The Virtual Europolitan Pre-conference 2024

Deborah Halverson is the award-winning author of Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies and Writing New Adult Fiction, as well as numerous teen novels, books in a series for struggling readers, and a picture book. Formerly an editor at Harcourt Children's Books and now a freelance editor specializing in picture books and Young Adult/Middle Grade fiction and nonfiction, Deborah has been working with authors for twenty-eight years. She is also the founder of the popular writers’ advice site DearEditor.com and serves on the advisory board for the UC San Diego Extension “Children’s Book Writing and Illustrating” certificate program.

Anindita Basu Sempere is a longtime writing instructor and has taught creative writing at Olin College, the Université de Neuchâtel, and Boston University. She holds a PhD from the Université de Neuchâtel, where she studied place and poetics in twentieth-century American literature and has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and an MA in Poetry from Boston University’s Creative Writing Program. After living in Switzerland for over a decade — which sparked her obsession with place! — Anindita recently moved back to the United States.

Amy has been a children’s illustration agent with Bright Agency since 2018, having previously worked in foreign rights for a variety of UK publishers and literary agencies. She has a lifelong passion for children’s books and illustration, as well as an in-depth knowledge of international publishing markets. She takes care of Bright’s children’s publishing clients throughout Europe, Australia, and Asia, pitching artists, negotiating terms and managing projects, as well as signing and developing artists. Amy particularly loves authentic portrayals of childhood and expressive, character-driven artwork.

Devon Holzwarth was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in Panamá with the jungle as her backyard and her dad’s art supplies close at hand. Devon studied at the Rhode Island School of Design, with a focus on screen printing and large format painting. Following RISD, Devon founded a small business painting murals and creating fine art alongside interior designers for a number of years in the San Francisco Bay Area. After having two kids and moving to Germany, Devon began illustrating and writing picture books. Her debut book, Found You, with Alison Green Books, was shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize. Devon is a recipient of the 2023 Schneider Family Book Award for Listen, a picture book about percussionist Evelyn Glennie, as well as a Society of Illustrators gold medal winner for her author/illustrated book Sophie’s Stories. Devon and her family currently live in Aachen, Germany, along with their dogs, Raven and Rosie. Visit @devonholzwarth on Instagram for more of Devon’s work.

Amber Lough is the author of three YA novels, including Open Fire, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard. Amber’s stories explore themes of courage, resilience, and identity. Amber lives with her family in Germany, where she is working on a new adventure — writing Middle Grade!

Watch this space for the bios of our other industry professionals. We'll announce the rest of the facutly soon!