Just before my birthday last year, I learned that my debut manuscript, AMERICAN BETIYA, had just won the national Society of Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrators (SCBWI) Emerging Voices Award! This is definitely my most prized bookish possession yet. I was shocked and overjoyed that this crazy book I’ve been writing for so long was finally wrapped up, sent off, and WON this amazing national recognition (along with fellow winner, Lakita Wilson!) WHATTT?? 

The prize led to multiple incredible agents offering representation, signing with the best one for me, a book deal with my dream editor & pub house, being flown to LA for the SCBWI LA conference for the award ceremony, and having an invaluable consultation with the brilliant #tweetpathi. To say I was stunned and honored is an understatement. Deep in edits on the manuscript now, I keep close the wonder of this award, humbled by how much it still means to me.