Children’s Literature-Focused Bio
Alisha Gabriel is an award-winning children’s book author and experienced teacher who loves speaking at schools and libraries! Her middle grade book Funky Fungi: 30 Activities for Exploring Molds, Mushrooms, Lichens, and More won the 2023 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Book Prize for Excellence in Science Books. She’s eagerly awaiting the publication of her debut picture book, Fungi are…More Than Mushrooms in March 2025. With twenty-seven years of teaching under her belt, Alisha provides hands-on presentations for schools, libraries, homeschool groups, and museums. When she’s not teaching, you might find Alisha curled up on the couch with a book, fiddling around in her craft room, or chasing ideas down rabbit holes. Learn more at her website, www.alishagabriel.com and follow her on Instagram at @alisha_c_gabriel, on Blue Sky @alishagabriel.bsky.social, or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alishagabrielauthor.
Education-Focused Bio
Alisha Gabriel is a music educator with twenty-seven years of experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s of Music from Texas State University. Alisha is a National Board Certified Teacher who holds Kodaly Certification and has completed all three levels of Orff-Schulwerk. She is an elementary music teacher in Round Rock ISD and an adjunct professor at Southwestern University. Learn more at her website, www.alishagabriel.com and follow her on Instagram at @alisha_c_gabriel, on Blue Sky @alishagabriel.bsky.social, or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alishagabrielauthor.
Q & A
How did you come to write two very different children’s books about fungi?
Good question. It all started over ten years ago when I saw a photo of an unusual-looking mushroom. The next thing I knew, I was checking out library books and scouring my garden for bird’s nest fungi. (Yes, I found some!) At the time, I was taking a class about writing for children, so I wrote an early reader manuscript about fungi. Unfortunately, the manuscript didn’t sing, so I turned my attention to other projects. I wrote and published five books for the school and library market, but couldn’t let go of the fungi idea.
Then I saw a middle grade nonfiction book from the Young Naturalists series published by Chicago Review Press. This series already had books on several topics including plants, insects, mammals, amphibians, and more. But none about fungi. Maybe I could write it? It seemed like a great opportunity to fill a need, but since I work full-time, the project was too big for me to complete on my own. I reached out to my critique partner, Sue Heavenrich, and asked her to co-author the book. She agreed, so we sent an email query to the editor at Chicago Review Press. He immediately asked for a proposal. When we sent it in a month later, he loved it and made an offer of publication.
Then we did the hard part and wrote the rest of the book. It took a year of researching and writing and another for the publishing company to do their part. Funky Fungi: 30 Activities for Exploring Molds, Mushrooms, Lichens, and More was published in June 2022 and went on to win the 2023 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books!
The book turned out great and I was proud of it, but it was a far cry from my original book idea. It was too advanced for younger readers, so I began wondering how to explain fungi to younger audiences in presentations or school visits. That’s when the idea for Fungi are…More Than Mushrooms popped into my head. It took only a week to lock down the first layer of the book, whereas most of my other projects take much longer.
Why do you think this book was easier to write?
Honestly, I think this book spilled out onto the page more quickly because I was already immersed in the world of fungi through my research for Funky Fungi. Usually when I’m interested in a writing topic, I start with some basic knowledge and then spend hours upon hours reading and researching before any writing takes place. This time, the topic was the same, but the approach was vastly different.
Are there any other projects you’re excited about right now?
Yes, there are several manuscripts in the works! I have another nonfiction picture book under contract, but the deal hasn’t been announced yet, so I’ll keep that one a secret for now. There are a few others that I’ll be sending out on submission soon, both expository and narrative style nonfiction picture books.
Wait, are you represented by an agent? How are you getting published?
No, I don’t currently have an agent, but I’m actively seeking representation. I’m a member of SCBWI and Author’s Guild and regularly attend webinars and conferences to continue growing my craft. So far, every contract offer I’ve received has come from an unsolicited submission. Getting published without an agent takes perseverance and sending the right manuscript to the right editor at the right time. It’s challenging, but not impossible.
Quick Links
agabrielmusic@gmail.com
Facebook: alishagabrielauthor
Instagram: @alisha_c_gabriel
Bluesky: @alishagabriel.bsky.social
Author Photos
Contact me: agabrielmusic (at) gmail (dot) com