Sonya Afnan
@sonyaafnan.bsky.social
Writer | illustrator | Iraqi-Chaldean † | SCBWI
Rep: Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Lit Agency
www.sonyaafnan.com/portfolio
Rep: Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Lit Agency
www.sonyaafnan.com/portfolio
Got extra Halloween costumes lying around? Help a turkey hide this Thanksgiving 🦃 👀
#thanksgiving #kidlitart #halloween #turkeyindisguise
#thanksgiving #kidlitart #halloween #turkeyindisguise
November 17, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Got extra Halloween costumes lying around? Help a turkey hide this Thanksgiving 🦃 👀
#thanksgiving #kidlitart #halloween #turkeyindisguise
#thanksgiving #kidlitart #halloween #turkeyindisguise
November 4, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Inspired by an @scbwi_nohio conference session with Kelly Pelsue on drawing vehicles with meaning, here’s an illustration from one of my favorite core memories— my dad’s old “mator”. #kidlitart #ownvoices #diversevoices
October 16, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Inspired by an @scbwi_nohio conference session with Kelly Pelsue on drawing vehicles with meaning, here’s an illustration from one of my favorite core memories— my dad’s old “mator”. #kidlitart #ownvoices #diversevoices
Had such a wonderful weekend at the SCBWI Ohio North Conference! I connected with so many amazing authors and illustrators, learned from inspiring editors and agents, and came home creatively recharged. @scbwi-ohionorth.bsky.social
October 4, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Had such a wonderful weekend at the SCBWI Ohio North Conference! I connected with so many amazing authors and illustrators, learned from inspiring editors and agents, and came home creatively recharged. @scbwi-ohionorth.bsky.social
Note to witches: never leave your broom unattended on halloween night…
🎃 #KidLit #KidLitArt #Halloween
🎃 #KidLit #KidLitArt #Halloween
September 17, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Note to witches: never leave your broom unattended on halloween night…
🎃 #KidLit #KidLitArt #Halloween
🎃 #KidLit #KidLitArt #Halloween
Lots of fun lines and textures in my new upcoming artwork  so excited for this one! 😬 #KidLitArt 🎨
September 12, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Lots of fun lines and textures in my new upcoming artwork  so excited for this one! 😬 #KidLitArt 🎨
Leaving two war-torn countries meant letting go of almost everything—even the photos that held our story. Today my sister found this one of me in Syria before we came to America. 🥹 More than a photo, it’s a reminder of survival, new beginnings, and the life we carried in our hearts.
September 7, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Leaving two war-torn countries meant letting go of almost everything—even the photos that held our story. Today my sister found this one of me in Syria before we came to America. 🥹 More than a photo, it’s a reminder of survival, new beginnings, and the life we carried in our hearts.
Back at Costco! Where are my sweet potato lovers at? #revisionsnack
August 16, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Back at Costco! Where are my sweet potato lovers at? #revisionsnack
Road trip mode: packed, stacked, and ready to roll! 🎒🚗⛺️ #KidLitArt
August 1, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Road trip mode: packed, stacked, and ready to roll! 🎒🚗⛺️ #KidLitArt
Heading out on our annual camping trip this weekend. Remember to return those overdue library books 🤭
#ReturnYourBooks #LibraryLove #KidLit #PictureBookLove #AuthorsOfInstagram #IllustratorsOfInstagram #BooksForKids #ReadAloud #BookLovers #Storytime #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity
#ReturnYourBooks #LibraryLove #KidLit #PictureBookLove #AuthorsOfInstagram #IllustratorsOfInstagram #BooksForKids #ReadAloud #BookLovers #Storytime #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity
July 23, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Heading out on our annual camping trip this weekend. Remember to return those overdue library books 🤭
#ReturnYourBooks #LibraryLove #KidLit #PictureBookLove #AuthorsOfInstagram #IllustratorsOfInstagram #BooksForKids #ReadAloud #BookLovers #Storytime #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity
#ReturnYourBooks #LibraryLove #KidLit #PictureBookLove #AuthorsOfInstagram #IllustratorsOfInstagram #BooksForKids #ReadAloud #BookLovers #Storytime #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity
She missed the mermaid… maybe next time she’ll remember her goggles 👀
Follow me on instagram 🙃
#writingcommunity #kidlitart #authorillustrator
Follow me on instagram 🙃
#writingcommunity #kidlitart #authorillustrator
July 21, 2025 at 1:23 AM
She missed the mermaid… maybe next time she’ll remember her goggles 👀
Follow me on instagram 🙃
#writingcommunity #kidlitart #authorillustrator
Follow me on instagram 🙃
#writingcommunity #kidlitart #authorillustrator
Happy 4th, y’all!!! #writingcommmunity ✨
July 4, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Happy 4th, y’all!!! #writingcommmunity ✨
Big feelings & a small celebration.
My manuscript is officially being prepped for submission with my amazing agent
📚This gnome scene isn’t part of the story, but it holds its own gentle magic 💛
I just launched a #DTIYS challenge on Instagram — come join in! 🎨 #WritingCommunity
Artwork by me 🙂
My manuscript is officially being prepped for submission with my amazing agent
📚This gnome scene isn’t part of the story, but it holds its own gentle magic 💛
I just launched a #DTIYS challenge on Instagram — come join in! 🎨 #WritingCommunity
Artwork by me 🙂
June 29, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Big feelings & a small celebration.
