SCBWI NY Metro: Published Illustrators/Authors

Lela Nargi is the author of Miss Betti, What Is This?, about the efforts of Detroit’s real-life school “lunch lady,” Betti Wiggins, to get good food on the cafeteria menu. It’s an NYPL Best Book, a Michigan Notable Book, and winner of the Growing Good Kids Excellence in Literature award. Lela’s also the author of The Lonely Goose, a Bank Street Best Book and a Charlotte and Wilbur Award honoree; Karl’s New Beak, a California Reading Association Eureka honoree; Absolute Expert: Volcanoes, a Kirkus starred review; The Honeybee Man, a Cook Prize Honoree; and over a dozen other books for kids. She’s also an environmental journalist with work in The Guardian, The New York Times, and many other outlets. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Joan Ramirez lives in the New York metropolitan area, is an award-winning published photojournalist, and has taught English as a Second Language to students around the globe. She published Jamie is Autistic (Spanish and English) and Go for It Leadership Handbook for which she’s doing webinars and podcasts. She won an award for a teen short story from a Japanese literary society and also was runner up for the prize for a children's Story in 50 words. She is now marketing a PB and a Middle grade.

Honors include best book lists from the ALA Notable Committee, the Black Caucus of the ALA, Kirkus Reviews, Junior Library Guild, Bank Street College of Education, and 2023 New York State Library Association's Empire State Award. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.”

Bridgitte Rodguez was born in Puerto Rico, and grew up in San Diego. She holds degrees in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and The George Washington University. She is a writer of all things for kids of all ages (adults included). Her debut picture book, illustrated by Natalia Bruno, A WALK THROUGH THE REDWOODS, released from Reycraft Books in 2023 and will be available in Spanish, January 2027.

Karen Gray Ruelle, a former librarian, is a children’s book author and illustrator who enjoys working both solo and in collaboration with other artists and writers. Her books range from whimsical picture books about anthropomorphic cats and rambunctious dogs to serious middle-grade nonfiction about hidden children, WWII spies, and the Holocaust. Awards include ALA Notable Book, NCTE Orbis Pictus and Sydney Taylor Notable Book. As a fine artist, Karen shows her paintings in galleries in New York City. She has also worked as an editor, book reviewer, and ESL teacher.

Emma Otheguy is the author of over a dozen picture books, early readers, and middle-grade novels. Her latest book is Adventure in the City of Stories, the second installment in her historical time-travel series. In a glowing full-page review of its first installment, Cousins in the Time of Magic, The New York Times wrote: "Otheguy’s novel is deeply original, action-packed and brimming with historical richness and wit." Emma is a celebrated conference speaker and offers assemblies and workshops for schools and libraries. Many of her books are available in Spanish. Learn more at emmaotheguy.com.

Nanette is an author and illustrator having her books published in newspapers, magazines and online journals. Her digital art illustrations won awards and published in art magazines and websites. Her inspiration to write and paint began at an early age, growing up with hearing original stories told to her by her uncle Tom. Her father and grandfather painted in the home-front and watching their art take shape inspired Nanette to create her own paintings. Her first published story appeared in her senior high school yearbook and that happening opened her dream to become a published author. At Marymount Manhattan College she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree feeling the English Department was her home. She was awarded the Alpha Chi Honors Colloquium for her book, the retelling of the Orpheus myth. She lives in New York City with her husband Bob. When the time is right, they both walk around their neighborhood and take in the vibes of the city.

Jyoti Rajan Gopal is an award-winning picture book author, mom and forever kindergarten teacher. Her books have received starred reviews in Kirkus Reviews, Publisher’s Weekly, School and Library Journal, Book List, and Book Page and are on the Bank Street, NYPL and SLJ Best Books lists. She is the recipient of an ALA 2024 Stonewall Honor Book Award for her picture book, Desert Queen. She firmly believes in the power of stories to teach and transform. She lives in New York City.

Lyn Miller-Lachmann is the author of the YA historical novel Torch, winner of the 2023 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature and the YA verse novel Eyes Open, chosen by Booklist as a Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth, 2024. She wrote the picture book Ways to Play, illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo, and co-authored with Zetta Elliott the middle grade verse novel Moonwalking (FSG, 2022). She translates books for youth from Portuguese to English, including the 2023 YA graphic novel Pardalita by Joana Estrela, named a Batchelder Honor Book in 2024.

Avani Dwivedi is an author and illustrator of many children’s books. She has worked with major publishers such as Penguin Random House, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster. Her debut as an author-illustrator, My Bollywood Dream, was named a School Library Journal’s Best Book of 2023. Her books have also been recognized by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, the Junior Library Guild, South Asian Book Award and Klaus Flugge Prize, among many. Originally from Navi Mumbai, India, she now paints from her studio in Jersey City, NJ. Avani draws inspiration from her South Asian heritage and childhood memories to create whimsical art that celebrates diversity, belonging, and imagination.

Ali Terese is a middle grade and YA author who writes funny and heartfelt stories including FREE PERIOD (Scholastic), VOTE FOR THE G.O.A.T. (Aladdin / Simon & Schuster), and THE NOTETAKER (Henry Holt 2028). Her work has been longlisted for the National Book Award, received starred reviews in School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, and is on several ALA and state reading lists. Visit Ali online for book bonuses, visit information, and resources like discussion guides, recipes, and craftivism projects at aliterese.com.

Jan Carr has written over 50 books for children. Her most recent picture book, Star of the Party: The Solar System Celebrates!, is illustrated by Juana Medina. Her chapter book series, Buddy and Bea, set in a second-grade classroom and illustrated by cartoonist Kris Mukai, has four titles: Not Really Buddies, Tiny Tornadoes, Pet-a-Palooza, and Say Cheese. Jan has an M.Ed., and has worked as a Head Start teacher, an editor at Sesame Workshop and Scholastic, and has taught writing at The New School and SVA’s MFA Illustration as Visual Essay program. She lives in NYC with her family.

Aram Kim is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator who loves exploring universal themes with a South Korean flair. As a child, she filled her notebooks with stories and drawings. Today, she passionately shares that creative joy with children. During school visits, she takes kids behind the scenes of bookmaking and encourages them to write and draw their own stories. Aram is the creator of beloved picture books including Cat on the Bus, No Kimchi for Me!, Tomorrow Is New Year's Day, and Tokki’s Tricks. Her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and Bank Street Best Books of the Year.

Miya is the author of The Pearl Hunter and Through a Clouded Mirror. A native Californian, she is half Japanese and has always had a deep interest in this side of her heritage. While studying Japanese in college, she discovered the myths, folklore, and other literary works that have inspired her novels. A former daily newspaper reporter and magazine writer, she lives in Brooklyn with her family.