WRITERS' RUMPUS

Interview with PHAEA CREDE – #Kidlit Writer Extraordinaire

June 23, 2023 Carol Gordon Ekster

Carol Gordon Ekster: Phaea, more than two years ago Writers’ Rumpus interviewed you about being a debut author when JET THE CAT first came out. Now that you are an established author, what has changed for you?

When to Use THAT (Which and Who, too!)

June 20, 2023 Laura Fineberg Cooper

When I ask writers which word confuses them the most, the most common answer is THAT! There are some complicated grammar rules, but rest assured, I waded through them and strove to make my explanations as clear and understandable as possible. I promise we’ll ease into this slowly, starting in the shallow end and moving progressively deeper.

Hook Your Readers from Page One with Three Ingredients

June 16, 2023 Rebecca Moody

Whether it’s an agent, editor, or reader, the first page is your first, and sometimes your only, chance to make an impression and convince them to continue with your story.

Celebrating Pride Month – Books for Kids

June 13, 2023 Alison Potoma

It’s June, and you know what that means… end of school freeze pops! And, of course, it’s Pride Month. Perhaps we should have rainbow sherbet instead!

Interview with Author, Editor, and Poet Ryan Van Cleave…And a Double Giveaway!

June 9, 2023 Hilary Elizabeth Margitich

Today is a very exciting day here on the blog. I have Ryan Van Cleave here with me, who, if you don’t know, is a bit of a writing and poetry rock star. And some of what he does, you may actually not know, because he has ghostwritten many books (in addition to those under his own name) and coaches and mentors many writers behind the scenes.

GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT WRITING A PICTURE BOOK SERIES OR SEQUEL

June 6, 2023 Alumni & Guests

It had been about a year since my debut picture book, Counting to Bananas (Flamingo Books, April 2022, illustrated by Estrela Lourenço) had been acquired. My editor, Cheryl Eissing, emailed to say her team was exploring the idea of Banana possibly carrying a picture book series. Was I interested? I had never thought about writing a sequel and, as a debut author, never imagined I would be asked to. But was I interested? Seriously? Of course I was bananas about it!

Interview: Accomplished Author Melissa Stewart

June 2, 2023 Joyce Audy Zarins

JAZ: Melissa, I am honored that you agreed to this interview. Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-floor Ecosystem is fascinating! Our readers are eager to learn

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

May 26, 2023 Alumni & Guests

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.

May 23, 2023 Marti Johnson

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 Elizabeth 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.