More About Erica Lyons (She/Her)
Languages: English
Erica Lyons is Hong Kong-based children’s book author focused on picture books and middle grade novels with a preference for traditional tales/folklore and also historical fiction inspired by the footnotes of history books. She was the founder and editor-in-chief of Asian Jewish Life : a journal of spirit, society and culture celebrating the diversity of the Jewish experience in Asia and of Asian Jewry.
She is an active member of the Hong Kong’s Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She is the chair of the Hong Kong Jewish Historical Society and the founder and director of PJ Library Hong Kong.
She is the mother of five children, but will always show you a picture of her two rescue cats first. She is represented by Caryn Wiseman of Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
You can find her online at:
Erica’s strengths are…
Telling hard historical truths in a gentle way, finding the heart in a story, and telling big stories in small spaces.
What Erica is looking for…
Erica is looking for someone who is interested in pursuing a career in traditional publishing. She especially enjoys working on stories that highlight the uniqueness of a particular culture or tradition.
She particularly is drawn to untold stories and stories that tackle difficult historical truths.
She is looking to help someone revise manuscripts and look towards the next steps (querying process).
A Note from Erica:
“Know your niche! Know who you are and what kind of stories you're uniquely positioned to tell!”
Erica’s Picture Books
National Jewish Book Award Honor book, ALONE TOGETHER ON DAN STREET, written by Erica Lyons and illustrated by Jen Jamieson
Sydney Taylor Notable book, Zhen Yu and the Snake, written by Erica Lyons, illustrated by Renia Metallinou, Kar-Ben/Lerner, 2023
Counting on Naamah: A Mathematical Tale on Noah’s Ark, written by Erica Lyons, illustrated by Mary Uhles, Intergalactic Afikoman, 2023
Upcoming Picture Books
On a Chariot of Fire, written by Erica Lyons, illustrated by Siona Benjamin, Levine Querido, September 2024
Saliman and the Memory Stone, written by Erica Lyons, illustrated by Yinon Ptahia, Apples & Honey Press, May 2024
Mixed-Up Mooncakes, co-authored by Erica Lyons and Christina Matula, illustrated by Tracy Subisak (Quill Tree, Fall 2024)
If Erica 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.
Shoham's Bangle, written by Sarah Sassoon, illustrated by Noa Kelner
Tía Fortuna's New Home: A Jewish Cuban Journey, written by Ruth Behar and illustrated by Devon Holzwarth
Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay
by Susan Hood and Sally Wern Comport
The Shadow in the Moon
by Christina Matula and Pearl Law
The Moon from Dehradun: A Story of Partition
by Shirin Shamsi and Tarun Lak
Osnat and Her Dove: The True Story of the World's First Female Rabbi, written by Sigal Samuel, illustrated by Vali Mintzi
The Very Best Sukkah: A Story from Uganda
by Shoshana Nambi and Moran Yogev
The Rabbi and His Donkey, Written by Susan Tarcov, Illustrated byDiana Renjina
Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky
by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond and Daniel Minter
Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin
by Tracy Newman and Abigail Halpin
Erica is a good fit for…
Biography
Folktale/ traditional tales
Historical and Historical Fiction
Holiday/ Traditional/ Culture
Immigration stories
Jewish joy
Multicultural/ blended traditions
Erica is not a good fit for…
Silly Humor
Rhyme
Anthropomorphic stories
Who can apply to Erica? Unagented authors only.
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