Anne Wynter is the author of multiple board books and picture books, including So Many Years, Everybody in the Red Brick Building, Patrick and the Not So Perfect Party, and Nell Plants a Tree, which won the Ezra Jack Keats Award and the Golden Kite Award and was selected as the 2023 Texas Great Read. Her next book – While We’re Here, illustrated by Micha Archer – will be out in March 2026.
Originally from Houston, Texas, Anne currently lives in Austin, Texas, with her family. To learn more or say hello, visit annewynter.com.
The Journey: My Path to Publishing
I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a kid, but I never imagined myself as a picture book author. I tried writing novels and short stories, and I settled into playwriting for a while. But after I had kids, it was much harder to participate in theater. Instead of seeing plays, I was spending tons of time reading picture books and board books. Sometimes we’d read around 15 a night, which was wonderful. It felt like I was taking a masterclass in how picture books worked. After a while, writing my own picture books felt like the natural next step.
The Back Story: How I Got “The Deal”
One of my first attempts at writing a picture book was Everybody in the Red Brick Building, which I workshopped in a class at The Writing Barn, then submitted to agents. I had queried agents once before, with no luck. But the second time was the charm (maybe because I sent out my queries on Friday, the 13th!) I ended up getting offers from three different agents and signed with the brilliant Steve Malk at The Writers House. Everybody in the Red Brick Building went to auction and was bought by Donna Bray at Balzer + Bray, which was a dream come true!
The Process: How I Work
I’m constantly refining and reworking my process. It’s a moving target and I’m trying to make peace with that. But one thing that’s constant is that I like to start the writing process in large notebooks or – even better – poster boards. It’s great to spread out and use different colors and various parts of the paper. I try not to erase or scratch anything out, and I’ll include lots of lists that I might need to pull from as I’m piecing ideas together. Then as the manuscript gets more solidified, I’ll move things into smaller notebooks, and finally to a computer. Nell Plants a Tree spent the longest time in the notebook phase, because it felt like it took forever to get that manuscript just right.
Under the Radar
Under the Radar Someone who hasn’t been on The Brown Bookshelf – but who absolutely should be – is Brentom Jackson. He’s a poet, performer and children’s book author whose debut picture book, Elijah’s Easter Suit, was such a smart and joyful read-aloud. It’s one of those books you read and think, “dang, I wish I had written that.”
Fun fact – Brentom and I first met over a decade ago when we were both in a production of A Raisin in the Sun! Neither of us were writing picture books at the time, but I think there’s a strong link between theater and picture books, so I’m not too surprised we both ended up where we did.
The Buzz : Reviews and Media Links
WHILE WE’RE HERE, illustrated by Micha Archer (out on March 27th) “A sublime celebration of resilience and what is truly important.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“A powerful view of the ease that can emerge from unstructured time.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Gorgeous collage illustrations composed of meticulously cut and layered bits of paper adorn the
pages of this story about a mother and daughter in a rush to get out the door.” – Booklist, starred review
SO MANY YEARS: A JUNETEENTH STORY, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey “It’s a moving tribute that converses with history’s resonances while moving forward in time.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A deeply felt celebration of the resilience of the human spirit.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Pumphrey’s use of acrylic paint on hardboard panels gives texture and depth to his beautiful, impactful spreads as the first half of the book offers glimpses of the family preparing for a Juneteenth celebration, memorably juxtaposed with the harsh reality of their previous life as enslaved people.” – BookPage, starred review
Connect with Anne:
Website: www.annewynter.com
LinkedIn: @annewynter