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More About Aya Ghanameh (She/Her)
Languages: English and Arabic
Aya Ghanameh is a Palestinian illustrator, writer, and designer from Amman, Jordan. Her work moves away from state-centric ways of thinking to center the voices of ordinary people in historical and political narratives. Her debut children's picture book, THESE OLIVE TREES (Viking Books, 2023), is inspired by the experiences of her family who cultivated her love of the earth throughout her upbringing in exile. She is also the illustrator of DEAR MUSLIM CHILD by Rahma Roodah (Balzer + Bray, 2024), and EVERYTHING GROWS IN JIDDO'S GARDEN by Jenan A. Matari (Interlink Publishing, 2025).
You can find Aya online at:
Aya’s strengths include…
Picture book illustration and visual narrative development
Author-illustrator dummy critique and pacing
Character design with emotional depth
Mood, atmosphere, and color storytelling
Cultural specificity and authenticity
Visual metaphor and symbolism
Helping creatives refine a cohesive artistic voice
Guiding illustrators through revision and professional presentation
Aya is looking for…
Aya is looking for a mentee who is passionate about illustration and eager to grow in the publishing world. She is especially drawn to illustrators or author-illustrators creating picture books that are emotionally rich and full of heart.
Aya values mentees who are excited to explore the intention behind their work and dive deep into the heart of their story.
She hopes to work with someone who is thoughtful, curious, and committed to learning, whether that means refining a picture book dummy, strengthening a portfolio, or taking steps toward a professional publishing career.
A Note from Aya:
“You don’t need perfect work to apply! I’m most interested in seeing intentional choices, a clear point of view, and a willingness to grow. Thoughtful work with a strong voice will always stand out more than polish alone.”
Aya’s Picture Books:
THESE OLIVE TREES: A PALESTINIAN FAMILY’S STORY, written and illustrated by Aya Ghanameh
DEAR MUSLIM CHILD, written by Rahma Rodaah and illustrated by Aya Ghanameh
EVERYTHING GROWS IN JIDDO’S GARDEN, written by Jenan A. Matari and illustrated by Aya Ghanameh
If Aya 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.
Our Lake by Angie Kang
My Baba’s Garden by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith
The Journey by Francesca Sanna
This Is Not My Home by Vivienne Chang and Eugenia Yoh
A Map for Falasteen by Maysa Odeh and Alia Betawi
Being Home by Traci Sorell and Michaela Goade
Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine by Hannah Moushabeck and Reem Madooh
Small in the City by Sydney Smith
Aya is a good fit for:
Culturally rooted picture books
Stories centered on identity, memory, and place
Nonfiction, historical fiction, and family
Quiet, emotionally resonant narratives
Illustrators refining their portfolio for traditional publishing
Creators interested in diaspora, family history, or intergenerational stories
Digital illustration (Procreate, Photoshop)
Traditional (ink, watercolor)
Aya is not a good fit for:
High-concept gag or joke-driven books
Purely commercial or trend-focused projects
Heavy reliance on parody
Hyper-realistic rendering
Support with traditional mediums like acrylic or gouache
🚫Please do NOT send stories or art with gratuitous trauma without care or purpose.
Who can apply to Aya?
Unagented and Agented Author-Illustrators.