Early bird registration for #Kweli21VIRTUAL ends Sun (1/24) so now’s your time: Go register for one of, if not THE, BEST EVENTS IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE! http://www.kwelijournal.org/2021-kweli-color-of-childrens-literature-conference https://twitter.com/kwelijournal/status/1352379238121414659

To provide you w some of the 10,000 reasons why u should register, here’s a rundown of all this year’s amazing #Kweli21VIRTUAL presenters. (Warning: Very Long, Possibly Spanning Multiple Days bc There’s So Much Talent... Thread):

GRAHAM AKHURST: super-talented Aboriginal writer hailing from the Kokomini of Northern Queensland, he is known for his poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction. His debut novel BORDERLAND comes out in 2021... further proof that 2021 is going to kick 2020’s butt.

JENNIFER BAKER: creator/host of @MinoritiesinPub podcast, named a Publisher’s Weekly SUPERSTAR in 2019, has a YA novel FORGIVE ME NOT coming out in 2022... @jbakernyc alone is worth the price of admission so I will Forgive YOU Not if you don’t register for #Kweli21VIRTUAL

OOPS in my haste, I forgot to mention that on top of all that @jbakernyc is Managing Editor at Random House Children’s Books so heap some extra shine on the Superstar bio, please #Kweli21VIRTUAL

DERRICK BARNES shook the kidlit world in 2018 w CROWN (winning ALL awards) & hasnt let up, gifting us w more greats like I AM EVERY GOOD THING. Bio says he wrote cards for Hallmark—I wonder if he wrote one for “CONGRATS ON CHANGING THE WORLD” bc I would totally send one his way.

CAROLE BOSTON WEATHERFORD has written 60 BOOKS, each more stunning & important than the last. Her latest are UNSPEAKABLE: THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE and DREAMS FOR A DAUGHTER. If u want to understand our past so u can look to the future, @poetweatherford’s books are place to start

ANGELINE BOULLEY’s debut FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER comes out Mar2021. Not to get ahead of things, but sometimes a book lands on the shelf... and other times a book lands so deep in our consciousness it changes how we view the world. Which is just to say I’m lookin forward to this one

DAVID BOWLES is an acclaimed author (incl. award-winning THEY CALL ME GÜERO) and co-founder of #DignidLiteraria. He also has a Jedi-level mastery of linguistics, wielding his words with the beautiful and deadly precision of a lightsaber slicing through the night. @DavidOBowles

ROSEMARY BROSNAN is VP Editorial Director at HarperCollins Children’s and co-founder of new HEARTDRUM imprint which publishes books by Native & First Nations authors.

If you name your 5 favorite authors/illustrators, I guarantee @rosemaryhb has worked w at least 3 of them.

DR. MONICA BROWN is the award-winning author of many books including FRIDA AND HER ANIMALITOS and the forthcoming SMALL ROOM, BIG DREAMS: THE JOURNEY OF JULIAN AND JOAQUÍN CASTRO. (Sidenote: if LOLA LEVINE isn’t made into a Netflix series soon I’m cancelling my subscription.)

MAHOGANY L. BROWNE is a writer, organizer & educator. Author of WOKE: A YOUNG POET’S CALL TO JUSTICE, WOKE BABY and BLACK GIRL MAGIC—will release her first YA novel CHLORINE SKY in Jan 2021, which is...NOW! (Excuse me while I grab my creditcard & rush over to @Bookshop_Org )

COZBI A. CABRERA is the author/illustrator of ME AND MAMA and MY HAIR IS A GARDEN. A truly special artist, her work has that magical quality that feels intensely PRESENT while simultaneously feeling infused with the soul of the ETERNAL. #Kweli21VIRTUAL @CozbiHandmade

EDI CAMPBELL is an Associate Education Librarian at Indiana State University... though you may recognize her more readily as @CrazyQuilts, aka “Always at the Vanguard of the Kidlit Discourse” and “A Force to be Reckoned with at All Times”. #Kweli21VIRTUAL

