Please welcome author Lauren Ranalli to the show today! I found Lauren through the kidlit community online and had so much fun talking with her about inspiration, book nerdiness, and all things books and writing. I hope you enjoy the episode! Some Highlights: She first started writing stories after her son was born. As an interfaith family, her son was given many Christmas books, but she had a hard time finding any similar titles featuring Hanukkah. And so The Great Latke Cookoff began to take r...
Jun 06, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 23
I had so much fun chatting with Cedar about her writing journey and the launch of her recent picture book, Fire Flight illustrated by Chiara Fedele. Some of the highlights covered: The benefits of not doing your laundry. When giving up writing is impossible. How many rejections is too many? (Spoiler, we can always keep going.) The beauty of real life and its messiness. Why you may want to write outside your typical genre. The supportive writing community, especially kidlit and the wonderful peop...
May 31, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Thank you for listening to this bonus mini episode about who I am and what I do as a ghostwriter, author, and core story consultant. If you're interested in hearing more or grabbing some of the free marketing resources I mentioned, here are all the relevant links. Links: My Calendar to book a free 20 Minute Strategy call and grab your free copy of my Streamlined Media Strategy Branding Blueprint My Website Core Connected Marketing on Substack...
May 21, 2024•6 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Today I am so pleased to introduce you to author Steena Hernandez. Steena’s debut picture book, Lupita’s Brown Ballet Slippers, illustrated by Melissa Castillo is coming out with Beaming Books on October 22, 2024. It was a joy to talk with Steena and I can’t thank her enough for being on the show. Here are some highlights: The joy of being a library family and sharing that time together, picking whatever book your heart desires. The overwhelming generosity found within the kidlit world. The beau...
May 17, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Today, I have a fun interview for you with author Megan Woodward. Her upcoming debut picture book, This Book is Definitely Not Cursed , illustrated by Risa Rodil is available for pre-order now and hitting shelves near you on June 25, 2024. We talked about all sorts of fun things like hugging trees, making fools of ourselves reading books, the compulsion to write, and what it’s like to juggle writing in several genres at a time. She has an exciting new newsletter where you can find out fun stuff ...
May 10, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Today I have the pleasure of talking with author LD Green. I met LD through Kids Comics Unite (a super fun community for comic and word nerds/creators, linked below). Immediately I felt like we could have talked for hours about all the things! We talk about all sorts of things in today’s episode from tree-hugging to word clouds, so please enjoy! Some highlights: The slam poetry world Collaborating with other authors Parallel writing/working with author friends Telekinesis stories Advocacy throug...
May 02, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Today we’re in for a treat with abstract artist and children’s book author Meghana Narayan, of the newly released A Little Bit of Everything illustrated by Michelle Carlos. Meghana and I cover a lot of ground from what apps we use to catch random ideas to the magic of sharing parts of yourself through your writing. Grab a cup of tea, settle in and enjoy the episode! 🙂 Highlights: She’s spent a lifetime crafting stories, since she was a child. The origin of her debut picture book as a love lette...
Apr 26, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Today I’d like to welcome C.S. Boyll to the show! This week on “Getting to the Heart of Why We Write,” Cindy and I talk about everything from kidnapped midwives to Cincinnati Ohio chili. It was so much fun talking with Cindy who has been writing across genres for many years. I love meeting other multi-genre writers and hearing about their journeys and passion for different projects! I was lucky enough to connect with Cindy through the Rocky Mountain SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and ...
Apr 18, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Please welcome Jessica Santiesteban to “Getting to The Heart of Why We Write!” Today we are hosting an illustrator takeover edition . Jessica and I talk about her background in art and story. After having her first art show at 21, she later had her daughters and from there grew the seed of inspiration that sparked her first story. She published her first book, My Favorite Fairy , originally in Spanish before later translating it into English. Her recent book which she illustrated is Always Flyin...
Apr 11, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Please join me in welcoming Paulina S. Cossette Ph.D. of Acadia Editing Services to the show! Paulina has 15+ years of experience and so much to share, I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! Here are some highlights of things we talked about: The joy in exploring new subjects through copy editing, learning something new each time a manuscript comes across your desk. Mohawk artist Shelley Niro and other inspiring subjects. How even though it’s scary to start a new career, we can do ...
Apr 04, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Please join me in welcoming Jo Renfro to “Getting to the Heart of Why We Write” in today’s episode! You may notice today’s show is out on a Friday instead of a Thursday–we’ve got the cold season blowing through my house so we’re moving a bit slower in general. It’s giving me a chance to practice being patient through this season of life, just like Jo advises in the episode! Jo is the author and illustrator of the picture book, Peg Gets Crackin ’. Peg’s adventures will continue, just as Jo’s own ...
