NY Public Library Best of 2014 book: http://www.nypl.org/blog/2014/12/05/best-books-teens-year?hspace=282485
Cindy Cipriano‘s novel THE CIRCLE has won the Moonbeam Children’s Book Silver Award for Pre-Teen Fiction Fantasy: http://www.moonbeamawards.com/51/winners/winners-2014.
NOVEMBER 2014
Donna Earnhardt‘s BEING FRANK is a nominee on the 2014-2015 Abilene (TX) ISD Mockingbird List, a carfeully chosen list of picture books that will be read aloud in classrooms next spring, for children to vote on their favorites. Others on the list include books by Linda Sue Park, Fred Koehler, Hélène Boudreau, Michael Ian Black. http://abileneisd.org/Page/2295
Maria Bostian‘s first picture book, WHAT SHOULD DAISY DO, is scheduled to be released in December by Ambassador International.
Elizabeth Laing Thompson has signed with Jessica Kirkland of The Blythe Daniel Agency.
Kathy Burkinshaw‘s middle grade historical novel THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM will be published by Skyhorse Publishing. The publication date is set for late summer/early fall of 2015.
OCTOBER 2014
Niki Masse Schoenfeldt and Kelly Dyksterhouse were named finalists for the 2014 Katherine Paterson Prize in Young Adult and Children’s Writing sponsored by Hunger Mountain, the journal of the Vermont College of Fine Arts: Niki for her picture book manuscript, The Little Elephant Keeper, and Kelly for her YA, Match Point.
Elizabeth Langston‘s WHISPERS FROM THE PAST, the final book in the Whisper Falls YA trilogy, was released on October 7. The series is set in Wake County, NC, in the 19th and 21st centuries. I WISH, the first book in a new YA magical realism series, will debut on November 18.
Mary Lee‘s picture book, THE ABCs OF TITLES FOR TINY TALES, was released in June.
Vicki L. Weavil, author of the YA Fantasy, CROWN OF ICE, recently signed a two-book contract with Month9Books for her Young Adult SciFi, FACSIMILE, and its sequel. The first book in the duology is set to release in 2016.
Debra Dickson‘s first picture book, BRODY BROCKEN AND HIS EPIC BIKE TREK, was released on October 19 by Relatable Kids. Visit
SEPTEMBER 2014
Samantha Bell has several new nonfiction books recently released: COPPERHEADS from ABDO Publishing; and THE SCIENCE OF VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS; BOXFISH; CUTTLEFISH; TELL ME WHY I TALK IN MY SLEEP; and TELL ME WHY MY FINGERNAILS GROW from Cherry Lake Publishing.
Christie Wright Wild is now represented by Jodell Sadler of Sadler Children’s Literary.
Julie Fortenberry has authored an essay for Knowledge Quest. The link is on the CBC site: http://www.cbcbooks.org/about/knowledge-quest/
Stacy McAnulty has sold a manuscript titled BEAUTIFUL as part of a two-book deal. Pitched as inspired by her own daughters and the #LikeAGirl movement, the picture book re-imagines societal ideals of what it means for a girl to be beautiful. Publication is slated for fall 2016 from Running Press Kids.
AUGUST 2014
Laurie J. Edwards has signed a contract to write 3 nonfiction books, on Ancient China, West Africa (500-1590), and Egypt, for Gale/Cengage Learning. She also won the Avon Fiction Writing Contest, and had a story accepted for the anthology LOVE & PROFANITY coming out in March 2015. On August 1, GRACE AND THE GUILTLESS, the first in a 4-book YA series set in the Wild West, debuted in the US from Capstone/Switch Press. On October 7, CYBER SELF-DEFENSE, co-written with Alexis Moore, comes out from Globe Pequot/Lyons Press.
Alice Ratterree signed a contract with Peachtree Publishers to illustrate a middle-grade novel, due fall of 2015.
Dolores Andral‘s picture book PRISSY ON THE MOON is out from Laurel View Press.
Karen Hokanson Miller‘s BOGEYMAN 101, A GUIDE TO BOGEYMEN AROUND THE WORLD, comes out in September, from Rocking Horse Press.
