WRITERS' RUMPUS

A Conversation with Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Author of TORCH: a YA Novel about Czechoslovakia, Resistance, and Hope

Lyn Miller-Lachmann’s YA novel Torch brings 1969 Czechoslovakia to life, a time when the country is living under Soviet tyranny. The novel has won major book awards, most recently, Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature.

I have a suggestion…regarding Character Arcs.

A friend of mine, who also happens to be a writer, gave me a book called CREATING CHARACTER ARCS, The Masterful Author’s Guide to Uniting Story Structure, Plot, and Character Development, by K.M. Weiland, PenForASword Publishing, 2016. (Thank you Tina Oppici). Tina has been suggesting I read it for over two years. She finally handed me a copy and I’m glad she did.

THE LOUD LIBRARIAN: Written by Jenna Beatrice and Illustrated by Erika Lynne Jones

May 19, 2023 Keri Demers

Everyone knows that all CAPS = yelling. So, yes, I AM, in fact, yelling the title of Jenna Beatrice’s debut picture book THE LOUD LIBRARIAN at the top of my lungs. Please don’t shush me because this book (2023, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster) is just too darn cute to keep quiet about!

HONORING JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH!

May 16, 2023 DrZatHome

Jewish American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate Jewish contributions across American society, and there are many to choose from!

INTERVIEW WITH DEBUT PICTURE BOOK AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR MARIE BOYD

May 12, 2023 Hilary Margitich

Picture book illustrations are almost limitless when it comes to the materials and techniques used to make them. It’s part of what makes them so

MG Book Talk with Jessica Brody, talented (and prolific!!!) author of AMELIA GRAY IS ALMOST OKAY

May 9, 2023 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Jessica Brody is a superstar in the kidlit world! With her incredibly busy schedule, I’m thrilled she’s here to talk with us about her new middle grade novel, Amelia Gray is Almost Okay. And trust me, her replies are every bit as clever and entertaining as the main character in her amazing book.

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Authors and Illustrators!

May 5, 2023 Joyce Audy Zarins

Contributors who post on WritersRumpus.com have been honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander authors, illustrators, and cultures since way back in 2014! This openness certainly includes the other categories of diverse books, but the focus this month is on AAPI books.

Meet Your Writing Goals – Join a Writing Community!

May 2, 2023 Carol Gordon Ekster

Ask any successful kidlit writer how they succeeded, and chances are they’ll tell you about their writing communities. In this reblog, Carol Gordon Ekster shares the many ways she benefits from the yearly 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge, one of the most well-respected and supportive online writing communities in the kidlit world.

Meet Author/Illustrator Berrie Torgan-Randall!

April 28, 2023 Marcia Strykowski

Hi, Writers’ Rumpus fans! It’s my pleasure to welcome Berrie Torgan-Randall to our blog today. She not only wrote the words to her debut graphic

May Picture Book Opportunities

April 25, 2023 Marianne Knowles

Contests, challenges, courses, and opportunities for picture book creators for May, 2023

Flat Publishing Profits in 2022 Continue into 2023–What Does It Mean for Authors?

April 21, 2023 Rebecca Moody

Last week, Publisher’s Weekly reported that the first quarter numbers were in for a number of major publishers, and those numbers were . . .

Celebrate the Book Birthday of FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE with author Candace Spizzirri!

April 18, 2023 Laura Fineberg Cooper

It’s my great pleasure to interview author Candace Spizzirri on the book birthday of her second picture book, FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE. This book is a sheer delight, and so is Candace!

Interview with Debut Picture Book Author Jennifer Raudenbush…and a Giveaway!

April 14, 2023 Hilary Margitich

I am so pleased to have Jennifer Raudenbush here with me today so we can talk about a very magical picture book she has written called In the Palm of My Hand. The words and illustrations (by Isabella Conti) are just gorgeous, and they meld together to create a mindful, meditative, and quite existential experience for the young reader.

MEET THE TALENTED #KIDLIT AUTHOR, ERIN DEALEY

April 11, 2023 Carol Gordon Ekster

I met Erin Dealey on a Zoom Nerdcamp panel and was impressed with her professionalism, books, and interest in reaching out to others for her blog. I knew I wanted to interview her on Writers’ Rumpus and introduce you all to this talented #kidlit author.