We all grew up on picture books. We enjoyed the illustrations before we learned how to read the words. Only years later did we realize that crafting the latter requires as much painstaking skill as drawing the former. Brevity brings forth brilliance. The seamless juxtaposition of word and image showcases even greater talent. Graphic novels have been nominated for the Booker Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, and the National Book Award. During our meeting on May 11th, Emily Jiang will provide us with essential writing and publishing tips for picture books of all kinds.

Emily Jiang is an author, composer, poet, and speaker. She is the author of Summoning the Phoenix: Poems & Prose about Chinese Musical Instruments, illustrated by April Chu & published by Shen’s Books, an imprint of Lee & Low Books.  Her work won “Best Book of the Year” from the Chinese American Librarian Association, a “Eureka! Honor for Excellence in Nonfiction” from the California Reading Association, and was among the “Best Children’s Books of the Year” at Kirkus Reviews and The Huffington Post.

Emily is the author of Paper Presents, which won first place in the Palo Alto Weekly‘s Short Story Contest. Her poem, First Eclipse: Chang-O & the Jade Hare, was published in Uncanny Magazine. You can find out more about Emily at http://www.emilyjiang.com.

When: Saturday, May 11th, 2024 at 10:30am

Where: Maker Nexus, 1330 Orleans Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089

Admission: $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers