2025 New England Spring Conference

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor winning middle grade novel in verse, Red, White, and Whole. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. Learn more about Rajani and her books at www.RajaniLaRocca.com.

Deborah Freedman is a CT author and illustrator of 11 picturebooks for children & children-at-heart of all ages. They feature protagonists that include an earthworm searching for its purpose in life, a house that dreams of its origins, and a character that is almost too shy to appear in its own book. Her stories have been translated into ten different languages, adopted in classrooms across the country, and honored with many starred reviews and awards. Deborah lives in a colorful house in Connecticut, and she loves meeting readers, educators, and other writers and illlustrators wherever she goes!

Winsome Bingham is an author and editor of children books. Her books, SOUL FOOD SUNDAY, THE WALK, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, MISSING MOMMA, THE TABLE (co-written with Wiley Blevins), and THE FORT GOODE series have garnered starred reviews, School Library Journal Selections, and Best of the Year book lists such as The New York Times, Kirkus, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, SLJ and others. She is the recipient of The Connecticut Book Award for SOUL FOOD SUNDAY which is also The Coretta Scott King Honor Award for Illustration. And, THE WALK, which centers voting, community, and hope received multiple starred reviews and was shortlisted for the Jane Addams Award. She edited the Charlotte Huck Award Recommended title, MI TIERRA, a chapter book series written by Adria Quinones. She is a connoisseur of soul food and a master cook (at KidLit dinner parties, reunions, and get-togethers). She is a teacher by trade and a military veteran by circumstance. She received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults.

Valerie Bolling is passionate about creating stories in which all children can see themselves and feel seen and heard, valued and validated. She is the author of six picture books: LET’S DANCE! (SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner), TOGETHER WE RIDE, TOGETHER WE SWIM (2023 Kirkus Prize Finalist), RIDE, ROLL, RUN: TIME FOR FUN!, BING, BOP, BAM: TIME TO JAM!, and I SEE COLOR. She also wrote RAINBOW DAYS, a Scholastic Acorn early reader series. A graduate of Tufts University and Teachers College, Columbia University, Valerie has been an educator for 30 years and is an active member of the kidlit community – teaching picture book classes (independently and for the Highlights Foundation and Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance), serving as a mentor, and presenting at conferences. Valerie lives in Connecticut with her husband where they enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, going to the theater, and dancing.

Russ Cox was raised by a pack of crazed hillbillies in the backwoods of Tennessee. Without much in the way of modern conveniences, like television or running water, he spent his time drawing, whittling, and throwing dirt clods at his cousins. With the bulk of his life spent in Pennsylvania, he met his wife; became a graphic designer; played in punk, alternative, and surf bands; had two kids; and started his own illustration studio, Smiling Otis Studio (named after one of their enormous cats). Russ creates his art using digital software, primarily Clip Studio and other digital tools. He works in traditional mediums, often with a mixture of paper, pencil, pen & ink, gouache, and watercolor.

Abi Cushman is an author-illustrator of funny picture books, including Soaked! (Viking), Animals Go Vroom! (Viking), and Wombats Are Pretty Weird: A [Not So] Serious Guide (Greenwillow). Before becoming an author, Abi worked as a web designer for over 15 years. She runs two popular websites of her own: MyHouseRabbit.com, a pet rabbit care site, and AnimalFactGuide.com, which was named a “Great Website for Kids” by the American Library Association. Abi lives in a small Connecticut beach town with her husband, kids, and pet bunny. In her spare time, she enjoys running, playing tennis, and eating nachos. (Yes, at the same time.)

Federico Erebia is a retired physician, woodworker, author, poet, and illustrator. He received the 2024 Lambda Literary Exceptional New Writer Award. His debut novel, Pedro & Daniel (Levine Querido 2023), received numerous awards recognitions, starred reviews, and other commendations. He is on the SCBWI Impact & Legacy Fund’s steering committee, where he created a grant program for school librarians: In three years, over 1500 books by and/or about marginalized or underrepresented individuals have been sent to 37 schools, reaching over 25,000 students. He is on the board of Read Your World, where he created The Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards: Two annual prizes of $1500 that recognize exceptional children’s books with intersectional protagonists. He is active in the Lambda Literary Writers in Schools program,

