WRITERS' RUMPUS

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!

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

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

#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

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

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

Meet Cynthia Levinson, a #kidlit Talent

April 8, 2025 Carol Gordon Ekster

CAROL GORDON EKSTER: I met Cynthia Levinson at Kindling Words East and wanted to share her work with those of you who do not as

Body of Stars: A Stunning Debut by Laura Maylene Walter

April 1, 2025 Laura Fineberg Cooper

The back cover of this dystopian novel asks this thought-provoking question: What if your body held the map to your future?

INTERVIEW WITH #JEWISH #KIDLIT AUTHOR CHARLOTTE OFFSAY ABOUT MATZAH DAY, PLUS A GIVEAWAY

March 28, 2025 DrZatHome

By Danna Zeiger I was lucky to “meet” Charlotte before I actually met her at last year’s NCTE. Through her prolific books (my kids and

Meet Joyce Uglow and her debut picture book, Stuck! The Story of La Brea Tar

March 25, 2025 Alumni & Guests

Guest Post by Suzy Zemel Joyce and I met in 2022 in a class sponsored by Highlights Foundation. During that time, she was excited about

How to “Stay in your lane” – and Still Write the Novel You Want

March 18, 2025 Alumni & Guests

Guest Post by Naomi Milliner After my first middle grade novel, Super Jake & the King of Chaos, debuted in 2019, I was asked

A Universe of Poets – Creating a Debut Anthology

March 11, 2025 Alumni & Guests

Guest Post by Matt Forrest Esenwine I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a type-A kind of person or if it’s because I’m too ignorant