Kathy has been mentoring young writers since 2003 and is committed to using the power of story to foster a more just and inclusive next generation. Since founding Shout Mouse in 2014, Kathy has helped provide platforms for over 500 new youth authors and overseen the publication of 50+ books. For her dedication to promoting diversity, inclusion, and narrative change, she was awarded the Changemaker Award in Social Justice by Duke University in 2021.

Prior to this work, Kathy was the DC Director for Writopia Lab as well as the regional affiliate for the Scholastic Writing Awards, through which her students won national recognition every year. Her own writing has earned recognition from places like the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities as well as fellowships to writing programs in Kenya and Prague. Kathy received her BA from Duke University and her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. She has also completed the Nonprofit Management Certificate Program at Georgetown University. Kathy is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, and dreaming big dreams for Shout Mouse and its authors!

Malik Thompson (he/they) is a Black queer person from Washington, DC. Having worked in independent bookstores for many years, he is also the former Co-Chair of OutWrite DC and has taught workshops for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Hurston/Wright Foundation, and other organizations. His work has been published in the Cincinnati Review, Denver Quarterly, Hayden's Ferry Review, and elsewhere. He has received fellowships and residencies from organizations including Cave Canem, Lambda Literary, the Anderson Center, and Monson Arts.

Dave Ring is a speculative fiction writer born near Boston, educated in Dublin, and living in DC for more than ten years now. As an editor, his work has been nominated for the Lambda, Locus and Ignyte Awards. His former projects include stints supporting folks affected by sexual violence and substance use, serving as chair of the OutWrite LGBTQ Literary Festival from 2015-2020, and an awful lot of exporting things as pdfs. He's contentiously somewhat lukewarm on the Oxford comma and the appropriate number of spaces after a period.

Barrett Smith is a writer, educator, trapeze artist and faery. She is a Duke Ellington School of Arts alum and a graduate of the University of Texas, where she was Dedman Scholar and studied racial inequity in special education. In addition to teaching, Barrett has studied Flying and Static Trapeze at Circus Warehouse and trained as a Full Spectrum Doula with Birthing Advocacy Doula Training. They write short stories and creative nonfiction and create literary zines. Ze is the creator and editor of The Morning After Zine, a self-care zine for survivors of sexual assault, and the Pandemic Mini-Planner, a fundraiser for young people affected by COVID-19. Barrett spends her spare time bullet journaling, supporting local queer youth, and spoiling her two black cats.

Barrett has coached the writers of:

Sasa Aakil is a Multimedia Artist, Writer, and the 2021 Montgomery County Youth Poet Laureate. She is a potter, painter, poet, print maker, and bassist living and working in Wheaton, Maryland. Sasa has been featured in the Bethesda Magazine for her work as Youth Poet Laureate. She has
also been featured in the Washington Post, as well as on WTOP for her work on the A Man Was Lynched Yesterday Project in 2020. She has won numerous awards in writing and performed poetry at the Kennedy What’s Going On Festival in 2023. Sasa is the founder of If All the Trees Were Pens Open Mic and recently published her first chapbook, the culmination of all my despair and the music that saves me. She received her Bachelors of Fine Arts from Howard University in 2024. More information about Sasa’s visual and written work can be found on her website www.sasaaakil.com.

Sasa contributed or edited:

Amy Sawyer is a DC poet. After studying philosophy and religion at Clemson University, she earned her MFA in Creative Writing at Converse College. Amy’s poetry has been published in numerous journals such as Stand Magazine, Mud Season Review, and South Carolina Review. She is on the poetry editing team for Ruminate Magazine. She's worked in adult education, arts fundraising, and religious organizations. You can find her on Instagram at @allpoetryisprayer

Amy Sawyer coached the writers of:

Alison Klein is a Lecturer in International Writing at Duke University, and she currently splits her time between the Duke campus in Durham and the campus in Kunshan, China. She earned her MFA in creative writing from the City College of New York, specializing in fiction, and her PhD in English literature from the CUNY Graduate Center. She has taught writing and literature classes to students of all ages, from elementary school to adults. Her academic writing includes the book, Anglophone Literature of Caribbean Indenture: The Seductive Hierarchies of Empire, an exploration of gender roles in the literature of Caribbean indenture, and her creative writing has been published in The Sun, The Columbia Review, Promethean, and Hot Metal Press.