Alan Gratz‘s THE LEAGUE OF SEVEN debuted August 19 from Tor/Starscape. This is the first book in a middle grade trilogy about seven super-powered kids who use airships and rayguns and steam-powered robots to battle giant monsters in an alternate America of the 1870s. The next book in the series, THE DRAGON LANTERN, is due June 1, 2015. Visit the series website: http://www.septemberistsociety.com
JULY 2014
Shannon Kozlowicz‘s first young adult novel, BREAKING FREE, debuted for Amazon Kindle on August 1, 2014.
Megan Hoyt‘s book, HILDEGARD’S Gift was published by Paraclete Press in February.
Joan Holub‘s picture book, MIGHTY DADS (Scholastic), was named to the New York Times Bestseller List. Joan’s WHAT IS THE STATUE OF LIBERTY? (Grosset & Dunlap) was an Amazon Book of the Month and an Amazon #1 category bestseller in June.
Samantha Bell‘s picture book, FIREFLY NIGHT, was released by Guardian Angel Publishing. Her non-fiction article “Deep Sea Dwellers” was purchased by Clubhouse Jr. Magazine.
Vicki L. Weavil‘s debut novel, CROWN OF ICE, a dark YA retelling of H.C. Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” will be published by Month9Books in September.
Kelly Starling Lyons has won the SCBWI WIP grant for Nonfiction for her project on the childhood of model Naomi Sims: https://www.scbwi.org/2014-wip-winners-announced/
Rebecca Petruck‘s debut novel for middle grade readers, STEERING TOWARD NORMAL, is part of the International Reading Association’s list “Books Can Be a Tool of Peace.” http://bit.ly/1uENF64
Marilee Haynes‘ debut middle grade novel, a.k.a. GENIUS, was awarded the 2014 Catholic Arts and Letters Award for Children’s Literature.
JUNE 2014
Ellen Fischer‘s book, IF AN ARMADILLO WENT TO A RESTAURANT, will be released by Scarletta Kids on July 1.
Julie Fortenberry‘s latest book, SADIE, ORI, AND NUGGLES GO TO CAMP, by Jamie Korngold, received a nice review from Kirkus: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jamie-korngold/sadie-ori-and-nuggles-go-to-camp/
Dorothy Price‘s debut picture book, NANA’S FAVORITE THINGS, has been sold to Eifrig Publishing, with a tentative publication date of 2015.
Annalethia Ouchchy‘s nonfiction article, “How Whales Wing It,” will appear in the July edition of Highlights for Children.
Vijaya Bodach‘s novelty book, TEN EASTER EGGS, is due out from Cartwheel (Scholastic) in 2015.
MAY 2014
Rebecca Petruck‘s debut novel for MG readers was released by Abrams/Amulet this May. STEERING TOWARD NORMAL is an American Booksellers Association Indies Introduce New Voices selection, a Spring Kids’ Indie Next List title, an L.A. Times Summer Book, and was highlighted by VanityFair.com as one of ten teen books they’d like to see made into a film. Her launch party was spotlighted in PW Children’s Bookshelf.
APRIL 2014
Ching Yeung Russell has a sequel out to TOFU QUILT (Lee & Low, 2009): BUNGEE CORD HAIR (Scholastic India, 2013), winner of the Scholastic Asian Book Award, will be published by Scholastic Singapore in May of 2014, and distributed throughout Asia.
Joan Leotta won third place in the North Carolina Poetry Society competition for her poem, “Five Bears Came to My House Today. Her YA novel A BOWL OF RICE (Desert Breeze Publishing) was released in March.
Kit Grady is now represented by Red Fox Literary and Danielle Smith.
Kami Kinard’s second book, THE BOY PROBLEM: NOTES AND PREDICTIONS OF TABITHA REDDY (Scholastic) was released April 29.
MARCH 2014
Mariah Burne‘s first young adult novel, FLYE ON THE WALL, debuts for Amazon Kindle on May 16, 2014.
Julie Fortenberry received her first Kirkus review for both writing and illustrating, for THE ARTIST AND THE KING (Alazar Press): https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/julie-fortenberry/the-artist-and-the-king/
Joan Holub is the co-author of a new Scholastic series with Suzanne Williams called GRIMMTASTIC GIRLS for ages 8-12. The first two books debuted April 1st: CINDERELLA STAYS LATE and RED RIDING HOOD GETS LOST. Joan also co-authored GODDESS GIRLS #13: ATHENA THE PROUD (Aladdin/Simon&Schuster) which releases April 30.
