LAURA ATKINSAUTHOR, EDITOR AND TEACHER

1420 ½ Hopkins Street, Berkeley, CA 94702, (510) 282-1943www.lauraatkins.com • laura@lauraatkins.com

EDUCATIONMFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, Vermont College of Fine Arts,

Montpelier, January 2016Recipient of Critical Thesis Prize and Royce Reinvention Scholarship

Master of Arts, English/Children’s Literature, with Distinction, Roehampton University, London, UK, 2002

Bachelor of Arts, Phi Beta Kappa, English, Reed College, Portland, Oregon, 1992PUBLICATIONS – CREATIVE WRITINGSled Dog Dachshund, author, humorous picture book, Minted Prose Press, October

2016Fred Korematsu Speaks Up, middle grade biography in Fighting for Justice series,

Heyday Press, January 2017EMPLOYMENT: TEACHING – SELECTEDUpcoming: “Gullah Rising,” Southern Sampler Arists Colony Creative Workshop,

Charleston, April 2017Coordinating creative component of week-long creative workshop with focus on childhood/storytelling

Upcoming: “In Pursuit of Picture Books,” SCBWI half-day workshop, Book Passage, September 2016

Faculty, Writing for Middle Grade/Young Adult Audience, Mendocino Writer’s Conference, August 2016Running MFA-style workshops and giving a lecture/seminar, “In Pursuit of Picture Books”

Senior Lecturer (.5 FTE), National Centre for Research in Children’s Literature (NCRCL), Roehampton University, London, 3/09-8/13 (Visiting Lecturer, 2003-2008)Teaching on undergraduate degree in Creative Writing and MA in Children’s Literature, both on-site and Distance Learning (DL), including Writing for a Child Audience, British Children’s Literature 1900-1960, Children’s Literature of Migration, and Critical and Theoretical Perspectives; supervising creative MA dissertations; developing new DL Writing for a Child Audience module

Visiting Lecturer, Queens University International Study Centre, East Sussex, Spring 2007Introduction to Children’s Literature, third-year undergraduate course with focus on British books

Visiting Lecturer, University of Newcastle, Autumn 2004 and Autumn 2005Boundaries of Children’s Literature, third-year undergraduate course on contemporary books

EMPLOYMENT – NON-TEACHING: Independent Children’s Book Editor, September 2006–present

Offering a range of services, including editing children’s books for Nigerian Publisher Cassava Republic Press; consulting for City Lights Books; manuscript critiquing and editing for individuals, self publishers and independent publishers including Blood Orange Press and Saffron Press; running creative writing workshops and writing groups. See full portfolio at www.lauraatkins.com

Conference Manager, National Centre for Research in Children’s Literature (NCRCL), Roehampton University, London, 9/04–2/09, (Conference Administrator 10/02–9/04)Part-time, responsible for planning and running conferences, including the annual British IBBY (International Board on Books for Young Readers)/NCRCL conferences (2002–2008) and CLISS (Children’s Literature International Summer School; 2003, 2005 and 2007)

Festival Director, Brighton Children’s Book Festival, Brighton, 2007 and 2008Co-founder and director of festival, including shaping programme, hiring speakers and PR, with authors/illustrators including David Almond, Michelle Magorian, Emily Gravett, and Polly Dunbar

Contributing Editor, PaperTigers website, 8/03–6/05Researching and editing content for international website with a focus on children’s literature from and about the Pacific Rim and South Asia, including interviews with authors and researching new books

Editor, Lee & Low Books, New York, 7/99–7/01Responsible for acquiring and editing three to five multicultural picture books per year, including finding and editing manuscripts, selecting artists, and working with freelance designers on art direction

Assistant Editor, Orchard Books, New York, 9/98–7/99Working with the Publisher on the acquisition and development of 12 to 18 books per year, especially imports; managing and evaluating submissions

Assistant Production Editor, Children’s Book Press, San Francisco, 10/94–7/98Working with Publisher to acquire and develop three to five multicultural and bilingual picture books per year; finding and managing relationships with freelance designers

ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS “What’s the Story: Issues Around Diversity and Children’s Publishing in the UK,” E-rea:

Revue électronique d’études sur le monde anglophone (Electronic Journal for the Study of the English Speaking World), November 2013, peer reviewed e-journal published by LERMA, Aix-Marseille University, France

