Laney Nielson

By Samantha Clark of Austin SCBWI

Congratulations to Laney Nielson, who won a year’s mentorship with the inaugural Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award, at the Austin SCBWI 2014 Writers & Illustrators Working Conference last month.

Laney was one of eight nominees chosen by the conference’s critiquing faculty for their high-level writing. She wins a year’s mentorship, this year with Cynthia herself.

“Laney’s manuscript, ‘Shattered,’ was chosen as the winner due to its charm, humor, and kid appeal,” said Cynthia. “The quality of finalists’ writing, obvious potential, and wide variety of their works made for a difficult decision.”

Laney Nielson is a writer who lives in Plano, Texas. A former upper elementary school teacher, Laney has taught in both suburban Virginia and inner city Boston. She has her Masters in Education.

Laney is a member of a critique group formed through the North Texas Chapter of SCBWI. She has attended the Highlights Foundation Whole Novel Workshop and many regional events, including the Austin SCBWI conference for the past three years.

Cynsational Notes

At the Illumine Award Banquet

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the New York Times and Publishers Weekly best-selling author the Feral series and the Tantalize series (Candlewick).

Cynthia is also the author of several children’s books, including Jingle Dancer, Rain Is Not My Indian Name and Indian Shoes (HarperCollins).

Cynthia was named a Writer of the Year by Wordcraft Circle of Native
Writers and Storytellers in recognition of Rain is Not My Indian Name. She has been twice featured at the National Book Festival.