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 »
I love Aimée Bisonette‘s essay below because it taps on something creatives worry about incessantly: am I doing it right? Her insights are as refreshing as an icy cold glass of hibiscus tea on a hot day. And Aimée provides a great reminder that getting our butts OUT of the chair every once in awhile… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
I discovered Eden Royce’s Root Magic (HarperCollins Publishers) through a cover reveal on a favorite blog, the Nerdy Book Club. The cover was evocative, as was the book’s description, which described a set of twins helping their family with rootwork. I had to read this book and, from the first words, I not only felt… Read more »
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 »
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 »
I still remember my first experience reading When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt. I’m pretty sure that’s when a Larson family un-favorite recipe, Burned Broccoli, was invented. Who could blame me for completely forgetting the vegetable steamer was on the stove when I’d been utterly transported to Antler, Texas? Kimberly graciously… Read more »
I adore Irene Latham and not just because she included a poem inspired by Hattie Big Sky in her collaboration with Charles Waters, Dictionary for a Better World, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini, published by Carolrhoda Books (pages 22-23, in case you’re interested). Irene embraces the fullness of writing in ways I much admire and long… Read more »