Publishing Opportunities, Discounts, and Giveaways – A Monthly Note from Alyssa Reynoso-Morris 📚✨
Helping You Inspire Young Readers & Writers!
📢 A Quick Update from Me
Hi friends! 👋 Can you believe it’s already May? Time is flying.
Whether you're an author, aspiring writer, parent, educator, or just someone who loves books, this newsletter is for you. Each month, I aim to offer something helpful, inspiring, and worth your time — like grants, writing tips, mentorship opportunities, publishing opportunities, giveaways, and more!
💬 Have ideas or want to see something specific? I’m all ears! Please take a moment to fill out this quick survey—I’d love to hear what would make this space even more valuable for you.
✍️ For Writers: THE NEW VOICES AWARD
Want to get your picture book manuscript published?!
Here is your opportunity to get published with Lee and Low. Established in 2000, the New Voices Award is given biennially to an unpublished writer of color or Native/Indigenous writer for a picture book manuscript.
Manuscripts may be FICTION, NON-FICTION, or POETRY for children ages 5 to 12. Manuscripts should address the needs of children of color or Native/Indigenous children by providing stories with which they can identify and relate, and which promote a greater understanding of one another. Themes relating to different family structures, gender identity, LGBTQ+ communities, or disabilities are also of interest.
New Voices Award winners receive a standard publication contract, including Lee & Low Books’s basic royalties and an advance in the amount of $5,000.
Winners are also given close publishing mentorship as they work to develop their first book for publication. Nurturing manuscripts takes time, and Lee & Low’s commitment to this contest represents over two decades of dedication. We ask for the same commitment and courtesy from applicants. Please make sure you are able to abide by the eligibility and manuscript submission guidelines before entering. After you have read the guidelines you can apply here: https://www.leeandlow.com/authors-illustrators/writing-contests/new-voices-award/
📢 Subscriber-Only Discount!
20% Discount on my manuscript critique services. Let me help you get your picture book ready for the Lee and Low New Voices publishing opportunity. Use the discount code MENTORSHIP until June 15 for this discount.
🎒 For Educators & Parents: Read-Aloud & Activity Idea
🍌 Looking for a fun way to engage kids with Plátanos Are Love? Try this:
📖 Before Reading: Ask kids, “What’s a food that reminds you of someone you love?”
🎨 After Reading: Invite them to draw or write about a special meal they’ve shared with their family. Encourage them to share the stories behind the food and the love it represents.
✨ Remind them that food is more than just a meal—it’s culture, history, and amor.
🔗 Click here for my teacher’s guide. Use code TEACH to download it FREE until the end of the month!
Become a TIME for Kids Reporter
Kids from all over the country are selected to report on local and national news. TFK Kid Reporters get access to people who are making history—from politicians to entertainers. Here is the link to apply: https://events.bizzabo.com/706634
📚 For Authors: Learn How to Get the Gig and Get your Bag $$$
Whether you want to set up school visits, participate in literary festivals, and/or pitch your ideas to storyteller organizations, Alyssa Reynoso-Morris wants to help you “get the gig!" and "get paid!" RSVP here.
Alyssa booked 67 events in 2023, making an extra $19,000 in income. In 2024, she booked 48 events, making an extra $21,000 in income; despite having to turn down dozens of events while she was pregnant with twins and while she was on maternity leave. So far, she has booked over 30 events for 2025. Join Alyssa for this short course to learn about speaking opportunities, contracts, and designing materials that put you and your stories in front of audiences.
This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, and loads of information.
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
Thursday, August 14, 2025 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat
Both sessions will be recorded for those registered.
Recordings available until September 30, 2025
Bookish News
I have a NEW BOOK COMING OUT!!! It is called BOLD, BRILLIANT & LATINE and is available for pre-order. If you pre-order, enter my GIVEAWAY to get your BONUS GIFTS!!!
Meet 52 Latine and Hispanic heroes in this celebratory and inspiring biography anthology.
With this dazzling addition to the See Yourself In Their Stories series, readers can meet 52 heroes past and present, from sporting legends to fashion icons, political leaders to fearless changemakers, as well as renowned writers, musicians, artists, scientists, and more.
