Ebony Lynn Mudd (she/her)

A graphic with a spaceship and stars against a black background introduces various PB Rising Stars Mentors. Text says: WHO SHOULD I APPLY TO? Mentors Seeking: Cultural Text-Only Authors Headshots and names of the following mentors appear in the right corner: Natasha M.O. Sylvia Rio Tonya Nada Jasmine Michael Janelle Nadia H Jenna Namita Lesléa Patty Kim Sita Ana Patricia Gwendolyn Andrea Pasha A banner below reads "review each mentor's profile to check if you're eligible to apply". Please visit www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors to learn more!

Alt text: A graphic with a spaceship and stars against a black background introduces various PB Rising Stars Mentors. Text says: WHO SHOULD I APPLY TO? Mentors Seeking: Cultural Author-Illustrators & Illustrators Headshots and names of the following mentors appear in the right corner: Natasha Aya Nadia F. Steph A banner below reads "review each mentor's profile to check if you're eligible to apply". Please visit www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors to learn more!

Apply Now: February 27 to March 13

How to Apply checklist: - click on a mentor’s profile - scroll down- click apply button - fill out google form and submit - check your email and spa folder after submitting for an email confirmation - subscribe to our newsletter

⭐️Calling all Cultural Picture Book Creators⭐️

Are you ready to level up your craft?
Do you need help taking your story or art where you want it to go? A guiding hand to help you find the voice, the heart, and more?

A graphic with orange and yellow swirls with a space suit clip art holding a star balloon. Text says: Aoply Now February 27 to March 13

How to Apply: - click on a mentor’s profile - scroll down- click apply button - fill out google form and submit - check your email and spa folder after submitting for an email confirmation - subscribe to our newsletter

⭐️IT’S TIME⭐️
#pbrisingstars applications are now open! Are you ready to improve your craft as a picture book creator, working with an experienced mentor for FREE?? Then our program is for you!

Cheering you on!!!!! So glad you’ll be applying again!!

Yay!!! So glad to see you’ll be applying!!! Good luck!!!!

Thank you!!! We love this community!!! So glad to see you’ll be applying!!!!! Good luck!!!

So glad you caught the replay!!! Good luck, Becky!!! So happy to see you’re applying!

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Jasmine Fang Text says: Unagented authors may apply. Www.pbrisingstars.com/jasmine Wish list: Diverse Voices Family/Tradition Community Humor with heart Whimsy Hard Topics This is only a snapshot. Please visit Jasmine’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/jasmine

Looking for a mentor who helps you see the big picture?
Meet #PBRisingStars mentor Jasmine Fang! ✨ She shines at finding the heart of a story, big-picture edits, and guiding creators through querying, acquisitions, and the author-agent relationship

#kidlit #author #picturebook #writer .

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Anne Appert Text says: Unagented illustrators and author-illustrators from any background may apply. Unagented trans or non binary text only authors may also apply. Www.pbrisingstars.com/anne Wish list: Creators working with a variety of genres/styles Creators working in Procreate or Photoshop Illustrators who work in water colors or gouache Humor Subversive stories/art Stories about anxiety and mental health This is only a snapshot. Please visit Anne’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/anne

Make some noise for FOUR-TIME #PBRisingStars mentor Anne Appert! 🎉

Anne is an award-winning artist who thrives on whimsy, humor, bold color, and authentic storytelling

#kidlit #illustrator #kidlitart #picturebook

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Kathryn Rammell Text says: Unagented author-illustrators may apply. Www.pbrisingstars.com/kathryn Wish list: Family fun Low word count/wordless Whimsical/imaginative/fantasy Humor Retellings Flawed characters This is only a snapshot. Please visit Kathryn’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/kathryn

Surprise!! We are thrilled to announce that Kathryn Rammell is joining the 2026 #PBRisingStars mentors!!

Kathryn was a 2022 mentee, became a mentor in 2024, and is back for our fifth and FINAL year!! Talk about a full circle moment!
#kidlit #kidlitart #author #illustrator

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Gwendolyn Wallace Text says: Unagented authors may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/gwendolyn Wish List: Historical fiction Black history Cultural STEM Stories that explore abolition and world building Radical imagination This is only a snapshot. Please visit Gwendolyn’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/gwendolyn

We’re beyond excited to introduce award-winning #PBRisingStars mentor Gwendolyn Wallace! 🎉
Gwendolyn blends STEM, history (especially Black history), and genre storytelling into kid-friendly, compelling books—and as a Gen Z author, she knows how to use social media to grow an author platform.

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Tonya Duncan Ellis Text says: Unagented authors may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/tonya Wish list: Lyrical writing Fiction Historical fiction Nonfiction BIPOC Voices This is only a snapshot. Please visit Tonya’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/tonya

Today we’re welcoming back–and reintroducing you to–TWO-TIME #pbrisingstars mentor, Tonya Duncan Ellis!

Tonya is a lyrical writing BOSS, and her knack for developing strong hooks in unparalleled.

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing Adam Rex. Text says: Unagented AND agented text only authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/adam Wish list: Illustrators who work in most mediums Photoshop and procreate Experimental text and illustration Humor Prose Rhyming poetry This is only a snapshot. Please visit Adam’s mentor page for a full wishlist at Www.pbrisingstars.com/adam

Say hello to our next #pbrisingstars mentor!

Adam Rex is the award-winning author of more than 40 picture books, and he’s a humor WIZARD — on the page AND in the art.

Apply to Become Nada Shawish Dutka's Picture Book Mentee — PB RISING STARS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM PB Rising Stars is a FREE picture book mentorship program for aspiring authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators who want to be traditionally published. *Unagented AND Agented creators may apply.

Visit her mentor page to learn more:

www.pbrisingstars.com/nada

3/3

#kidlit #amwriting #picturebook #kidlitart #illustrator

A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing Nada Shawish Dutka. Text says: Unagented authors may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/nada Wish list: Fiction Moody manuscripts Scary adventures Multigenerational Big heart Fairy and folktales This is only a snapshot. Please visit Nada’s mentor page for a full wishlist at Www.pbrisingstars.com/nada

Meet our first #PBRisingStars mentor, Nada Shawish Dutka! ✨

Nada loves both literary AND commercial PBs—especially stories that spotlight underrepresented characters. She’s all about moody, spooky vibes 👻, sharp dialogue, immersive settings, and making BIG themes feel accessible to kids. 1/3

⭐️Get Ready To Prep Those Applications! ⭐️
Starting tomorrow we will highlight one or two mentors every day so you can get to know them and see a snapshot of their wishlists! We hope you will consider EVERY mentor that you are eligible for. Make sure to visit their FULL profile.
#kidlit #kidlitart

These mentors 🔥🔥🔥🔥

⭐️Announcing 40 INCREDIBLE MENTORS! ⭐️

Just look at some of the books from our 2026 mentors!! Miss the big announcement? Follow the link to kidlit 411 to see the news!
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www.kidlit411.com/2026/01/the-...

How are you feeling?
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#picturebook #pbrisingstars #kidlitillustration #kidlit #amwriting

On a rainbow background, Ebony lynn Mudd and Mychal Threets hold up their debut picture books and smile. Text reads double the book joy preorder party in big letters and a virtual family new years celebration in smaller letters under their photo.

🎉Me and @mychal3ts.bsky.social are throwing a New Year’s Day family-friendly, bookish celebration tomorrow! And it’s virtual & FREE!!!

The DOUBLE THE BOOK JOY PREORDER PARTY will have draw-alongs, surprise guests, read alouds, and more!

Register here: www.ebonylynnmudd.com/bookjoyparty

#kidlit

⭐️As we WRAP up 2025, take a look at our #PBRisingStars wrapped! ⭐️

Swipe through to see what happened with PBRisingStars in 2025! And don’t miss our big news with a sneak peek for 2026 on the last slide! Are you hoping to snag one of those slots??
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#kidlit #kidlitpostcard #picturebook #illustrator

⭐️ Calling all 2026 #PBRisingStars applicants! ⭐️ Make sure to check your eligibility before preparing those applications! In order to apply you: ⭐️ Must be 18 years or older ⭐️ Must be a PICTURE BOOK creator ⭐️ May be Unagented OR agented but must not have a PICTURE BOOK deal sold by an agent ⭐️ Must not have been or be scheduled to be a PICTURE BOOK MENTEE in another program any time between January 2025 and September 2026 ⭐️ Must not use AI engines to create art, text, or application responses Any questions about eligibility? Drop them in the comments below and we’ll answer them! 💫And don’t forget to mark your calendars with our application window: February 27 - March 13 2026. This is our LAST year at PB Rising Stars, so don’t miss your final chance to apply! 💫 #kidli #kidlitart #picturebooks #kidlitillustration #kidlitpostcard

⭐️ Interested in being a 2026 #pbrisingstars Mentee for our fifth and FINAL year? ⭐️

Check your eligibility below and let us know if you're applying!

Any questions? Leave a comment, and we’ll answer them!

Check out website out here: www.pbrisingstars.com/mentees

#kidli #kidlitart #kidlitpostcard

I CANNOT LOVE THIS MOREEEEE! This is just the beginning! Your @pbrisingstars.bsky.social family is cheering you on the whole way!

⭐️Today is the day! ⭐️

Every single important #PBRisingStars 2026 date is officially live on our website!

So run, don’t walk, to pbrisingstars.com to learn more and see what our FIFTH and FINAL year of mentorship has in store!

#kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitillustration #kidlitartist #kidlitpostcard

Did you miss the live debriefing about our big announcement? No problem! We are answering some of your biggest questions about the FINAL year of #PBRisingStars!

Wondering what applicants can expect for the final year of PBRS? Watch the video below to hear!

#kidlit #kidlitchat #kidlitpostcard

#pbrisingstars has been the most rewarding experience of my time writing #picturebooks. The organizers, mentors, and community has shaped me both as a professional and as a human being. It’s bittersweet, but I know they’ll be with me for years to come. If you’re on the fence: NOW IS THE TIME!

I cannot say enough wonderful things about PBRS. Seriously, it is ✨life-changing✨. If you want to jump-start your PB career, make brilliant and incredible friends, and grow as a creator and person, you NEED to apply next year!!! #kidlit #kidlitart @pbrisingstars.bsky.social

🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

✨3 days until our BIG announcement!!
We're pulling back the curtain on all things PBRS and giving hints leading up to the final reveal!

Read to see what 2022 mentee turned co-director @laylafallah.bsky.social has to say about what makes PBRS so special + a major hint for Thursday! #pbrisingstars

text reads: giveaway! win books from past mentors! with four picture book covers of BOLD, BRILLIANT AND LATINE, SALON SATURDAY, WHAT IF YOU WISH?, and WEIWEI'S WINTER SOLSTICE

⭐️ GIVEAWAY TIME! ⭐️
We’re just ONE WEEK from our big, history-making #PBRisingStars announcement, so let’s celebrate with 4 incredible picture books from past mentors! 📚✨

To enter:
1️⃣ Follow us on Bluesky
2️⃣ Like this post
3️⃣ Tag a friend (1 tag = 1 entry!)

Winner announced on 10/30 with our big news!

💫 We’re back on Bluesky and on October 30th, we're making our BIGGEST ANNOUNCEMENT EVER at #PBRisingStars! 💫

In 4 years, 78 mentors have helped 95 mentees grow their craft, confidence, & careers.

And soon… we’ll cross the ⭐️100 mentee⭐️ milestone!

But what's next?👀
www.pbrisingstars.com/subscribe

List of the 2025 winners for the Kidlit Chuckle Challenge humor writing contest

List of the 2025 winners for the Kidlit Chuckle Challenge humor writing contest

OMGoodness, #kidlit friends! You are all so funny. 😂 It was so difficult (yet so very fun) judging the #KidlitChuckleChallenge entries this year!

I'm super excited to share that these folks are prize-winning KIDLIT CHUCKLE CHAMPIONS. 🏆✨

Congratulations to this year's winners!🎉