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A “Get to Know Us” podcast episode where we speak about who we are, what inspired us to create this podcast, and what we hope to achieve with it.

A virtual #AMA! Send us your questions via our contact form and we will feature them all in a Countdown to Launch blog! Go ahead and ask us about publishing, us personally, or our plans for the podcast or summit.

Expert Q&A Topic: ?si=0fdrk-MgTb-1g8vM”>The Science Behind Book Launches 1 with President and Publisher of StoryMonsters, LLC, Linda F. Radke

Middle Grade Marvels: Spotlight ?si=wY7GWSkeEc9dkTJT”>interview with April Henley, author of the award-winning novel and coloring book, Treasures in a Bottle

Step into the realms of fantasy, sci-fi, and adventure as we explore immersive storytelling and the art of world-building.

Expert Q&A Topic: ?si=aSX_irNRT9D7hBMj”>World of Writing Craft – Universe Building Edition with Dr. Rebecca Rowe, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Children’s Literature at East Texas A&M University.

Exclusive Author Interview: Drawing fantasy inspirations from the middle grade novel series Adventures in Oculus with Theresa Maria Villarreal

Middle Grade Marvels: Spotlight interview with Kris Paulsen, author of the Reader’s Favorite series, Galaxy Walkers

Discover how publishing professionals, agents, and illustrators support authors and guide them toward success.

Expert Q&A Topic: ?si=X7hNE3Vhi227DcDV”>Querying, Pitching, & Agenting with literary agent, Elizabeth Copps, of Copps Literary Services

Expert Q&A Topic: ?si=ko80-1eiW5CLVfjl”>An Illustrator’s Guide to Supporting Authors (& Themselves) with multi-award winning author and illustrator, John Parra

Uncover the secrets to achieving your writing and publishing goals while staying motivated this summer.

Expert Q&A Topic: ?si=lQmEsLDuKx1ZqJrF”>The Recipe for Author Entrepreneurship with author, financial advisor and Harvard alumni, Dr. Noni Carter, CEPA

Expert Q&A Topic: “>Reflections & Representation: Customizable Picture Books with the Felicia Norfor founder “Dream Creator” of the new Singapore-based publisher, StoryVerse Land

Middle Grade Marvels: Spotlight interview with author Laila Rifaat, Egypt-based author of the Aliya series and shortlisted participant for the 2021 Times/Chicken House award

Learn how to take control of your creative career, advocate for yourself, and navigate the publishing industry with confidence.

Expert Q&A Topic: Illustrating Your American Dream with illustrator, graphic artist, and picture book author, David Hilllman of Two Bridges Publishing

Expert Q&A Topic: Know Your Rights: Contract Legalese and Intellectual Property 101 with entertainment attorney Erin Rodgers of Rodgers Selvera, PLLC and authorpreneur & attorney, Tiffany Obeng

Middle Grade Mavels: Spotlight interview with Gene J. Miller, retired principal and author of WARNING: Short Stories for Middle School Boys Only, Because Girls Have Cooties! 

Middle Grade Marvels: Spotlight interview with Sherri Winston, author of Shark Teeth

How words, books, and the literary community unite.

Expert Q&A Topic: Selling SEL: Tying Social Emotional Learning into Writing & Marketing with authors, speaker, and book reviewer, Meredith Davis

Expert Q&A Topic: Revitalizing Reading Culture in Nigeria with founder of The Bookworm Café and literary advocate, Farida Ladipo-Ajayi

Expert Q&A Topic: Let’s Talk Libraries with Michael Hardrick, Executive Director of the Forest Hill Library

Expert Q&A Topic: Words to Write By with Lois Lowry, author of the Newbery Medal winners, The Giver Quartet and Number the Stars

Middle Grade Mavels: Spotlight interview with Donna Galanti, author of Loon Cove Summer

Find out how to be active in the world of literacy and make books available to all.

