More About Maria Marianayagam (She/Her)
Languages: English
Maria Marianayagam is a Tamil Sri Lankan-Canadian children’s book author. She was born in India and grew up in Nigeria and four provinces across Canada. Maria graduated from the University of Calgary with a B. Sc. in Chemical Engineering and spent a decade working in the energy industry. She fell in love with children’s books (again!) after becoming an Amma (mom). Maria enjoys writing lyrical picture books centered on STEM, faith, and South Asian culture, as well as high-concept middle grade grounded in culture.
When Maria is not writing, she can be found traveling the world, devouring books, and spending time with her wonderful family. She resides in Alberta, Canada, with her husband and children.
Maria is represented by Elizabeth Harding at Curtis Brown Ltd.
You can find Maria online at:
Instagram | BlueSky | Twitter/X
Learn more about Maria:
Maria’s strengths are…
Brainstorming new ideas or different ways of looking at evergreen topics (ex. using a unique structure)
Using lyrical and sensory language to level up the writing
Analyzing pacing
Questioning word choices
Looking at manuscripts through the lens of marketability
Crafting pitches
Query letter polishing
Agent call preparation
Answering questions related to submissions and publishing
What Maria is looking for…
Maria hopes to connect with a creator whose stories center around culture, faith, and/or STEM themes. She's particularly drawn to gorgeous, lyrical writing and imaginative story structures. Maria is looking to work with someone who is serious about a career in traditional children's publishing and is willing to work hard on their craft.
She'd love to pair up with a writer who is as nerdy about craft, publishing, and picture books as she is!
She encourages BIPOC creators to apply.
A Note from Maria:
“Read lots of picture books! LOTS! Work hard at your craft and write the stories of your heart.”
Maria’s Picture Books
Maria writes in other markets, so to check out her full catalog please visit her website.
THE AMAZING POWER OF GIRLS, written by Maria Marianayagam and illustrated by Skylar White
BABY LOVE, written by Maria Marianayagam and illustrated by Kat Uno
BABY COURAGE, written by Maria Marianayagam and illustrated by Kat Uno
BABY FAITH, written by Maria Marianayagam and illustrated by Kat Uno
BABY HOPE, written by Maria Marianayagam and illustrated by Kat Uno
Maria’s Upcoming Picture Books
WAIT ‘TIL YOU’RE OLDER, written by Maria Marianayagam and illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich (June 2025)
If Maria 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.
IN MY HEART by Jo Witek and illustrated by Christine Roussey
THE STUFF OF STARS by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by Ekua Holmes
FRYBREAD by Kevin Noble Maillard and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
I'LL GO AND COME BACK by Rajani LaRocca and illustrated by Sara Palacios
Maria is a good fit for…
STEM and NF (excluding biographies)
Faith-inspired works
Cultural stories
Lyrical
Unique structures
Maria is not a good fit for…
Rhyme
Humor
Who can apply to Maria? Unagented and Agented authors.
Click below to register for our Mentee Announcement (on Zoom) on May 15, 2025 at 8:00pm Eastern Time!