Our Past & Present Faculty, Lives, Assistants, and Golden Ticket Judges Include:
Over the years we've had some absolutely fantastic Editors, Agents, Art Directors and Award-Winning and Brilliant Authors and Illustrators co- teach and assist in the courses. Here are some of them:
Kelly Delaney is an Editor at Random House/Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, where she acquires and edits picture books and middle grade and young adult novels. Kelly co-teaches the Craft and Business of Writing Children's Picture Books with Mira Reisberg.Writing Childrens Picture Books
Hillary Homzie is the author of many, many chapter books and middle grade novels, some of which have won awards and also been adapted for television series. Hillary co-teaches the following courses - Middle Grade Mastery and The Chapter Book Alchemist with Mira Reisberg.
Rachael Stein was an acquiring Editor at Sterling Books for Children where she worked on books for kids of all ages.
Allison Remcheck is lucky to say that she has only ever worked with books—a journey that has taken her from a library, to a bookstore, to a publishing house, and finally to the Studio—and books, particularly those for children, have been her lifelong passion. She believes there is simply nothing better in the world than putting the perfect book in a child’s hand. But there is something extraordinary in nurturing a book from the start, and seeing it find its place in the world. To Allison, being an agent is a bit like a treasure hunt to find the books that speak to her most easily. She finds herself drawn to voices that speak for themselves, stories that only the author can tell, and books that reflect the lives of every child—especially the ones told least often.
Hillary Homzie is the author of many, many chapter books and middle grade novels, some of which have won awards and also been adapted for television series. Hillary co-teaches the following courses - Middle Grade Mastery and The Chapter Book Alchemist with Mira Reisberg.
Rachael Stein was an acquiring Editor at Sterling Books for Children where she worked on books for kids of all ages.
Allison Remcheck is lucky to say that she has only ever worked with books—a journey that has taken her from a library, to a bookstore, to a publishing house, and finally to the Studio—and books, particularly those for children, have been her lifelong passion. She believes there is simply nothing better in the world than putting the perfect book in a child’s hand. But there is something extraordinary in nurturing a book from the start, and seeing it find its place in the world. To Allison, being an agent is a bit like a treasure hunt to find the books that speak to her most easily. She finds herself drawn to voices that speak for themselves, stories that only the author can tell, and books that reflect the lives of every child—especially the ones told least often.
Shannon Stocker is an award-winning author and proud word nerd who loves all letters equally. She lives with her husband, Greg, and her children, Cassidy and Tye, in Louisville, KY, where she molds the alphabet into picture books and songs all day. Shannon currently serves as SCBWI social co-director for Louisville, a judge for Rate Your Story, and created the blog series, Pivotal Moments: inHERview, highlighting transitional life stories of female picture book authors. Shannon recently created a mini course on Writing with Rhythm, Rhyme and Poetic License (with some word play thrown in).
Author Lynne Marie's stories, poems, folk tales and crafts have appeared in many magazine markets, including Family Fun, Highlights, High Five, Spider, Baby Bug and more. She was a first-round panelist for the 2016, 2017 Cybils Fiction Picture Book and 2018 Elementary / Middle Grade Non-Fiction Picture Book Awards. Lynne Marie is a former student who has assisted in our Picture Book Writing course and recently co-created a mini-course on Strategic Researching, Writing, and Submitting your Work for Publication.
Kristie Radwilowicz is a Brooklyn based designer and illustrator with a BFA in Communications Design from Pratt Institute. She loves children's books, baking, hand-lettering, Disney movies, Earl Grey tea and first lines of classic literature. Currently working as Associate Designer of children's books for Roaring Brook Press and FSG for Young Readers, she also has experience in branding, web design, children's illustration, After Effects animation and hand-lettering. Kristie co taught the Craft and Business of Illustrating Children's Books.
Amy Fitzgerald is the Editorial Director at Lerner Publishing Group. Amy has been one of our live contributors and also did a Workinar on Writing Humor.
