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"Snap out of

it and enter

#SunWriteFun!"

       

-Loretta Castorini

   Moonstruck

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"That's why

they call them

'publishing deals.'

If they were easy,

they'd call 'em

something else"

-Jim Baker

Sixteen Candles

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KIDLIT NONFICTION / INFO FI. CONTEST

THE RAD WRITERS' COURT

Nope, no Judge Wapners, here nor are there any gavels! (In the spirit of full disclosure, we can't promise that they won't read entries while donning robes, though!) Just a bunch of dedicated kidlit'ers excited to read and deliberate! A very special "Thank You" to everyone joining us on this side of the bench!

 

Please show these judicial experts some social media love! 

Karen M. Greenwald

 

Karen is a children’s author, (non-practicing) attorney, and international award-winning brand strategist. Her debut, A Vote for Susanna, The First Woman Mayor, is a Kansas Notable Book and a Library of Congress (LOC) 2022 Great Reads from Great Places selection. It represented Kansas at the LOC’s 2022 National Book Festival. Her nonfiction book, The Mud Angels-How Students Save Florence (2024) launched this spring and has been featured in a wide range of publications, from Italy's Tuscan news source, Intoscana to the cover of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works' June/July magazine. Greenwald has won numerous prestigious international awards for STEM creative, writing, video, rebranding, and self-promotion, including a Platinum international Summit Marketing Effectiveness Award for her strategic marketing campaign for A Vote for Susanna. Bylined credits include online, print magazines, and The Washington Post.

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Greenwald is a 12x12 NF "Elf," member of the Children's Book Guild, and co-founded #SunWriteFun. She oversees brand-new/free book donations to underserved elementary school libraries (in conjunction with 501(3)c charity, Reader to Reader). 

You can follow her on Instagram at: @karenmgreenwald, on GoodReads by clicking HERE, and on BlueSky at: @kmgreenwald.bsky.social

Jennifer Buchet

Jennifer Buchet is an award-winning kidlit author, and presenter, former marketing guru, and super-fun pre-k educator (AKA chaos coordinator!). 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, the Writing Barn''s Courage to Create, and the Children’s Book Academy. She is also the co-founder & creator of #SunWriteFun.

Jennifer's debut picture book, Little Medusa’s Hair Do-Lemma (Clear Fork Publishing) launched in 2021 to rave reviews. When she's not writing enchanting tales for kids, she might be found in a classroom sharing her joy of writing, searching for feyfolke in the woods or stirring up magic in the kitchen.

 

You can follow Jennifer on Twitter (X): @Yangmommy, blueSky: @buchetbooks, Post: @jbuchet, or drop by her website at www.buchetbooks.wixsite.com.. Follow her on GoodReads by clicking HERE.

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Stephanie Wildman​

Stephanie Wildman, author of five children’s books, Breath by Breath (2024) (illustrated by Estefanía Razo; translated into Spanish as Respiro a Respiro by Cecilia Pópulus-Eudave); Treasure Hunt (2022) (illustrated by Estefanía Razo; translated into Spanish as Búsqueda del Tesoro by Cecilia Pópulus-Eudave); and Brave in the Water (2021) (illustrated by Jenni Feidler-Aguilar; translated into Spanish as Valiente en el Agua by Cecilia Pópulus-Eudave), all from Lawley Publishing, became a Professor Emerita after serving as the John A. and Elizabeth H. Sutro Chair at Santa Clara Law. She directed the school’s Center for Social Justice and Public Service. Lawley will publish her fourth picture book Ghost Writer (co-authored with Cecilia Pópulus-Eudave and illustrated by Estefanía Razo) in 2024. Kar-Ben Publishing will release her fifth children’s book, Miri’s Moving Day (co-authored with Adam Chang, illustrated by Dream Chen) in 2024. Stephanie is a grandmother, mother, spouse, friend, good listener, and she can sit “criss-cross apple sauce” thanks to her yoga practice. Learn more about her at www.stephaniewildman.com.

Debbie Zapata

Growing up in Austin, Debbie cherished places that brought people together—public parks, rec centers, and libraries. She loved writing letters to international pen pals and extended family. Today, she writes children’s books with heart and humor, celebrating ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Debbie is the author of Abuela’s Letter (Magination Press, Oct. 15, 2024). Her debut picture book, Up and Adam (Kids Can Press, 2022), was a finalist for the Texas Institute of Letters Brigid Erin Flynn Award for Best Picture Book 2022.

Debbie’s work, which reflects her Mexican heritage, brings smiles to children’s faces, inspires kindness, and fosters inclusivity. She has received multiple Austin SCBWI Scholarships for Diverse Worlds and was a finalist for the We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) Mentorship Contest.

You can follow Debbie on X @debbieazapata and Insta @debbiezapata.author

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Angela DeGroot

Angela hopes that her writing inspires curiosity and compassion, and creates worlds that readers can both find and lose themselves in. A lifelong lover of reading, Angela teaches ESL and Basic Literacy at her local library. Her latest book launches this August, entitled Not Pop-Po (Penguin/Waterbrook. )When she’s not writing picture books and poems, you’ll find her in the garden, digging in the dirt and talking to the birds. Angela was born in England, grew up in South Africa, and now lives in New Jersey with her husband and sons.You can learn more about Angela and her books at www.angeladegroot.com.

You can also connect with Angela here: Facebook Angela De Groot   Instagram @angeladegroot8   X(Twitter) @angeladegroot8

Heather Macht

Heather has always had a niche for storytelling. She's the author of 15 books including The Mutant Critter Sitter, a six-book chapter book series featuring #girlpower, responsibility, spliced mutant creations, and science-filled fun! (ABDO, 2024), The Woodlot Monster Mysteries, a six-book chapter book series featuring less-common monsters and promoting #girlpower, problem solving, and teamwork (ABDO, 2023), Rex the...We-Don't-Know (Pelican, 2020), The Ant Farm Escape! (Pelican, 2019), and You May Just Be a Dinosaur (Pelican, 2015).

When she's not writing, Macht enjoys blogging at her popular blog, #SeasonsOfKidLit.com, painting, reading poetry, watching scary movies, and spending time with her husband and children. You can follow Heather at X (Twitter) Instagram, and Facebook or at her website www.heathermacht.com.

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