We do get by with a little help from our friends! I am so grateful to Lesa Cline-Ransome for connecting me with today’s guest, Ann E. Burg, one of her BFFs. Ann’s novel, Flooded, Requiem for Johnston (Scholastic) is an inventive approach to exploring an historical event. Read on to find out more of the… Read more »
A few years back, I was chatting with Varian Johnson after a long day of conference presentations. He was debating leaving his day job to write full time. He had the pros and cons spelled out, as an engineer would. Luckily for children’s literature, the pros won out. I am so pleased to host Varian… 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 »
Even though I’d hardly known Diana Lopez for five minutes, when I asked her to be a Friend Friday guest, she immediately said yes! It was at a Scholastic event with lots of conversation and other authors; we sort of had to shout across the table to one another to be heard. But I was… Read more »
A huge admirer from afar, I had the great fortune of meeting Elly Swartz at nErDCampMI last summer. Despite the fact that she likes Twizzlers (this red licorice fan shudders at that thought!), she is charming, insightful and a darned good writer. I am so pleased to shine the spotlight on her latest book, Smart… Read more »
Erin Dionne and I share a publisher, and a passion for writing for the middle grade reader. Her books are full of energy and humor, as is Erin! (Do go over to her website where you can see an adorable photo of her in her marching band days!) I am delighted to host her today… Read more »
Today’s friend is *ahem* me. Since I had a new book launch on January 31, I thought it would be okay if I used this slot to tell you a bit about it. I hope you are already familiar with the first book in the Audacity Jones series: Audacity Jones to the Rescue (Scholastic). This book… Read more »
At one point in our careers, Sundee Frazier and I shared an editor who suggested we meet. Our coffee shop visit flew by and, even though I don’t see Sundee as often as I’d like, I am grateful to consider her a friend. And it’s her fault that I bought a rock tumbler, something I… Read more »
Get out your party hats and horns! Today is the book birthday of the second of the Audacity Jones’ books: Audacity Jones Steals The Show (Scholastic). In her first adventure (Audacity Jones to the Rescue), Audie defeats bad guys who want to kidnap President Taft’s niece. In this book she not only meets Harry Houdini, shesaves a… Read more »
Today is the book birthday for Liberty — hooray! Writing Liberty was like wrassling alligators in a vat of gumbo. My creative process is always messy but it was downright discouraging as I struggled to reel in the heart of this story. It wasn’t until I gave a young German POW his own space on the page that the… Read more »