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More About Michael Genhart, PhD (He/Him)
Languages: English, conversational Spanish
Michael Genhart, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in San Francisco by day, and by night and weekends, he writes picture books for children. Themes for his books draw upon his identity as a therapist, gay man and dad, and child growing up in a large multicultural family (Mexican and Swiss heritage) in SoCA, and where these identities intersect. He has traditionally published thirteen picture books, with at least two more releasing in the next two years. Michael's books have received starred reviews and several accolades including: Pura Belpré, Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book, and the Independent Publishers (IPPY) Book Award. He values storytelling that centers underrepresented subjects and people.
Michael earned a BA in psychology from the University of California, San Diego and a PhD in clinical and community psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. He and his husband live in Marin County, CA and are proud parents of a daughter, now married, teaching elementary and middle school, and expecting her first baby! What?! Gay grandpa...gaympa?? He loves gardening, traveling, cooking, and spending lots of time enjoying good books. He is a member of SCBWI and is represented by Nicole Geiger of Full Circle Literary.
You can find Michael online at:
Michael’s strengths are…
Storytelling with heart
Stories with layers and depth
Entering stories in interesting ways
Family stories
Social/emotional themes
Social justice themes
Subjects that center untold history
Characters that represent traditionally underrepresented people
What Michael is looking for…
Michael is looking for a mentee who has read a lot of picture books, studied the craft, and is realistic about what it takes to develop a noteable picture book manuscript.
Ideally, a mentee who is familiar with SCBWI and has possibly attended workshops and conferences about writing in the picture book space.
Moreoever, he is looking for a mentee who is able to listen to feedback and knows that so much of good storytelling relies on an openness to revise, revise, and revise. Even better that a mentee has a few manuscripts in-progress and is ambitious about becoming agented and published.
A Note from Michael:
“This is a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow from someone who has knowledge to share about an industry and craft that is highly competitve and at the same time filled with thoughtful, caring, and kind creators. I would strongly suggest that you think about what you hope to get from this mentee-mentor relationship. Ask yourself: Who do I feel is a good match for where I am currently in my writing journey?”
Michael’s Picture Books
Edie for Equality, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by Cheryl Thuesday
They’re So Flamboyant, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by Tony Neal
Spanish is the Language of my Family, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by John Parra
May Your Life Be Deliciosa, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by Loris Lora
I See You, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by Joanne Lew Vriethoff
Ouch! Moments, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by Viviana Garofoli
So Many Smarts!, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown
Peanut Butter & Jellyous, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by Steve Mack
Mac & Geeeez, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by Steve Mack
Cake & I Scream, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by Steve Mack
Love is Love, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by Ken Min
Rainbow: A First Book of Pride, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by Anne Passchier
Accordionly, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by Priscilla Burris
Mariposa, written by Michael Genhart, PhD, illustrated by Carlos Aponte
If Michael 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.
Strong storytelling like in:
Outside In - written by Deborah Underwood; illustrated by Cindy Derby
Alma and How She Got Her Name - written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
Stories with a big heart like in:
Jerome by Heart -written by Thomas Scotto; illustrated by Olivier Tallec
Dreamers - written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners - written by Joanna Ho; illustrated by Dung Ho
Picture book biographies/History like in:
Cloth Lullaby - written by Amy Novesky; illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Ode to an Onion - written by Alexandria Giardino; illustrated by Felicita Sala
Separate is Never Equal - written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
Waiting for Biblioburro - written by Monica Brown; illustrated by John Parra
Wonderful storytelling like in:
TV Show - The Bear
TV Show - Somebody Somewhere
Michael is a good fit for:
Diverse voices
Creative ways of telling a story
Stories with strong emotional resonance
Themes with a psychological bent
Gentle, quiet stories that have impact
Subjects that have not been written about before
Unique themes that also have universal appeal
Personal stories that maybe only you can tell
Picture book biographies about lesser-known people who changed history
Michael is not a good fit for:
Rhyming stories
Most nonfiction (except for picture book biographies)
Manuscripts that feature silliness without any purpose
Humor
Who can apply to Michael?
Unagented and agented text-only authors.
⚠️Michael is open to everyone, but he especially encourages LGBTQ+/BIPOC creators to apply.