About Mina

Mina’s journey to becoming a writer was anything but straightforward. Originally drawn to architecture, her fascination with math, physics, and design often intersected with an equally strong love for words and storytelling. Though she enrolled in architecture school, her creative spirit ultimately led her to leave that path behind, embarking on a winding career that spanned various fields. Despite resisting the pull of fiction for some time, writing eventually proved irresistible. And once she fully embraced it, there was no turning back–writing was her true calling.

With unwavering dedication, Mina threw herself into her craft, tirelessly writing, revising, and discarding entire manuscripts in frustration. But she never gave up. Her persistence paid off when her debut novel, De wraak van Deedee (Deedee’s Revenge), was published in 2005 by Van Goor Children’s Books. This was followed by two more middle-grade novels, and later, a move to Ploegsma Children’s Books. There, Boreas en de zeven zeeën (Boreas and the Seven Seas) was released and selected as a focal title for the 2019 National Children’s Book Week, reaching schools, libraries, and bookstores across the Netherlands. The same book was later acquired by Noordhoff Publishers for an educational edition aimed at reluctant readers, placing it alongside Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo. The Boreas series continued to captivate readers, with sequels Boreas en de duizend eilanden (Boreas and the Thousand Islands), Boreas en de vier windstreken (Boreas and the Four Winds), and Boreas en de vijftien vrienden (Boreas and the Fifteen Friends) receiving widespread acclaim from teachers, librarians, and fans alike.

Mina’s writing spans a range of age groups, with each story offering an immersive adventure–both for the writer and the reader. Her work is know for its intensity, pulling readers deep into the lives of her characters. Her secret? She experiences everything her protagonists go through. Whether it’s tumbling down a waterfall in a kayak, navigating harsh mountain ranges or blistering deserts, sailing through a storm, or racing tractors–Mina has lived it all.

To refine her craft, Mina completed the four-year course Writing Fiction for Children at Script+ (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) and pursued a dual master Book Editing from the University of Amsterdam as a non-degree seeking student. She capped off her studies with a six-month internship at the prestigious Meulenhoff publishing house. Mina is also a certified teacher of Creative Writing, trained through DOCS, a program affiliated with the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.

Now based in Berkeley, California, Mina writes in both English and Dutch while working as a freelance editor. She teaches creative writing to both children and adults and she mentors aspiring and published writers. In addition to her writing, Mina co-directs the Dutch School of Silicon Valley, an after-school program offering Dutch language and cultural education for students ranging from toddlers to adults.

Mina has served in numerous prestigious roles within the literary community. She was the chairperson of the Section Children’s Books of the Dutch Authors Guild, and nominated children’s authors and illustrators for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. She was also the Coordinator Children’s and Young Adult Literature for the US of the Dutch Foundation for Literature., and served as the International Published Authors’ Coordinator for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, after previously holding the position of Regional Advisor for The Netherlands. She has been a member and judge of the EU Planning Committee for the Undiscovered Voices Contest of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators British Isles. Mina continues as a longtime jury member for the Young Authors Fiction Festival of the American Library in Paris.

Mina is also deeply involved in the Bay Area literary scene, serving on the Program Advisory Committee of the Bay Area Book Festival, where she was previously the Youth Program Director. Her commitment to empowering young people is reflected in her work with Cinnamongirl, an Oakland-based grassroots organization dedicated to supporting girls of color. As Director of Programming and Partnerships, Mina designed and launched the Write Your Story program, which culminated in the publication of I Am the Dream: Voices of a New Generation. Additionally, she created Cinnamongirl’s Entrepreneurgirl program, a six-months initiative aimed at developing entrepreneurial skills in young girls of color.
Mina’s work continues to inspire, educate, and empower through storytelling–whether on the page, in the classroom, or in the literary community.