SteelWorks Literary
@steelworksliterary
Founded by Lori Steel, SteelWorks Literary represents authors, illustrators, and graphic novelists for the children's and YA markets, and beyond.
Congratulations to Meryl Davis on her debut picture book deal with Norton Young Readers! Meryl’s lyrical story empowers all readers to find their own rhythm through activities that build confidence and make their hearts soar. Illus. by Tamisha Anthony. Due 2028. #iceskating #dyslexia #PB #kidlit
We are so pleased to share this glowing review from Shelf Awareness for HEARTLAND by Jilanne Hoffmann! A multifaceted and exuberant novel indeed! Look for the full review on the Shelf Awareness site, and for HEARTLAND wherever you get your books! 🤩 @jilanne.bsky.social @littlebrownyr.bsky.social
Congratulations to @jilanne.bsky.social and Khoa Le! THE OCEAN'S HEART has been selected as a 2026 Skipping Stones Book Award Honor Book in the Nature and Ecology Books category. Congrats to Jilanne, Khoa, editor @carolhinz.bsky.social & @lernerbooks.bsky.social ! #kidlit #nonfiction #science
Elenia Beretta recently celebrated her work, “Garden Margherita,” funded by a grant award from the Berlin Senate for literature in non-German languages. We are so pleased to see her shine at Literatur in den Sprachen Berlins 2026! 🌟 💐 Photos by Tobias Bohm 📸 #picturebook #kidlit #artist #garden
Cover reveal! Like a Mother Bear: How Jeanne Manford’s Words Changed the World for Queer Kids, written by @maryecronin.bsky.social and illustrated by J Yang. Available for pre-order now wherever books are sold. For a signed copy, pre-order from Mary’s local indie bookstore, The Brewster Bookstore.
*OUT TODAY* @jilanne.bsky.social debut middle grade novel, HEARTLAND! Told in alternating timelines between the past and present, this heartfelt story brings to life a funny, hopeful, unforgettable narrator as she unravels the mysteries of her family and farm. Congrats! #kidlit #MG #ruralstories
What a delight to see our client @colleenpaeff.bsky.social, alongside illustrator @lindaolafsdottir.bsky.social, chat about PUFFLINGS FLY FREE during Betsy Bird's #puffin Youtube spotlight! Don't miss out on this gorgeous book! #pufflings #iceland #rescue #kidlit #picturebook
Happy #PubDay to Pufflings Fly Free! by Colleen Paeff and What if the World is a Letter! by Hilary Echols 💛 #kidlit #picturebookrecs #nature
Literary Auction for Change is now live! Lori is offering a written critique for a MG or YA novel's first 10pp to the winning bidder. Lori is closed to submissions so this is a unique opportunity to share your work while supporting this terrific organization!
Congrats to Anita Yasuda on her new deal w/ @clarionbooks.bsky.social! WHERE BRIDGES ARE BORN is a lyrical NF PB about the Khasi tribe in Meghalya, India & what their power of patience, connection w/ the environment, & matrilineal society can teach the world. Art by the talented Tara Anand! #PB
Congrats to Amanda Crabtree on her two-book #PB deal w/ @ Norton Young Readers! Melvin (hedgehog) and Tilly (mole), and their connected stories invite young readers to explore the natural world and themes of friendship, discovery, and bravery. #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartpostcard #illustration
Congratulations to @yuanxie.bsky.social on the release of her debut author-illustrated picture book MAMA'S MAGICAL HANDS with Crown BFYR! This poignant picture book is sure to win hearts and readers when it releases in 2028. #kidlitart #picturebooks #motherhood #families
Congratulations to @tatecartoons.bsky.social for these recent list acknowledgements! #graphicnovel #kidlit #cbc #mountainlaurelbookaward #operation #coverup
We are delighted to announce that Neha Rawat's GHUNGROOS FOR GAURI and Nydia Armendia-Sánchez's NUESTRAS ANCESTRAS are Junior Library Guild selections! #JLG #KidLit #picturebooks #booksforyoungreaders
