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More About Patty Cisneros Prevo (She/Her/Ella)

Languages: English

As a lifelong learner and advocate, Patty Cisneros Prevo has always centered her work around diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and social justice. Patty was the Assistant Director of Inclusion & Engagement with Wisconsin Athletics and then went on to become the Manager of Diversity & Inclusion for the Wisconsin School of Business. In her current role as UW Health Program Manager of Social Impact and Belonging, Patty leads these same efforts with the University of Wisconsin- Madison School of Medicine and Public Health- Department of Medicine and the Carbone Cancer Center.

Patty published her first picture book in Spring 2023 with Lee & Low Books. TENACIOUS: FIFTEEN ADVENTURES ALONGSIDE DISABLED ATHLETES focuses on 15 individuals with physical disabilities and their major life and athletic accomplishments. And her debut fictional picture book ALL OF APOLONIA, published by Abrams Books, comes out March 24, 2026. ALL OF APOLONIA explores the fears many kids have about fitting in and recognize the joy of being celebrated for exactly who they are.

Additionally, Patty has won six National Wheelchair Basketball Association Championships, and became the first female head coach of a collegiate wheelchair basketball team with the University of Illinois, winning the national championship that same year. Patty is also a three-time Paralympian and member of the U.S. Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team for 10 years. As captain of the 2008 Paralympic team, she led Team USA to its second consecutive gold medal after winning gold in 2004. And in 2022, Patty was appointed to the Congressional Commission on the State of the U.S. Olympics & Paralympics.

You can find Patty online at:

pattycisnerosprevo.com

Instagram I LinkedIn

Patty’s strengths include…

  • Honing in on voice

  • Limiting word count

  • Cutting out the "extras"

  • Utilizing mentor texts

  • Using back matter (nonfiction)

What Patty is looking for…

Patty is looking for a mentee who is serious about a career in children's publishing.

She is looking for someone who works hard, takes constructive feedback, and has fun in the process.

Patty hopes to connect with someone who is willing to revise multiple manuscripts and ask lots of questions.

A Note from Patty:

“This process and the writing industry are S O S L O W. Be patient. Enjoy the process. And trust your stories.”

Patty’s Picture Books

Tenacious: Fifteen Adventures Alongside Disabled Athletes, written by Patty Cisneros Prevo and illustrated by Dion MBD

All of Apolonia, written by Patty Cisneros Prevo and illustrated by Mirelle Ortega

If Patty 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.

Hilwa's Gifts, written by Safa Suleiman and illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan

In the Groves written and illustrated by Andrea Cruz Floren

Mamiachi & Me, written by Jolene Gutierrez and Dakota Gutierrez and illustrated by Mirelle Ortega

I Am an Antiracist Superhero, written by Jennifer Nicole Bacon and illustrated by Leticia Moreno

Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter, written by Aida Salazar and illustrated by Molly Mendoza

Sparkle Boy, written by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Maria Mola

Some of Patty’s favorite artists include:

Selena

Elizabeth Moen

Stevie Wonder

Some of Patty’s favorite songs include:

Taj Mahal - Queen Bee

Queen - We are the Champions

Some of Patty’s favorite TV shows include:

Adaptive Documentary

Abbott Elementary

Patty is a good fit for:

  • Disability-themed stories

  • Nonfiction

  • Manuscript ideas stemmed from personal experiences

  • Tackling difficult/serious topics

  • Topics centered around diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, intersectionality, historically marginalized communities (you know, anything that gets you banned these days)

Patty is not a good fit for:

  • Rhyme

  • Playful themes

  • Animal stories

Who can apply to Patty?
Unagented Text-Only Authors