A two-part webinar series from ALA eLearning taking place on Monday, January 26 and Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 2:30pm Eastern/1:30pm Central/12:30pm Mountain/11:30am Pacific.
Library services are for everyone, and that includes the Deaf community. In this workshop, Kathy MacMillan, librarian and certified American Sign Language interpreter, guides you in making your library a more welcoming place for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. You will gain an understanding of Deaf culture, learn library-related signs, and become prepared to confidently work with interpreters for your programs.
I’m delighted to be featured on the ASL Picture Books blog with an interview about my work with families and library staff, and of course my newest book, Nita’s Food Signs. Read the interview here.
Dreams Take Flight: The Story of Deaf Pilot Nellie Zabel Willhite by Brittany Richman and Alisha Monnin Summary: After losing her hearing at four and following a tumultuous education, Nellie Zabel was introduced to the world of flight while working at the Sioux Falls airport. The planes and pilots captured her imagination as she watched them sail alongside the birds. With some encouragement, she enrolled in pilot training–carefully tailoring the courses to accommodate her deafness. In 1928, she took off on her own, becoming the first female pilot in South Dakota–and the first deaf pilot in the nation.
This lovely nonfiction picture book tells the true story of Nellie Zabel Willhite, who became the first licensed deaf pilot in the US. The world was far from accommodating when she was growing up as a deaf child in the early 1900s, but with a combination of her own persistence and the support of caring adults, she got an education and found a job. But when she finally took the flying lessons she had been dreaming of, her life took off. This story features an inspiring woman at its center, but it is also a great discussion-starter about intersectional identities and the various barriers that marginalized people throughout history have faced.
Anyone working on picture books (fiction, nonfiction, or both) should apply. Maybe you have an entire draft—or several!—and you’re not sure how to revise. Maybe you have an idea in your head, and you’re not sure how to get it on the page. Maybe you’re somewhere in the middle. Let’s work together to make your stories come to life!
How It Works:
After you get accepted, we’ll talk about where you are in your picture book writing process, and we’ll plan how to move forward. I will give you deadlines for your work. You’ll be turning in one picture book manuscript each month. It’s up to you whether you want to submit a new manuscript each month or turn in revised pages. I will read your pages and provide big-picture and line-level feedback, and then we will have a video chat to make sure you feel clear about what your next steps should be and discuss any concerns you may have.
During our 6 months together, I’ll be available to you via email to talk about your progress. I may also suggest readings or writing activities if that seems appropriate, and I’m happy to answer questions about my experience publishing books.
In bullet points, here’s what you’ll get:
An initial consult on the phone or on Zoom to discuss your specific needs
A calendar of deadlines
Monthly calls to discuss your work
My email address, which you can use as much as you want for 6 months
A final plan for how you’re going to move forward when the mentorship ends
Info on publishing books
“I’ve worked with a number of well-regarded editors over the years, but none as good as Kathy. She immediately got the vision for my book and guided me on issues big and small to bring that vision onto the page. Her feedback was insightful, precise, and practical. With her edits in hand, I had confidence that my manuscript and my query letter were ready to put out into the world. All that, and she’s a warm, encouraging, and positive person. We need more Kathy MacMillans in the world!” — William T., middle-grade author
Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Payment plans available.
Stories By Hand with Kathy MacMillan 