Calling all KidLit Writers!

Janet Fox is the author of nine books for young readers, including her most recent book, the middle grade novel, Carry Me Home. She is a former teacher and has an MFA in writing for children from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Laurie Calkhoven is a book coach and the author of more than fifty children's books. Her fiction and nonfiction titles range from early readers and chapter books to middle grade and YA. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Laurie worked in book publishing.

Patrice Gopo is an award-winning essayist and the author of All the Colors We Will See, All the Places We Call Home, and the forthcoming Autumn Song: Essays on Absence.

Sharon holds a BA in English, an MA in Creative Writing and is a Certified Book Coach and freelance editor who helps writers weave their words into stories that shine. Skinner also serves as the Regional Advisor for SCBWI Arizona, a division of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Grace grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma as one of two Korean-Americans at her high school (her sister was the other one). Today, Grace writes books with Korean-American protagonists that she wished she had read about as a teen.

Margaret is an author and wise woman. Her debut novel, The Red Fletch, came out in 2021. The Red Fletch is a YA historical fiction and retelling of the Robin Hood legend from the point-of-view of an asexual woman. She also works to help creatives build confidence and call in the journey they wish to walk.

Terri M. LeBlanc is the owner of LeBlanc Consulting, co-owner of Swamp Fox Bookstore, and an Operations Strategist for Business Laid Bare. She plays matchmaker with books and readers in search of their next great read.

Colby Sharp is a husband and father of five. He teaches fifth grade in Parma, Michigan. Colby is the co-founder of Nerdy Book Club and co-hosts The Yarn podcast with Travis Jonker. Colby co-authored Game Changer! Book Access for All Kids and A Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library with Donalyn Miller, and he is the editor of The Creativity Project: An Awesometastic Story Collection.

Erin Radniecki is an Author Accelerator certified book coach working with fiction writers. She coaches a variety of genres but has a soft spot for middle grade books and stories with animal point of view characters.

Sylvia Liu grew up with books and daydreams in Caracas, Venezuela. Once an environmental attorney, she now spins stories inspired by oceans, kraken, and the intricacies of family and friendship. She’s the author of several books and the co-founder of the website Kidlit411.

Stephanie Dethlefs is a writer, certified book coach, teacher, and lifelong avid reader. She has spent decades working with writers of all ages in the classroom as a teacher and now as a book coach where she’s finding her own voice and holding space in which others can find their own. Stephanie is the author of the middle grade novel Unspoken.

Julie Artz spent her young life sneaking into wardrobes searching for Narnia. Now she finds those long-sought doors to magical story worlds in her work as an author, editor, and book coach. An active member of the writing community, she has volunteered for SCBWI, TeenPit, and Pitch Wars and is a member of EFA, the Authors Guild, and AWP.

Writer for children—reader forever…that’s Vivian Kirkfield in five words. A retired kindergarten teacher with a masters in Early Childhood Education, Vivian inspires budding writers during classroom visits and shares insights with aspiring authors at conferences and on her blog where she hosts the #50PreciousWords Contest and the #50PreciousWordsforKids Challenge. Her nonfiction narratives bring history alive for young readers and her picture books have garnered starred reviews and accolades.

Stuart is an Author Accelerator Certified book coach and writer. With 26 years in theatre, broadcast media, and coaching under his belt, he has have a visceral understanding of what makes stories work. He has an MA (Distinction) in Professional Writing, and his debut novel, Body of Water, was one of ten books long-listed for the Polari First Book Prize. His latest novel, Behind the Seams, was a 2021 BookLife Fiction Prize Contest semifinalist.

Christy Yaros is a certified book coach and story editor, working with serious middle grade and young adult writers who want to create stories that engage, encourage, and empower young people. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons University. Christy is also a Co-Assistant Regional Advisors for SCBWI New England and cohost of the Coaching KidLit Podcast.

Anna Rose grew up fascinated by the early 20th century and now writes historical middle grade novels that reflect her love of classic children’s literature. A member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Anna Rose enjoys exploring her heritage through her stories, including her award-winning, debut middle grade novel The Star That Always Stays.

Joanna Cooke writes stories for young people. Her books, including The Sequoia Lives On, Call Me Floy, and Fire Shapes the World, focus on nature and the human experience, as well as several books for the educational market. Joanna holds an MFA in Creative Writing and an MEd in Elementary Education.

Sara is a math Ph.D. turned writer and Author Accelerator certified book coach. She uses her problem-solving skills to help writers find the solutions they need to write books they love. Sara is the creator of Novel Resolution, a yearlong program that helps writers finish writing their novels in one calendar year, and she is the host of KidLit Summer Camp.