Alison Klein coached the writers of:

Rachel Page studies English and Race and Ethnic Studies at Columbia University and is a graduate of Wilson High School in DC. She has been an intern and story coach on Shout Mouse projects, including Reach and Beacon House books, since 2015.

Rachel Page coached the writers of:

Based out of Washington DC, Amber Colleran received her BA in fine arts at the University of Maryland, and her MA in publication design from the University of Baltimore. Amber has worked for 20 years in the DC area as an art director and graphic designer with book, marketing, corporate branding, and production experience. She loves using creativity to help her clients communicate their message and bring their stories to life. She is especially passionate about working on books for younger audiences. Her work can be seen at https://www.behance.net/acolleran.

Amber Colleran directed the art and design of:

Gigi Mascareñas is a queer second-generation Filipinx currently residing on the ancestral land of the Piscataway and Nacotchtank peoples (also known as Washington, DC). As a visual and performance-based storyteller, they love to connect with others through feeling; playing in mediums from painting and design to acting and stand-up comedy. Their art and stories are rooted in mental health, queerness, being born of immigrant parents, and deeper healing. They are currently creating-existing through the lens of love, playfulness, and (un)learning and (re)discovery. Gigi has 2-3 books on their nightstand at all times, is working on their first children’s book, and is happily grateful to be collaborating with Shout Mouse Press. For a selection of their visual works, please feel free to take a look at their website: www.kayumang-gi.com

Gigi Mascareñas designed:

Jason Rodriguez (he/him) edits comics, writes shorts, and bakes bread. He is also a mathematician. He used to blog a lot but he hasn’t really put a lot of himself into the world in a while. He has some things to say.

The anthologies that Jason edited/coedited are Voces Sin Fronteras (Shout Mouse Press), Colonial Comics volumes 1 and 2 (Fulcrum), Artists against Police Brutality (Rosarium), and Postcards: True Stories That Never Happened (Villard). Try Looking Ahead (Rosarium) is a collection of Jason’s middle-grade, sci-fi shorts and he has also written shorts for Once Upon A Time Machine (Dark Horse), District Comics (Fulcrum), and many other anthologies. He kickstarted a children’s book about particle physics called The Little Particle That Could. He dipped his toe into live storytelling and enjoyed it. His piece on identity won Best of 2018 from Story Collider.

Jason lives in Arlington, VA with two dogs (Scipio and Twinkie), a cat (Ashes), and a partner (Liz Laribee)

Jason Rodriguez coached the authors of:

Liz Laribee is a writer, illustrator, and organizer. She has taught creative writing, found-poetry and reuse methods of art-making to students of all ages. Liz was granted the Spectrum Arts Award, the YWCA Emerging Leader Award, and the title of Artist in Residency for the City of Harrisburg. She launched The MakeSpace Arts Collective, Sprocket Mural Arts, and DCBA Lawyers for the Arts in pursuit of arts advocacy. Her most recent comic project, “Amira in America,” serves as an illustrated story and reference guide on refugee resettlement.

Liz Laribee coached the authors of:

Born and raised in Washington DC, Evan Keeling received a BFA in graphic design from the Corcoran College of Art + Design. Evan is an accomplished illustrator who has worked with a variety of clients. He is a founding member of the DC Conspiracy a collective of Washington, DC area comic book artists and writers. He has been published and self-publishes comic books for print and for the web. He recently colored the Eisner and Harvey nominated graphic novel “Captive of Friendly Cove” from Fulcrum and developing comic book based programing as well as creating mini-comics for the Smithsonian. For the last 12 years Evan has been an exhibit specialist in graphics at the Smithsonian Exhibits. His work can be seen here.

