More About Allen R. Wells (He/Him)
Languages: English
Allen R. Wells (he/him) is an author and engineer. he was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and went on to study Architectural Engineering at Tennessee State University in Nashville. He currently lives in Virginia.
Allen’s upcoming picture books include:
IT'S PRIDE, BABY!, illustrated by India Valle (MacKids 2024)
DANTE' PLAYS HIS BLUES BLUES, illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice (HarperCollins 2024)
YVONNE CLARK AND HER ENGINEERING SPARK, illustrated by DeAndra Hodge (MacKids 2025)
You can find him on:
Allen’s strengths are…
Allen has deep understanding of the picture book genre, its conventions, and its audience. He is great at discovering the heart of a story.
Allen is encouraging and supportive. His goal is to keep his mentee motivated and focused on their goals.
Allen has experience and knowledge of the publishing industry, including how to write a query letter, how to find an agent, and how to navigate the submission process.
Allen will provide feedback that is honest, specific, and actionable, helping the mentee to improve their craft.
What Allen is looking for…
A mentee who is demonstrates a passion for storytelling and a willingness to learn and improve their craft.
The mentee should have a clear vision and direction for their work and be able to articulate this. He is open to working with someone who ready to revise multiple works throughout our time together.
Allen is interested in working with someone who has a strong passion for writing for kids and who wants to learn how to navigate the publishing industry. He is open to working with authors from all backgrounds but has a particular interest in working with traditionally marginalized creators.
A Note from Allen:
“When writing your application, be clear and concise about what you hope to gain from the mentorship. Identify specific areas where you feel you need help or guidance, and explain why you think this mentor would be a good match for you. It's also helpful to include a brief synopsis of your project and a writing sample, so the mentor can get a sense of your style and voice. Finally, be open to feedback and willing to learn. The mentorship is an opportunity to grow as a writer and improve your craft, so be prepared to take constructive criticism and work hard to incorporate it into your writing. And remember, even if you don't get selected for a mentorship, keep writing and seeking out opportunities to improve your skills.”
Allen’s Upcoming Picture Books
If Allen created a Visual Wish List, it would be made up of…
*Unless otherwise stated, the below serves as a wish list only. Each mentor is excited about the opportunity to find a manuscript they can’t stop thinking about. Please apply if you think you’d be a good fit.
Allen is a good fit for…
Social Emotional
Nonfiction
STEM
Humor
Black Joy
LGBTQIA+
Generational Stories/Family Stories
Allen is not a good fit for…
Rhyme
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