Meet the Team
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Kailei Pew, Co-Founder (she/her)
Purchase THE MONSTER ABOVE THE BED here.
Kailei Pew is a wife, mother, and children's book author represented by the amazing Emily Forney of BookEnds Literary.
She writes both fiction and nonfiction picture books and middle grade novels. While her focus is on traditionally published books, she also does work for hire projects on the side, and has completed work for KiwiCo Press and Scholastic.
Kailei is an active member of SCBWI, the creator of the Kid’s Choice KidLit Writing Contest, and the co-founder of the PB Rising Stars Mentorship Program.
Kailei loves writing picture books that help kids see they can do anything they set their minds to.
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Ebony Lynn Mudd, Co-Founder (she/her)
Sign up for Ebony’s on-demand writing courses: www.thepbretreat.com
Ebony Lynn Mudd writes picture books and novels for underrepresented kids who don’t see themselves portrayed positively in the media. Her upcoming picture book, Junior Takes a Leap, will be illustrated by Pure Belpré and Coretta Scott King Honor artist C.G Esperanza and published by Scholastic.
Ebony spends her time fighting fiercely against inequalities, toxic masculinity, and gender stereotypes. As a former professional dancer and current owner of a tuition-free dance company, she is a bridge for underprivileged kids that hope to work in the arts. She’s energized by the creative freedom that choreographing moves to music gives her and often compares it to crafting stories on a blank page.
Her other interests include all-you-can-eat sushi, quoting Phoebe from the T.V. show FRIENDS, and eating anything edible that she didn’t have to cook. She is a co-founder of the PB Rising Stars Mentorship program, the creator of picture book writing courses, and sells her own writing-inspired merch through www.ebonylynnmudd.com.
Ebony is represented by Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency.
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Layla Fallah, Director (they/them)
Layla Fallah is a Kurdish-Canadian author, artist, and advocate for diverse storytellers.
An active member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA), Layla is the literary assistant to agents Emily Forney and James McGowan at BookEnds Literary Agency, where they support 100+ clients, including award-winning, critically-acclaimed, and bestselling authors and illustrators.
As a KidLit creator & Co-Director of PB Rising Stars, Layla is wholeheartedly devoted to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others through words and art. With each story they tell, Layla hopes to open a doorway for readers who have yet to see themselves reflected in books, and to shine a light on the quiet, everyday magic that surrounds us.When her pen is at rest, you can find Layla painting Kurdistan, planting seeds, or collecting picture books from the public library.