(Tucson, AZ) Pima County Public Library's Many Nations Team presents a free three-part series of online workshops with author Daniel Vandever. This series is for anyone who has always wanted to write a children's book, but needed a little inspiration, help planning, and support making publishing decisions.
Please note, registration is required for this three-part series. Attendees will receive an email reminder 24 hours before the first workshop and a meeting link, which will be good for all three workshops.
Workshop 1 - Nitsáhákees: An Author’s Inspiration
Thursday, November 5 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm
American Indian Youth Literature Award honoree Daniel W. Vandever reflects on his ten-year journey creating children’s picture books while shedding light (and providing helpful tips) into the world of picture book publishing. The session is intended to encourage those thinking about writing a picture book.
Workshop 2 - Nahat’á: Planning Out Your Picture Book
Thursday, November 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm
In this hands-on workshop, Author Daniel W. Vandever demonstrates the process of growing an idea into a publication-ready story. The workshop will provide insight into brainstorming, writing a manuscript, and story boarding among others topics. By the end of the session, attendees will have a working draft of a story. The session is intended to encourage those planning to write a picture book.
Workshop 3 - Liná: Traditional Publishing or Self-Publishing?
Thursday, November 19 from 6:30 to 7:30
Author Daniel W. Vandever discusses the pros and cons of traditional and self-publishing and how to figure out which process works best for you. The session details the creative process under each and provides insight into the business aspect of publishing that will determine the reach and overall impact of your story. The session is intended to encourage those who are nearly finished with a picture book
About the author
Daniel W. Vandever (Irish/Navajo) is an award-winning author and entrepreneur from Haystack, NM. He is the CEO of South of Sunrise Creative, a publishing and consulting firm that helps advance education initiatives in tribal communities.
Vandever is the author of Fall in Line, Holden!, a 2018 Honor Book for the American Indian Youth Literature Award (AIYLA), and Herizon, AIYLA’s Best Picture Book of 2022. His most recent book, We Weave, was named one of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Indie Books of 2024 and received AIYLA honor recognition in 2026. Scholastic published an early reader by Vandever in 2024, titled Behind Every Rug, as part of its Own Voices – School and Friends collection.
Weaving Navajo culture into the contemporary experience is at the heart of Vandever’s books, which he shares with schools across the nation. Vandever has worked with eight tribal nations to promote literacy spanning from the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.