Hi Math is Everywhere Readers and Spring Fling Kidlit Contest hopefuls!
Today, for our eleventh Prize Donor Feature, we have one of THE COOLEST author-illustrator teams in kidlit…

🎉The Laceras🎉

Team Lacera is offering WINNER’S CHOICE: picture book critique (manuscript or dummy), first 5 pages of a middle-grade ms, or a query critique

We asked the Lacera’s some spring-themed questions, and here’s their responses:

• What is your favorite thing about spring?

Megan: The feeling of renewal; the chance to start again. And that smell of soil mixed with fresh flower petals and falling rain. Longer days and more time outside!
Jorge: We recently moved to Montreal from Houston, Texas. There isn’t really Spring in H-town; it’s mostly hot and slightly less hot 🙂 I’m looking forward to experiencing the seasons again here in Quebec.

• Spring is full of surprises bursting forth, what’s something you’ve found surprising about the publishing industry?

Megan: The support and excitement for our work from people we don’t even know! We love supporting the creator community and it feels great to have that encouragement boosting us as well.
Jorge: We’re really happy to know there are people in the publishing industry boosting our story of a Latinx zombie kid who prefers kale and cucumbers to armpanadas and chili con ojos. There were days when we didn’t know what would happen with this story we cared so much about…so it’s a welcome surprise to watch people get behind it.

• Can you tell us a bit about your recent projects?

Our debut picture book Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies! released last spring. It’s been a thrill to see it appear on several “Best of” Lists, including Kirkus Reviews. The Spanish version is on the NYPL’s Best of 2019 list as well as Bank Street College’s list.

We’ve developed a film treatment for Zombies as well as a toy line and are in the process of pitching both. We’re also excited to be working on another picture book with Lee and Low that we’re likening to an early intro to graphic novels. Jorge is illustrating two books; one with author Deborah Underwood and another with author Nancy Viau. Oh yeah…we’re working on a middle grade too!

Jorge’s Bio

Artist Jorge Lacera was born in Colombia, and grew up in Miami, Florida, drawing in sketchbooks, on napkins, on walls, and anywhere his parents would let him.
After graduating with honors from Ringling College of Art and Design, Jorge worked as a visual development and concept artist for major gaming studios and entertainment companies.
As a big fan of pop culture, comics, and zombie movies, Jorge rarely saw Latino kids as the heroes or leads. He is committed to changing that, especially now that he has a son.
Represented by John Cusick at Folio Literary Management
https://www.foliojr.com/jorge-lacera

Megan’s Bio

Writer Megan Lacera grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, with a book always in her hands. She became a writer and creator of characters and worlds for entertainment companies like American Greetings, Hasbro, and Goldieblox and later formed her own creative company where she creates original content and consults on marketing, social media, and strategic direction.
After reading many stories to their son, Megan realized that very few books reflected a family like theirs–multicultural, bilingual, funny, and imperfect. She decided to change that by writing her own stories.
Visit their webpage: http://www.studiolacera.com/
Twitter: @MeganLacera and @jlacera
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeganAndJorgeLacera/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormeganlacera/ and https://www.instagram.com/jlacera/
Order their amazing book: http://www.studiolacera.com/books.html

Also, if you don’t want to wait, the Laceras are also available to critique manuscripts on a for-hire basis. Email megan@studiolacera.com for rates and availability.
Team Lacera is one of the 18 wonderful prize donors for the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest 2020, make sure to follow her on social media, read her books, and review them to show your support! And get gif-searching or creating!

In the comments, tell us what you love about their book or which book you’re looking forward to reading!
Sincerely,
Kaitlyn and Ciara
If you need more info on the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest, check here and make sure to share with all your writing and author-illustrator friends!