Alexandra S. D. Hinrichs is a poet and author of fiction and nonfiction picture books including The Lobster Lady, I Am Made of Mountains, The Pocket Book, The Traveling Camera, and more. Her works have won Maine’s Lupine Award and Wisconsin’s Outstanding Achievement Award among other recognitions. They have also been featured on news outlets such as ABC Morning News, CBS News, and The Washington Post. Alex is a librarian with experience in school, public, and academic libraries. She also worked as a historical researcher at American Girl. She serves as an Assistant Regional Advisor for SCBWI, and on the Board of Directors for Island Readers and Writers. Alex lives in Maine with her husband, three wild sons, two lazy cats, and one curious tortoise. Visit her website https://alexandrahinrichs.com/ or find her on social media platforms using the handle “puddlereader”

Lynda Mullaly Hunt, is the author of New York Times bestsellers, FISH IN A TREE and SHOUTING AT THE RAIN. FIAT is also a Crystal Kite winner and an ALA Schneider Family Book Award winner. In addition, Lynda is the author of the Indie Bestseller, ONE FOR THE MURPHYS. Her first picture book, WISH IN A TREE (illustrated by the talented Nancy Carpenter) stars the characters of FIAT as fourth graders and celebrates the blessings of having ADHD; it releases in May. Her books have been published in 45 languages and Lynda has traveled far and wide to meet her readers. Lynda organizes writing retreats in the northeast where she lives with her family.

Pam Vaughan is the author of MISSY WANTS A MAMMOTH, (illustrated by Ariel Landy 2024, Holiday House/Pixel+Ink) and TENACIOUS WON’T GIVE UP (illustrated by Leanne Hatch 2025, Knopf). She is the director of the Whispering Pines Writers’ Retreat and a co-assistant regional advisor for New England SCBWI. Pam is an inspirational speaker and coach who has lead workshops on team building, leadership, and mindset and mental toughness. Pam lives in central Massachusetts with her family and loves to play ice hockey, watch ice hockey, walk in the woods, and be surrounded by the ocean. Find Pam online: www.pamvaughanauthor.com

Padma Venkatraman is the author of The Bridge Home, Born Behind Bars, A Time to Dance, Island's End and Climbing the Stairs. Her books have sold over ¼ million copies, received over 20 starred reviews, and won numerous awards: Walter Dean Myers Award, South Asia Book Award, Golden Kite, ALA Notable etc. Her poetry has appeared in Poetry Magazine and been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Padma’s latest novel, Safe Harbor, which School Library Journal described in a starred review as an “must-read” is inspired by Padma’s doctorate in oceanography and it features a girl who rescues a stranded seal. When she’s not writing, Padma loves teaching and sharing her love for reading, writing and science. Visit Padma’s website to download free teacher and writer resources (www.padmavenkatraman.com) and arrange an event via her speaking agency, The Author Village (https://theauthorvillage.com/presenters/padma-venkatraman/).

Christy Yaros is a book coach, editor, and story strategist who helps middle grade and young adult writers bring their novels to life with clarity and confidence. With over 20 years in the publishing industry and an MFA in Writing for Children, she specializes in guiding writers past roadblocks, sharpening their vision, and helping them tell the stories only they can tell. As the founder of Crafting KidLit, Christy leads a thriving community where MG and YA writers find the craft support, accountability, and mindset shifts they need to make real progress. A firm believer that there’s no one-size-fits-all writing process, she helps writers embrace their strengths while developing the skills to finish their books with intention. Christy is also a Co-Assistant Regional Advisor for SCBWI New England and cohost of the Coaching KidLit Podcast. Connect with her at christyyaros.com or @ChristyYaros on social media.

Jessica Anderson is a Senior Editor at Christy Ottaviano Books/LBYR, primarily acquiring middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction, with select picture books and graphic novels. The books she has edited include the Morris Award Finalist Black Girl Unlimited by Echo Brown; the Orbis Pictus Honoree Indigenous Ingenuity by Deidre Havrelock and Edward Kay; Freshman Year by Sarah Mai, Dream by the Shadows by Logan Karlie, and Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey Duga.​ Prior to joining LBYR in December 2020, she worked up the editorial ladder at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group under Christy Ottaviano Books, supporting the publication of 30 frontlist titles each year.

Julie Bliven has been an editor for books for young children for well over a decade. She primarily edits fiction and nonfiction picture books and middle-grade fiction. At Charlesbridge, she has been fortunate enough to work with a long list of incredible creators, including Lesléa Newman, Elaine Dimopoulos, JaNay Brown-Wood, Melissa Stewart, Patrick O'Brien, and more. Julie holds an M.A. in Children’s Literature from Simmons University where she has taught and mentored in the MFA program.