“White Privilege and Children’s Publishing: A Web 2.0 Case Study,” Write4Children 1.2 (2010): 20-31, peer-reviewed electronic journal based at the University of Winchester

Co-editor and inclusion of paper, “Graphic Images: Depicting the Bombing of Hiroshima in the Graphic Novel Barefoot Gen,” An Invitation to Explore: New International Perspectives on Children’s Literature, Pied Piper Publishing, 2008

“Editorial Reflections: Cultural Expression and the Children’s Publication Process in the USA,” Expectations and Experiences: Children, Childhood & Children’s Literature, edited by Clare Bradford and Valerie Coghlan, Pied Piper Publishing, 2007

“A Publisher’s Dilemma: The Place of the Child in the Publication of Children’s Books,” New Voices in Children’s Literature Criticism, edited by Sebastien Chapleu, Pied Piper Publishing, 2004

“Creepy Kids: The Use of the Child’s Perspective in Films of the Uncanny,” Children’s Literature and Childhood in Performance, edited by Kim Reynolds, Pied Piper Publishing, 2003

CONFERENCE PAPERS AND INVITED LECTURES “Author’s Panel,” invited panelist with Nina LaCour, Jandy Nelson and Mitali Perkins,

2015 BAYA (Bay Area Young Adult Librarians) Fundraiser, San Leandro Public Library, October 2015

“Who Holds the Power: The Impact of Privilege on Children’s Literature,” invited panelist with Jacqueline Woodson, Malinda Lo and Aya de Leon, moderated by librarian Nina Lindsay, at the Association of Children's Librarians of Northern California Institute: All Due Respect: A Dialogue about Diversity, Equity and Creating Safe Spaces for All Youth,” San Francisco Public Library, April 2015 (available as a video at: https://youtu.be/tDQkQDk8_CI)

“Sistahs (and Brothers) Are Doing It for Themselves – Independent Publishing From the Creators’ and the Bloggers’ Points of View,” panel presentation at Kidlitcon 2014: Blogging Diversity in Young Adult and Children’s Lit: What’s Next?, Sacramento, October 2014

“Editor’s Panel” and “Creating Compelling and Authentic Protagonists,” invited panelist at Book Passage Children’s Writers and Illustrators Conference, Corte Madera, June 2014

“What’s the Story: Issues Around Diversity and Children’s Publishing in the UK,” lecture delivered at Race, Ethnicity and Publishing Conference, Aix-Marseille Universite, France, March 2012

Moderator of “Critiquing and Evaluating the Books/Content” panel at A Is for Anansi: Literature for Children of African Descent Conference, New York University, October 2010

“White Privilege and Children’s Publishing: A Web 2.0 Case Study,” invited lecture to Oxford Children’s Literature Group, Oxford University, May 2010

“What’s the Story? Reflections on White Privilege in the Publication of Children’s Books,” lecture at International Research Society for Children’s Literature Conference, Goethe University, 8–August 2009

“’What Is Life Like in the ‘Hood?’: Exploring Urban Spaces in American Picture Books,” lecture at Place and Space in Children’s Literature Conference, Oxford University, March 2009

Member of panel, “Children’s Publishing around the World,” run by Oxford International Centre for Publishing Studies, Oxford Brookes University, at the London Book Fair, April 2008

“Editorial Reflections: Cultural Expression and Children’s Publishing,” invited lecture at Oxford International Centre for Publishing Studies, Oxford Brookes University, October 2006 (available as podcast: http://publishing.brookes.ac.uk/podcasts/item/laura_atkins/)

“The Author Speaks?: How Cultural Expression is Affected by the Juvenile Publication Process,” lecture at Nordic Network workshop, Children’s Literature and Narrative Theory, Finland, September 2005

“The Role of the Editor: Selection or Censorship?” International Research Society for Children’s Literature Congress, Trinity College Dublin, August 2005

Panellist, “Multicultural Children’s Literature and Publishing,” Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, Multicultural Book Festival, London, October 2004

“A Publisher’s Dilemma: The Place of the Child in the Publication of Children’s Books,” The Child and the Book: Current Scholarly Approaches to Children and Literature, University of Surrey Roehampton, London, April 2004

“The Current State of African American Children’s Publishing in the United States,” co-presenter with Nicholas Tucker, Streatham Public Library, London, November 2003

