#SWF 2022 JUDGES
Nothing would make it more exciting than if this ground crew had a lot of difficulty and too many entries to review! Give us what you got, #DISCOVERITERS!
Special thanks to our generous #SunWriteFun '22 judges for stepping on the tarmac with us, and helping the mission come to a close!
Karen M. Greenwald is a children’s author, (non-practicing) attorney, and international award-winning brand strategist. Her debut, A Vote for Susanna, The First Woman Mayor, was chosen by the Kansas Center for the Book to represent the state at the Library of Congress National Book Festival. Greenwald's picture book was also named one of the 15 Kansas Notable Books of 2022. School Library Journal called it, “An engaging work of narrative nonfiction that has clear applications in classrooms and school libraries.”
Greenwald participates in SCBWI and 12x12. She co-founded #SunWriteFun.
Jenny Turnbull is a children's book author who tapped into her passion for writing picture books after a career in film and television. Now, Jenny focuses on writing picture books inspired by her love for animals, outrageous characters, and the occasional secret agent. Jenny is drawn to quirky, bold characters and allows her inner 8-year-old to run the show. Although Jenny writes for kids, she feels picture books have magic for people of all ages. News about Jenny's debut picture book (humorous info-fiction) will be announced soon. Jenny is a member of SCBWI, 12x12 and part of the #CookiePitch team as the #ChewyReviewy specialist. You can learn more at www.jennyturnbull.com or follow Jenny on Twitter @jennytwrites.
Aimée Bissonette has written many picture books for children. She especially loves writing about nature and “everyday heroes,” people who made a difference to their families, friends, and communities and whose stories need to be told. Her most recent everyday hero book, HEADSTRONG HALLIE! The Story of Hallie Morse Daggett, the First Female “Fire Guard” was a 2022 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner. Aimée’s favorite place is anywhere outdoors, regardless of the season.
You can follow Aimée on Twitter and Instagram at @AimeeBissonette or visit her website at www.aimeebissonette.com.
Ana Siqueira is a Spanish-language elementary teacher, an award-winning Brazilian children’s author, and a published author in the Foreign Language educational market. Some of her books are BELLA’S RECIPE FOR DISASTER/SUCCESS (Beaming Books, 2021), IF YOUR BABYSITTER IS A BRUJA/ CUANDO TU NIÑERA ES UNA BRUJA (SimonKids,2022), ABUELA’S SUPER CAPA/LA SUPERCAPA DE ABUELA (HarperCollins 2023), OUR WORLD: BRAZIL (Barefoot 2023), ROOM IN MAMI’S CORAZÓN (HarperCollins 2024), and others TBA.
Ana was born in Rio, Brazil. Now she lives in Tampa with her Cuban husband. You can learn more about Ana at her website: https://anafiction.com/.
Jennifer Buchet is an award-winning kidlit author, former marketing guru, and super-fun pre-k educator. She's also a regular feature contributor to Cricket Media, including the social studies magazine, FACES. She is an active member of many writing communities including SCBWI, 12x12, and the Children’s Book Academy.
Jennifer's debut picture book, Little Medusa’s Hair Do-Lemma (Clear Fork Publishing) recently launched in May 2021 to rave reviews. When she's not writing enchanting tales for kids, she's searching for feyfolke in the woods or stirring up magic in the kitchen.
You can follow Jennifer on Twitter @Yangmommy or drop by her www.buchetbooks.wixsite.com
Heather Macht, author of The Woodlot Monster Mysteries (ABDO, Spring 2023) & more!, is an active children's author who has been creating imaginative stories since the third grade. She earned her degree in fine arts from Florida State College at Jacksonville and holds a career as an I.T. professional and a full-time mom. Macht’s an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, is a volunteer judge for Rate Your Story, hosts the blog #SeasonsOfKidLit, and lives with her family in sunny Florida. In her spare time, Macht enjoys watching scary movies and looking for shark teeth at a nearby beach.
Diane O'Neill is a Chicago writer who fell in love with books when she was eight. Her debut picture book, Saturday at the Food Pantry, illustrated by Brizida Magro and published by Albert Whitman & Co., was one of the Chicago Public Library’s Best Picture Books of 2021 and was Parents Magazine’s October 2021 book club selection. Her works have also appeared in LADYBUG Magazine, the Chicago Sun-Times, The Chicago Tribune, the South Side Weekly, and It All Changed in an Instant: More Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure.