Tell us in the comments below if you’re headed to do one more. Because what do you have to lose? And WHY NOT YOU? We’re rooting for you!
So many of our mentees in the past were chosen by mentors they did not originally plan on applying to. And we know that you can find at least one item to connect on with almost every mentor. So will you do it? Will you send in just ONE MORE APP?
Will you accept our challenge to go back through our mentors at www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors and find ONE more person to apply to?
⭐️Ready For a Challenge?⭐️
#pbrisingstars applications close TONIGHT at 11:59 pm Eastern Time for the fifth and FINAL time. That means this is your LAST chance at joining our community.
#kidlit #kidlitart #picturebook #author
- HOW DO YOU FEEL? Knowing this is the fifth and FINAL year of PB Rising Stars, what is going through your mind right now?
We’re so excited to see these applications come pouring in and can’t wait to see who joins our 2026 class!
- will you go back and look at our mentors one more time? So many of our pairs in the past came from applicants deciding to try one more mentor they weren’t originally planning to apply to
www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors
⭐️Tomorrow is your LAST chance to apply to be a #pbrisingstars mentee⭐️
So let’s chat! Tell us:
- have you applied yet or are you waiting til the final moments?
#kidlit #illustration #kidlitart #picturebook
It’s our final WHO TO APPLY TO post! And today is all about mentors seeking STEM/STEAM! So if you write about science, technology, engineering, the arts, & math, make sure to check eligibility and apply to these mentors!
www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors
#kidlit #author #picturebook #pbrisingstars
The ONLY thing on M.O. Yuksel’s “not a good fit” list is rhyme, so we know that almost every author (agented AND unagented) who identifies as BIPOC should have something to send her way! So tag your friends and then run to apply at
www.pbrisingstars.com/moyuksel
With only TWO days left to apply, we need your help again to tag BIPOC authors who NEED TO apply to M.O. Yuksel! Because this is our fifth and FINAL year, we want to make sure we are finding every single potential applicant.
#kidlit #picturebook #pbrisingstars #author
So if you are a rhymer and ready to take your work to the next level, you absolutely MUST apply to
Rio Cortez
Sarah Holly Ackerman
Charles R Smith Jr.
Lesléa Newman and
Adam Rex
Hurry! Because applications close in JUST THREE DAYS!
www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors
⭐️Do you write in rhyme all of the time?⭐️
WE might not be strong rhymers, but these mentors are absolute rhyming PROS!
#pbrisingstars #author #picturebook #rhyme #kidlit
If you were tagged in this post, prep your app and get it in by Friday!
Seriously, run, don’t walk, to
www.pbrisingstars.com/charles to apply
#kidlit #picturebook #author #poet
Charles is open to fiction and nonfiction across the PB space, so no matter what sort of book you are working on, he wants to see it! Poetry, prose, nonfiction, and more, send it to Charles! Basically anything but faith based works and fact based collections.
Charles brings decades of experience to the picture book space and is committed to uplifting Black voices. We love to see it!
So tag a friend below who NEEDS to apply to Charles.
We’re switching things up and doing our tag post in the morning because… WE HAVE NEWS! Charles R. Smith has decided that since this is the fifth and FINAL year of #pbrisingstars he wants to expand his reach and ensure that all Black creators have the opportunity to apply to work with him.
So if you’re an unagented text only creator, you should absolutely put Gwendolyn on your list to apply to. Then spread the word! Tag a friend who should also apply to Gwendolyn!
www.pbrisingstars.com/gwendolyn
⭐️it’s that time again: tag a friend who NEEDS to work with Gwendolyn ⭐️
Gwendolyn’s strengths and tastes are super wide ranging. Fiction, nonfiction, historical fiction, and more!
#pbrisingstars #kidlit #author #writer #mentor
Swipe through to see all of our mentors who are especially excited to see lyrical work! And remember, we don't limit you on how many mentors you can apply to. So check your eligibility and apply to all of the mentors you are eligible for!
www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors
Do you create lyrical picture book stories or art?
Then we want to see them at #pbrisingstars!
If gorgeous language, poetic devices, rhythmic cadence, imagery, and more are your things? Then these mentors are right for you!
#kidlit #author #writing #illustrator
Great hooks, concepts, and beautiful language are what @tonyaellisbooks is looking for! So tag an unagented author friend who you think NEEDS to apply to Tonya!
www.pbrisingstars.com/tonya
Time for another chance to help us spread the word about the fifth and FINAL year of #pbrisingstars ✨
Do you know a friend who writes picture book manuscripts with that special “it” factor?
#kidlit #author #picturebook #writer
With only 5 days left to apply, NOW is the time to get those apps in!
www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors
Take a look at these mentors, check your eligibility, then add them to your list of mentors to apply to. You don’t need to ONLY apply to these mentors, but they ARE the ones actively seeking SEL so make sure to get them to the top of your list!
⭐️ SEL Picture Book Creators: take note ⭐️
If your work has a layer of social-emotional learning, these mentors want to see it!
SEL books are truly important, so of course our #PBRisingStars mentors are excited about them too!
#kidlit #author #picturebook #illustrator
Janelle is looking for agented and unagented BIPOC picture book authors who are ready to take their craft to the next level! So tag those friends and spread the word. Then go to www.pbrisingstars.com/janelle to get those apps in this weekend!
Since it’s our fifth and FINAL year, we want to make sure to reach every single eligible creator. That’s where you come in! Can you tag a friend who NEEDS to apply to Janelle?
Time for another spread the word post! Janelle Harper is an absolute powerhouse of an author. We cannot wait to see who she partners with for #pbrisingstars this year!
Janelle is looking for agented and unagented BIPOC picture book authors who are ready to take their craft to the next level! So tag those friends and spread the word. Then go to www.pbrisingstars.com/janelle to get those apps in this weekend!
Since it’s our fifth and FINAL year, we want to make sure to reach every single eligible creator. That’s where you come in! Can you tag a friend who NEEDS to apply to Janelle?