Sorry, this thread is temporarily on pause bc apparently it’s DINNER TIME. #Kweli21VIRTUAL

JOANNA CÁRDENAS is Senior Editor at @KokilaBooks. Note: I could fill a whole bookcase of beloved titles that @joannananamc has edited... except it wld always be empty bc her books are constantly in circulation in our home and never stay on the shelf for long. #Kweli21VIRTUAL

FLOYD COOPER has won NAACP Image Awards, multiple CSK honors & MANY other accolades—but on a personal note, MAX & THE TAG-ALONG MOON is one of our family’s all-time favs, so much so that anytime we drive at night our kids point out the tag-along moon. #ThankU @floydcooper4

BRANDY COLBERT is the award-winning author of THE VOTING BOOTH and THE ONLY BLACK GIRLS IN TOWN. I was recently on a panel w her & entire time I talked as fast as possible so I could go back to soaking up @brandycolbert’s wisdom. Moral of the story: REGISTER FOR #Kweli21VIRTUAL

RIO CORTEZ is the author of THE ABCS OF BLACK HISTORY—she also wrote I HAVE LEARNED TO DEFINE A FIELD AS A SPACE BETWEEN MOUNTAINS. Which is such an exquisite title it should be preserved in amber so that future generations can marvel at its beauty. @OhReallyRio #Kweli21VIRTUAL

I’m rewriting @JerryCraft’s bio to simply read:

JERRY CRAFT: HE CHANGED THE GAME.

But if u need more, he’s author of THE NEW KID, the first graphic novel to win the Newbery Medal, he followed that up w the already acclaimed CLASS ACT and did I mention HE CHANGED THE GAME???

CHRISTINE DAY’s debut novel I CAN MAKE THIS PROMISE was named a best book of the year by Kirkus, SLJ, NPR, was a Charlotte Huck Honor Book, & an American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book. Her 2nd novel THE SEA IN WINTER just came out so everyone get your accolades ready!

TRISHA DE GUZMAN is Associate Editor at FSG/Macmillan, and is actively building her list of picture books, middle grade & young adult novels, and select nonfiction books and graphic novels—so if you have a masterpiece in your back pocket, @trishadeg may be on the hunt for you

JENNIFER DE LEON is author of DON’T ASK ME WHERE I’M FROM, editor of WISE LATINAS, has an award-winning essay collection on the way, & teaches Creative Writing and Creative Nonfiction at the university level. She must be a master planner too bc how the heck does she do all that??

J. DILLARD, author of JD AND THE GREAT BARBER BATTLE, is a master barber, a certified consultant, industry leader, and “barberpreneur.”

He started cutting his own hair at the age of 10, which makes him a true visionary bc he has been preparing for this pandemic FOR YEARS.

SAFIA ELHILLO is the author of novel in verse HOME IS NOT A COUNTRY & the forthcoming poetry collection GIRLS THAT NEVER DIE.

People are saying that we may be on the verge of a poetry renaissance and if so, it’s very possible that @mafiasafia will be one of its leading voices.

SAADIA FARUQI is the author of the YASMIN series, A PLACE AT THE TABLE and A THOUSAND QUESTIONS. She was featured in Oprah Magazine as a woman making a difference in her community... so just by registering for #Kweli21VIRTUAL you are one degree CLOSER TL OPRAH. #BONUS

MICHAELA GOADE is the illustrator of the wondrous WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS which [Note: I redacted this section about how this @MichaelaGoade should win all the awards this year because I don’t want to jinx anything but off the record she totally should win all the things].

CLELIA GORE is VP & Literary Manager at Martin Literary & Media Management where her clients include acclaimed authors of books for children & teenagers. She’s fascinated by stories that help young readers understand the intricacies of the world & broaden their perspectives.

WENDI GU is an agent at Sanford Greenburger where she represents voice-driven stories for all ages that uphold & explore themes of inclusivity & intersectionality. She has a dog Beanie (awww ) and is looking for stories that combat power structures here & around the world.