Expert Q&A Topic: The State of Literacy & How to Become an Active Advocate with Kayla Hand, Executive Director of the nonprofit, Books Between Kids

Expert Q&A Topic: Literacy is a Right not a Privilege with Brandi Warren, the Executive Director of the African Library Project

Expert Q&A Topic: Making Memorable Historical Fiction with high school teacher and Australian author, Paul Rushworth-Brown

Expert Q&A Topic: Stay Curious with Robin Currie, former children’s book librarian and author of over 45 picture books

Expert Q&A Topic: Building Literacy Bridges with the team at Bookmarks: Books With Purpose, one of the country’s only nonprofit independent bookstores

Dive into stories of personal growth, change, and the evolving landscape of children’s literature.

Expert Q&A Topic: Transforming Your Manuscript with The Editorial Process with editor and former literary agent, Mary Kole.

Expert Q&A Topic: The Evolution from Graduate to Editor: Career Pathway Chat with Lori Wieczorek, Senior Editor in Trade Licensing at Scholastic

Expert Q&A Topic: Agenting & Graphic Novels: A Career Interview with Janna Morishima, founder of Kids Comics Unite, literary agent at Janna Co., and founder of the Graphix imprint at Scholastic.

Expert Q&A Topic: The Inspiring Road to Publishing with Kwame Mbalia, publisher at Disney-Hyperion‘s imprint Freedom Fire, award-winning author of middle grade novel Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (Rick Riordan Presents); picture book Captain America: Brave New World: A Hero Looks Like You (Marvel Studios); and YA novel, Star Wars: The Last Order (Random House/Star Wars).

Make science, technology, engineering, and math exciting for young readers through storytelling and education, while learning the formula to keep your creative momentum.

Expert Q&A Topic: The Science Behind Book Launches 2 with middle grade author, treasure hunter, and writing coach, Andy Coats

Expert Q&A Topic: Publishing Unfiltered: The Highs, Lows, & Lessons Learned in Building a Publishing Company with Kate Simkins of Big Thinking Publishing, a U.K. publisher focusing on literary magazines and children’s books

Expert Q&A Topic: Writing for Big Screen Children’s Media with Max Beaudry, a graphic novel author and Emmy Award-winning writer of TV and film, who has worked for studios like Disney, Nickelodeon, Netflix, and DreamWorks

Expert Q&A Topic: Publishing Poetry with renowned Institute of Children’s Literature instructor and STEAM-based poet, Heidi Bee Roemer

Middle Grade Marvels: Spotlight interview with Dana Goldstein, author of the Dax Masters series

Celebrate the power of kindness, generosity, and uplifting stories that inspire during the holiday season.

Expert Q&A Topic: Author Coach Codes for Success, with award winning author, Ellen Potter

Expert Q&A Topic: Give Back and Grow with the team at Madison Reading Project, a nonprofit dedicated connecting free books to communities

Expert Q&A: The Music and Might of KidLit featuring Eric Litwin, #1 New York Times best selling, award winning author of over 29 literary awards

Middle Grade Mavels: Spotlight interview with Karl Buechner, Jeremy Mueller, and Keith Ward, authors of The Unraveling: Counsel of Crows

Get answers to the most popular audience questions from our season of expert interviews and author spotlights.

Q&A: With Theresa and Jackie! We’ll share some of our favorite books of the year!

Exclusive Author Interview: The Fine Print with literary lawyer, retired literary agent, and Contracts Director at Beacon Press, Melissa Nasson

Exclusive Author Interview: Authentic Characters: Representing ADHD in the picture book My Dragon with Jackie Garcia-Morales

Exclusive Author Interview: Write for the Right Audience: Picture Books vs Leveled Readers with special guest Harshita Jareth, picture book and leveled reader author of Leaping Ladoo, Cooler Than Lemonade, & A Sweet Diwali.

• Tyiana Combs, Associate Editor at Penguin Workshop (PB, MG, YA)
• Jason Low, Publisher at Lee & Low
• Catherine Laudone, Senior Editor of Beach Lane Books at Simon & Schuster 
• Rachael Welsh, Advocate, Speaker, & Librarian at Pearland’s bilingual Sablatura Middle School

• Tom Angleberger, author-illustrator, creator of the Origami Yoda series
• Megan McDonald, best-selling author of the Judy Moody series
• Pat Zietlow Miller, NYT best-selling picture book author and founder of Read, Write, Repeat
• Phil Stead, Caldecott Medal winner and author of A Potion, A Powder, A Little Bit of Magic