Frequently Asked Questions:
HOW CAN I JOIN LAS MUSAS?
(please read all the way to the end!)
If you're a Latinx author/illustrator of one or more traditionally published young adult, middle-grade, chapter books, or picture book who identities as a woman or otherwise marginalized people (whose gender identity aligns with femininity), there are three ways you can join Las Musas!
What does this all mean?
MUSA DEBUTS: DEBUT or SOPHOMORE AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS
Las Musas started as a way to support and amplify each other’s debut or sophomore novels in US children’s literature. The category of Musa Debut continues this. How do you become a Musa Debut?
To start:
BUT... if you have traditionally published more than two books, check out our Madrinas.
MADRINAS
We started Las Musas with the belief that we are stronger together and that the Latinx community is not a monolith, and so creating las Madrinas was a natural evolution of our work.
Madrinas are:
We are so thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with authors who have come before us, opened doors, and continue to make great contributions to our literature.
BUT...if you haven't published in kidlit yet, check out Hermanas.
HERMANAS
Las Hermanas is a selection-based mentorship program for traditionally unpublished Latinx kidlit writers and illustrators. It will connect unpublished writers with current Madrinas. Hermanas work with mentors for 6 months and benefit from the craft and industry experience of their mentor and will have the opportunity to ask for publishing/marketing related advice and/or receive help with a specific manuscript.
Hermanas are:
Visit the Hermanas page for more information.
ONE MORE THING!
Before you ask to join the group may it be as a Musa, Madrina or Hermana,
If you are still interested in joining us, please start by filling out the following questionnaire.
If you're a Latinx author/illustrator of one or more traditionally published young adult, middle-grade, chapter books, or picture book who identities as a woman or otherwise marginalized people (whose gender identity aligns with femininity), there are three ways you can join Las Musas!
- Musa: Debut or Sophomore author/illustrator
- Madrina
- Hermana
What does this all mean?
MUSA DEBUTS: DEBUT or SOPHOMORE AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS
Las Musas started as a way to support and amplify each other’s debut or sophomore novels in US children’s literature. The category of Musa Debut continues this. How do you become a Musa Debut?
To start:
- Your book must be a children's book. Children's books are defined as those published in the Picture Book, Chapter Book, Middle Grade or Young Adult categories
- You must be traditionally published (what is traditional publishing?) in print in the US with a large publishing house. You will need to submit your Publishers Weekly announcement before being considered for membership. You can request membership as soon as your book announcement is released.
- If you aren't sure if your publisher is a traditional publisher, please check out SCBWI's PAL guidelines for a place to start.
- Accessibility is very important to Las Musas. Books must have distribution that is available in schools, libraries, and independent bookstores.
- At the moment we do not accept audio-only debuts
- At the moment we do not accept short story debuts in anthologies or literary magazines
- We do not accept self-published, vanity presses, print-on-demand, or subsidy printing.
- Your book must be a debut or sophomore book.
BUT... if you have traditionally published more than two books, check out our Madrinas.
MADRINAS
We started Las Musas with the belief that we are stronger together and that the Latinx community is not a monolith, and so creating las Madrinas was a natural evolution of our work.
Madrinas are:
- Established and traditionally published, Latinx kidlit authors and illustrators (with two or more books) who will provide advice, collaboration, camaraderie, and more.
- Work within our 6-month mentorship program to provide mentorship opportunities to mentees.
We are so thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with authors who have come before us, opened doors, and continue to make great contributions to our literature.
BUT...if you haven't published in kidlit yet, check out Hermanas.
HERMANAS
Las Hermanas is a selection-based mentorship program for traditionally unpublished Latinx kidlit writers and illustrators. It will connect unpublished writers with current Madrinas. Hermanas work with mentors for 6 months and benefit from the craft and industry experience of their mentor and will have the opportunity to ask for publishing/marketing related advice and/or receive help with a specific manuscript.
Hermanas are:
- Un-published writer or illustrators. Those previously published by indie presses are eligible to apply.
- Looking for guidance on a specific Picture Book, Chapter Book, Middle Grade or Young Adult project
Visit the Hermanas page for more information.
ONE MORE THING!
Before you ask to join the group may it be as a Musa, Madrina or Hermana,
- Take a moment to ask yourself how much time you have to dedicate to this group. While we are a large group, we do require all Musas to be present and contribute. All of our ventures (our blog, mentorship, podcast, and the Latinx KidLit Book Festival) are run by our members. Being part of Las Musas means pitching in and working with the collective. For example, on average members volunteer anywhere from 5-10 hours a week.
- It is a 1-2 month vetting process to join (all new members are voted on, and this process takes time), so please take that into consideration.
- Take a look at our Community Standards, which apply to every single member of Las Musas, including Hermanas and Madrinas.
If you are still interested in joining us, please start by filling out the following questionnaire.
Who is in charge?
Las Musas is a collective and as such does not have one leader. We make decisions democratically and with the opportunity for wisdom from all of our creators. Musas can elect to take charge of certain management tasks such as social media, correspondence, conferences, website, etc. where individual skills and ideas are welcome, however, we discuss and make all major decisions as a collective.
