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More About M.O. Yuksel (She/Her)
Languages: English, Uzbek, Turkish
M.O. Yuksel is an award-winning author of acclaimed picture books, including IN MY MOSQUE, ONE WISH: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University, RAMADAN KAREEM, and SAMI’S SPECIAL GIFT: An Eid al-Adha Story. Her books, honored with accolades like the Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Notable, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard, and TLA Topaz Nonfiction Gem Award, celebrate diversity and offer rich insights into Muslim traditions that inspire readers of all ages.
Her latest book, THE PRINCE OF STARS: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons, is about a brilliant 15th-century astronomer who calculated the length of the year and why we have seasons. Yuksel, who lives in NJ with her family, loves visiting schools and sharing her stories with young readers.
You can find M.O. Yuksel online at:
Celebrating the Book Birthday of Ramadan Kareem
M.O. Yuksel’s strengths include…
Writing lyrical nonfiction
Crafting authentic stories of little known heroes
Revising at the big picture and line level
Thinking like an illustrator
Brainstorming.
What M.O. Yuksel is looking for…
Yuksel is looking for a mentee who is serious about a career in traditional children's publishing and actively working on their craft. She is especially looking for someone wanting to work on manuscripts about little known heroes and interesting NF.
Yuksel 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.
A Note from M.O. Yuksel:
“A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit.”
M.O. Yuksel’s Picture Books
In My Mosque, written by M.O. Yuksel, illustrated by Hatem Aly
Ramadan Kareem, written by M.O. Yuksel, illustrated by Hatem Aly
One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World's Oldest University, written by M.O. Yuksel, illustrated by Mariam Quraishi
Sami's Special Gift: An Eid al-Adha Story, written by M.O. Yuksel, illustrated by Hüseyin Sönmezay
The Prince of Stars: Ulugh Beg's Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons, written by M.O. Yuksel, illustrated by Zelma Firdauzia
If M.O. Yuksel 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.
A Map for Falasteen, written by Maysa Odeh and illustrated by Aliaa Betawi
Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine, written by Hannah Moushabeck and illustrated by Reem Madooh
A Season for Fishin': A Fish Fry Tradition, written by Pamela Courtney and illustrated by Toni D. Chambers
Do You Even Know Me?, written by Reem Faruqi and illustrated by Ani Bushry
The Book That Almost Rhymed, written by Omar Abed and illustrated by Hatem Aly
M.O. Yuksel is a good fit for:
Fiction
Nonfiction
Lyrical writing
Stories that feel timeless and classic
Strong voice
Underrepresented voices
Multigenerational
M.O. Yuksel is not a good fit for:
Rhyme
Who can apply to M.O. Yuksel?
Unagented or agented text-only Authors who identify as BIPOC.