More About K.E. Lewis (He/Him)

Raised in Bishopville, SC, where the weather is hot and the accent thick, K.E. grew up in a community that was a haven, rich in generosity and Blackness, much like the community in his picture book, Devonte’s Shoes. Music and conversation floated across the yards equally in the Backstreet and Mohawk communities. Hands waved from passersby.

It was the language of his neighbors that first sparked K.E.’s love for it. Then on Sundays, when the church was rockin’ and the Spirit filled the place so much that people splayed out like giant X’s and Y’s, K.E. paid attention. He noticed gripping metaphors during a preacher’s sermon and striking similes when the deacons prayed.

When in the house, though, K.E. would read informational books, humorous books, and was introduced to some of the greats way before his time. He’d also watch Nickelodeon, National Geographic, and Animal Planet for hours on end, afterwards endlessly rattling off random facts, an annoying little something. Perhaps, this was the impetus to K.E. becoming a teacher.

Now K.E. finds himself juggling teaching, writing, and content development, having led socially impactful community projects and creating experiences in museums, blending both teaching and his love for words. K.E. seizes any moment to teach, delight. His joy is grabbing hold of an idea and seeing it to fruition and getting others to love words just as much as he does.

You can find K.E. online at:

https://kelewis.world/about/

Instagram

K.E.’s strengths are…

CRAFT

• Refining voice, humor, cadence, and rhythm to make a rollicking read aloud.

• Infusing sentences with heart, intention, metaphor, and simile to deepen characterization, setting, and strengthen narratives.

• Pushing boundaries within the form to create new ways of imagining and thinking of picture books and backmatter (for nonfiction).

• Cutting unnecessary words, tightening drafts, and “playing improv” with your illustrator, leaving moments where their imaginations can run wild.

BUSINESS

• Researching agents and creating strong queries to pitch your stories

• Using his teacher lens to refine the marketability of ideas and manuscripts for the school and library market.

• Leveraging your stories and relationships to create signature launches, presentations, and author events/ideas for your book.

• Advocating for your stories in ways that feel right to you and the project.

What K.E. is looking for…

A creator from a traditionally marginalized group.

His ideal mentee would be eager, be willing to experiment, get their hands dirty, and ask lots of questions. They’d also like to read certain sections of Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul while working side by side.

K.E. would love to work with someone who is open to completing one fiction and one nonfiction manuscript during their time together.

A Note from K.E.:

“Read and study your craft. But don't forget to have fun in the meantime. (Now go back and read that again).

And again.

One more time ;-).”

K.E.’s Upcoming Picture Books

Never Take Your Rhino on A Plane, Written by K. E. Lewis, Illustrated by Isabel Roxas (Clarion, 2024)

Because of Dads, Written by K.E. Lewis, Illustrated by Maithili Joshi (Roaring Brook, 2025)

If K.E. 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.

The humor and energy as shown in: