Apply for The Verge
Join us to discover how a picture book evolves from a spark of an idea into a book on the shelf.
Celebrate All Brains Welcome with Author Johanna Peyton and Editor Anna Luketic as they share the story behind this inspiring picture book published by Sourcebooks eXplore.
Johanna and Anna will discuss where the idea began, how the story developed through revision, and what it was like working together to shape the manuscript into its final form. They'll offer an honest look at the creative and editorial decisions that transformed an idea into a published book.
Johanna and Anna will discuss where the idea began, how the story developed through revision, and what it was like working together to shape the manuscript into its final form. They'll offer an honest look at the creative and editorial decisions that transformed an idea into a published book.
From Sourcebooks:
It's time to party!
All Brains Welcome brings neurodiversity into the spotlight, following a class of kids who throw a "brain party" to celebrate their awesome brains and their favorite ways to connect with each other. Each character speaks directly to the reader, sharing how conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and Down syndrome impact their daily lives. As the brain party unfolds, readers gain insights into communication challenges, different learning approaches, and the importance of respecting each other.
A joyful celebration of difference, All Brains Welcome helps build acceptance and spark important conversations in schools and at home. Discover how every brain brings something special to the party!
It's time to party!
All Brains Welcome brings neurodiversity into the spotlight, following a class of kids who throw a "brain party" to celebrate their awesome brains and their favorite ways to connect with each other. Each character speaks directly to the reader, sharing how conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and Down syndrome impact their daily lives. As the brain party unfolds, readers gain insights into communication challenges, different learning approaches, and the importance of respecting each other.
A joyful celebration of difference, All Brains Welcome helps build acceptance and spark important conversations in schools and at home. Discover how every brain brings something special to the party!
CTC Open House events welcome everyone to join us for programming normally available to Courage to Create members only!
Whether you're a writer, educator, or simply love children's books, you'll come away with a greater understanding of the research, persistence and collaboration behind every traditionally published picture book.
About Writing Barn Craft Webinars:
Industry professionals: authors, agents, editors, etc. facilitate these events. Price points are low and attendance is high, anywhere from 50-200+ attendees. Writing craft and industry engagement are explored. *REPLAYS are made available for all registrants 2 business days after the event and are available for a limited time.*
Anna Luketic is an editor of nonfiction and fiction children’s books with Sourcebooks eXplore. She was previously an editor and art director at B&H Publishing. Anna holds a degree in K-8 education from California State University, Long Beach. Prior to working in book publishing, she was a teacher, tutor, children's minister, curriculum developer, and freelance writer and editor. She loves to teach, mentor, and critique through Inked Voices, The Writing Barn, SCBWI, and The Writer's Loft. Anna has lived in California, Texas, and Tennessee, and she currently resides in Minnesota.
About Anna Luketic
Johanna Peyton is a proudly neurodivergent writer who writes with playfulness and poignancy. Johanna is represented by agent Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary. She holds a BBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Management and an MPH in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science. Her debut nonfiction picture book, ALL BRAINS WELCOME: Embracing ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and More, illustrated by Olga Popova, is scheduled for publication in fall of 2026 with Sourcebooks eXplore.
Johanna is a member of SCBWI, 12x12, Writers League of Texas, and The Writing Barn’s Empowered Author and Courage to Create communities. She also serves on the board of the Dyslexia Center of Austin. In her free time, she shares her writing journey and the books that inspire her on Instagram @JohannaPeytonAuthor.
Johanna is a member of SCBWI, 12x12, Writers League of Texas, and The Writing Barn’s Empowered Author and Courage to Create communities. She also serves on the board of the Dyslexia Center of Austin. In her free time, she shares her writing journey and the books that inspire her on Instagram @JohannaPeytonAuthor.
About Johanna Peyton
