The Barriers and The Breakthroughs
by Costantia Manoli
My first real breakthrough as a writer of picture books came in 2019 when I found out that I was a recipient of the 12 x 12 Diversity Scholarship, and let me tell you, no one was more surprised—or delighted—than I was to hear this news!
I had first become aware of the 12 x 12 Diversity Scholarship a year earlier, however, I wasn’t even sure if I was eligible for it as a diverse person. You see, finding a place for someone like me has never been easy; I’m too anglicized to be Cypriot, too Cypriot to be Anglo, I’m too olive to be white and too white to be a person of colour. I write in the language of the coloniser which is problematic in itself and this immediately closes doors for me in Cyprus where I live. The industry here is so tiny it’s practically non-existent and any industry there is here focuses on writing in Greek. With my hybridized identity, I just don’t seem to fit most categories anywhere. A lot of the time it feels like it’s just me—alone—bumping up against eligibility criteria and always coming up short.
The 12 x 12 Diversity Scholarship was different. I read and re-read the guidelines, checking, double-checking, triple-checking to make sure that I really did fulfill the eligibility criteria. I did! I fit! I sent in an application and crossed my fingers, toes and all other crossables hoping, but not really believing, I may have found a place for myself.
When the results were announced that year, and I found out that hadn’t been successful in my application, I was, of course, a little disappointed. However, as any writer worth their salt could tell you, rejection is all part of the process; hope and resilience are key, but expectations—not so much!
What came next though, was a wonderful surprise—I got an email from Kelli at 12 x 12 offering me sort of a ‘runner up’ prize of a silver membership. Would I accept it? The answer was: YES! Yes, of course I would! Amazing! I didn’t get the scholarship itself, but I got close enough to be rewarded a ‘runner-up’ prize! This actually turned out to be the perfect thing for me at the perfect time. It showed me 1. that I was heading in the right direction with my writing and, 2. perhaps even more importantly, that my identity as a diverse writer was valid and valued. The effect of this was transformative. My writing started to change as I felt that perhaps there really was a space for a voice like mine and perhaps my stories exploring identity, culture, traditions, history and feeling different really were worth telling; I discovered my voice. This was the first writer’s door to crack open for me and you can be sure that I wedged my foot in there firmly!
During that next year I wrote and wrote and revised and revised, all the time discovering more about how to write picture books and how to be true to my new-found voice. When applications opened in 2018 for the 2019 scholarships, I was ready. Fuelled by hope (not expectation!), I applied again with a manuscript that seemed to just flow out of me after watching a 12 x 12 webinar (I had to work hard on it of course, but it did come out as a whole story all in one go).
Everything seemed to align. My June submission to the Gold agent of the month resulted in an offer of representation. The book deal came soon after and the rest, as they say, is history!
My debut picture book Tomatoes in My Lunchbox, illustrated by the rather brilliant Magdalena Mora, was released in June 2022 and honestly it’s been a dream debut for me. The book received starred reviews from Kirkus, SLJ and Publishers Weekly, it was a Kirkus Best Book 2022 – Most Empowering, a Bookstagang Best Book 2022 – Future Classic and was nominated for an Ezra Jack Keats Writer Award 2023. It is currently on the SSYRA List for 2023-2024 and earlier this year I won the inaugural SCBWI Stephen Fraser Encouragement Award! It is not an exaggeration to say that the 12 x 12 Diversity Scholarship was the door that opened to make all this possible.
It hasn’t all been plain sailing. A writer’s life and the publishing industry just doesn’t work like that. (Getting the second book down—THAT was tough! It’s coming though. The Fig Tree releases in 2025). But the lows make the highs all the more sweet and when you’re part of a community like 12 x 12 with the abundance of support and experience available, you know that there is always someone—at any time of day or night (those time zones can be a real pain!)—that will buoy you up when you need it or join you in your commiseration. 12 x 12 is a place that fits all.
It really is quite special.
Are YOU our next scholarship winner? Scholarship applications for our 2024 12 x 12 Challenge are open through November 30, 2023. Find out if you qualify and apply here: 12 x 12 Scholarships
Award-winning author Costantia Manoli was born in the UK to Cypriot parents and spent the picture book period of her life in London. Her middle grade and young adult years were spent in Cyprus and then the USA and then back round again. She now lives amid almond and olive trees on the outskirts of a hot, dusty Cypriot village with her family and dogs. Manoli’s debut picture book Tomatoes in My Lunchbox (Roaring Brook/Macmillan) was released to critical acclaim in 2022, her next book, The Fig Tree (Roaring Brook/Macmillan) will be released in 2025.
Costantia Manoli is offering one lucky 12 x 12 member a copy to Tomatoes in My Lunch at the November check-in! Give thanks for a new draft today!
12 x 12 may earn a commission from books purchased through the links in the post. Proceeds go to fund 12 x 12 diversity programming and scholarships.
63 Responses
I’m so happy for you, Manoli! Wishing you continued success.
Congratulations on your success thus far!
What a marvelous journey..from not fitting in to being published. Congratulations.
What an amazing and inspiring success story! I am so happy you are writing and getting your stories out into the world!
Congratulations! It’s wonderful to hear how you found your way.
I’m very happy for you. Thank you for sharing, Costantia. Congratulations!
Thank you for sharing your story. The cover of Tomatoes in My Lunchbox is so inviting. I’m thrilled you discovered your voice.
