From historical stories to bios to science, if you’re writing or illustrating nonfiction stories, we absolutely have a mentor for you! Just look at how absolutely stacked these graphics are! Visit www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors to check eligibility for each mentor and then get those applications in!!
05.03.2026 14:25 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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: Nonfiction Text-Only Headshots and names of the following mentors appear in the right corner: Sara Livia Rio Tonya Kate Michael Janelle Nadia H. Melissa Audrey Patty Gwendolyn Lisa Charles Patricia Caroline Andrea M.O. Jenny Natasha Adam A banner below reads "review each mentor's profile to check if you're eligible to apply". Please visit www.pbrisingstars.com/mentorsto learn more! ----------
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: Nonfiction Author-Illustrators & Illustrators Headshots and names of the following mentors appear in the right corner: Natasha Aya Jenny Adam A banner below reads "review each mentor's profile to check if you're eligible to apply". Please visit www.pbrisingstars.com/mentorsto learn more! ----------
Image 3: A yellow and orange graphic with a space suite and star balloon. Text says: Apply now February 27-March 13
Image 4: A 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
⭐️Do you love telling true stories through text and/or art?⭐️
Nonfiction picture book creators are in luck! We have a LOT of mentors looking for your work!
#kidlit #pbrisingstars #picturebook #author #illustrator
No matter what kind of art you create, we have a mentor ready to help-even with picture book photography!
Look at all these mentors! Double check your eligibility for each one and send of those applications! Then tell us in the comments below if you applied!
www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors
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: Author-Illustrators Headshots and names of the following mentors appear in the left corner: Charles Lian Julia Natasha Jenny Kathryn Aya Nadia F. Anne Steph Adam A banner below reads "review each mentor's profile to check if you're eligible to apply". Please visit www.pbrisingstars.com/mentorsto learn more! ----------
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: Illustrators Headshots and names of the following mentors appear in the right corner: Jenny Anne Lian Steph Nadia F. Julia Adam A banner below reads "review each mentor's profile to check if you're eligible to apply". Please visit www.pbrisingstars.com/mentorsto learn more! ----------
Image 3: A yellow and orange graphic with a space suite and star balloon. Text says: Apply now February 27-March 13
Image 4: A 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 Illustrators and Author-illustrators⭐️
This year, we received more interest in #pbrisingstars than ever before from the #kidlitart community! So we listened! We invited more artists than ever before to mentor for our fifth and FINAL year!
#illustration #picturebook #illustrator #author
We ALL need to uplift and support BIPOC creators. So while you’re applying widely, make sure to include these seven mentors on your list!
www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors
That said, today we want to feature these incredible seven mentors who are open EXCLUSIVELY to BIPOC creators. Visit each of their profiles to check eligibility and wish lists and then apply away! The world needs YOUR stories. Kids need to see themselves reflected in books.
03.03.2026 14:07 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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: BIPOC Only Headshots and names of the following mentors appear in the right corner: Livia Janelle Nadia H. Sita Charles Andrea M.O. 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!
A yellow and orange graphic with a space suite and star balloon. Text says: Apply now February 27-March 13
A 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
One of the things we’re most proud of at #pbrisingstars is our commitment to create a space that reflects what publishing SHOULD look like! That’s why we hope our BIPOC applicants will apply widely to every mentor they are eligible for!
#kidlit #picturebook #author #illustrator
So if you don’t yet have an agent repped picture book deal, consider applying to our program! Swipe through to see who might be a good fit for your work!
www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors
Because we get it! Landing the agent doesn’t always mean everything falls right into place. And sometimes it even means MORE questions. How does going on submission work? How do you actually work with an agent? How do you navigate contracts? Even agented creators need mentorship!
02.03.2026 14:01 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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: Agented Text-Only Headshots and names of the following mentors appear in the left corner: Livia Kate Michael Janelle M.O. Andrea Lesléa Kim Caroline Adam A banner below reads "review each mentor's profile to check if you're eligible to apply". Please visit www.pbrisingstars.com/mentorsto learn more!
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: Agented Author-Illustrators & Illustrators Headshots and names of the following mentors appear in the right corner: Lian Aya Nadia F. Adam A banner below reads "review each mentor's profile to check if you're eligible to apply". Please visit www.pbrisingstars.com/mentorsto learn more!
A yellow and orange graphic with a space suite and star balloon. Text says: Apply now February 27-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
⭐️Are you an agented pictured book creator, but just haven’t been able to snag that book deal yet?⭐️
We have good news for you!
A good number of our #PBRisingStars mentors are open to agented creators!