Owner and agent, Christy Ewers, has been rooted in the children's literature industry since her mother, Chris, started the agency in 1994, and Christy joined as an agent in 2013. Although she is not an artist herself, art has been an integral part of Christy's life and career, even before joining the agency. With a degree in English/Journalism and decades of experience in various creative fields, Christy brings a unique perspective to the agency, and a distinct approach to supporting artists in their illustration and literary pursuits. She works closely with the entire “family” of artists, spearheading the promotion and deals for CAT Agency illustrators, as well as working alongside the authors in the group to help craft their stories and hone their writing for young readers.

Stephen Fraser has been a literary agent with The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency for 20 years, after working for more than twenty-five years at seven major publishers including HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Scholastic. His clients have won the Newbery Honor, both the Edgar and PEN awards, and received multiple starred reviews. He is graduate of Middlebury College in Vermont with a degree in English Literature and Master’s Degree in Children’s Literature from Simmons College in Boston. Stephen is a popular speaker at writer’s conferences throughout the country. He has recently established the Stephen Fraser Encouragement Fund through SCBWI’s Impact and Legacy division, which offers three grants annually of $2,000 to writers, illustrators, and translators with at least one children’s book published.

Sasha Illingworth is currently an Associate Art Creative Director at Little Brown Books for Young Readers where she oversees a diverse list of formats including chapter books, middle grade and teen novels, along with select picture books and graphic novels. After earning her BFA in illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design, she moved to New York where she started her career in publishing and illustrated over 30 book covers. Sasha has art directed and designed a diverse list of bestselling and award winning books such as; Thank You Omu (Oge Mora), Saturday (Oge Mora), Malala’s Magic Pencil (Malala Yousafzai/Kerascoet), Hello, Tree (Ana Crespo/Dow Phumiruk), Parks and Recreation: Leslie For Class President (Robb Pearlman/Melanie Demmer), Strong Mama (Robin Arzon/Addy Rivera Sonda), and many more. Interests: I work on a diverse list of books, so I am always on the hunt for fresh illustration talent for picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels and graphic novels. I love picture book dummies and have a soft spot for stories that explore diversity, personal narratives, non-fiction stories and I always love a story that can make me laugh!

Rachel Orr is celebrating her eighteenth year at Prospect Agency, where she represents both authors and illustrators in projects ranging from board books through YA. She previously worked for eight rewarding years at HarperCollins Children’s Books and uses those editorial skills to help prepare her clients’ work for submission. Her clients include Steve Breen (SKY & TY), Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Leeza Hernandez (CATS IN CONSTRUCTION HATS), Cathy Carr (LOST KITES AND OTHER TREASURES), Cori Doerrfeld (THE RABBIT LISTENED), and Janna Matthies (OVER IN THE GARDEN). In addition to frequently speaking at SCBWI events (which she loves!), Rachel has served on the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature for over a decade. A native of Pittsburgh and a graduate of Kenyon College, she currently lives in Hoboken, New Jersey, with her husband and two children, where she enjoys dancing, running and reading, of course.

Sera Rivers is a Literary Agent at Speilburg Literary, an AALA member, and a writer. She holds an MFA in writing for children from Simmons University. Prior to agenting, she worked in educational publishing. Sera represents children’s book and adult fiction and is actively seeking stories by authors and illustrators who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other underrepresented and marginalized identities. She’s specifically looking for: Young Adult—LGBTQIA+; horror; non-Western folklore, culture, and heritage; thriller; grounded sci-fi; speculative. Middle Grade—horror only. Picture Books— horror; books by underrepresented authors and illustrators (any topic, except grief; food; grandparents; bios; or that rhyme). Graphic Novels—Author/illustrator only. At this time, Sera only accepts children’s book queries through referrals, conferences, and pitch events. She lives in Connecticut with her partner and two island rescue pups. Check out her full MSWL and status updates at SeraRivers.com.

Please Note - Unfortunately, Eileen Robinson will not be able to attend. She will still be open to conference submissions after the event. Eileen Robinson has worked in children’s publishing close to 30 years and is still in love with creating children’s books, and helping authors gain confidence in telling their stories. She published in-house for Scholastic and Harcourt, and in 2019 helped build and launch Reycraft Books children’s imprint under Benchmark Education. As an entrepreneur and independent publisher, her company Move Books strove to get reluctant middle-graders (especially boys) back into reading. This mission was embraced by Charlesbridge Publishing in October 2022 when they acquired Move Books as a new imprint (now Charlesbridge Moves) and she came on as Editorial Director of the imprint. She also teaches for Highlights and mentors young writers and future publishers in underserved communities.