GENRE: **Native American, Diverse, Lyrical
WORDS: 393
Query:
Agents and Editors,
Feel the heartbeat of the earth.
Hear the whispers of feathered friends on quiet mornings.
Listen to the cries leaving behind a trail of tears.
Discover the enchanting melodies of nature and the resilient spirit of First American peoples in MY EARTH HAS A VOICE. Through the seasons, hear the symphony of the earth and the echoes of its stories. A beautiful masterpiece of love, life, and resilience awaits. At 393 words, MY EARTH HAS A VOICE is a lyrical unfolding of the voices of Earth through the eyes of First American people similar to WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS along with a comparable feel to FRY BREAD, A NATIVE AMERICAN FAMILY STORY. With a gentle highlight of the removal from our homelands spread throughout, this book is for readers aged 4-8.
I live in Oklahoma (former Indian Territory) with my wife, son, and puppy named Teddy which are all First American—except for Teddy, of course. By day, I work for the Chickasaw Nation in the Culture and Humanities Department. I am a picture book writer, SCBWI member, 2022 #PBparty Finalist, and member of Oklahoma Writers’ Federation. My writing has won honorable mention in various Kidlit contests, including Rate Your Story annual contests and Fall Writing Frenzy, and I recently sold a First American picture book to a small PAL children’s press.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Excerpt:
My Earth whispers a song only the heart can hear.
On quiet mornings, a soft hum of the wind joins a chorus of feathered friends, sharing stories of our homelands.
In early evenings, disappearing sunlight paints the sky in hues of orange and pink.
“Goodnight,” whispers the sun.
A farewell that carries the memory of sunset ceremonies performed in our native lands.
What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:
Because of my Native heritage, I am always inspired to share stories of survival and resilience. I believe the current focus on diverse stories and underrepresented voices create a unique opportunity for children to learn important aspects of the world AND PEOPLE around them. I was specifically inspired by a hike in the woods, taking in the sounds, smells, and atmosphere that could be highlighted with a First American voice through a picture book.
22 Comments
Leave your reply.