ARELY GUZMÁN is an Editorial Assistant at Knopf & Make Me a World. She’s particularly interested in books that explore navigating in-betweenness and intersectional identities... which is great for me bc that’s what I like to read so THANK YOU in advance, Arely! #Kweli21VIRTUAL

SERENE HAKIM is an agent at Ayesha Pande Literary & reps authors from MG fantasy to adult literary fiction to contemporary YA—so she’s got RANGE. Like a sports agent who can handle bball, gymnastics, AND competitive chess players all w/out breaking a sweat. @serenemaria

LEAH HENDERSON IS THE LEAH HENDERSON OF LEAH HENDERSONS. AUTHOR OF THE MAGIC IN CHANGING YOUR STARS AND ONE SHADOW ON THE WALL—WHAT? NO MY CAPS LOCK ISNT STUCK, I’M ACTUALLY SHOUTING BECAUSE IT’S LEAH HENDERSON!!! @LeahsMark #Kweli21VIRTUAL

Like I said, so much talent! I’m only on the “H”s but I’m calling it a night. Will pick this thread up tomorrow, but in the meantime: REGISTER FOR #Kweli21VIRTUAL

to be continued... http://www.kwelijournal.org/2021-kweli-color-of-childrens-literature-conference

VEERA HIRANANDANI is author of THE NIGHT DIARY (Newbery Honor, Walter Award Honor, & more). Her next novel HOW TO FIND WHAT YOU’RE NOT LOOKING FOR comes in the Fall—until then you know how to find what you ARE looking for? Register for #Kweli21VIRTUAL and spend time w @VeeraHira!

JOANNA HO is author of the heart-stirring EYES THAT KISS IN THE CORNERS and—Wait, we have breaking news to update you on, this just in: she is now the NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners! CONGRAATS @JoannaHoWrites! #Kweli21VIRTUAL

CONNIE HSU was just promoted to Editorial Director at Roaring Brook where she will continue her unmatched run of dominance. @EditorHsu is the LeBron James of kidlit, so consistently GREAT you start to take it for granted—until u take a step back and remember she has THE CROWN.

CHERYL HUDSON is Editorial Director & cofounder of @JustUsBooks. Author of more than 2 dozen books, each of which seems specifically written to help us meet this moment in history, she edited WE RISE WE RESIST WE RAISE OUR VOICES and THE TALK which were a balm during past 4yrs

ZAREEN JAFFERY is Executive Editor at Penguin Random House (after launching Salaam Reads in 2016) her impressive collection of books include bestsellers, award-winners, acclaim collectors, heart-wrenchers, mind-blowers, dream-makers, soul-stirrers, game-changers, society-busters,

MIKE JUNG is the beloved author of books like THE BOYS IN THE BACK ROW and UNIDENTIFIED SUBURBAN OBJECT, a founding member of We Need Diverse Books, soon-to-be winner of the Grammy for Best Song of 2020 for “KITTEN TIME”, and all around force for good in this cruel cruel world.

SHEBA KARIM is the author of YA novels like MARIAM SHARMA HITS THE ROAD (an NPR Best Book of 2018 #fancy) and THE MARVELOUS MIRZA GIRLS (coming in May #futurefancy). She got her MFA from the Iowa Writer’s Workshop ( #fancier) and is a Writer-in-Residence at Vanderbilt ( #fanciest)

SHING YIN KHOR is an Ignatz-winning cartoonist & immersive installation artist. Their memoir THE AMERICAN DREAM? was an NPR fav book of 2019 and their forthcoming THE LEGEND OF AUNTIE PO will be one of your fav books of 2021. I can’t see the future, but some predictions are easy.

CHERYL KLEIN is the Editorial Director at Lee & Low Books. Some people edit books that capture the past or reflect the present, @chavelaque books do that while ALSO shaping the future.

Also, she writes her own amazing books which COME ON really isn’t fair to the rest of us.