#picturebook #kidlit #illustrator #writer
And remember! You can play to other mentors than these. They are just the ones specifically asking for cultural stories!
01.03.2026 15:42 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Scroll through these slides to see all of our mentors hoping to connect with creators who make cultural stories. Then head on over to pbrisingstars.com/mentors to check your eligibility and apply to each of these incredible mentors!
#pbrisingstars #kidlit #picturebook #author #illustrator
We’re on the hunt for authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators creating cultural stories. We want to hear from you: the stories only you can tell. The stories the world needs. The stories just waiting for children who need to see themselves on bookshelves
01.03.2026 15:13 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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?
3. If you’re ready to apply, click the APPLY button at the bottom of the mentor profile and start filling out your form!
Shoot your shot! Because WHY NOT YOU?!
#kidlit #picturebook #author #illustrator
1. If you write and/or illustrate in the highlighted category, make note of all the mentor names listed. Be open minded!
2. Go to our website to review each mentor’s profile, and double check if you are eligible to apply to them.
That said, this does not mean to ONLY apply to that handful of people. It does mean to check out a specific group that matches what you do in addition to any other mentors you’re considering.
So, how should you use these graphics?
These are intended to help you know who to send those applications to. It’s a way to visually see all of the mentors accepting a certain type/category of work. That way, you can see all in one place a group of mentors who would ALL be good fits for a certain style or genre.
28.02.2026 14:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
A graphic with a space suite and planets that says: How to use the WHO SHOULD I APPLY TO Graphics that start tomorrow Graphic includes three pointers: 1. If you write and/or illustrate in the highlighted category, make note of all the mentor names listed. Be open minded! 2. Go to our website to review each mentor’s profile, and double check if you are eligible to apply to them. 3. If you’re ready to apply, click the APPLY button at the bottom of the mentor profile and start filling out your form!
⭐️Calling all Picture Book Creators⭐️
Starting tomorrow, we will be sharing our “Who to Apply to” graphics for #pbrisingstars ✨
Applications are open NOW
through March 13th. They close on March 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time SHARP. Please check your time zone and plan ahead for technical difficulties!
Who’s getting their first application in today?
#kidlit #author #illustrator #picturebook
5. Fill out the linked Google form and submit
6. Check your email and spam folder after submitting for an email confirmation
**And don’t forget, you can apply to as many mentors as you’d like as long as you are eligible**
How To Apply:
1. Read the eligibility requirements and FAQs on the PB Rising Stars Website
2. See what mentors are looking for on their mentor pages at www.pbrisingstars.com/mentor
3. Click on a mentor’s profile
4. Scroll down and click on the apply button at the bottom of the page
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!
Then take care of yourself tonight. Breathe deeply. Focus on celebrating the courage to put yourself out there. And believe that anything is possible. Because WHY NOT YOU?? Fifth and final year?? LET’S DO THIS!
26.02.2026 21:03 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Tell us in the comments below one thing that you love about your work or something you are super proud of.
26.02.2026 21:03 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
A graphic with planets that says PB Rising Stars mentee applications open tomorrow. Why not you?
⭐️ Can you believe that #pbrisingstars mentee applications open TONORROW?? ⭐️
We know there are a lot of big feels and we know that you might be feeling nervous. So let’s take tonight to slow down and celebrate each and every one of you!
#kidlit #author #illustrator #picturebook
She’s a great fit for silly, goofy, imaginative stories, snarky but lovable characters, genre-pushing ideas, and humor that packs a punch (with room for wonder, too!). Sound like you? Check out her mentor page for more on what Lian’s looking for!
www.pbrisingstars.com/lian
From perfecting pace, to learning the industry, to presenting your work in the best way to agents and editors, Lian has IT! And she wants to share her knowledge with YOU as her mentee!
26.02.2026 14:03 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Lian Cho Text says: Unagented AND agented illustrators and author-illustrators may apply. Www.pbrisingstars.com/lian Wish list: Silly and goofy books Absurd premises Imaginative stories with twists and turns Authors/illustrators who want to push the genre Snarky/flawed but likable characters Hard lessons learned in an unusual way This is only a snapshot. Please visit Lian’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/lian
Got a picture book full of big laughs, absurd ideas, and unexpected heart? 👀
Check out our FINAL #PBRisingStars mentor Lian Cho!
Lian helps creators find the heart of their story, sharpen their voice, stick the landing on the perfect joke, and make every page turn count.
#kidlit #author #illustrator
And if you’ve got quirky humor, friendship, school settings, subtle SEL or NF themes in your work, Sara wants to see it!
Visit Sara’s mentor page to learn more about what she’s looking for.
www.pbrisingstars.com/sara
