The Kidliterati began as a critique group on Twitter: the #MGBetaReaders! Now we are much more than just critique partners -- we've become friends. We are thrilled to share our love of kidlit with you through unique content like the Kidliterati Ten, our interview series with young readers, as well as our book reviews, interviews with publishing insiders, and writing tips. Read on for bios on all of our Kidliterati writers.
Paul Adams is a teacher, MG/YA writer, embarrassing father, geek of a husband, and represented by Sally Harding of
The Cooke Agency. Member SCBWI and Vermont League of Writers. Full time nerd.
Twitter
Becky Appleby writes MG fiction. She is a photographer and mother to four. If there is any time left in her day, Becky likes to read and run, but never at the same time.
Website |
Twitter
Ronni Arno is the proud mom to two kids, two dogs, and two novels. Her most recent MG novel, MOLLY IN THE MIDDLE, published with Simon & Schuster/Aladdin in 2017. Ronni is represented by
Sarah Davies of Greenhouse Literary.
Website |
Twitter |
Goodreads
Jo Marie Bankston writes MG fantasy and YA magical realism. She is a mother of two teenagers and three rescue dogs. When Jo is not writing or reading, you can find her thinking out story ideas while hiking through the prairie and woods.
Website |
Twitter
Rhonda Battenfelder writes MG and YA fiction. She is the mother of two amazing kids and a PK-5 special education teacher. Rhonda is a member of SCBWI and Pennwriters. She is represented by
Uwe Stender of TriadaUS Literary.
Twitter
Brooks Benjamin is the MG author of
MY SEVENTH-GRADE LIFE IN TIGHTS from Delacorte/Random House. He is a reader, teacher, and eater of pizza. Brooks is represented by the fantabulous
Uwe Stender of TriadaUS Literary.
Website |
Twitter |
Goodreads
Jeff Chen is a crossword puzzle constructor published in the NY Times who writes MG novels. He volunteers for Treehouse for Kids and is about two-thirds of the way toward his lifetime goal of donating twenty gallons of blood (not all at once). Rep'd by
Alec Shane of Writers House. ULTRABALL: LUNAR BLITZ is due out in early 2019
Website |
Twitter
Melanie Conklin is a contemporary author whose MG debut,
COUNTING THYME, published with Putnam in 2016. She's represented by Elena Giovinazzo at
Pippin Properties.
Website |
Twitter |
Goodreads
Abby Cooper writes MG fiction and is represented by Rebecca Sherman of Writers House. Look for her next novel, FRIEND OR FICTION?, from in Fall 2019.
Website |
Twitter |
Goodreads
Dana Edwards writes MG fiction and works as a middle school counselor. She's a mother of two and baseball fanatic. Dana lives in the South where she finds plenty of inspiration. She is represented by Stacey Graham of
Red Sofa Literary.
Website |
Twitter
Jessika Fleck writes YA and MG fiction that leans towards the dark and fantastical with a dash of realism. When she isn't writing, she's knitting, snuggling with her puppy Opal, and/or drinking coffee. Her next YA novel,
BEWARE THE NIGHT, releases March 12, 2019 by Swoon Reads.
Website |
Twitter |
Goodreads
Jean Giardina writes MG fiction. She is the mother of three, a science nerd, and was once awarded a patent for innovative cheese slices. Jean never leaves home without a book.
Twitter
Karen Lee Hallam writes MG & YA short stories. She is an illustrator, member of SCBWI, an over-time mom, and sometimes Jazz Singer. Her debut,
THE UNMOVING SKY, arrived in 2016 from Leap/Shine Books.
Website |
Twitter |
Goodreads |
Facebook |
Instagram
Colten Hibbs writes MG and YA fantasy. When he's not writing it, he's reading it, or he could be painting...or chasing after his three dogs and two cats. Should you be so brave you can follow Colten on Twitter. Be warned: He tweets. Often.
Twitter
Akossiwa Ketoglo writes MG and YA fiction. She also reads a lot and writes middle grade book reviews. You can find Akoss on Twitter and on her writer blog.
Website |
Twitter
Laurie Litwin writes contemporary MG & YA fiction. When she's not reading or writing, she's usually spending time with her family, working as an environmental planner, or training for yet another Disney Half Marathon.
Twitter
Jen Malone writes YA travel romance for HarperCollins and "girl power" MG with Simon & Schuster. She is a former Hollywood publicist who once traveled the world solo and met her husband on the highway...literally. Represented by
Holly Root.
Website |
Twitter |
Goodreads
Gail Nall writes fun realistic MG fiction with Aladdin/Simon & Schuster and YA with HarperCollins. She likes road trips and cats (but no cats on road trips). Her most recent novel
OUT OF TUNE features both. Represented by
Brent Taylor of TriadaUS.
Website |
Twitter |
Goodreads
Brian Sargent is a writer of exciting MG fiction and far-less exciting academic non-fiction. If he's not re-imagining his plot for the 30th time, Brian is outside with his wife and three daughters.
Website |
Twitter
Ella Schwartz spends her days saving the Internet from bad guys as an Internet security manager. By night, she writes MG and YA. She is the mother of three boys and longs for more sleep. Represented by Clelia Gore of
Martin Lit
Website |
Twitter
Chris Brandon Whitaker writes MG & YA fiction and contributes to Old Main News and Empire of Soccer. He also advises teachers-in-training at college, teaches
qigong, plays guitar, and reads next to his lovely, bookish wife.
Website |
Facebook