Author Lynne Marie's stories, poems, folk tales and crafts have appeared in many magazine markets, including Family Fun, Highlights, High Five, Spider, Baby Bug and more. She was a first-round panelist for the 2016, 2017 Cybils Fiction Picture Book and 2018 Elementary / Middle Grade Non-Fiction Picture Book Awards. Lynne Marie is a former student who has assisted in our Picture Book Writing course and recently co-created a mini-course on Strategic Researching, Writing, and Submitting your Work for Publication.
Kristie Radwilowicz is a Brooklyn based designer and illustrator with a BFA in Communications Design from Pratt Institute. She loves children's books, baking, hand-lettering, Disney movies, Earl Grey tea and first lines of classic literature. Currently working as Associate Designer of children's books for Roaring Brook Press and FSG for Young Readers, she also has experience in branding, web design, children's illustration, After Effects animation and hand-lettering. Kristie co taught the Craft and Business of Illustrating Children's Books.
Amy Fitzgerald is the Editorial Director at Lerner Publishing Group. Amy has been one of our live contributors and also did a Workinar on Writing Humor.
Kristine Brogno is an award-winning art director and designer and was the Design Director of Children’s Publishing at Chronicle Books in San Francisco. She’s had the great honor of working with a broad range of artists on children’s books and products — from first-time illustrators to seasoned veterans. Kristine co-taught the Craft and Business of Illustrating Children's Books course.
Maya Gonzales is an artist, author, educator, activist, peacemaker, publisher, equality lover, obsessive recycler, traveler, river lover, tree talker, sky kisser.
Marsha Diane Arnold is a multi-award winning author with over one million books sold. Marsha co-teaches our fabulous instant access course - Writing Wonderful Character-Driven Picture Books.
Andrea Miller is an art director at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Children and a published illustrator. She co-teaches the Craft and Business of Illustrating Children's Books with Mira Reisberg.
Maya Gonzales is an artist, author, educator, activist, peacemaker, publisher, equality lover, obsessive recycler, traveler, river lover, tree talker, sky kisser.
Marsha Diane Arnold is a multi-award winning author with over one million books sold. Marsha co-teaches our fabulous instant access course - Writing Wonderful Character-Driven Picture Books.
Andrea Miller is an art director at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Children and a published illustrator. She co-teaches the Craft and Business of Illustrating Children's Books with Mira Reisberg.
Jennifer Swanson is the author of over thirty award-winning books. Jennifer co-teaches our instant-access Writing for Love and Money course with Mira.
Leda Chung is a published illustrator currently living in jolly old England. Leda teaches our awesome instant access Fun with Photoshop for Children's Book Illustrators course.
Sandie Sonke is a freelance illustrator who loves to create whimsical and colorful illustrations. Sandie and Mira co-created the game-changing Pleasures of Procreate course.
Miranda Paul is the award-winning author of 12 books including One Plastic Bag, Water is Water, 10 Little Ninjas, and The Great Pasta Escape. Her books have been named to several Best of lists and have been translated into multiple languages. Miranda is a frequent presenter at schools and libraries. Along with Ariel Richardson and Mira Reisberg, they co-created the wonderful workinar Rules to Break to Make Your Picture Book (now archived).
Leda Chung is a published illustrator currently living in jolly old England. Leda teaches our awesome instant access Fun with Photoshop for Children's Book Illustrators course.
Sandie Sonke is a freelance illustrator who loves to create whimsical and colorful illustrations. Sandie and Mira co-created the game-changing Pleasures of Procreate course.
Miranda Paul is the award-winning author of 12 books including One Plastic Bag, Water is Water, 10 Little Ninjas, and The Great Pasta Escape. Her books have been named to several Best of lists and have been translated into multiple languages. Miranda is a frequent presenter at schools and libraries. Along with Ariel Richardson and Mira Reisberg, they co-created the wonderful workinar Rules to Break to Make Your Picture Book (now archived).
