Tu Books

On my #MSWL right now: graphic novels. I'm actively looking in my submissions pile them in the next few days. Must be diverse, MG or YA.

If this is woven in with magical realism, science fiction, mystery, other genres that get kids reading, all the better. #MSWL

Would love great MG that explores socioeconomic experiences such as poverty, homelessness/home insecurity, class barriers, etc. #MSWL

More #MSWL. Middle grade! Particularly literary MG that stars LGBT families or protagonists, Muslim characters, curriculum connections.

Also on our #MSWL: diverse graphic novels for YA and MG audiences. See guidelines here: tubooks.submittable.com/submit/48794

Note, writers of color, that we'll be opening again for the #NewVisionsAward in June. We're choosing winners for 2015 in April. #MSWL

In other #MSWL needs here at @tubooks, we're also always on the lookout for books by Native American & Indigenous authors.

Also we're hoping for books in which both religious & non-religious characters treated w/ compassion. #mswl

Where are the conflicts for your characters? How can a character live his/her religion in broader context? Etc. #MSWL

& even if religion is a big part of a character's life, often it's more interesting in story to explore culture surrounding religion. #MSWL

But as far as #MSWL goes, it has to go beyond religion to a good story. I think of coming-of-age stories in which Catholicism plays big part

Also, a lot of religions (for ex: Mormons) have large populations of POC but are not seen as having POC members. Stories welcome. #MSWL

Also on my #MSWL: other stories about POC who are religious, whether that means Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and so forth.

I don't mean that the book be *about* religious observance/oppression/etc, though that being a part of daily life in ms works. #MSWL

The examples in that article are all picture books, but the principle applies to MG & YA as well. #MSWL

So, for example, books for MG & YA that fit what this article is talking about: blog.leeandlow.com/2016/03/08/div… #MSWL

What I mean by that is not straight historical fiction, however. Plenty of SFF and contemporary novels have use in the classroom #MSWL

We're also on the lookout for manuscripts that have a classroom connection, literary allusions, etc. #MSWL

Whether set in US or elsewhere, we'd love to see more Muslim characters from all walks of life, historical and contemporary #MSWL

#MSWL time: One big gap on our list is our lack of any books about Muslim main characters (MG or YA).