Evan Keeling coached the authors of:

Romeo Montero is an illustrator attending Moore College of Art & Design. Romeo loves creating vibrant and dynamic illustrations. His work is heavy in texture, goats, nature, and anything else he personally finds cool. Romeo is committed to anti-racist and anti-colonial praxis, and uses his art as a way of exploring new worlds, possibilities, and as a vessel to heal himself and his community. When he’s not drawing, you can find Romeo at a metal show headbanging the night away. You can find more of Romeo’s work here: https://fmontero.myportfolio.com/

Romeo Montero illustrated:

Hee So is an illustrator based in Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in Communications Arts in 2023. She enjoys exploring and creating different worlds through textured and colorful designs. In her free time, you can find her playing rock band with her roommates, crafting, and exploring nature with her dog. Hee hopes that she can make more art that diversifies and adds inclusive narratives into the world. You can find more of her work on heesoart.com

Hee So illustrated:

Yurieli Otero-Asmar is an illustrator from Dorado, Puerto Rico, with an MA in Illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She creates art for middle grade and young adult books, which combines her passion for books, reading, and art. In her illustrations, Yurieli enjoys designing characters and emphasizing the relationship and dynamic among them, as well as incorporating magical and fantastical elements. Additionally, Yurieli’s BA in Psychology greatly influences her perspective in her art, which is why she wishes to represent how people are formed by their rich life experiences and diverse stories. Yurieli admires Shout Mouse’s mission, and is very excited to help amplify underheard voices and stories through her illustrations.

Yurieli Otero illustrated:

Alexis Williams is a digital illustration artist based in Philadelphia. She was born in Montgomery, Alabama and raised by her grandparents in West Philadelphia. Her passion for the arts stemmed from childhood as she dealt with bullying and depression during her younger years. As she grew older, she discovered the world of anime, comic books, and cartoons, and began creating her own comic books in her spare time. After graduating from high school, Alexis attended Moore College of Art and Design, where she grew her passion for illustration, creating her very first published children's book. With the support of her family, friends, and professors, Alexis graduated with a BFA in Illustration and was awarded the William David Brown Award for Most Improved In Illustration. She is currently pursuing her dreams as an artist, creating unique and diverse digital art while at work on her second children's book.

Alexis Williams illustrated:

Courtney Williams Skinner is a digital artist based in Midlothian, Virginia. She is currently pursuing a Communication Arts degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her art is inspired by comics and animation, and she is driven to help bridge the gap in diverse stories. You can find her work at https://citriceart.myportfolio.com

Courtney WS illustrated:

Sade Adeshida is a self-taught illustrator and graphic designer from Nigeria. She is passionate about telling diverse African stories and recreating the same wonder and imagination she found in books as a kid. She has created illustrations for children's books and worked in character design and storyboarding for animation. Her driving passion will always be storytelling no matter the media, from design to books and animation. You can see more of her work at artoffolashade.com

Sade Adeshida illustrated:

Vivian Jones is an illustrator and designer currently based in Chicago with a BA in Illustration and Animation. Inspired by Sailor Moon, Vivian enjoys creating playful and colorful illustrations that invoke a whimsical feeling. "The sparkler the better,” she says. Vivian enjoys using her work to elevate the voices of others and to tell stories that many can relate to. You can find her work at https://www.vivijon.com/

Vivian Jones illustrated:

Rae Flores is an artist and writer based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. She is a sophomore at the University of North Texas where she majors in Studio Art with a concentration in Drawing and Painting and minors in both English and Art History. She uses innovative illustration and fine art techniques alongside surrealist and fauvist concepts in order to create captivating visuals. Within her current work she is exploring the symbiotic relationship between nostalgia and art.

Rae Flores illustrated:

Jordyn Flood is a student at Virginia Commonwealth University currently working as an illustrator and character designer. She loves designing awkward, funky characters and developing stories that make people laugh, cry, and simply relate. When her face isn't buried in a sketchbook, you can find her obsessing over mac and cheese and shedding a few tears over a good 90s rom-com. With the backing of her parents and two brothers, she aspires to continue producing work that uplifts the next generation of artists and storytellers. You can view more of her work at jordynflood.com.

