More About Mariana Ríos Ramírez (She/Her):
Languages: English and Spanish
Mariana Ríos Ramírez is a Mexican author living in Anderson, South Carolina with her husband, two kids, and a Chihuahua dog named Rogers. She loves writing stories that highlight diversity, kindness, friendship and perseverance; and she also likes sharing about her culture, language, and traditions.
Mariana has a degree in international business and an MBA by Tecnológico de Monterrey and Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona, USA. Before becoming a children’s book author she worked as a high school teacher and co-owned an online business of customized party decorations. Currently, Mariana is a member of SCBWI, Storyteller Academy, Las Musas, and Rate your Story.
Santiago’s Dinosaurios is her debut picture book. It was illustrated by Udayana Lugo and published by Albert Whitman & Company in October 2022. The story was inspired by her son's experience when her family moved to the USA in 2016. Abuelita’s Gift: A Día de Muertos Story will be illustrated by Sara Palacios and published by Knopf Books for Young Readers in September 2024. A Spanish version will be available too. The book is based on the Mexican holiday Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). Mariana is happy and honored to share about this beautiful tradition from her country.
Besides writing, Mariana enjoys photography, traveling, watching k-dramas, and spending time with family and friends. She also loves flowers, dogs, and Chai Lattes.
You can find her online at:
Mariana’s strengths are…
Being organized, structured, and clear in her comments
Providing objective and honest feedback
Being kind and encouraging with her comments
Asking questions to help get to the heart of the story
Understanding and respecting the author's vision for the story
Pointing out when parts of the manuscript are not clear
Identifying what parts of the manuscript feel like they are already working well
What Mariana is looking for…
Mariana is looking for a mentee who takes this opportunity seriously and with gratitude; who has a true passion for writing for children and believes in their stories. She would like to work with someone committed, responsible, hard working, and kind. Being open to feedback and suggestions will be key, but Mariana understands and respects that the author has the last word regarding their own stories.
Mariana hopes to connect with someone who would like to focus on 1-2 manuscripts and, if time allows it, a query letter. She's also open to share about her publishing journey and the lessons she's learned so far. Mariana believes she can grow as a writer and mentor from this experience too, and she's looking forward to establishing long lasting connections with her mentee and other mentors.
Finally, Mariana is open to all unagented authors, but would love to support Latin or marginalized creators since promoting diversity and representation are important elements in her stories and her own journey.
A Note from Mariana:
“Dear applicant, the fact that you are going through this process tells me how much you love writing for children and how determined you are in working towards your publication dream. It also lets me know that you are a believer, in yourself and in your stories, and I think that's the best place to start this journey. I hope you are very proud for taking this step.
I encourage you to be open, flexible, and grateful in the way you approach this mentorship. Make the most of this opportunity by working hard and having fun, and begin by dedicating a good time to fill this application precisely. Be as specific as you can, so that mentors can get to know who you are as a writer, where you are in your path, who you want to become, and what you need to get there.
I wish you the best through this process, may you find the perfect mentor to work together on your stories. If for some reason you don't get to be a mentee this year, I hope that you'll continue to look for ways to grow as a writer through other available opportunities. Keep writing and trying! Never give up!
If you consider that you and I would be a good fit in this mentorship, thank you for applying to be my mentee! I'll be looking forward to reading your work and getting to know more about you through your application.” - Mariana
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
–Pelé
Mariana’s Picture Books
SANTIAGO’S DINOSAURIOS, written by Mariana Ríos Ramírez and illustrated by Udayana Lugo
Mariana’s Upcoming Picture Books
ABUELITA’S GIFT, written by Mariana Ríos Ramírez and illustrated by Sara Palacios
El regalo de abuelita: Un cuento de Día de Muertos, written by Mariana Ríos Ramírez and illustrated by Sara Palacios
If Mariana 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.
A Gift for Nai Nai, written and illustrated by Kim-Hoa Ung
A CROWN FOR CORINA, written by Laekan Zea Kemp and illustrated Elisa Chavarri
AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO, written by Judith Valdés B. and illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera
CAN I BE YOUR DOG? written and illustrated by Troy Cummings
HAIR LOVE, written by Matthew A. Cherry and illustrated by Vashti Harrison
NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE, written Ashley Franklin and Ebony Glenn
ABUELA’S SUPER CAPA, written by Ana Siqueira and illustrated by Elisa Chavarri
THE WORRY BALLOON, written by Mónica Mancillas and illustrated by Betty C. Tang
THE LIGHT WITHIN YOU, written by Namita Moolani Mehra and illustrated by Kamala Nair
BIG by Vashti Harrison
THE INVISIBLE BOY, written Trudy Ludwig and illustrated by Patrice Barton
LA NOCHE BEFORE THREE KINGS DAY, written by Sheila Colón-Bagley and illustrated by Alejandro Mesa
Mariana is a good fit for…
Family / multigenerational
Heartwarming and sweet
Tradition / culture / holiday
Slice of Life
Social Emotional Learning
Friendship
Stories with Spanish
Mariana is not a good fit for…
Rhyme
Concept books
Humor (she enjoys reading it, but doesn't feel qualified to help out with these stories)
Nonfiction
*Please don’t submit any stories including cancer, terminal illnesses, and psychological trauma.
Who can apply to Mariana? ALL unagented authors, but Latin and traditionally marginalized authors are encouraged to apply.
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