Friend Friday

It was such a joy and so inspiring to chat with Janet Fox last Thursday (August 19) on my Write Space with Kirby Larson and Friends program, still viewable over on IGTV. One of the things I admire about Janet’s newest novel, Carry Me Home, is that it tackles an important societal topic (homelessness) without… Read more »

Friend Friday

Sometimes you just got to go for it! And that’s what I did when I summoned my courage to email a literary hero of mine, Lynne Rae Perkins to invite her to be a guest on Friend Friday. Her novel, Criss Cross, changed my thinking about what novels can be AND contains one of my… Read more »

Friend Friday

I first met Michaela MacColl through her writing; I believe it was Always Emily. I have since had the pleasure of meeting her in person and while we talked historical fiction, I had no idea she had a family story that wanted telling. It is one thing to write about a family member who is… Read more »

Friend Friday

I am full of emotion as I write this introduction. First: my heart brims with joy to be hosting Cynthia Leitich Smith in celebration of her latest middle grade novel, Sisters of the Neversea (Heartdrum). Cynthia represents the very best in the kidlit community: she has long been a champion of others’ work; she is… Read more »

Friend Friday

Oh, I wish I had known Carolyn Crimi’s secret when I read her delightful novel, Second-Hand Dogs (Balzer+Bray); it would have made reading the book all that much more enjoyable. I did find myself wondering as I read how on earth she was going to get her dog-stars out of their various pickles. And now… Read more »

Friend Friday

It takes tremendous courage to face the blank page. I am not quite certain, however, what it’s called to willingly face the blank page, having tossed out a sweated-over, completed novel. I suspect it’s called being the person the story needs you to be. Alysa Wishingrad certainly stepped up to such a challenge and we,… Read more »

Friend Friday

I regret that Hannah Hall is (as of yet) only a cyber-friend as I know she and I would be able to sit long into the night over cooling mugs of tea to commiserate about being asked to change a story. How many times have I said the very words Hannah reports saying: This is… Read more »

Friend Friday

To my knowledge today’s guest is the first Hall of Famer I’ve ever hosted! In 2015, Ellen Hopkins was inducted into the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame for her powerful and honest work. She’s also a generous mentor and a long-serving member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) Advisory Board. It… Read more »

Friend Friday

Dear Linda Urban: You know I’ve been a huge fan of your work even before your first published novel, having fallen in love with a picture book manuscript you read way back when at the Haystack Writers Conference. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve studied Crooked Kind of Perfect or Hound Dog… Read more »

Friend Friday

I am so pleased that Danielle Joseph took time to visit with us today to share a bit of the story behind the story of her new picture book, I Want to Ride the Tap Tap, illustrated by Olivier Ganthier (FSG/Macmillan). This book is the perfect summer read with its upbeat energy and colorful illustrations!… Read more »