A Presentation
Many of us dream of writing a blockbuster children’s book, one that becomes a classic and shapes the lives of children for generations. But how does one begin? This panel discussion will focus on these successful children’s authors’ experiences, processes and expertise in making their creative dreams come to life, navigating the world of writing and successfully publishing a children’s book.
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Samara Cole Doyon is a second generation Haitian American living in the state of Maine–a region of unceded Wabanaki / Abenaki territory where half the roots of her family tree reside. She is a poet and educator, holding a BA in English, with graduate-level teacher training from the University of Southern Maine. She is also, of course, a children’s book author, winning both a Lupine Award and an International Literacy Association Award for her debut picture book, Magnificent Homespun Brown (Tilbury House Publishers, January, 2020). She’s also the author of Magic Like That (Lee & Low Books, September, 2021). She lives with her husband, two children, three guinea pigs, and rescue pup in Lewiston.
Alexandra Hinrichs is a children’s book author. She is represented by Stephen Fraser of the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. Her debut picture book, Thérèse Makes A Tapestry, came out from Getty Publications in March 2016. Her next picture book, The Traveling Camera: Lewis Hine and the Fight to End Child Labor, will be published in 2021.
Alex has worked as a historical researcher at American Girl, a children’s librarian, and a children’s bookseller among other things. She earned MAs in United States History and Library & Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She completed her undergraduate education at Colgate University, where she majored in History and French. Alex grew up in Princeton, Massachusetts. She has also lived in France and Thailand. She now makes her home in Bangor, Maine with her spouse and their three sons. She works as a middle school librarian in Old Town, and is pretty sure she has one of the best jobs in the world.
Anica Mrose Rissi is the author of more than a dozen books for kids and teens, including Love, Sophia on the Moon (winner of the 2021 Paterson Prize and the 2021 Maine Literary Award), Nobody Knows But You (a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection), and Hide and Don’t Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories. Her essays have been published by The Writer and the New York Times, and she plays fiddle in and writes lyrics for the band Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves. Anica grew up in Maine and spent many years in New York City, where she worked as an executive editor in children’s book publishing. She currently lives in Princeton, New Jersey, with her very good dog, Sweet Potato. Learn more at anicarissi.com and follow @anicarissi on Instagram and Twitter.
Lynn Plourde is the author of more than forty children’s books including her first book Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud as well as Wild Child, Moose, of Course!, At One in a Place Called Maine, Maxi’s Secrets, How to Talk Monster, Best Buddies, and many more. She does numerous in-person and virtual author visits at schools. Lynn grew up in Skowhegan, Maine, and currently lives in Winthrop with her husband.
Before diving into the deep end of writing for children, Anna Crowley Redding’s first career was as an Emmy-award winning investigative television reporter, anchor, and journalist. The recipient of multiple Edward R. Murrow awards and recognized by the Associated Press for her reporting, Redding now focuses her stealthy detective skills on digging up great stories for kids — which, as it turns out, is her true passion.
New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Matt Tavares was born in Boston, and grew up surrounded by books and reading. From the time he was very young, his mother read to him every night, and his family made countless trips to the public library. Years later, as a studio art major at Bates College, he rediscovered his love for picture books, and decided to try to make his own.Matt has illustrated twenty-two books, nine of which he also wrote. Three titles won Parents' Choice Gold Awards, two were named ALA Notable books, one earned an Orbis Pictus Honor, and twelve have been chosen for the Society of Illustrators' Original Art exhibit. His artwork has been exhibited at the Brandywine River Museum, the Eric Carle Museum, and the Mazza Museum.Matt lives in Maine with his wife, Sarah, and their two daughters.
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