WRITERS' RUMPUS

Interview with debut picture book author Laura De La Cruz … and a giveaway of LOWRIDER FOR SALE!

September 8, 2026 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Happy Book Birthday to LOWRIDER FOR SALE, the heartwarming picture book debut by talented and gracious author Laura De La Cruz. Laura has impressed me with her positive and supportive comments on our blog, so when she inquired about an interview, it was my honor and pleasure to enthusiastically say yes!

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Cool off on Winter Solstice Hill with Cathy Stefanec Ogren!

September 4, 2026 Marcia Strykowski

I’m excited to have talented author Cathy Stefanec Ogren here on the blog today! Her latest picture book releases on October 20, 2026, and I

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Cats, Chess, and Finding Your People: An Interview with CAT TAKES QUEEN Author Ilona Bray (and a Giveway!!)

September 1, 2026 Hilary Elizabeth Margitich

I first connected with Ilona Bray through social media and its vibrant online kidlit community. Right away, I was drawn to her warmth, thoughfulness, and

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#Kidlit Interview with the Effervescent Children’s Author Kelly Swemba

August 26, 2026 Monica Acker

Friendship is a special, wondrous thing. Great thinkers and creatives throughout time have shared their thoughts about how special friendship is: Kelly Swemba and illustrator

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Meet #kidlit Debut Author Evgenia Mantikas

August 18, 2026 Carol Gordon Ekster

CAROL GORDON EKSTER: I met Evgenia at the Kindling Words East retreat in 2026. What sweet and contagious energy she has! I am so excited

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Researching and Writing Nonfiction

August 11, 2026 Alumni & Guests

Guest Post by Lauren H. Kerstein I am beyond thrilled to be here. I’ve long enjoyed reading Writers’ Rumpus posts and am excited to share

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ALL THAT I CAN FIX: Crystal Chan on writing, race, and her new YA novel

June 1, 2018 Joyce Audy Zarins

All That I Can Fix opens with squirrels raining down from trees during a windstorm. And someone has uncaged a menagerie of hungry carnivores into

World Building Part 2: Cultures

May 29, 2018 Alumni & Guests

By Dana Nuenighoff One of my favorite world building tips comes from Victoria Schwab. In her “On Worldbuilding” video she says that as an author,

But… What Is Your Story About?

May 25, 2018 Alison Potoma

Guest Post by Rebecca Crockett A few months ago I had an incredible opportunity to discuss my work with a high-level editor at a well-known

Sarah Lynne Reul Picks Up a Pencil

May 18, 2018 Alumni & Guests

By Sarah Lynne Reul (Note: this is a re-blog of a guest post that originally appeared on The Late Bloomer’s Book Blog. Coordinated by reading teacher

A Chip Off the Old Block and Jodi Jensen Shaffer

May 15, 2018 Kirsti Call

A Chip Off the Old Block is filled with puns, clever wordplay, important themes, geology, geography and beautiful illustrations. Jody Jensen Shaffer’s word play is laugh