Meet Gabriela Orozco Belt | Children’s Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabriela Orozco Belt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabriela, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Growing up, I was an avid reader. I loved books and would read whatever I could get my hands on. In elementary school, I would actually get in trouble for reading when I wasn’t supposed to be and would try to hide my books under my desk and behind my textbooks. I never really thought about writing my own until I was almost 40! I would tell my youngest daughter bedtime stories and one day she asked me if I could write her favorite one down so she could read it whenever she wanted to. I started with that story and soon added more, working on my craft, and learning everything about publishing I could find.

In August 2020, I received an email from an agent to set up “The Call” and it came at the best time. I had just dropped off my freshman son at college and was happy for the distraction. During the call, I knew that I wanted to work with the agent and happily accepted an offer of representation. We went out on submission that fall but it was met with several passes.
After the beginning of the year, we went out on submission with a different manuscript and received several offers! The manuscript went to auction and sold in a two-book deal.

Only for a Little While, illustrated by Richy Sánchez Ayala, was published by Balzer + Bray on June 27, 2023. It also had a simultaneous Spanish release, Por un ratito translated by Alejandra Oliva.

Only For a Little While, a bilingual picture book in which Maribel and her family must move in with her aunt and cousins, por un ratito—for a little while—and observe and appreciate all the differences that come with living in a new place. A heartwarming story about family and change—and how love is always the constant.

I Am, Yo Soy, illustrated by Mirelle Ortega, releases on March 25, 2025 with HarperCollins.

With lyrical text in English and Spanish, this vibrant picture book is a celebration of Hispanic American identity—showcasing the beauty of being part of two cultures. Honoring all the big and small ways that embracing both heritages are the key to being exactly who you’re meant to be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey has some high points: finding an agent, going to auction, winning several awards on my debut book, but it had several low points: rejection after rejection and imposter’s syndrome. Receiving my first rejections was difficult and I set in place a 24 hour rule. I could be sad/angry/upset for 24 hours and then had to brush it off and try again. After awhile, with several rejections those 24 hours would become days and I decided I couldn’t let it get me down that long. I wanted to show my kids that rejection was a part of life and how to focus on the what comes next part. If I gave up at any point during my journey, I was showing them to give up on their dreams if it didn’t go their way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The first stop we would have to make would be Porto’s for food. The meat pies and refugiados (guava and cheese strudel) are my favorite! Then we would check out a few of the great independent bookstores in the area like Casita Bookstore in Long Beach.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, kids, and extended family deserve more than a little credit. I would never have believed in myself if they hadn’t believed in me first. Many thanks to my critique partners and Las Musas, a Latine collective supporting writers. The writing community is filled with so many helpful, encouraging, and uplifting people.

Website: www/gabrielabelt.com

Instagram: @thegreatgabsie

Image Credits
violet phillips