My editor, Kandace Coston, gave me the good news! Sumo Joe received a really nice review from Kirkus Reviews. Here’s our review from Kirkus Reviews: SUMO JOE Author: Mia Wenjen Illustrator: Nat Iwata Review Issue Date: April 1, 2019Online Publish Date: March 17, 2019Publisher:Lee & Low Pages: 40 Price ( Hardcover ): $18.95 Publication Date: May 14, 2019ISBN ( Hardcover…
Category: Sumo Joe
Sumo Joe is the debut picture book by Mia Wenjen and illustrator Nat Iwata.
SUMO JOE Cover Reveal & GIVEAWAY!
Andrea Wang and I have an Asian Culture and KidLit series. Today, I am releasing the cover of my debut picture book, Sumo Joe, illustrated by debut picture book illustrator Nat Iwata. I want everyone to meet my awesome illustrator, Nat Iwata, so I have interviewed him below. Asian Culture and KidLit series with…
SUMO JOE Illustrator Nat Iwata
Did you know that picture book authors and illustrators do not communicate until the project is completed? I think it’s to give the illustrator some creative space to bring the words to life. No one likes to be micromanaged by someone else’s vision. My debut picture book, SUMO JOE, with illustrator Nat Iwata is not…
Meeting My Editor for SUMO JOE
Attending Kweli’s The Color of Children’s Literature Conference brought me to New York City, with just enough time to squeeze in a visit to meet Kandace Coston, my editor at Lee and Low Books for SUMO JOE, illustrated by Nat Iwata. The office building is secured, so I had to have the security guard call me…
Connections Between a Picture Book Writing Class and Illustrator Exhibit
When I took a picture book writing class two years ago through my local community education program, I had no idea that I would be in the company of talented illustrators. Flash forward two years later, and three of us now have debut picture book out (or coming out). Jannie Ho has over illustrated over…
Miss Panda Chinese and I Talk Multicultural Children’s Book Day and More!
A huge thank you to Amanda of Miss Panda Chinese for interviewing me on her channel. We talk about Multicultural Children’s Book Day, Chinese versus Japanese New Year Books for Kids, and more! Her post is here. Her interview is here: Miss Panda Chinese and I Talk Multicultural Children’s Book Day and More! And here…
New Voices Competition #AmWriting
If you haven’t been following my progress with my first picture book submission, I entered a New Voices children’s book publishing contest. I didn’t win, but I received an offer for editorial assistance on my book manuscript, Sumo Joe. I jumped on that offer. I’d been trying to get into a critique group where I…