RAJANI LAROCCA is an acclaimed author whose debut pb SEVEN GOLD RINGS includes a math puzzle & explains binary numbers and her mg novel RED, WHITE, & WHOLE has science, poetry, Hindu mythology, & 80s pop. In short: if u ever play TrivialPursuit u NEED @rajanilarocca on ur team

MINH LÊ: Unofficial #Kweli21Virtual Hype Man

CYNTHIA LEITICH SMITH is the 2021 NSK Neustadt Laureate (aka a REALLY BIG DEAL) & NYT bestselling author of many great books—and bc she has a generous spirit/unparralleled workethic @CynLeitichSmith is now the curator of HEARTDRUM, the new Native-focused HarperCollins imprint

WHITNEY LEOPARD is Senior Editor at Random House Graphic where she has edited books like the THE MAGIC FISH and STEPPING STONES. In the past @WhitLeopard has worked on comic series Lumberjanes, Adventure Time, Steven Universe, so basically she’s the COOLEST PERSON ON EARTH.

ARTHUR LEVINE is President/Editor-in-Chief of @LevineQuerido which has stormed out the gates w a debut slate of books that has sent TREMORS thru the pubworld—but in a good way, like tremors caused by a stampede of puppies running rampant thru our collective literary consciousness

TIFFANY LIAO is the Serena Williams of publishing—she fires up ACES w/out breaking a sweat and she DOES NOT LOSE. Editor of some of the most influential books in recent memory, just listening to a virtual #Kweli21VIRTUAL panel w @Tiff_Liao increases ur chances of success by 729%.

DARCIE LITTLE BADGER’s debut ELATSOE was named one of the 100 Best Fantasy Novels Of All Time by Time Magazine. I don’t think you’ve fully absorbed the ENORMITY of the statement so I’ll repeat: @ShiningComic’s VERY FIRST BOOK IS ONE OF THE BEST FANTASY NOVELS OF ALL TIME

JUANA MARTINEZ-NEAL won a Caldecott Honor for ALMA & HOW SHE GOT HER NAME, a Sibert Medal for FRY BREAD, & a Pura Belpré Medal for LA PRINCESS & THE PEA.

She lives in AZ w her husband, 3 children... and I’m guessing a Scrooge McDuck-style vault where she keeps ALL HER AWARDS

MEG MEDINA is Newbery award-winning author of MERCI SUÁREZ CHANGES GEARS & so many other books firmly planted in the literary pantheon. fwiw, @Meg_Medina is ALSO at the top of “Minh’s List of Ppl He Misses Seeing at Events that We Can’t Attend Due to this Godforsaken Pandemic”

YAMILE SAIED MENDEZ is recipient of a New Visions Award Honor & author of SHAKING UP THE HOUSE and WHAT WILL YOU BE? @YamileSMendez is also a founding member of Las Musas, a collective of women & non-binary Latino children’s authors so she is the rising tide that lifts all boats.

CORRECTION: this was supposed to say “La PRINCESA and the Pea.”

Darn you, autocorrect! (and sorry, @juanamartinez )

DENENE MILLNER is #1 NYT bestselling author of 30+ bks (incl 1 w Will Smith ), has a Lifetime movie based on 1 of her novels , has an imprint at S&S NAMED AFTER HERSELF , hosts a talk show in Georgia Public Broadcasting ... her bio is basically this emoji for days

SYDNEE MONDAY is an assistant editor @KokilaBooks and mentors young people with Read Ahead and the Governor’s Committee on Scholastic Achievement. I’m not saying that @sydneemonday will single-handedly lead us to a better tomorrow... but I’m also not NOT saying that

SUSAN MUADDI DARRAJ has written award-winning short stories, gone viral on Twitter, and won awards for her anti-discrimination work. And that was all BEFORE @SusanDarraj published her landmark FARAH ROCKS series, the 1st chapter bk series w a Palestinian American protagonist