Julia Maguire was an Editor at Knopf Books for Young Readers. Prior to that, she worked at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. She currently edits picture books and middle grade and YA novels. Julia received her degree in communications from the University of Massachusetts and her Masters in Publishing from NYU. She started her publishing career interning at Bloomsbury Children’s Books in 2006 and has worked on picture books ever since. Julia has taught our picture book writing and illustrating courses in the past and co-created some wonderful webinars.
Catherine Felt is an avid writer of fantasy and historical young adult fiction. She lives in California with her beloved husband and a very barky chihuahua. Catherine has been using Scrivener for many years and swears by the software, having found it immensely helpful to organize what was formerly unwieldy binders full of material. She is our wonderful teacher in our Rock Your Writing With Scrivener course!
Sharismar Rodriguez is an exquisite art director at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Children. Previously, she taught our Craft and Business of Illustrating Children's Books course and co-created the instant access Steal This! workinar with Mira Reisberg. This workinar teaches students how to draw from history, mythology, art history and all sorts of places to radically improve their writing and illustrating!
Catherine Felt is an avid writer of fantasy and historical young adult fiction. She lives in California with her beloved husband and a very barky chihuahua. Catherine has been using Scrivener for many years and swears by the software, having found it immensely helpful to organize what was formerly unwieldy binders full of material. She is our wonderful teacher in our Rock Your Writing With Scrivener course!
Sharismar Rodriguez is an exquisite art director at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Children. Previously, she taught our Craft and Business of Illustrating Children's Books course and co-created the instant access Steal This! workinar with Mira Reisberg. This workinar teaches students how to draw from history, mythology, art history and all sorts of places to radically improve their writing and illustrating!
Bri Davey is a children's book illustrator, letterpress printer, calligrapher, dog mom, and a huge believer in the power of creativity. She recently discovered creating as her life's purpose and will be teaching our Hand Lettering and Calligraphy course.
Ariel Richardson is an editor at Chronicle Books where she primarily acquires and edits board books, picture books, and novelty books. She has a master’s degree in Children’s Literature from Simmons College in Boston. Ariel co-created our Rules to Break to Make Your Picture Book workinar (now archived).
Jed Alexander self-published his first picture book Almost Wordless, which was later acquired by a traditional publisher. Since then he has written, illustrated and traditionally published Red. Jed co-teaches our instant access Self-Publishing with Crowdfunding course with Dr. Mira. If you are interested in going that route, this is the way to do it.
Mira Reisberg is the Director of the Children's Book Academy and an award-winning children's book illustrator and author. With a PhD in Education and Cultural Studies focused on children's books, she has worn just about every hat in the industry. Besides running the Academy, Mira is also an acquiring editor and art director at Clearfork Publishing/Spork where she has acquired, edited and art directed many of her former students. Mira has been instrumental in helping many authors and illustrators get published and teaches the fabulous Let's Get Funny: Writing Humor for Kids instant access course. She co-teaches way too many of the courses to mention.
Ariel Richardson is an editor at Chronicle Books where she primarily acquires and edits board books, picture books, and novelty books. She has a master’s degree in Children’s Literature from Simmons College in Boston. Ariel co-created our Rules to Break to Make Your Picture Book workinar (now archived).
Jed Alexander self-published his first picture book Almost Wordless, which was later acquired by a traditional publisher. Since then he has written, illustrated and traditionally published Red. Jed co-teaches our instant access Self-Publishing with Crowdfunding course with Dr. Mira. If you are interested in going that route, this is the way to do it.
Mira Reisberg is the Director of the Children's Book Academy and an award-winning children's book illustrator and author. With a PhD in Education and Cultural Studies focused on children's books, she has worn just about every hat in the industry. Besides running the Academy, Mira is also an acquiring editor and art director at Clearfork Publishing/Spork where she has acquired, edited and art directed many of her former students. Mira has been instrumental in helping many authors and illustrators get published and teaches the fabulous Let's Get Funny: Writing Humor for Kids instant access course. She co-teaches way too many of the courses to mention.
