Fall 2021 Children’s Flying Starts

By PW Staff |

Dec 17, 2021

We spotlight the authors of five of the season’s most promising children’s and YA debuts.

June CL Tan

June CL Tan discusses her debut YA novel, 'Jade Fire Gold,' a Chinese folklore–inspired high fantasy that addresses colonialism and colorism.

Naaz Khan

The idea for Naaz Khan’s debut picture book, 'Room for Everyone,' came to her on the island of Zanzibar, on a memorable minibus ride to the beach.

Natasha Bowen

Even before submitting it for publication, debut YA author Natasha Bowen knew that 'Skin of the Sea,' her West African take on “The Little Mermaid,” was a story she needed to tell.

Steven Salvatore

Steven Salvatore wrote seven books and queried agents for nine years before writing their debut novel, 'Can’t Take That Away,' about a genderqueer teen who has big dreams of becoming a diva.

Winsome Bingham, debut author of the joyous picture book 'Soul Food Sunday,' illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, has faced a difficult journey, transitioning from teacher and soldier to disabled army veteran and then writer.

A version of this article appeared in the 12/20/2021 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: Fall 2021 Children’s Flying Starts