A heart-warming and soul-rousing book for Latine and Hispanic children and families, this book is also ideal for homeschoolers and educators studying Latine and Hispanic history and achievement, with one new figure to explore every week of the year. This is the perfect read for families looking for empowering stories to inspire their children.
Proud, talented, and boundless, these extraordinary men and women's achievements will inspire a new generation to chase their dreams . . . whatever they may be.
What do you get when you pre-order?
📄 Printable Activity Pack: Every pre-order gets a FREE downloadable PDF with coloring pages, word searches, and fun facts about some of the icons featured in the book.
💌 Personalized Thank You: Be one of the first 50 pre-orders and receive a signed bookplate and a heartfelt thank-you note from Alyssa!
🎥 3 Free Virtual School Visits: Pre-order to enter a giveaway for ONE of THREE 30-minute virtual school visits!
📝 Trivia Card Deck: The first 50 orders will get a FREE Trivia Card Deck. The deck includes 52 cards (one card per person in the book) with 2-3 questions on each card. This is perfect for teachers to test their students or turn it into a fun game at home. In my home, we play and each correct answer earns an M&M.
Upcoming Events
I am so excited to be back on the road a bit, and I cannot wait to meet more of you in person. Where can you find me?
JUNE 2025
American Library Association (ALA) Conference at the Philadelphia Convention Center from June 27-29
AUGUST 2025
Storytime and Reader's Theater of Gloriana Presente: A First Day of School Story in the Brooklyn Children's Museum on Saturday, August 9, 2025
Ready, Set, School at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia on Sunday, August 24, 2025
SEPTEMBER 2025
BOLD, BRILLIANT AND LATINE LAUNCH PARTY on Saturday, September 6 at Julia De Burgos Bookstore. RSVP link coming soon.
LKBF Latinx Storytellers Conference in NYC on Friday, 9/12/25 - Saturday, 9/13/25
Pathways to Publication Presentation hosted by the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center on Saturday, September 27, 2025. This event is FREE. Link to RSVP will be provided soon.
Shimmy and Shake Program - Reading of GLORIANA PRESENTE, Dance activity, Q&A, & Book Signing with the Enoch Pratt Free Library on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Participants get a FREE copy of GLORIANA PRESENTE
📚 Author or Educator Spotlight
This month, I’m celebrating Erika Lynne Jones. She is hosting a pre-order giveaway for her upcoming book, Zara in the Middle. Preorder her book and then upload your receipt using this entry form. The giveaway ends July 7th.
Here’s What You Can Win…
If You Pre-Order From Her Local Bookstores, Whose Books or Interabang Books, she will sign your book & insert a souvenir before it ships!
If you pre-order from any bookstore of your choice, she will send you a fun educational activity kit for little readers to enjoy more adventures with Zara on launch day, July 8th! Enter the Pre-Order Giveaway
Know a teacher or author who deserves a shoutout? Reply to this email—I’d love to feature them!
Other Articles You Might Be Interested In…
10 Afro-Latina Authors Who Prove That Latinidad Is Not One-Size-Fits-All.
Un Poco de Todo: 2025 Books by Latina Authors You’ll Want on Your Shelf
8 Latina Authors Who Are Writing, Uplifting, and Paving the Way
18 Books by Latino Authors That Prove Every Day Is Earth Day
Need a Mother’s Day Gift? These Books by Latina Authors Say It Best
💌 Let’s Stay Connected!
I’d love to hear from you! Hit “reply” and tell me:
👉 What’s a book you’re loving right now?
Thanks for being here! Until next month, keep reading, writing, and celebrating stories. 💛
With gratitude,
Alyssa Reynoso-Morris
📲 [alyssaauthor.com]
P.S. On a completely different note, if you have made it this far, please know that I appreciate you. I was laid off from the nonprofit I worked for in early March. I worked there for four years and loved my job, but we lost our federal funding, and the foundations that historically funded us for years also pulled their funding because we work to uplift marginalized voices.
With that said, I entered a contest to win $20,000 so I can afford to take care of my family while I search for another job. Diapers, wipes, and formula are all very expensive. Plus, I cannot just take any job because daycare for my twins will cost $40,000 a year. Please consider voting for me. It is FREE to vote. You can vote once a day until the contest ends in June. I would greatly appreciate your vote.
Hey— I went to vote and saw you’ve already placed 2nd! Congratulations! How is it all going so far? 😁