Mar 29, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 12
I couldn’t be more excited to introduce Stacy Juba to you today. She has written books about ice hockey, teen psychics, U.S. flag etiquette for kids, and determined women sleuths. Stacy is an author, editor, and teacher with 30 years of experience. Here are some highlights from our chat: How she learned over many years to refill her creative well with meditation, yoga, reading, and jigsaw puzzles with a partner. Finding inspiration from all the different corners of daily life from flag etiquette...
Mar 21, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Hello, story nerds! Today’s guest on Getting to The Heart of Why We Write is Wendy C. Goldstein . Wendy’s recent book, Oscar’s Blue Bandana , is the true story of her dog, Oscar, earning his blue bandana as a therapy dog. I met Wendy through the kidlit world in 12x12 and along with a handful of other writers we’ve created the PictureBookPeeps debut group. Website and podcast for our group are forthcoming. So, in the meantime enjoy this episode and check out Oscar’s Blue Bandana at your nearest b...
Mar 14, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Today’s guest is Laura Roettiger, author of two picture books including the recently published An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story illustrated by Debbi Palen. Laura is a reading specialist with a background in teaching and curriculum creation. Her superpower as a teacher is encouraging curiosity in children, which she has brought into the stories she now writes. We covered a lot of topics in our short time together and I hope you enjoy listening! Here are some things we cover in today...
Mar 07, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Today we have an interview with Jilanne Hoffmann , author of A River of Dust illustrated by Eugenia Mello. Favorite Quotes: “We went out with our first manuscript, A River of Dust, to auction. I don’t recommend that to anybody! Afterward there was a long dry spell.” “I daydream and that can fill the [creative] well. I just look out the window and can disappear .’” “I love the challenge [of writing]. It’s making something from nothing. It’s like alchemy. ” Our chat about the similarities between ...
Feb 29, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Today’s guest is Michelle Lee, author of Between The Lighthouse and You ( Amazon , Bookshop , Barnes and Noble ) . We talk about how ideal writing times vary for different people, querying as an elementary school student, writing across different genres to enrich your writing, and more. With her lifelong involvement in the writing world and Ph.D. in English Literature, she is a real life doctor of words! Links mentioned: Michelle’s website The 12x12 Picture Book Challenge #50Preciouswords Storys...
Feb 22, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Sorry for my lateness with today’s podcast! It is Friday but I am here and with another sparkling author interview on “Getting to The Heart of Why We Write.” Today, we have Lisa Rogers whose recent book Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage illustrated by Il Sung Na has received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and more! I cannot thank Lisa enough for sharing her time with me, or you for taking the time to listen along with us and share the journey we’re all on in this...
Feb 16, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Thank you, Sharon, for sharing your time with me! Today's episode was filled with so many great topics, the benefits of libraries, critique groups, and celebrating each other's success within the writing community. Here's a list of further resources to check out and links mentioned: Sharon's Website Bonus: Sharon's Post in Storystorm 2024 12x12 Challenge Samara Rubin and The Utility Belt Sharon's other books : Bedtime, Daddy!; Get Ready, Mama!; Let's Go Shopping, Grandma! Thank you again, Sharon...
Feb 08, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Natasha was so much fun to have on the show and I couldn't have asked for better parting words, "Have fun on the journey" creating stories for children. Stay curious! I encourage you to follow that curiosity straight to Natasha's website and many books. Night Before Series Biographies, Fiction, and More Learn about Author Visits (she is an expert!) Facebook Page Instagram Her latest translation of The Night Before My Birthday (and by no coincidence this episode is releasing the week before her b...
Feb 01, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In today's episode, I had the opportunity to interview a pillar in the kidlit community, Vivian Kirkfield! I hope you enjoy hearing about her journey, the 5 essential Ps for any writer no matter where they are on their writing journey, and her latest book, Pedal, Balance Steer available for preorder (publication 02-20-2024). Here are other links to Vivian's work and places to connect with her: Vivian's Website #50PreciousWords 2023 (keep an eye out for news on 2024!) Vivian's other books 12x12 P...
Jan 25, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In this episode, Rebecca and I talk about community, rhyme, her writing mantras and so much more! Some of the resources she mentioned and places to find her and her books are below. Rebecca's Website Afikoman, Where'd You Go? A Passover Hide-and-Seek Adventure illustrated by Noa Kelner (preorder live now, publishes 2/20/24) Brainstorm! , Whatever Comes Tomorrow and other books Renee LaTulippe Lyrical Language Lab The 12x12 Picture Book Challenge Storystorm...
Jan 18, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Children's book author and co-founder of #SunWriteFun, Karen Greenwald, talks with me about genealogy research, why kidlit is more difficult than law school, and why she writes. For more info about Karen, check out her website: https://www.karengreenwald.com/
Jan 11, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 1