“Down the Rabbit Hole: My Experiences in the United States Publishing Industry,” University of Surrey Roehampton cluster talk, February 2002

“Introducing Lee & Low Books” and “Editing Children’s Books,” Children’s Literature and Diversity Conference, Salisbury State University, Maryland, July 2000

“Developing Work for Publication,” invited lecturer for Illustrating and Publishing Children’s Books Course taught by Mira Reisberg, San Francisco City College, Autumn 1997 and Spring 1998

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITYJudge, Noyo River Review Writing Competition, YA/MG category, July 2016Member of Children’s Programming Committee, Bay Area Book Festival, Berkeley, CA,

June 2015Judge, Redwood Writers Competition, November 2014Judge, 2007 Cybils (Children’s and YA Bloggers’ Literary) Award in the graphic novel

categoryCo-Founder and member, Arts Council of England steering committee focused on

diversity and Children’s publishing which planned the Diversity Matters: Growing Markets in Children’s Publishing conference held in June 2006, a two-day event attended by 250 delegates and with £70,000 funding

Co-Organiser, “The Child and the Book: Past, Present and Future,” third annual Postgraduate Conference, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, April 2006

Chair and Organizer, “Author Panel Discussing How East Meets West in Their Work,” British IBBY/NCRCL Conference, 13 November 2004, Roehampton University

Founder and Co-Organiser, “The Child and the Book: Current Scholarly Approaches to Children and Literature,” Inaugural Postgraduate Conference, University of Surrey Roehampton, held in April 2004, followed by publication of selected papers in the journal, The New Review of Children’s Literature and Librarianship, published by Routledge

Judge, Fiction for Children Prize, London Writers Competition, 6/02–9/02, writing competition sponsored by Wandsworth Council and University of Surrey Roehampton

Member, PEN Open Book Committee, New York, 8/99–7/01, committee working to increase diversity in publishing, organising awards and events

Mentor Editor, Rutgers University One-on-One Conference, 10/99 and 10/00Member, Children’s Committee, San Francisco Book Festival, 1997 and 1998PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPSAuthor’s GuildBay Area Independent Children’s Book Editor’s GuildVCFA Young Writer’s Network

SELECTED AWARDS AND HONORS FOR BOOKS

In My Family, Children’s Book Press, 1996, Assistant EditorSkipping Stones Book AwardAméricas Picture Book Award

I See the Rhythm, Children’s Book Press, 1998, Assistant EditorCorretta Scott King Award for Illustration Publishers Weekly Best Book of 1998American Library Association Notable Book

From the Bellybutton of the Moon, Children’s Book Press, 1998, Assistant EditorPura Belpré AwardSkipping Stones Book Award

Sammy and the Dinosaurs, Orchard Books, 1999, EditorChildren’s Book of the Month Club SelectionSchool Library Guild Selection“Starred Review,” Publishers Weekly “Starred Review,” School Library Journal

DeShawn Days, Lee & Low Books, 2001, Editor“Starred Review,” School Library Journal“Choices,” Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC)2003 Rhode Island Children’s Book Award, MasterlistChildren’s Literature, Choice List 2002

Love to Langston, Lee & Low Books, 2002, Editor“Starred Review,” Kirkus ReviewsBest Books 2002, School Library JournalBank Street Bookstore’s Bestseller 2002“100 Titles for Reading and Sharing,” The New York Public Library, 2002NCTE Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts for 2003 (National Council for Teachers of English)

The Pot that Juan Built, Lee & Low Books, 2002, Editor 2003 ALA Notable Children’s Book, American Library AssociationAméricas Award Commended Title, Consortium of Latin American Studies ProgramBest Books 2002, School Library Journal“Starred review,” Publishers Weekly“100 Titles for Reading and Sharing,” The New York Public Library, 2002Best Books of 2002, Nick Jr. Family Magazine2003 Charlotte Zolotow Award, Highly Commended Title, Cooperative Children’s Book CenterInternational Children’s Books of Note, United States of America, BookbirdNotable Books for a Global Society, International Reading AssociationPura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor, ALSC/Reforma

Eno’s Story, Cassava Republic Press, 2010, EditorOne of three finalists, Nigerian Prize for Literature (NLNG)

Mayowa and the Masquerades, Cassava Republic Press, 2010, EditorShortlisted, the Association of Nigerian Authors literary prize

