More About Shana Keller

Languages: English

Shana is passionate about history. She began her studies of African American history at the University of Miami in Florida and has delved deep into our nation’s diverse past ever since. She is the author of several award-winning picture books including Do You Know Them? Families Lost and Found After the Civil War, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection; Ticktock Banneker’s Clock, Best STEM book, Children’s Book Council; and Bread for Words: A Frederick Douglass Story, an Irma Black Award Honor. Other titles include Fly, Firefly!; The Peach Pit Parade: A World War I Story; The Sole Man: Jan Matzeliger’s Lasting Invention, a EUREKA! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award Honor; and soon to be released, CeeCee: Underground Railroad Cinderella (2025).

Shana has traveled her whole life and has lived all over the United States and in Europe, too. When she’s not researching, writing, or substitute teaching, she loves to practice jiujitsu, run half-marathons, and bake cupcakes with her daughters. Shana lives in North Carolina where she continues to write stories linking our past to the present.

You can find Shana online at:

www.shanakeller.com

Professional Instagram | Personal Instagram

YouTube | TikTok | Twitter/X

Shana’s strengths are…

Recognizing some books can take time to develop, and being committed to helping a writer work through multiple revisions.
Strong research skills and familiarity with primary sources and how to incorporate them meaningfully.
Understanding how children process history and how to focus on the most engaging aspects for different age groups.
Maintaining a deep respect and sensitivity to cultures, events, and historical figures that are portrayed.
Providing constructive and thoughtful feedback to help writers develop their unique voice.
Knowledge of the publishing industry and trends.
Sharing helpful feedback and guidance on the querying process.

What Shana is looking for…

Shana is seeking a mentee who is passionate about writing and committed to honing their craft, especially someone with a love for the process of writing. Afterall, writing is rewriting. She’s looking for an author who is dedicated to continuous improvement and open to feedback. Shana values a strong work ethic, a sense of fun (a must), and a willingness to engage deeply with multiple drafts and revisions.

Whether you’re writing manuscripts full of humor and/or heart or exploring nonfiction, Shana wants to connect with someone who is serious about their career in publishing. She hopes to work with a writer who is eager to refine their skills, learn about the business side of the industry, and prepare their manuscripts for submission.

A Note from Shana:

“Dear Future Mentee,

If you're reading this, you’re already on the ‘write’ path. I want you to know that the journey you’re on — the one filled with dreams, doubt, rejection, and occasional triumphs — is one every writer has walked before you, myself included.

One of my editor’s told me long ago that publishing weeds out the weak. It’s an industry that moves slowly and often feels like a maze. The rejections can sting, the waiting can be excruciating, and there will be times when it feels like the finish line keeps moving farther away. But here’s the thing: Every single writer you admire has been where you are now. They’ve faced moments of uncertainty, fear of failure, and nagging thoughts that maybe they’re not cut out for this after all. Yet they pushed through. They kept going because they believed in their work, and more importantly, they believed in themselves.

Remember that success isn’t about getting it right the first time or even the tenth time — it’s about showing up, learning from each experience, and refusing to quit. It’s about writing, revising, submitting, and getting back up again, no matter how many setbacks you face. If you’re willing to learn, grow, and keep pushing forward, I promise the journey will be worth it. Keep writing. Keep learning. And keep believing in your voice. Because the world needs it.”

Shana’s Picture Books

THE SOLE MAN, written by Shana Keller and illustrated by Stephen Costanza

DO YOU KNOW THEM?, written by Shana Keller and illustrated by Laura Freeman

TICKTOCK BANNEKER’S CLOCK, written by Shana Keller and illustrated by David C. Gardner

BREAD FOR WORDS: A FREDERICK DOUGLASS STORY, written by Shana Keller and illustrated by Kayla Stark

FLY, FIREFLY!, written by Shana Keller and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki

THE PEACH PIT PARADE: A WORLD WAR I STORY, written by Shana Keller and illustrated by Margeaux Lucas

Shana’s Upcoming Picture Books

CEECEE: UNDERGROUND RAILROAD CINDERELLA, written by Shana Keller and illustrated by Laura Freeman

If Shana 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.

The heart of: