Nikki Shannon Smith is an educator, presenter, and the award-winning author of nearly 30 published and forthcoming children’s books, ranging from board books to young adult novels. Her recent titles include LETTERS TO MISTY: HOW TO MOVE THROUGH LIFE WITH CONFIDENCE AND GRACE, co-written with Misty Copeland, and IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, part of her Brown Baby Parade series. Nikki’s middle grade novel, STRANDED, is a 2025-26 nominee for both the Georgia Children’s Book Award and the Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award. Her upcoming titles include DEEP SECRETS: A TITANIC NOVEL (Scholastic) and PRINCE (A Little Golden Book Biography). Nikki’s writing is informed not only by her research, but by her childlike curiosity, a love of words, and thirty years of elementary school teaching. Learn more about Nikki at https://nikkishannonsmith.com/home-page.
“Nikki was amazing! I learned so much about picture book writing from her. She kept the work interesting and read mentor texts that help to connect the dots.”
“Loved Nikki elaborating on so many affirming points: no need for history clarification; reading like a writer – I would love a course on how to build this skill more; speaking to the space for non conventional storytelling… And warm gratitude.”
“Nikki’s wonderful big questions gave space for me to question my own writing and be in relationship with my own creativity. Affirming spaces are wonderful for creative abundance!”