Celebrating FIREFLY SONG by Colleen Paeff, which has been selected as a 2026 CCBC Choice Book! #CCBC #FireflySong #LynnFriersonFaust #kidlit #summerreading #picturebooks #booksforyoungreaders
Steelworks L.A. meet-up this week hosted by the inimitable Ann Whitford Paul. What a beautiful day with our amazing west coast clients! #kidlit
Huge congrats to @tatecartoons.bsky.social on the release of Book #2 in his graphic novel series! Kirkus calls OPERATION: MAKE A SPLASH "A bolstering summer adventure that balances drama and good feelings." Congratulations, Tate! #kidlit #graphicnovels #MG #humor #summerreading #humor #friendship
Anita Yasuda and @yukoart.bsky.social 's UP, UP, EVER UP! 🏔️ is an ALA Top Ten Title on the Rise: A Feminist Book Project list! Congratulations to this dynamic duo for another well-earned recognition and the team @clarionbooks.bsky.social 📚 #TopTenTitle #ALA #RISE #feministbooks #kidlit
The SWL team is excited to share our latest illustrator Lookbook! Pull up a cozy chair, grab a hot cuppa, and enjoy taking a look through each talented illustrator’s page. We look forward to collaborating with you in 2026! *Link in bio. #kidlitart #kidlitartpostcard #illustration
We're delighted to welcome talented author-illustrator @karammitchell.com to SWL! Kara grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, where she creates stories with humor and heart. When not illustrating, Kara is a landscape designer, a church choir singer, and a member of the Cherokee Nation. #kidlitart
Happy holidays from the SteelWorks Literary team! Wishing ou days filled with joy, laughter, rest, and plenty of good books! Perhaps Winter will bring snow so we can also find time to play like these children in Elenia Beretta's charming illustration! #kidlit #kidlitart #amreading
We are pleased to announce that FIREFLY SONG was named an Outstanding Science Trade Book by the NSTA! Congratulations to SteelWorks author @colleenpaeff.bsky.social and illustrator Ji-Hyuk Kim. #NSTA #science #kidlit #picturebooks #STEAM
Congratulations to Alison Hawkins’ second book in the Delicious Duo series with author Micheal L. Brenner. Alison and Michael deliver another punny story about the origins of this dynamic duo, MILK & COOKIES. Releasing from @scholastic.bsky.social Summer 2027. #kidlit #picturebooks #humor
Nydia Armendia-Sánchez' FRIDA KHAKO’S FLOWER CROWN is an SLJ Best Book of 2025 for NF elementary! And Loris Lora’s gorgeous illustrations from the book are on the cover of this month’s SLJ Magazine. With two 🌟 reviews, and many other accolades, FRIDA continues to flourish. #kidlit #nonfiction
FIREFLY SONG shines with two star reviews and three Best-of-list accolades! Congratulations @colleenpaeff.bsky.social, Ji-Hyuk Kim, & S&S McElderry team on this luminescent and inspiring book! ⭐️ "An absolute must-purchase—truly enlightening and positively radiant." –ALA Booklist #kidlit #nonfiction
Congratulations to @jilanne.bsky.social, whose picture book THE OCEAN'S HEART has received a #Kirkus starred ⭐️ review, saying, "This shimmering tale of interdependence and survival is STEM storytelling at its best." Head to the Kirkus website to read the full review!
Welcome to SteelWorks Angela Pham Krans! Angela is the author of several award winning picture books, with more to come! Her writing is full of magic, empathy, and humor, with a community focus we knew would be the perfect fit for SteelWorks. Angela is represented by Julie Romeis Sanders.
Welcome to SteelWorks, Kathy Fork! We can’t wait to share her memorable characters and stories full of humor and heart. A former teacher and librarian, Kathy has an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and calls the San Francisco Bay Area home. Kathy is represented by Julie Romeis Sanders. #kidlit