My manuscript is officially being prepped for submission with my amazing agent
📚This gnome scene isn’t part of the story, but it holds its own gentle magic 💛
I just launched a #DTIYS challenge on Instagram — come join in! 🎨 #WritingCommunity
Artwork by me 🙂
My manuscript is officially being prepped for submission with my amazing agent
📚This gnome scene isn’t part of the story, but it holds its own gentle magic 💛
I just launched a #DTIYS challenge on Instagram — come join in! 🎨 #WritingCommunity
Artwork by me 🙂
Manuscript sent last night to my agent. Found a four-leaf clover today. Hard work, patience, and maybe a little luck.🍀 #amwriting #kidlit
May 30, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Manuscript sent last night to my agent. Found a four-leaf clover today. Hard work, patience, and maybe a little luck.🍀 #amwriting #kidlit
Coloring in the lines instead of just filling them brings me joy. It’s the little playful details that make illustration so fun. I’ve been quiet here but can’t wait to share the final pieces with my agent soon! #WIPWednesday #kidlit
May 1, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Coloring in the lines instead of just filling them brings me joy. It’s the little playful details that make illustration so fun. I’ve been quiet here but can’t wait to share the final pieces with my agent soon! #WIPWednesday #kidlit
A core memory glimpse, my siblings and I on our village rooftop, dreaming big under the stars. Babi gave up everything for our safety. I hope he can see us now. I'm just getting started, Babi. #WritingCommunity #kidlitart #immigrantstories @thejordache.bsky.social @awfulagent.bsky.social
April 22, 2025 at 6:17 PM
A core memory glimpse, my siblings and I on our village rooftop, dreaming big under the stars. Babi gave up everything for our safety. I hope he can see us now. I'm just getting started, Babi. #WritingCommunity #kidlitart #immigrantstories @thejordache.bsky.social @awfulagent.bsky.social
Getting some art ready before work gets too fun (ahem, serious) 😬
April 17, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Getting some art ready before work gets too fun (ahem, serious) 😬
I’m back on Instagram and would love to connect with more writers there! Excited to share behind-the-scenes moments, fun updates, and all the writing life things. #writingCommunity
April 16, 2025 at 9:01 PM
I’m back on Instagram and would love to connect with more writers there! Excited to share behind-the-scenes moments, fun updates, and all the writing life things. #writingCommunity
Years of rejections, a break to refocus, almost skipping #PBParty… and now, multiple requests from incredible agents and “The Call” moments?! Is this for real life?! Getting ready for my second call 🙏🏻
March 26, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Years of rejections, a break to refocus, almost skipping #PBParty… and now, multiple requests from incredible agents and “The Call” moments?! Is this for real life?! Getting ready for my second call 🙏🏻
First Zoom call happening shortly! Wish me luck, y’all! Huge thanks to everyone who sent me questions to ask and shared such helpful suggestions—I’ve got my list ready! Now, time to not panic 🫨
March 21, 2025 at 1:15 PM
First Zoom call happening shortly! Wish me luck, y’all! Huge thanks to everyone who sent me questions to ask and shared such helpful suggestions—I’ve got my list ready! Now, time to not panic 🫨
A real dream keeps you up at night, tugs at your heart, and won’t let go until you make it happen. 🍀 #sharpeningmypencil
March 21, 2025 at 2:33 AM
A real dream keeps you up at night, tugs at your heart, and won’t let go until you make it happen. 🍀 #sharpeningmypencil
Feedback isn’t meant to hurt—it’s meant to help you grow. Take it as fuel, not failure. Working on polishing a PB dummy. #WritingCommunity #illustrator
March 15, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Feedback isn’t meant to hurt—it’s meant to help you grow. Take it as fuel, not failure. Working on polishing a PB dummy. #WritingCommunity #illustrator
✨I’m a PBParty 2025 Finalist!✨
Huge thanks to the judges for this incredible opportunity! Congrats to all the other finalists!
To everyone who entered—keep going! Your stories matter, and this journey is just one step of many. Onward!
#PBParty #WritingCommunity
Huge thanks to the judges for this incredible opportunity! Congrats to all the other finalists!
To everyone who entered—keep going! Your stories matter, and this journey is just one step of many. Onward!
#PBParty #WritingCommunity
March 6, 2025 at 1:42 PM
✨I’m a PBParty 2025 Finalist!✨
Huge thanks to the judges for this incredible opportunity! Congrats to all the other finalists!
To everyone who entered—keep going! Your stories matter, and this journey is just one step of many. Onward!
#PBParty #WritingCommunity
Huge thanks to the judges for this incredible opportunity! Congrats to all the other finalists!
To everyone who entered—keep going! Your stories matter, and this journey is just one step of many. Onward!
#PBParty #WritingCommunity
Just turned 36 today! I’m an author-illustrator, a mom of two, and on the journey to find the perfect home for my stories. Recently parted ways with my agent on good terms and still cheer each other on. Excited to start querying again and share my unrepresented voice! #WritingCommunity
February 15, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Just turned 36 today! I’m an author-illustrator, a mom of two, and on the journey to find the perfect home for my stories. Recently parted ways with my agent on good terms and still cheer each other on. Excited to start querying again and share my unrepresented voice! #WritingCommunity