CAN YOU HELP ME GET PUBLISHED?
Sadly, no. We are not agents, editors or publishers, We are a collective of authors and illustrators that believe in alliance building as we enter into the world of publishing. Within this limited capacity, we have launched the Hermanas mentorship program (see How Can I Join Las Musas) with the hope of helping other Latinx authors/illustrators get ready to submit their work.
For more resources see the "Where can I learn more about becoming an author?" question below or visit our Latinx KidLit Resources.
For more resources see the "Where can I learn more about becoming an author?" question below or visit our Latinx KidLit Resources.
ARE LAS MUSAS AVAILABLE FOR PANELS, SCHOOL VISITS, OR SKYPE CLASSROOM VISITS?
Yes! Though each of Las Musas has their own publishing schedule we would love to work with the book community to coordinate appearances or classroom visits.
For inquiries and opportunities you can contact us via our online form or via [email protected]. Please make sure to include as many details as possible!
For inquiries and opportunities you can contact us via our online form or via [email protected]. Please make sure to include as many details as possible!
Where can i learn more about becoming an author?
For a longer list of resources like Authors, Agents, Editors, and more visit our recently created Latinx KidLit Resources
There are several organizations supporting Latinx authors at all levels of their journey. We Need Diverse Books, Latinx in Publishing, and People of Color in Publishing.
We also recommend Kweli: The Color of Children's Literature Conference - a yearly conference dedicated to authors of colors.
There are a few important Twitter pitch contests that you can follow that have been part of the publishing journey of some of our Musas such as #DVPit (for writers of diverse marginalizations) and the recently formed #LatinxPitch (specifically for Latinx creators in KidLit). Additionally, Latinx in Kidlit and Latinx Book Club are wonderful resources to talk books and read reviews of Latinx work.
In addition check out: the Write or Die Podcast (created by our very own Claribel Ortega) which aims to share the real publishing journeys of some of your favorite authors, and Deadline City (created by Madrina Zoraida Córdova and Dhonielle Clayton) which is a great look at the world of publishing and book writing.
For craft resources, please visit our Webinar page for conversations on how to write multiple POVs, plot structure, and more.
There are several organizations supporting Latinx authors at all levels of their journey. We Need Diverse Books, Latinx in Publishing, and People of Color in Publishing.
We also recommend Kweli: The Color of Children's Literature Conference - a yearly conference dedicated to authors of colors.
There are a few important Twitter pitch contests that you can follow that have been part of the publishing journey of some of our Musas such as #DVPit (for writers of diverse marginalizations) and the recently formed #LatinxPitch (specifically for Latinx creators in KidLit). Additionally, Latinx in Kidlit and Latinx Book Club are wonderful resources to talk books and read reviews of Latinx work.
In addition check out: the Write or Die Podcast (created by our very own Claribel Ortega) which aims to share the real publishing journeys of some of your favorite authors, and Deadline City (created by Madrina Zoraida Córdova and Dhonielle Clayton) which is a great look at the world of publishing and book writing.
For craft resources, please visit our Webinar page for conversations on how to write multiple POVs, plot structure, and more.
Can I advertise in las musas?
Thank you for your interest in advertising or placing a blog or product in Las Musas website, but we do not accept solicitations for placement. Las Musas is an author/illustrator collective. Everything on our site is about our members, created by our members, or relating to our books in some way.
Do Las Musas endorse every book on its site?
Las Musas isn't about endorsement of individual content as much as it's about providing a platform for Latinx creators to support one another and work together within different avenues of mainstream publishing and bookselling.
Why haven't I seen a Musas statement for ...?
Because Las Musas is an artist collective and not a standard organization or foundation it is increasingly difficult for us to put out a single blanket statement for the 100+ member community in a short period of time. Our "staff" who run our social, or update the website, is a made up of voluntary Musas who give 1-2 hours of their time a week when possible, switching in and out over the months. At any one time a different Musa is handling a task.
Because of this collective nature it takes us - very often - months to concur on website language, statements, and more, if we agree at all. We know it must be frustrating, and we realize "seeing" our supposed silence can be disappointing, but we assure you we are not.
We are over 70+ individual artist voices and Las Musas was created to amplify those voices. And if you were to follow them, you would see, they are not silent, not at all.
Our books speak volumes about our mission to uplift the Latinx and other marginalized communities.
Current statements:
In Solidarity with the AAPI Community
Black Lives Matter
Our Voices Our Protest
Las Musas and Gender
Because of this collective nature it takes us - very often - months to concur on website language, statements, and more, if we agree at all. We know it must be frustrating, and we realize "seeing" our supposed silence can be disappointing, but we assure you we are not.
We are over 70+ individual artist voices and Las Musas was created to amplify those voices. And if you were to follow them, you would see, they are not silent, not at all.
Our books speak volumes about our mission to uplift the Latinx and other marginalized communities.
Current statements:
In Solidarity with the AAPI Community
Black Lives Matter
Our Voices Our Protest
Las Musas and Gender
CAN you expand on your gender language?
Yes! Check out our blog regarding our gender language choices.