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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Iranian-American life with intense parents means being afraid to shave your legs listening to Paula Abdul, parents crashing prom & hijab arguments. Can Shadi navigate family expectations, cultural contradictions & multiple worlds to discover what Iranian & American means? #DVpit #MENA #WOC #MEM

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

9-year-old Iranian American Zayda abhors structure at home. Rules kill her creativity. She must get her F up before Maman takes her out of play group where her Zayda-ness shines. #WOC #DVpit #MENA #CB

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This has been so helpful! Thank you to everyone who liked and shared feedback on my 2 pitches today! I am so grateful ❤️❤️❤️

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

You have been super helpful, thank you so much!

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

How could I clearly say they showed up at prom unexpectedly? Tracked me down? Crashed prom?

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

How about I write: parents chasing her to prom? Or if you suggest a clearer more concise version?

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Another version here: Iranian-American life with intense parents means being afraid to shave your legs listening to Paula Abdul, prom car chases & hijab arguments. Can Shadi navigate family expectations, cultural contradictions and multiple worlds to discover what Iranian and American means to her?

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Iranian-American life with intense parents means being afraid to shave your legs listening to Paula Abdul, prom car chases & hijab arguments. Can Shadi navigate family expectations, cultural contradictions and multiple worlds to discover what Iranian and American means to her? #preDV #MENA #WOC #MEM

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

What if I made the last sentence: Can Shadi navigate family expectations, chaotic cultural contradictions and multiple worlds to discover what Iranian American means to her? What do you all think?

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Any feedback on this one: 9-year-old Zayda, an Iranian American with BIG ideas, is told she is "too much." Her F in English where she abhors structure threatens her place in after-school play group perfect for her Zayda-ness. Can she learn that making room for others' gifts is a gift to herself too?

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I feel that too. I reposted again and welcome your thoughts!

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

9-year-old Iranian American Zayda abhors structure at home. Rules kill her creativity. She must get her F up before Maman takes her out of play group where her Zayda-ness shines and discovers the secret power of rules to boost creativity. #WOC #PreDV #MENA #CB

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Thank you! I reposted using your template! Would love your feedback!

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

9-year-old Iranian American Zayda abhors structure at home. Rules kill her creativity. She must get her F up before Maman takes her out of play group where her Zayda-ness shines, all while learning to play within play group's rules to rethink that rules can support creativity. #WOC #PreDV #MENA #CB

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Thank you so much! Would it be helpful if I changed the question in the end to something like: can she learn that structure doesn't have to kill her creativity and use that lesson to help bring her grade up?

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

How exciting! I messaged you on Instagram as well.

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Hello! So great to meet you! What project are you working on? I would love to support you! This is great feedback. I will rewrite one again tomorrow and would love your feedback again!

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Hello, I'm not sure if I didn't get feedback on my pitches today because I was counted as a volunteer. I am unagented and shared 2 pitches today. I would love feedback! I will try again tomorrow!

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

SO happy and grateful to participate! I want to be clear that although I have a debut picture book coming, I am unagented and would LOVE feedback on my 2 pitches! #preDV #dvPit

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Iranian-American life with Shadi's intense parents means being afraid to shave her legs while listening to Paula Abdul, prom car chases, and hearing hijab arguments. Shadi stops letting either culture define her and finds what being Iranian and American means on her own terms. #preDV #MEM #WOC #MENA

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

9-year-old Iranian American Zayda abhors structure because it kills her creativity. An F in English is the norm until she finds an after-school play group where the rules help the play work. Can she can bring up her grade while learning how shared creativity can add to her own? #preDV #WOC #MENA #CB

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

9-year-old Zayda, an Iranian American with BIG ideas, is told she is "too much." Her F in English where she abhors structure threatens her place in after-school play group perfect for her Zayda-ness. Can she learn that making room for others' gifts is a gift to herself too? #preDV #CB #MENA #WOC

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

PEANUT BUTTER AND JAHAN Coming April 2027, Lantana Publishing shadikafi.com Instagram: @shadikafi YouTube: Publishing Diary

shadikafi.com

Shadi Kafi

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Reposted by Shadi Kafi, Author