NADIA OWUSU is a Brooklyn-based writer and urbanist and recipient of a 2019 Whiting Award. No big deal, but @NadiaOwusu1’s first book, AFTERSHOCKS: A MEMOIR was highlighted by both the New York Times AND Oprah as a book to look out for in 2021. #Kweli21VIRTUAL

DARIA PEOPLES-RILEY is the author of celebrated THIS IS IT and I GOT NEXT. @dariaspeoples’ next book is AMERICA, MY LOVE, AMERICA, MY HEART. (Note: I was at a bookevent w her a few yrs ago & she briefly explained this book to me & i STILL have goosebumps after all this time. )

NONIEQA RAMOS wrote THE DISTURBED GIRL’S DICTIONARY (a 2019 YALSA Best Fiction pick) and the lauded THE TRUTH IS. She has 2 books coming out soon, YOUR MAMA and HAIR STORY, so you might as well reserve space for them on your end-of-the-year “Best of” lists now @NoNieqaRamos

Hitting pause on this thread for a bit (I warned you it would probably take me a few days to get through it all ), but in the meantime here’s a link to the full #Kweli21VIRTUAL roster:

http://www.kwelijournal.org/april-2021-conference-panelists-1

OLUGBEMISOLA RHUDAY-PERKOVICH is author of 8TH GRADE SUPERZERO & editor of THE HERO NEXT DOOR— @olugbemisola is the hero we need but don’t yet deserve. Cuz if she WAS Batman, Joker would have learned his lesson LONG ago & use his talents for the common good instead of chaos.

AIDA SALAZAR wrote THE LAND OF CRANES, THE MOON WITHIN & the upcoming JOVITA WORE PANTS: THE STORY OF A REVOLUTIONARY FIGHTER. @aida_writes is a REVOLUTION unto herself—with words as her weapon of choice, beating back the tide of injustice w one soul-stirring book at a time

STEFANIE SANCHEZ VON BORSTEL is co-founder of @FullCircleLit where she represents a Hall-of-Fame-worthy roster of creators who are DOING THE WORK to steer us all in the right direction. If we are on a long journey to a better future, Stefanie is one of the people holding a map.

VICTORIA SANDERS had a background in the law and worked in publishing before breaking out on her own to start her own acclaimed literary agency—25 years later she has assembled a roster of clients so strong it makes The Avengers look like a Little League baseball team.

SHEETAL SHETH is an acclaimed actress, producer, author & activist. FYI: I was at a book fair last year & a girl grabbed @sheetalsheth’s ALWAYS ANJALI off the shelf & ran to her mom shouting “LOOK, IT’S ME! I’M IN A BOOK!” So I’ve seen 1st what her books mean to children.

SIMRAN JEET SINGH is a writer, teacher, scholar, and activist... and now @SikhProf had brought his truly prodigious talents to the world of children’s literature as the author of FAUJA SINGH KEEPS GOING: THE TRUE STORY OF THE OLDEST PERSON TO EVER RUN A MARATHON.

JESS X. SNOW is a non-binary director, artist, poet, children’s author & community arts educator who creates queer asian immigrant stories that transcend borders, binaries, & time. I know 2021 just started, but their new book WE ALWAYS HAD WINGS comes next yr so: IS IT 2022 YET??

TASHA SPILLETT is a new mother, celebrated educator, author, poet, emerging scholar—her book I SANG YOU DOWN FROM THE STARS (illustrated by @MichaelaGoade) comes out in 2021 and I can already tell it’s the warm hug that our souls are desperately aching for. @TashaSpillett

KELLY STARLING LYONS is a prolific author (incl. Caldecott Honor GOING HOME W DADDY) who writes easyreaders, PBs, chapterbooks, fiction & nonfiction, & series. W that range I wouldn’t be surprised if @kelstarly also secretly wrote instructions for the TI-82 Graphing Calculator

JAVAKA STEPTOE, author/illustrator of more than a dozen acclaimed children’s books, incl. RADIANT CHILD, which won the Caldecott Medal—more than 30 years after @javaka_steptoe’s father won two Caldecott honors. Is it getting dusty in here? No, I’m just crying bc of EMOTIONS

