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2019 Mentors

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(3 OF 5)

Mentors announced each day this week!

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Dana Chidiac, Associate Editor, Dial Books for Young Readers

Dana works on picture books, middle grade, and YA. Originally from Michigan, Dana was a children’s bookseller at Politics & Prose in Washington, DC, and Harvard Book Store in Cambridge, MA, and earned a master’s degree in children’s literature from Simmons College in Boston before joining Dial in 2013. Some of the authors and illustrator’s she’s had the privilege of working with include Julia Donaldson, Matthew Landis, Elissa Brent Weissman, Breanna J. McDaniel, Shane W. Evans, Kristy Dempsey, and Sarah Green. Her favorite books feature unfamiliar settings and unforgettable voices that beg to be read out loud, and she would drop everything to read a middle grade novel about the national spelling bee.

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Stephanie Pitts, Editor, G. P. Putnam’s Sons

Stephanie acquires a healthy mix of picture books, novels, and nonfiction for young readers. Some notable authors she is currently working with include YA authors Stacey Lee and Sherri L. Smith; middle grade authors Eliot Sappingfield and Jeff Seymour; picture book authors Liz Garton Scanlon, Pat Zietlow Miller, and Mara Rockliff; and illustrators Brett Helquist and Brian Biggs. Twitter @stephpittsbooks.

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Padma Venkatraman, Author

American author, Padma Venkatraman, worked as chief scientist on oceanographic ships, explored rainforests, directed a school, and lived in 5 countries. Her 3 novels, A Time To Dance, Island’s End, and Climbing the Stairs, were released to multiple starred reviews (12), received numerous honors (e.g. ALA notable, Kirkus, Booklist, NYPL, IBBY, CSML, CCBC, NCSS, and state best book lists), and won several awards. Currently a fellow of the Hansewissenschafts kolleg in Delemnhorst, Germany, Venkatraman was born in India and lives in Rhode Island. Her 4th novel, THE BRIDGE HOME is scheduled for 2019 release by Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin). She enjoys giving keynote addresses and commencement speeches, participating on panels, conducting workshops, mentoring, and visiting schools and universities, and author festivals. She has served as chief guest at a literary festival in Trinidad and appeared on national and international TV and radio, and in a documentary. Visit her at: www.padmavenkatraman.com

 

 

 

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