Kat Cho @katchowrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Basic elements of a pitch: – Concept/World – Character Arc – Conflict/inciting incident. Do NOT try to include everything about your story in your pitch. There’s no way you can tell all elements of your story in a 300 character pitch. You can make 1 pitch for each bullet point. #DVPit (2/7)

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Reposted by Shadi Kafi, Author

Kat Cho @katchowrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

My best advice is SPECIFICITY When I critique pitches I often ask for specifics “She’s a monster” is vague “She’s a 9-tailed fox” is specific Show why your story is unique even if it's based on standard tropes Making your story stand out among the crowd is the key to a successful pitch #DVPit (3/7)

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Reposted by Shadi Kafi, Author

Kat Cho @katchowrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Additional things you can add (optional): – Comps (for plot, genre, character, world-building. Do NOT force comps) – A Hook. e.g. “A dystopian nation forces its children to fight to the death in an annual televised game” – Inspo if it’s unique/recognizable e.g. “inspired by Korean-Myth” #DVPit (4/7)

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Reposted by Shadi Kafi, Author

Kat Cho @katchowrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

The three big elements of a pitch are Plot, Character Arc, and World Building. But if you can’t fit all 3, try making a pitch for each. #DVPit (5/7) Plot pitch ex. Hunger Games: “A teen girl is forced into a televised game that makes 24 kids fight to the death for sport. Only 1 can survive.”

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Reposted by Shadi Kafi, Author

Kat Cho @katchowrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

The three big elements of a pitch are Plot, Character Arc, and World Building #DVPit (6/7) Character Arc pitch ex. Hunger Games: “Katniss will do anything to save her little sister, including taking her place in the deadly Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death.”

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Reposted by Shadi Kafi, Author

Kat Cho @katchowrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

The three big elements of a pitch are Plot, Character Arc, and World Building #DVPit (7/7) World Inspiration pitch ex. Hunger Games: “Panem is all that’s left of North America. The capital keeps the 12 districts in line by demanding 2 teen tributes each year to fight to the death for sport.”

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Shadi Kafi, Author @shadikafi.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

I missed #DVPIT yesterday (sigh), super busy at work to help get the 1000+ community members in and around our high school excited about the greatest Halloween event ever (I help organize each year)! Will keep refining my new early chapter book and be ready for the next one!!!!

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Reposted by Shadi Kafi, Author

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

DVpit is officially coming back on October 8th, 2025 and we have over 50 agents and editors excited to participate. Follow this account for all announcements and check out dvpit.carrd.co for more details and information! #dvpit #writersky #booksky #weneeddiversebooks

Mark Your Calendars #DVpit is returning October 8, 2025. The original pitch event for creators from marginalized communities. Now on Bluesky! Follow us at @dvpit.bsky.social for more updates

Agents and Editors participating in DVpit 2025 on Bluesky. Here is an initial list of some of the participating agents and editors

Gallt & Zacker:
Marietta Zacker
Beth Phelan
Linda Camacho
Erin Casey Westin
Sandra Proudman
Saribel Pages
Andrea Brown Literary:
Kelly Sonnack
Jemiscoe Chambers-Black
Jennifer March Soloway
Saritza Hernández
Analía Cabello
Paige Terlip
Azantian Literary:
Shelly Romero
Carey Blankenship-Kramer
Dystel, Goderich & Bourret:
Michaela Whatnall
Folio Literary:
John Cusick
Gelfman Schneider:
Penelope Burns
HG Literary:
Wendi Gu
Jill Grinberg Literary:
Katelyn Detweiler
Mad Woman Literary:
Alex Brown
Danielle Burby
Chelsea Hensley
Neighborhood Literary:
Eric Smith
Rebecca Podos
New Leaf:
Jo Volpe
Suzie Townsend
Sophia M. Ramos
Trinica Sampson-Vera
Jordan Hill
Page Street Publishing
Tamara Grasty
Park, Fine & Brower:
Pete Knapp
Stuti Telidevara
Root Literary:
Melanie Figueroa
Samantha Fabien
Simon & Schuster:
Rebecca Kuss
Sourcebooks:
Mikaela Luke
Triada US:
Brent Taylor
Uwe Stender
Ashley Reisinger
Moe Ferrara
Writers House:
Alexandra Levick
Andrea Morrison

Follow us at #dvpit.bsky.social for more updates!

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