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More About Melissa Cristina Márquez (She/Her)
Languages: Spanish and English
Melissa Cristina Márquez is a marine scientist, award-winning children’s book author, educator, and science communicator who inspires curiosity and wonder for the natural world. She combines her expertise in marine biology with her passion for storytelling to create engaging, accurate, and accessible science content for young readers. Melissa’s work spans children’s books, articles, and educational resources that bring topics such as culture, ocean conservation, wildlife behavior, and marine ecosystems to life in ways that are both informative and entertaining.
As an award-winning author, Melissa has been recognized for her ability to craft compelling narratives that blend rigorous scientific research with imaginative storytelling. Her books have reached audiences worldwide, helping children and families develop a deeper connection to nature and the ocean. Beyond her writing, Melissa has shared her expertise on global stages, including the United Nations, the National Academy of Sciences, Oxford University, and numerous international forums, demonstrating her commitment to science communication and mentorship.
Melissa is dedicated to supporting emerging writers who aim to combine creativity with scientific accuracy. She encourages mentees to refine their craft, explore complex ideas with clarity, and develop confident, authentic voices. Through her mentorship, writers can expect guidance on both narrative structure and content, as well as inspiration to create stories that ignite curiosity, empathy, and a lifelong love for the world of books.
You can find Melissa online at:
Melissa’s strengths are…
Guiding authors to make complex concepts accessible for young readers, supporting narrative nonfiction and educational storytelling, and mentoring creators to develop confident, authentic voices in children’s literature.
The mentee who works with Melissa can expect a supportive and insightful mentorship focused on clarity, accuracy, and storytelling. She brings her expertise as a scientist and children’s science communicator to help writers strengthen their manuscripts, particularly in STEM, nature, and conservation topics.
Melissa offers thoughtful feedback on both the craft and content of a project, helping mentees make complex scientific ideas accessible and engaging for young readers. She values curiosity, openness to revision, and a willingness to explore ideas deeply. Mentees can expect guidance on narrative structure, pacing, and scientific accuracy (if needed), as well as encouragement to develop a confident, authentic voice.
Whether working on nonfiction picture books, narrative nonfiction, or educational stories, Melissa’s mentorship is tailored to help each creator grow, refine their work, and prepare for the next steps in their publishing journey.
What Melissa is looking for…
Melissa is looking for a mentee who is genuinely committed to growing as a writer and communicator within the world of children’s publishing. She is especially interested in working with someone who is passionate about science, nature, wildlife, or conservation topics and is eager to strengthen the clarity, accuracy, and accessibility of their STEM-focused storytelling. Melissa is looking for someone who wants to actively improve their craft over the course of the program, whether that means revising one manuscript deeply or exploring multiple pieces. She also welcomes mentees who want guidance on building confidence in their voice, or shaping a sustainable creative practice.
Melissa is a great match for a mentee who brings curiosity, openness to feedback, and a willingness to revise thoughtfully. She hopes to connect with someone who is motivated, reliable with communication, and excited to refine both the craft and the science within their manuscripts. She is particularly interested in mentees working on nonfiction picture books, narrative nonfiction, early science readers, or fiction with strong nature or animal themes.
A Note from Melissa:
“My biggest advice would be to lead with curiosity! Show me that you’ve thought deeply about your topic, asked good questions, and done the work to understand the topic you’re writing about. You just genuine curiosity, accuracy, and a willingness to revise with intention. Writers who bring passion, openness, and thoughtful research always stand out to me.”
Melissa’s Picture Books
Melissa writes in other markets. For a full catalog of Melissa’s work, please visit her website.
Mother of Sharks, written by Melissa Cristina Márquez and illustrated by Devin Elle Kurt
Madre de los tiburones, written by Melissa Cristina Márquez and illustrated by Devin Elle Kurt
Sea of Constellations, written by Melissa Cristina Márquez and illustrated by Rocío Arreola Mendoza
Océano de Constellaciones, written by Melissa Cristina Márquez and illustrated by Rocío Arreola Mendoza
Leo’s Lobo, written by Melissa Cristina Márquez and illustrated by Maria Gabriela Gama
El Lobo de Leo, written by Melissa Cristina Márquez and illustrated by Maria Gabriela Gama
If Melissa 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.
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist, written by Jess Keating and illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns
Why: Engaging, factual STEM storytelling about a real scientist, perfect blend of narrative + science.
The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World’s Coral Reefs, written by Kate Messner and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
Why: Beautiful, accessible environmental storytelling with strong conservation themes.
Ocean! Waves for All!, written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by David Litchfield
Why: Voicey, fun nonfiction that plays with humor while staying rooted in science.
Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet, written and photographed by April Pulley Sayre
Why: A great example of nonfiction that inspires awe and curiosity through simple, powerful language.
If Sharks Disappeared, written and illustrated by Lily Williams
Why: A perfect model of accessible conservation messaging for young readers.
Behold the Octopus!, written by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Thomas González
Why: Science-forward, visually rich, and a great model for writing about animal behavior and adaptation.
A Whale of the Wild, written by Rosanne Parry and illustrated by Lindsay Moore
Why: Emotionally grounded animal-centered narrative rooted in ecology and real behavior.
The Mysteries of the Universe, written by Will Gater and illustrated by Sarah Walsh
Why: Clear science communication + stunning visuals that make complex topics accessible to kids.
The Great Barrier Reef, written by Dr. Helen Scales and illustrated by Lisk Feng
Why: Lyrical yet accurate nonfiction exploring biodiversity, conservation, and place-based science.
TV Show: Bluey
Why: warmth, emotional clarity, humor grounded in everyday experiences, and kid-friendly pacing that feels real rather than forced.
Public figure: Jane Goodall
Why: stories centered on compassion, observation, and meaningful human–animal connections.
The character energy of Dory from Finding Nemo
Why: curiosity-driven storytelling, heart, and the ability to balance humor with rich natural-world themes.
Film: My Octopus Teacher
Why: awe for the natural world, authentic scientific observation, gentle emotional depth.
Melissa is a good fit for:
Fiction
Educational content
Nonfiction, especially science and nature topics
Narrative nonfiction
STEM-focused manuscripts needing accuracy and clarity
Writers crafting wildlife, conservation, or ocean-themed stories
Creators aiming to make complex concepts accessible for young readers
Projects that blend storytelling with real-world science
Early-career writers seeking mentorship from a picture book author of 10 books (6 to be published from 2026-onwards)
Melissa is not a good fit for:
Rhyme-focused manuscripts
Manuscripts that rely heavily on poetic or lyrical prose
Stories centered on grief, loss, or heavy emotional/traumatic themes
Who can apply to Melissa?
Unagented Text-only authors only.