Paths to Publication: KidLit Panel Discussion & Writers Workshop

Join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for a fun and interactive panel discussion and writers workshop.

Have you ever wanted to create your own children's book? Are you an illustrator and want to find a writing partner?

Learn how seven published KidLit creators got their start. Panelists will share advice for up-and-coming children's book writers and illustrators with a fun and interactive Q&A author/illustrator panel. Participants will also practice a writing/illustration exercise and network with other creatives.

In partnership with the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Southern Breeze Chapter.

Registration is recommended.

Panelists' books will be available for purchase and signing.

• The moderator will be Michelle S. Kennedy who is immersed in the KidLit community serving as Co-Assistant Regional Advisor for SCBWI’s Southern Breeze region. Her publishing credits include children’s Sunday School Curriculum and poetry featured in The Dirigible Balloon. Currently, she has several picture book manuscripts out on submission with publishing houses through her agent. You can learn more about Michelle at www.MichelleSKennedy.com
• Patricia Cruzan is the author of thirteen published books spanning many different genres. Her books include Mandy’s Music and Henry the Sleuth. Other works include adult poetry books, a young adult novel, and several children’s stories. Patricia’s work has been both traditionally published and self-published. You can learn more about Patricia at www.patriciacruzan.com
• Cherry Mo grew up in Hong Kong and moved to the United States at the age of ten. She hopes her stories will bring young readers a sense of comfort and belonging. Home in a Lunchbox is her debut picture book and was inspired by her first days of school in America. Cherry is a traditionally published author/illustrator. You can learn more about Cherry at www.cherrymo.com
• Dana Edwards, Ph.D. is a school counselor in one of the largest school systems in the Southeast. Working with many students and siblings of students with special needs was her inspiration for writing Drive-Thru Miracle—her first middle-grade novel. Dana’s work is traditionally published. You can learn more about Dana at www.DanaEdwardsWrites.com
• Tonya K. Grant is the author of the book, National Geographic Readers: Kamala Harris. Her published work has appeared in Clubhouse Jr., Highlights for Children, ParentLife Magazine, online at National Geographic Kids, and books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul Series. She is currently an elementary school librarian and former classroom teacher and is the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year at Barksdale Elementary School. Tonya is a traditionally published writer. You can learn more about Tonya at www.tonyakgrant.com
• Bonnie Bright has illustrated more than 20 self-published books for wonderfully creative writers, the first of which has sold more than 100,000 copies. Additionally, Bonnie has authored/illustrated her own books including Casey’s Compost and The Tangle Tower. Bonnie is a self-published author/illustrator. You can learn more about Bonnie at www.brightillustration.com
• McCall Hoyle is a best-selling middle-grade author, whose titles include Stella and The Thing with Feathers. Her books have been nominated for state and national library awards and reading lists. She’s also a middle school reading teacher, and a former school librarian. McCall is a traditionally published writer. You can learn more about McCall at www.mccallhoyle.com
• Lisa Lowe Stauffer secretly longed to write fiction since childhood, but it seemed too lofty a goal. Instead, she majored in communications, writing her way through journalism, marketing, consulting, travel writing, and blogging.
  Two By Two, her debut book for children, was traditionally published in 2018. This rhyming story began at an SCBWI poetry workshop. Lisa is a traditionally published writer. You can learn more about Lisa at www.lisalowestauffer.com

Host or Publisher Gwinnett County Public Library