More About Kailei Pew (She/Her)
Languages: English
Kailei Pew is a wife, mother, and children's book author represented by the amazing Emily Forney of Bookends Literary.
She writes both fiction and nonfiction picture books and middle grade novels. While her focus is on traditionally published books, she also does work for hire projects on the side, and has completed work for KiwiCo Press and Scholastic.
Kailei is an active member of SCBWI, the creator of the Kid’s Choice KidLit Writing Contest, and the co-founder of the PBRisingStars Mentorship Program.
Kailei loves writing picture books that help kids see they can do anything they set their minds to.
Kailei’s upcoming books include:
THE MONSTER ABOVE THE BED (Illustrated by Steph Lew, Clarion/Harper Collins, Fall 2023)
KID-VENTORS (Illustrated by Shannon Wright, Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, Spring 2024)
I SEE COLOR (With Valerie Bolling, Illustrated by Laylie Frazier, Harper Children's, Winter 2024)
BY YOUR SIDE (KiwiCo Subscription Boxes, Fall 2023)
FIRSTS IN MEDICINE (KiwiCo Subscription Boxes, 2023)
You can find Kailei online at:
Testimonial
“I can’t say enough good about PBRisingStars and my mentor Kailei Pew. We both went into this with a hardcore mission—revise as many manuscripts as possible and get query ready. We both worked SO unbelievably hard to make the most of the 3 months. Even when Kailei was dealing with health issues and my mother suffered a traumatic brain injury, we supported each other. (Everyone is doing better thankfully!) I’m proud of what we accomplished during the mentorship…and beyond!
This opportunity is the one that keeps giving… Kailei made it clear from day one that she wouldn’t drop me the day the mentorship was over. And she hasn’t. She has been there for me outside of the mentorship as a mentor and as a friend. I may have had an incredible mentorship for 3 months, but I’ve had a publishing bestie for longer! Do yourself a favor even if you’ve been turned down for a mentorship before or many times before, put yourself out there and apply! Wishing you all the best on your writing journey!”
- Aimee Satterlee, 2022 Mentee
Kailei’s strengths are…
Crafting eye-catching pitches, big picture changes, line edits, navigating the Author-Agent relationship, writing humor with heart, nonfiction/STEM, and breaking “the rules.”
What Kailei is looking for…
Kailei is looking for a mentee who is serious about a career in traditional children's publishing and actively working on their craft. She hopes to connect with someone who has taken the time to learn and grow as a creator. Perhaps someone who keeps getting those “so close” rejections who just needs that extra little push. She is especially looking for someone wanting to work on manuscripts full of humor with heart, creepy (while funny) stories, or highly imaginative books. She’s also interested in unique nonfiction.
Kailei is looking for someone who is willing to work hard, have fun, and really improve craft over the course of the mentorship. She hopes to connect with someone who wants to revise multiple manuscripts as well as prepare for next steps on the business side of publishing.
Kailei loves to have fun and make true connections. She wants to get to know her future mentee beyond just the writing world.
Kailei wants to work with a mentee who is willing to connect frequently both for critique/brainstorm as well as for discussions about the business of publishing and how to navigate everything from the query trenches to submission to contracts.
Kailei is looking for someone who is ready to create a partnership and foster a lasting relationship.
Kailei especially encourages historically marginalized creators to apply.
A Note from Kailei:
“Thank you so much for your consideration in applying to me for the 2023 PBRisingStars mentorship. I am truly honored to read your words. I would especially love to get a sense of your personality in your application. I really am a lot about the * vibes * so please give me a sense of who you are and why you think we would work well together.
I hope you’ll take the time to look at your manuscript with critical eyes and put your very best foot forward. This is your opportunity to show me who you are, what you can do, and what sort of books you want to put out in the world. The world really does need YOUR stories. And I cannot wait to see your passion and excitement for what you are doing!
Please remember, that no matter what, you should be so incredibly proud of yourself. You put yourself out there and that is a WIN! I can’t wait to read your work!"
Kailei’s Upcoming Books
If Kailei created a Visual Wish List, it would be made up of…
*If this feels slightly chaotic, that’s because it is. Kailei’s interests are wide ranging. That said, please know that this year, she is most interested in working on Humor With Heart, Creepy Stories (especially if they also have an element of humor), or Highly Imaginative Books. Kailei does always love to be surprised, so if you feel you would be a good fit, please apply.
Kailei is a good fit for…
Fiction
Humor with Heart
Creepy Stories (especially if they also have a humorous element)
Characters who get eaten
Deeply imaginative books
Nonfiction, especially very unique stories and/or structures.
Lyrical
Books featuring kids who can take on the world
Anything with music
Strongly connected siblings
Silly family shenanigans
Authors who like to write in multiple genres
Kailei is not a good fit for…
Books about aging parents/grandparents, loss of a loved one, grief (these books are important, but Kailei is not able to critique them at this time)
Books about Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
Books about cancer
Exclusive rhymers
Concept books (ABC books, number books, books about a specific topic without narrative, etc.)
Heavy alliteration
*Kailei respectfully asks that you do NOT send books about aging parents/grandparents, loss of a loved one, demential/Alzheimer’s, or other diseases in grandparents/aging loved ones. While these books are beautiful, important, and so needed, Kailei is NOT in a place to critique them right now. Please do not send.
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