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…
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…
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…
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…
I was standing in the line at a dive Brazilian buffet restaurant with my husband for lunch. The food is inexpensive and delicious and we joke that this would be like visiting our grandmothers if they lived nearby and were Brazilian. There was a line at the meat counter where it’s sliced off the skewers…
2023 Little Joe Ventures Cohort Announced Posted on April 11, 2023 by Carly Kramer The Garage is excited to announce the newest cohort of Little Joe Ventures Fellows! Now in its sixth year, the Little Joe Ventures (LJV) Fellowship is awarded to five Northwestern sophomores who have demonstrated immense entrepreneurial potential. Fellows receive unparalleled personal development opportunities, funding, networking,…
When I submitted my picture book manuscript, Sumo Joe, to Lee and Low’s New Voices competition, I received a response that my picture book had not won, but that I had the opportunity to receive feedback from editors at Lee and Low. My editor, Kandace Costin, found only one sumo picture book at the time…