Jordyn Flood illustrated:

Shurjo Mukhi / Shreya is a multimedia artist from San Jose, CA based in Washington, DC. They hope to always create and reimagine with community--to use art as a way to manifest healthy loves and ways of being in real and dream worlds. They enjoy using colors, textures, and a mix of media in both finding and sharing their growing voice. They are committed to grounding their art practice in anti-racist, caste abolitionist, and LGBTQ+ liberation movements, as well as in material unlearning and reparations as a caste privileged individual. You can find more of their work at shurjomukhi.art.

Shurjo Mukhi illustrated:

Ian L. Springer is an illustrator and digital artist based in Silver Spring, MD. He is an alumnus of Maryland Institute College of Art, where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration with a concentration in Book Illustration. In addition to working as a freelance artist, he owns a digital art and entertainment e-commerce business, Immaculate Studios. Ian has created artwork for different companies including Clarins USA, The American Diabetes Association, and Displate. He enjoys using narrative, words, and illustrations to convey stories and express a variety of characters and backgrounds. You can view more of his work at ianlspringer.com.

Ian Springer illustrated:

Alex Perkins is a biracial illustrator from chilly Wisconsin currently based in Chicago, and they received their BFA in Illustration from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design in 2017. Their work explores the vibrant, thoughtful worlds of fantastical settings, women loving women, and what it means to be human. When not making art, they enjoy D&D, learning new things, and showering their darling dog in unearned praise. To see more of their work, you can check out https://www.alexpperkins.com

Alex Perkins illustrated:

Camryn is an illustrator pursuing a BFA in Communication Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her love for comics and picture books growing up has led her to have a special place in her heart for visual storytelling. She is passionate about vivid artwork that engages the imagination. She enjoys working in a variety of different mediums, often finding that she has the most fun exploring the world of art. Ultimately, she hopes that readers can connect to her work and take something meaningful away with them.

Camryn Simms illustrated:

Joy Ingram is a student currently in Communication Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. She is interested in portraying stories through art and representing underprivileged communities. She loves using bright colors and finds inspiration from her Caribbean American background. She is interested in digital artwork and children's illustration. You can view more of her work at joyingram.portfoliobox.net.

Joy Ingram illustrated:

Zoë Gatti is an illustrator, graphic designer, web designer and photographer based in Brooklyn, New York and Washington, D.C. She is currently pursuing a BFA at Pratt Institute in Communications Design with a concentration in Illustration and a minor in Creative Writing. Her passions include narrative illustration, freelance illustration, medical illustration, animation and photography--both digital and darkroom. You can see her work at www.zoegatti.com.

Zoë Gatti illustrated:

Noam is a Baltimore-based illustrator and student at the Maryland Institute College of Art. They are passionate about art, storytelling, and making children's media diverse and accessible. In their free time, they write stories and poems for all ages and continues their never-ending quest to pet every dog on the eastern seaboard. Their work can be viewed at colorfullparis.wixsite.com/noamparis.

Noam Paris illustrated:

Leslie graduated from VCUarts with a BFA in Painting and Printmaking in 2016. She is in love with words and pictures, and her favorite picture books are those that make you cry — happy or sad tears are fine. She works with oils, colored pencils and crayons, or cut paper, always with a focus on color. She is currently trying to get her first original children's book published and is an assistant editor with F&B publications. See more of her work, learn about her other endeavors, and start a conversation at www.lesliepyo.com.

Leslie Pyo illustrated:

Emma Sullivan is an illustrator from Richmond, VA who recently graduated from VCUarts. Growing up in a household full of elementary school teachers, her passion for kids' books started young. Madison, Sit Down is her first book with Shout Mouse and she's excited to work with young authors to help bring their creations to life. She loves working in unconventional mediums and animates in her spare time. She makes a surprising amount of stickers! Most of them are dogs! Find more of her work at sullivanillustration.com.

Emma Sullivan illustrated: