The Storytellers Foundation
Jackie Garcia-Morales & Theresa Maria Villarreal
The Storytellers Foundation helps writers navigate publishing through industry conversations, educational programs, community, and Storyrise, our writing and community app for authors.
A writing app from The Storytellers Foundation
Give your story a beginning.
Plan scenes, organize ideas, draft your manuscript, and build toward publishing—all in one welcoming workspace.
No account needed.
Everything your story needs
Move from your first idea toward a finished manuscript with clarity and confidence.
- Plan scenes and organize ideas
- Draft your manuscript
- Build toward publishing
A calmer, clearer place to keep your story moving.
Our Mission
The Storytellers Foundation is home to The Big Bang Notable Book List and The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, whose 2025 debut season earned us the honors of being ranked by MillionPodcasts as one of the best podcasts for children’s literature, a top listened to new podcast of the year by Spotify, and in the top 100 in our category.
We are champions of children’s literature from board books through young adult! Join us, hosts Jackie Garcia-Morales and Theresa Maria Villarreal, as we:
- explore the art of storytelling and how to write well,
- demystify publishing for creatives and aspiring professionals; and
- guide our listeners through the ever-evolving literary landscape.
We’ve had the pleasure of speaking with guests who have big names and larger hearts like Lois Lowry, Kwame Mbalia, Eric Litwin, Max Beaudry, Mary Kole, and more.
We welcome emerging and established authors, illustrators, publishing career hopefuls, and avid readers who are curating their book hoard as educators, caregivers, and good, old-fashioned bookworms.
Tune in, learn, and become part of our story.
Send partnership/PR, advertising, and media pitch inquiries to our email.
Summit Series
The Storytellers Summit Series, established in January 2026, brings authors and illustrators together to hear from experts to broaden their success toolkits as creatives.
Educational Library
Our publishing education is created from the generous guest speakers at our summits, providing concrete resources for authors to replay on demand.
Podcast
The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, ranked in the top 100 kidlit podcasts, features conversations with publishing professionals and creatives to demystify publishing.
Book Awards
The Big Bang Notable Book List highlights remarkable books created for young audiences and celebrates the creators whose work helps shape the future of children’s literature.
Co-Directors & Hosts
Jackie Garcia-Morales
Jackie is a proud Puerto Rican and neurodiverse woman raised in New Jersey. She holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from Drexel University, as well as a Digital Marketing Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania and a Certificate of Women’s Entrepreneurship from the Bank of America’s sponsored program via Cornell University.
In 2023, she made the leap from medical school to publishing with work at Penguin Random House, Baker and Taylor, and Writers House. Currently, Jackie is the Public Relations Director at a boutique children’s publishing house, a literary agent at Storm Literary Agency (MSWL), and the Editor for the Journal of the American Herbalists Guild, a nonprofit academic publication. She serves as the NJ State Ambassador for the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) and a member of the USBBY Outstanding International Books Committee. In her free time, she is a freelance reviewer for Kirkus Indie and Publishers Weekly. She is the founder of the Catalyst Creators Scholarship & Fund, a scholarship that supports authors writing picture book manuscripts featuring underrepresented voices and Feathered Stag Press, a BIPOC poetry project.
As an author, she is represented by Analía Cabello at Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Her debut middle grade novel Pesky Roots/Raíces fastidiosas will publish on October 31, 2026, with Arte Público Press.
Theresa Maria Villarreal
Theresa Maria Villarreal is a Texas-based author, entrepreneur, co-director of The Storytellers Foundation, co-creator of Storyrise, and producer and co-host of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast.
A Catholic Christian author, Theresa writes stories that invite young readers into worlds of wonder, courage, and faith. She is the Christlit Book Award-winning author of the Adventures in Oculus middle grade portal fantasy series. She also writes picture books and Christian devotionals that inspire children and families to grow in faith through story. She is represented by Syrone Harvey of Belcastro Agency for another series.
Theresa earned her Marketing degree from the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business and completed the Bank of America-sponsored entrepreneurship program through Cornell Online. She supports fellow authors through book reviews on her author website, her YouTube channel, Literary Ladle, and conversations about writing and publishing. She has also served as a judge for the Aurora Realm Awards and volunteers in social media marketing for SCBWI Houston.
A homeschooling mom of two, Theresa draws inspiration from her family, her faith, and the beauty of everyday life. Through her work, she hopes to create stories filled with heart, adventure, and hope that stay with readers long after the final page.
Our 2026 Voices
Catherine Laudone
Tyiana Combs
Esther Hernandez
Carl Lennertz
Jason Low
Meg Medina
Kate Fletcher
CANDLEWICK PRESS
Philip C. Stead
Pat Zietlow Miller
Megan McDonald
Tom Angleberger
Rachael Welsh
Derek Amarillas
Meet Our Original Guests
Kwame Mbalia
Kwame is a husband, father, scientist, and publisher of Freedom Fire — an imprint from Disney-Hyperion featuring stories of Black resilience and joy. His debut middle grade novel, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, was awarded a Coretta Scott King Author Honor.
Lois Lowry
Lois Lowry is a renowned American author known for children’s and young adult literature, particularly for her thought-provoking themes in The Giver and historical fiction Number the Stars. She is known for winning the prestigious Newbery Medal twice, in 1990 and 1994, for her work.
Max Beaudry
Max is an Emmy Award-winning writer and producer of TV, film, and books. He has developed projects for Disney, Nickelodeon, Netflix, DreamWorks, Imagine Entertainment, and more. His graphic novel Aw, Nuts! debuted with Papercutz in 2025.
Testimonials
“If you’re on the path to publishing or marketing a book, I highly recommend tuning in – each episode is packed with valuable insights to help guide you along the way.”
LINDA RADKE, Publisher & CEO of Story Monsters, LLC
“I felt as if we could talk for another hour! Their love for middle-grade shines through — and also their love for bringing dynamic, rich stories to young readers.”
DONNA GALANTI, Middle Grade Author & Publisher at Wild Trail Press
“Jackie and Theresa are thoughtful, well-prepared hosts who create a welcoming space that makes it easy to open up about the realities of publishing. Their passion for stories and commitment to empowering creators is clear, and if you’re an aspiring author or industry professional, the Storyteller Shelf Podcast belongs in your rotation!”
ELIZABETH COPPS, Co-Founder of Confluence Literary Agency
“They’ve built a beautiful platform for sharing meaningful stories and celebrating a vibrant, diverse world of children’s literature, along with the unique backgrounds of its authors and artists.”