Vanessa Brantley Newton’s artwork was featured in BIG (the Bologna Illustrator’s Gallery) sponsored by SCBWI during the Bologna Book Fair, March 24-27, in Bologna, Italy.
Jenn Bower and her agent, Danielle Steele, have moved to Red Fox Literary.
Stacy McAnulty is the recipient of the International Reading Association’s 2014 Children’s and Young Adults’ Book Award in the Primary Fiction category for her debut picture book, DEAR SANTASAURUS (Boyds Mills Press, 2013).
Marilee Haynes announced the release of her second book, GENIUS UNDER CONSTRUCTION (Pauline Books and Media/Pauline Teen), a sequel to last years’ A.K.A.GENIUS, also from Pauline Teen.
FEBRUARY 2014
Joan Holub has two Ready-to-Read titles for Little Simon out March 4: THE ONE-EYED PEOPLE EATER: THE STORY OF CYCLOPS, and DO NOT OPEN! THE STORY OF PANDORA’S BOX.
Donna Earnhardt‘s BEING FRANK was featured in Library Sparks magazine.
Judy Pierce signed a contract with Pants on Fire Press for the second book in the Tales from Farlandia series, OZETTE’S HEARTSTONE. The first book in the series, OZETTE’S DESTINY, is now on the Accelerated Reading Program in the schools.
JANUARY 2014
Cindy Cipriano‘s debut novel, THE CIRCLE, the first in a seven-book series from Odyssey books, was released in June, 2013. The second book in the series, THE LOST is scheduled for release in Spring, 2014.
Joan Holub‘s picture book, LITTLE RED WRITING (Chronicle Books), received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly; and is A Booklist Best Book of 2013, Kirkus Best Book of 2013, and School Library Journal Best Book of 2013. Joan also co-authored GODDESS GIRLS #12: CASSANDRA THE LUCKY (Aladdin/Simon&Schuster), which debuted in December, and signed a multi-book dea with HarperCollins. Publication of the first of those books, ITTY BITTY KITTY, is set for summer 2015.
Alice Ratterree received special recognition in the annual Tomie dePaola Award Contest sponsored by SCBWI.
Kathy Burkinshaw has signed with Anna Olswanger of the Liza Dawson Literary Agency.
Tameka Fryer Brown’s MY COLD PLUM LEMON PIE BLUESY MOOD was named one of five Honor Books in the 17th Annual Charlotte Zolotow Award competition which recognizes outstanding picture book writing.
Laurie Edwards co-authored THE CYBERATTACK SELF-DEFENSE HANDBOOK, to be published in 2014 by Lyons Press.
DECEMBER 2013
Sheri Levy’s YA novel, SEVEN DAYS TO GOODBYE, is due from Barking Rain Press by the end of August, 2014.
NOVEMBER 2013
Scotti Cohn’s book ON THE MOVE (Sylvan Dell Publishing) was selected to the 2014 list of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, a cooperative project of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Children’s Book Council.
Author/illustrator Jenn Bower signed with Danielle Smith of Foreword Literary.
Laura Renegar signed with Laura Zats of Red Sofa Literary.
Bonnie Adamson will illustrate RUTABAGA BOO!, a picture book by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, due in 2016 from Atheneum/ Simon & Schuster.
Ann Eisenstein announced the publication of FALLEN PREY (Peak City Publishing), the second book in her Sean Gray, Junior Special Agent Mystery series.
OCTOBER 2013
Author/illustrator Brandon Reese signed with agent Danielle Smith of Foreword Literary.
Joan Holub’s picture book, Little Red Writing, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet launched in October 2013 (Chronicle Books) and was immediately scheduled for a third printing.
Kelly Starling Lyons’ Tea Cakes for Tosh, illustrated by Earl B. Lewis, won the Award for Juvenile Literature sponsored by the North Carolina division of the American Association of University Women.
HarperCollins Children’s Books pre-empted a three-book middle-grade series, The Last Dragon Charmer, by debut author Laurie McKay. The first installment, THE VILLAIN KEEPER, is planned for winter 2015.
Mary Lash and Vasant Garcia’s A ROLLER COASTER DOWN, was named First Runner-Up in the Young Adult Category of the Eric Hoffer Award for Excellence in Independent Publishing. The novel was also a short-list finalist for the Grand Prize and a finalist for the First Horizon Award.