MISA SIGIURA is the celebrated author of IT’S NOT LIKE IT’S A SECRET & THIS TIME WILL BE DIFFERENT... her ancestors include a poet, a priestess, a samurai and a stowaway, so basically she’s The Chosen One and we should all read her books to uncover the hidden promise of Tomorrow

NICK THOMAS is Senior Editor at @LevineQuerido. He’s looking for stories that change something about you by the time your finished—which in the aggregate means that his books will have CHANGED A GENERATION of readers by the time his career is finished. He’s for sure on that track

NAMRATA TRIPATHI is VP & Publisher of @KokilaBooks. In a short time, @Tweetpathi has already changed the publishing landscape. Like a volcano erupting & blanketing the earth w a new topography—only instead of a thick layer of lava, this new terrain is made of bks that are pure

WESLIE TURNER is Senior Editor at @versifybooks, editing GROUNDBREAKING books from GROUNDBREAKING authors for a GROUNDBREAKING imprint. I’m trying to think of a better adjective to use here but if the GROUNDBREAKING show fits... #Kweli21VIRTUAL

JASMINE WARGA is the Newbery Honor winning author of OTHER WORDS FOR HOME & MY HEART AND OTHER BLACK HOLES.

Her next bk THE SHAPE OF THUNDER comes out in May so I’ve already set aside a Thunder-shaped spot on the shelf for what is one of the most anticipated books of the year.

RENEE WATSON, award-winning author of bks like PIECING ME TOGETHER. I was at an event w her a few yrs ago & so enthralled by her keynote that I forgot where I was & walked back to class in a daze w the kids. I’ve been enrolled ever since & am just about to finish 7th grade.

STACY WHITMAN is Founder/Publisher of Tu Books, the MG imprint of Lee & Low. She founded the New Visions award, which has opened the door for so many visionary children’s book creators. Readers everywhere are in your debt! #Kweli21VIRTUAL

ALICIA WILLIAMS’ GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN got a Newbery & Kirkus honor & a CSK-Steptoe Award for New Talent among other accolades—only question is where does @storiestolife go from there? National Book Award? Pulitzer? Nobel for Physics? Tony? I dunno, but I’m not betting against her

RITA WILLIAMS-GARCIA won an NAACP Image award for CLAYTON BYRD GOES UNDERGROUND & is a 3-time CSK Author Award recipient & National Book Award finalist. @OneCrazyRita’s Gaither Sisters Trilogy is absolutely essential reading and should be a cornerstone of any new literary canon.

PHOEBE YEH is VP & co-publisher of Crown Books, recipient of inaugural CBC Diversity Outstanding Achievement Award, & has a list of books so good you’ll think it must be fake—like when u see an apple so perfect u think it’s wax... but it’s actually just PERFECTION incarnate.

BRIAN YOUNG is a graduate of Yale & Columbia, filmmaker (incl. a short film produced by the NYT) & author is working on 2 books w HEARTDRUM. He’s also a personal trainer so in conclusion: I am a lazy ne’er-do-well & I give up. Brian, the floor is all yours. #Kweli21VIRTUAL

IBI ZOBOI is author of PUNCHING THE AIR (winner of this year’s Walter Award) and other bestselling & award winning books like AMERICAN STREET, PRIDE, & MY LIFE AS AN ICE CREAM SANDWICH. Each of her books is pure gold—we’re just lucky she’s opened up her treasure chest for us.

...and as always, the heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears (of joy) behind #Kweli21VIRTUAL is the incomparable Laura Pegram. I can’t thank her enough for willing this community into existence year after year. Forever grateful to you, dear friend!

Okay, we made it to the end! Look at all those amazing people you get to spend time with if you register for #Kweli21VIRTUAL... so what are you waiting for??

Register here: http://www.kwelijournal.org/2021-kweli-color-of-childrens-literature-conference