The 2024 Writers’ Rumpus Year in Review

Before we close the book on 2024, I want to thank all of our authors and readers across the globe for your loyal commitment to our Writers’ Rumpus blog. The goal of this annual post, started way back in 2017, is to highlight the breadth of our posts, with one from each of our contributors within a given year. Please kick back and enjoy: I guarantee you’ll discover (or rediscover) a gem or two or three that will delight, inform, and/or inspire your creative journey.

Keri Demers
TWO NEW HILARIOUS AND INTERACTIVE STORIES FOR KIDS BY DREW DAYWALT AND DONNA LAMBO-WEIDNER
May 13, 2024

Anyone who knows Keri – or has read any of her entertaining posts – can attest to her delightful brand of humor. As an Elementary Literary Coach, Keri has a special talent for discovering funny picture books and lucky for us, shares them on our Writers’ Rumpus blog! The first hilarious book reviewed in this post is shown in the image above. To discover the second book, click on the date link! (HINT: there may be a dragon in the book. Or there may not…)

Carol Ekster
INTERVIEW WITH BETH ANDERSON, a #KIDLIT #pICTUREBOOK #NONFICTION INSPIRATION!
June 4, 2024

Prolific picture book author Carol supports the #kidlit community with her interview posts, and I’m so grateful to her for introducing us to Beth Anderson and her incredible nonfiction and historical fiction books for children. Once you read this interview, you’ll be inspired to scoop up all of Beth’s amazing books…and maybe, just maybe, to create a nonfiction marvel of your own.

Guest Post by Cedar Pruitt
JOY, PLAY, AND MAGIC IN NON-FICTION
January 9, 2024

Writer’s Rumpus is grateful to all our Guest Posters, and this lovely post by debut author Cedar Pruitt was one of the first to air in 2024. Have no fear if you missed it, as you can view any post, any time on our Writers’ Rumpus website. Here’s a lovely quote: “Nonfiction, too, can be wild and free, like fiction. Think of it as an art form that allows writers and readers to learn about the world through play and exploration.” Cedar’s gorgeous nonfiction picture book accomplishes that brilliantly.

Marti Johnson
FACT ISN’T FICTION, RIGHT?
April 16, 2024

In this thought-provoking post, YA writer and avid reader Marti invites us to consider the relationship between fact and fiction. Sure, historical fiction is based on documented events, but what about a novel set in the dystopian future or a realistic fantasy? If you write fiction of any stripe, this post is a must read!

Marianne Knowles
DECEMBER PICTURE BOOK OPPORTUNITIES
November 26, 2024

If this post is familiar to you, there’s a good reason: Marianne has pulled together 60 posts since its inception!! Alas, the PICTURE BOOK OPPORTUNITIES posts are being retired. Have no fear, as Marianne provides a link to the always helpful Picture Book Resource page. She also shares a link for Carolyn Frasier’s weekly Kidlit Events email for ALL kidlit writers, picture books through young adult novels. Please join me in thanking Marianne for her incredible support of the picture book community by commenting at the end of this post or in the post itself.

Hilary Margitich
THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT: A LOOK AT REAL CHILDREN’S LIVES AND STORIES
September 3, 2024

In this engaging post, Hilary introduces us to two beautifully illustrated books that highlight a diverse group of real children. All About U.S.: A Look at the Lives of 50 Real Kids from Across the United States is by Matt Lamothe and Jenny Volvovski, and its 2017 precursor by Matt alone is called This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the World. Hilary calls these “coffee table books for kids” and I heartily agree.

Marcia Strykowski
TERRY FARISH’S POWERFUL NEW YA NOVEL: GO HOME
August 16, 2024

Thank you, Marcia and Terry, for this incredible interview about the inspiration and writing process for GO HOME, a novel that will make you consider what lengths YOU might go to to protect your own family. I couldn’t believe that Lochan Sharma, Terry’s co-author, was a college student with plans to become a doctor at the time they collaborated. This interview delves into Terry’s connection to Bhutanese-Nepali families and the differences between American and Nepali cultures.

Joyce Audy Zarins
MANFISH AND THE SEA BY JENNIFER BERNE
April 2, 2024

In this fascinating post, Joyce interviews nonfiction picture book author Jennifer Berne about her two wonderfully poetic books, MANFISH: THE STORY OF JACQUES COUSTEAU (2015) and HOW THE SEA CAME TO BE AND ALL THE CREATURES IN IT (2023). As Joyce writes in the introduction, “Picture book author Jennifer Berne adventured on a sailboat for two years while deepening her understanding of the ever-evolving sea. Two of her eloquent, award-winning books explore a man who discovered a way to soar fish-like deep beneath its vast surface, and a history of how the sea began and evolved to be what it is now.” Wow, right?!

Danna Zieger (DrZatHome)
INTERVIEW WITH #KIDLIT SUPERSTAR REBECCA GARDYN LEVINGTON ABOUT AFIKOMEN, WHERE’D YOU GO? PLUS A 30 MINUTE AMA GIVEAWAY
April 12, 2024

What makes this book and this interview with Danna and Rebecca so fun is that the afikomen featured in the title is a silly trickster who leads the seekers on merry chase. As Danna points out, Rebecca writes in delightful rhyme and shares incredibly helpful insights into the submissions process and “the elusive publishing industry.” I guarantee you’ll enjoy this interview and AFIKOMEN, WHERE’D YOU GO? whether or not you celebrate Passover yourself. Psst: Rebecca – if you read this review post, I’m sure I’m not the only one who would love to know where you got your leggings!!

I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane. It’s always so hard to limit myself to a single post from each contributor, so if I missed your favorite, please let me know in the comments section below. Also, I welcome your suggestions for future posts!

On behalf of the entire Writers’ Rumpus blog, we appreciate you, one and all. Please accept our warmest wishes for a peaceful holiday season and a healthy, joyful, and creative 2025!!