Boy oh boy, do I feel blessed to count Gennifer Choldenko as a friend. Yes, she’s an amazing writer; not only prolific, but she creates such a wide variety of work — middle grade historical fiction (the Al Capone series; Chasing Secrets); middle grade realistic fiction (Notes from a Liar and Her Dog, No Passengers… Read more »
Given the title of her book, it seems quite appropriate that Yamile Saied Mendez and I met in Vermont when the weather hovered around 14 degrees. Despite the chill, Yamile radiated warmth. She was so positive and upbeat and supportive of her fellow students in the Vermont College MFA program; I felt confident good things… Read more »
I reconnected with Carolyn Dee Flores at the International Literacy Association conference this past summer. She was bubbling with excitement over her forthcoming book, The Amazing Watercolor Fish (Arte Publico/Pinata Books) and I couldn’t resist asking if she would share some of the story behind the book with my followers. She graciously agreed and it… Read more »
I had the lovely fortune to be seated next to Kevin Scott at the Inside Story, sponsored by SCBWI Western Washington, hosted by The Neverending Bookshop, at the Bellevue (WA) Public Library this past spring (if you are a local teacher, librarian or bookseller, you need to attend this event!). I was so touched by Kevin’s… Read more »
Boy, howdy, am I excited about today’s Friend Friday. About twelve million years ago, I wrote a fan letter to an author whose work I truly admired. And she wrote back! To steal a line from Casablanca, that was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Just because I can now count Barbara O’Connor as a… Read more »
Today the spotlight shines on Jenny Lundquist, who recently shared with me that she’d been in the audience when I keynoted at an SCBWI conference in Davis, CA. Jenny wrote, “I was so inspired as you talked about your process of writing Hattie, and I went on that weekend to write the first chapter of the… Read more »
It has been such a pleasure to get better acquainted with Melissa Roske, today’s guest. Unfortunately, most of that acquainting has been through social media; I know our paths will cross in real space and time someday and that, when they do, we’ll talk each others’ ears off! So happy to shine the spotlight on… Read more »