Preye and the Sea of Plastic, Cassava Republic Press, 2011, EditorShortlisted, the Association of Nigerian Authors literary prize

The Whale Shark Song, Cabarita Publishing, 2012, Editorial ServicesShortlisted for 2013 Chrichton Award for New Illustrators

SELECTED TESTIMONIALSCreative WritingBlurb for Sled Dog Dachshund: “Sled Dog Dachshund is an inspirational story motivating readers to not only acknowledge one’s differences, but to embrace them. Jasper's infectious over-the-top can-do attitude provides the positive reinforcement the team needs to power through the difficult times and as a team, secure the win.” —Kim Heimbuch, CEO, San Diego Book ReviewBlurb for Fred Korematsu Speaks Up, co-written by Laura Atkins and Stan Yogi: “Brilliant. One man's little-known struggle to assert his civil rights during the internment of the Japanese Americans during WWII. The authors do a terrific job of placing Mr. Korematsu's bravery in its historical context, and don't flinch at exposing the heavy price he paid for his choices.” –Elizabeth Partridge, award-winning author of Marching for Freedom: Walk Together, Children, and Don't You Grow WearyTeaching, Lecturing and Workshops “When it comes to the writing life, Laura Atkins is an intrepid explorer who has developed skills with both editing and creating pieces from scratch and with fiction, nonfiction, poetry and prose. She is a humble and generous teacher, someone who believes deeply in community and the power of the creative process.” –Jane Kurtz, award-winning author of The Storyteller’s Beads and River Friendly, River Wild Feedback on MFA graduate lecture, “We Don’t Need Another Hero: The Interconnected Narrative as an Alternative to the Hero’s Journey” (which also won the Critical Thesis Prize):“Laura’s analysis of the interconnected narrative was thorough, intelligent, and clearly indicated her knowledge of the subject. [She] presented her material logically and coherantly, and demonstrated her knowledge of the subject. This was an excellent lecture. It allowed Laura to explore an important subject, and she did so with enthusiasm and scholarly insight.” —Mark Karlins, faculty at VCFAEvaluation freedback from Mendocino Writers Conference, August 2016:“Laura was a fantastic workshop facilitator. She was organized and communicative, assigning specific order to manuscript critiques and reminding attendees of critique perimeters even before the conference began, which really set a positive tone for the workshop. Her feedback was in-depth and constructive.”“Laura’s workshop was FANTASTIC! Laura is a skilled facilitator. I appreciated her structure and communication, which set the tone and organiation for the meeting. We had a great group with very constructive and insightful feedback. This, I think, has a lot to do with the tone Laura set with the group from the beginning.” Weighted average of feedback: 4.92/5Editorial Services and Editing Work“Laura Atkins does exactly what you hope she'll do—and way, way more. I'm beyond happy that I had the opportunity to share my children's book manuscript with her and benefit from her extensive experience and knowledge. Her edits were sharp, thorough, and thoughtful, but she also went above and beyond just marks on a page; she offered invaluable suggestions for how to expand and enhance the text. She knows her stuff and is committed not just to diverse, high-quality children's literature, but to supporting the artists and writers working to create it.” –Kate Schatz, Rad American Women A-Z, New York Times best-seller“As an award-winning author, I've had the pleasure of working with many editors from publishing houses such as St. Martin's Press, National Geographic, and Lee & Low. My all-time favorite editor was Laura Atkins who edited one of my most popular and beloved books, Where on Earth Is My Bagel? Laura not only guided me with words of wisdom and ingenious suggestions, but she also acquired the gifted Grace Lin whose

whimsical illustrations brought a magical dimension to my book. It would be an honor for any writer to work with Laura Atkins – she is wonderful and enthusiastic, brilliant and patient.” – Ginger Park, Award-winning Author“Laura is an excellent editor with a keen eye for detail. She works with our authors closely to make sure that they maintain the right tone of voice. More importantly, she doesn’t impose her own cultural norm onto the text. Instead, she is acutely aware of cultural context and is sensitive enough to appreciate the need to maintain socio-cultural specificity of the writing whilst still ensuring that the story will have universal appeal. As a young publishing house based in Africa, we very much appreciate her skills and most importantly her interest and commitment to presenting a diversity of children’s worldview from across the globe.” – Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, Publisher, Cassava Republic Press, Nigeria