NOTES FROM THE SHELF
Writing, reading, and the creative life.
October 2026Alexandra Amoroso shares the family experiences behind Why Is My Brother Autistic? and why she wants siblings to feel heard, supported, and free to ask questions.
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October 2026Children’s author Chelsea DiCicco shares the story behind Construction Crew, her approach to writing early readers, and why kindness and teamwork matter on and off the pa…
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February 2026In this guest post, retired educator and author Tammy Wilson shares how one student inspired her novel Passing Notes and strengthened her commitment to authentic middle g…
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December 2025Stories, Faith, and What Comes Next When I began writing Adventures in Oculus, I was thinking about the kinds of stories that stay with us long after we finish reading th…
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December 2025The Christmas holidays have always been my favorite time of year. As a native Houstonian, supporting my community is close to my heart. This year, I had the joy of leadin…
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October 2025Learn from top comic creators and graphic novel illustrators as they share ten pieces of golden advice for aspiring kidlit storytellers. Discover creative wisdom from Det…
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September 2025There’s something magical about discovering your first real library. Those shelves stretching high with stories waiting to be unlocked, that particular smell of books tha…
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July 2025A Little History for You It’s kind of a tricky thing to pin down where comics started. As explained in Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art By Scott McCloud, comics ca…
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July 2025
June 2025At the heart of every great children’s book is the power to shape identity, spark empathy, and celebrate belonging. That’s exactly what Sarina Marzbani, founder of the no…
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June 2025Hey y’all! You know how much we adore a good story here at The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast—like, seriously, we live for tales that pull you in and won’t let go. But let’s…
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May 2025May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and here at The Storyteller’s Shelf, we believe stories have the power to do more than entertain: they can support, inspire, and com…
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May 2025We’re honored to spotlight author Julie Day, whose heartfelt stories blend magical realism with powerful representations of neurodivergent characters, sparking imaginatio…
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April 2025Whether you’re a parent looking for the perfect bedtime story, a librarian trying to fill a gap in your collection, or an aspiring author wondering how to query a literar…
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April 2025As we wrap up this enchanting month of fantasy here at The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, we’re thrilled to bring you a final spotlight that’s as inspiring as it is imagina…
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April 2025At The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, we champion children’s literature and the incredible creators who bring stories to life. We also strive to demystify publishing and pr…
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March 2025Marketing your book as an author can feel like a daunting challenge, but with the right strategies, you can turn your story into a success. As part of our March Madness M…
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February 2025As February settles in and winter lingers, there’s nothing more comforting than curling up with a great book and a warm cup of tea. At The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, we…
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January 2025As a middle-grade author, I’ve found that well-rounded characters and immersive worlds are transformative for kids. Consider the classics that have stayed with us from ch…
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January 2025The middle-grade landscape (roughly for ages 8–12) is in a tough spot. Kids have an almost endless buffet of digital entertainment, everything from video games to binge-w…
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January 2025A donated book can change a life. It might be a child’s very first “favorite” bedtime story, a bright spot in a tough time, or even the spark that inspires a future write…
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December 2024The Importance of Finding Community as a Creative The journey of writing (or illustrating), particularly in the field of children’s literature, can often feel isolating. …
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December 2024The holiday season is here! It’s a time filled with joy, excitement, and cherished moments with loved ones.How do you keep up with your creative pursuits while fully embr…
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December 2024How to Query Literary Agents Effectively From our professional and personal experiences, we’ve learned that querying literary agents is both an art and a science. After i…
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