Thank you, Constantia, for sharing your story and giving writers hope. I love your line, “The lows make the highs all the more sweet”. I look forward to reading both of your both. Best wishes for continued success.
Congratulations! I look forward to reading both your books and hopefully many more to come!
Very inspiring and congratulations! Wishing you continued success.
Thank you for the inspiration and congratulations to you!
A warm and inspiring story Constantina. Congratulations on persisting with your goal and the beautiful result Tomatoes in My Lunchbox. I’m looking forward to reading The Fig Tree when it’s published. You are an inspiration.
What a wonderful story of hope and persistence! Congratulations!
What a heartwarming story of diligence, persistence, and faith in yourself and your stories. Congrats on both books, with wishes for many more to follow!
What a great story! Congrats on all your success!
Costantia, I loved reading about your journey! Thank you for sharing it with us–congrats on your debut (which looks fantastic! I will track down a copy immediately) and also on your upcoming book–and books to come!
What a wonderful journey. Congratulations on the publication of your books.
What a beautiful story! Congratulations on your breakthroughs!
Your personal story of how you achieved publication of your first picture book is so very engaging. Of all the adjustments children have to make, feeling like they don’t fit in has got to be one of the hardest. Wonderful that “Tomatoes in My Lunchbox” speaks to this. I look forward to reading “The Fig Tree,” too. Congratulations! And now I need to go online to learn more about Cyprus.
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so glad you felt (and hopefully still feel) valued and validated!
Constantia, what sounds like a whirlwind of success is actually the reward for your faith in your ability and your diligence to your craft. Well done!
Dear Costantia,
So happy for your experience in 12X12. Keep on writing!
Can’t wait to read your book. So many children can identify themselves with your character. Thank you for your sensitivity.
Costantia, I enjoyed reading about your hard work and patience and I love TOMATOES IN MY LUNCHBOX!
What a wonderful story and a reminder that we each have a story to tell. Yours is beautiful. Congratulations on your second book!
Congratulations on your success. Thanks for sharing.
So glad to read about your meteoric accomplishments! Thanks for posting.
Thank you for sharing your journey and congrats on both of the books! Here’s to many more.
Thank you for sharing you journey and wishing you continued success!
Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey and congratulations!
Based on the couple of pages you post, you eloquently show the pain a child feels when they don’t fit the norms of a society. Congratulations on publishing two books…so far!
Thank you for sharing your story. Congratulations on your picture book!
I’ve just caught up with all these comments! Thank you so much for your kindness everyone – kidlit people are the BEST! 😘
What a great journey. Thank you for sharing it and I look forward to reading your books.
Congratulations!!! Living among almond and olive trees sounds fun! 🙂
Thank-you for sharing your writing journey and for your debut book which sounds delicious. Can’t wait to read it! Congratulations!
Awe. So happy for you and your success!
Great story of perseverance Constantia! I enjoyed your book talk about your debut as wel!
Believing in yourself, persistence, and grounding yourself–a trifecta! Congrats, Costantia!
Congratulations! Your story to publication gives me hope. Thanks for sharing.
It is so lovely to hear a story about finding one’s place in the writing community. Congratulations, Costantia! I look forward to reading your book.
Blessings on this success and congratulations!
Congratulations! I look forward to reading both your books! Thanks for a beautiful post.
Congratulations! Sounds like the start of a great career!
These books look lovely! Congratulations!
Thanks for the inspirational post. (And I love books about my favorite foods!)
Thank you for sharing your journey! Congratulations on your success so far!!!!
Wow, your story is so interesting, particularly around your identity. My 4 yr old is being raised in a bicultural family and I often wonder how that will influence her identity later on. Can’t wait to check out your books!
Congratulations! Hard work and lucky breaks–a successful recipe! God bless your next book release!
This was so inspirational! I am excited for you and encouraged too – thinking about jamming my foot firmly in any door that cracks open!
Wow, this post was so inspiring!! I’m so happy for all of your success!! Excited to follow you and your journey!!
As a fellow diversity scholarship recipient, high-five! I’ve read TOMATOES IN MY LUNCHBOX and loved it! I look forward to reading THE FIG TREE!
Thank you for sharing this inspirational post, Constantia. And congratulations on your picture books and I wish you more success along the way.
I’m so happy you first won the runner-up prize! Look where it has brought you! So exciting! Congratulations and best wishes on your future picture book journey!
Soooo cute! Thank you for sharing.
Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished! This post was so heartening because I just applied for the diversity scholarship myself. Like you, in a different capacity, I wasn’t sure if I fit the guidelines so I read, reread, and studied the eligibility requirements. All my crossables crossed that I win a scholarship!
Amazing! Congratulations – your book looks so lovely. Your writing here has given me renewed hope in my own journey. So happy for you!
Congratulations, Costantia! Thank you for sharing your publishing journey and how you found your place!
Costantia – Congratulations on getting the scholarship !! Way to hang in there. Also congratulations on your books !!
Costantia, Congratulations on your scholarship award and publishing success! Lovely post!
Congratulations, Costantia! You deserve it all and more. Can’t wait to read this and any future projects!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful journey. I can’t wait to see where it takes you next!
What an amazing story! Congratulations to you, Costantia!
Such a great story and I’m so glad you found your place to fit! It’s encouraging to me as a newbie writer. And I can’t wait to read Tomatoes in My Lunchbox.