Karen Yin
Karen Yin is a peace-loving, riot-inciting middle child with one eyebrow permanently arched. Karen infuses her stories with an intersectional perspective. Her debut picture book, “Whole Whale” (Barefoot Books, 2021), is about making space for all.
Acclaim for her writing includes a Lambda Literary Fellowship, a grant from Table 4 Writers Foundation, and selection of her flash fiction by the Los Angeles Public Library for its permanent collection and Short Story Portal.
After Karen founded Conscious Style Guide and The Conscious Language Newsletter to spread mindful language, she won the ACES Robinson Prize in 2017 for furthering the craft of professional editing. Conscious Style Guide was named by Poynter as one of the top tools for journalists in 2018 and is recommended by BuzzFeed, The Chicago Manual of Style, The Society of Professional Journalists, and NASA, among others. She also founded the Editors of Color Database and the Database of Diverse Databases.
Works

Whole Whale
One hundred unusual animals try to squeeze into the pages of this raucous rhyming tale. But will there be room to fit a whole blue whale? The humorous ending features an expansive double gatefold and educational endnotes list the 100 animals in the book.
Awards and Recognition
- • New Voices in Nonfiction Grant for the SCBWI/Smithsonian Institution Nonfiction Workshop (2020) | SCBWI • Selection of flash fiction for L.A. Public Library’s permanent collection and Short Story Portal • 12 x 12 Diversity Scholarship (2020) | 12 x 12 • Eight-Time Golden Ticket Winner (record holder) | The Craft and Business of Writing Children’s Picture Books (2019) | The Children’s Book Academy • Robinson Prize (2017) | ACES: The Society for Editing • Tending Space Fellowship (2017) | Hemera Foundation • Official Selection (2017) for "Friend Request" | Stockholm Independent Film Festival • Rafael Lopez and Pat Cummings Merit Scholarship (2016) | The Children’s Book Academy • Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices Fellowship (2015 and 2016) | Lambda Literary Foundation • $2,500 Writing Grant (2014) | Table 4 Writers Foundation • Flash Fiction Challenge (2014) | first runner-up | NYC Midnight • Best Comedy for Wait for It (2013) | semifinalist | Screenplay Festival