Scholarships
Mira and The Children's Book Academy have been mentoring and giving scholarships to diverse authors and illustrators for as long we've been working in the field (over 30 years). We give scholarships to people who identify as being of color, LGBTQ, having a disability, or being low-income and have given around $70,000 worth over the years.
Because we invest a lot of time, money and heart in our scholarship recipients, many of whom have become very successful, we only give scholarships to the following courses and require students to really show up and participate to help us help them be successful.
In addition to having a pretty phenomenal faculty, we also have a fantastic team of former students, who are now published or contracted, behind the scenes helping to ensure that the courses are extra awesome and that our students have a fantastic learning experience.
Because we invest a lot of time, money and heart in our scholarship recipients, many of whom have become very successful, we only give scholarships to the following courses and require students to really show up and participate to help us help them be successful.
- The Craft and Business of Writing Children's Picture Books • Scholarship Information
- The Craft and Business of Illustrating Children's Books • Scholarship information
- Middle Grade Mastery • Scholarship information
In addition to having a pretty phenomenal faculty, we also have a fantastic team of former students, who are now published or contracted, behind the scenes helping to ensure that the courses are extra awesome and that our students have a fantastic learning experience.
Tina Shepardson has 29 years of experience as an educator and has served on many district and community committees. Tina has her first picture book also coming out, Walkout! We are proud to say that this book is bound to be both an important and controversial book.
Lynne Marie's stories, poems, folk tales and crafts have appeared in many magazine markets, including Family Fun, Highlights, High Five, Spider, Baby Bug and more. She was a first-round panelist for the 2016, 2017 Cybils Fiction Picture Book and 2018 Elementary / Middle Grade Non-Fiction Picture Book Awards. Lynne has published five picture books with more on the way including the delightful, frightful Moldilocks and the Three Scares!
Sarah Steinberg is an architect and mom who is also a talented writer/illustrator with a wonderful future ahead of her.
Maggie Brown is a writer of picture books and middle grade novels, with several publications underway.
Lynne Marie's stories, poems, folk tales and crafts have appeared in many magazine markets, including Family Fun, Highlights, High Five, Spider, Baby Bug and more. She was a first-round panelist for the 2016, 2017 Cybils Fiction Picture Book and 2018 Elementary / Middle Grade Non-Fiction Picture Book Awards. Lynne has published five picture books with more on the way including the delightful, frightful Moldilocks and the Three Scares!
Sarah Steinberg is an architect and mom who is also a talented writer/illustrator with a wonderful future ahead of her.
Maggie Brown is a writer of picture books and middle grade novels, with several publications underway.
Sandra Sutter's first reality questioning picture book, The Real Farmer In the Dell received rave reviews. She has a new book coming out in late 2020.
Bonni Goldberg loves connecting with readers, librarians, teachers, and other writers. She writes historical fiction about girl power and Jewish identity. Her writing guide, Room to Write, is truly inspiring.
Melissa Stoller is a former student who now has 4 published books with more in the hopper. These include the chapter book series: The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Book One: Return to Coney Island and Book Two: The Liberty Bell Train Ride; and the picture books: Scarlet's Magic Paintbrush and Ready, Set, GOrilla!
Dani Duck writes, Illustrates and Moms. Basically awesome. Seldom boring. Regretfully not Canadian. Avid coffee drinker and chocolate fan. She runs the Picture Book Dummies Challenge and it's only a matter of time before she is published.
Bonni Goldberg loves connecting with readers, librarians, teachers, and other writers. She writes historical fiction about girl power and Jewish identity. Her writing guide, Room to Write, is truly inspiring.
Melissa Stoller is a former student who now has 4 published books with more in the hopper. These include the chapter book series: The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Book One: Return to Coney Island and Book Two: The Liberty Bell Train Ride; and the picture books: Scarlet's Magic Paintbrush and Ready, Set, GOrilla!
Dani Duck writes, Illustrates and Moms. Basically awesome. Seldom boring. Regretfully not Canadian. Avid coffee drinker and chocolate fan. She runs the Picture Book Dummies Challenge and it's only a matter of time before she is published.
