WRITERS' RUMPUS

QUILT OF STARS: Out-of-this-World Book Talk and Giveaway with Co-Authors Astronaut Dr. Karen Nyberg and Ann McCallum Staats

September 29, 2026 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Happy Book Birthday to QUILT OF STARS: Astronaut Karen Nyberg Stitches a Dream! This inspiring and beautiful written picture book, published by Familius, is co-authored by the impressibly accomplished and talented duo of Dr. Karen Nyberg and Ann McCallum Staats and gorgeously illustrated by Alida Massari.

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INTERVIEW WITH #JEWISH #KIDLIT #MIDDLEGRADE AUTHOR MIRIAM CHERNICK

September 22, 2026 DrZatHome

I dove into Miriam Chernick’s The Zuzu Secret with great excitement and anticipation–and was not disappointed. As a molecular biologist and geneticist who has taught

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MG Book Review: GRACIELA IN THE ABYSS by Meg Medina

September 15, 2026 Jennifer Finkle

Meg Medina’s GRACIELA IN THE ABYSS (Candlewick Press, 2025) is an absolutely delightful dual POV story that alternates between the perspectives of a spirit girl named Graciela and a young mortal boy named Jorge.

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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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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

Bibsy Cross Might Be Too Much for Some, But She’s Everything to Me!

March 4, 2025 Hilary Elizabeth Margitich

This past November, something kind of amazing and once-in-a-blue-moon happened. The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) had its annual conference in my home

Interview with Kaz Windness

February 25, 2025 Monica Acker

Hello, readers! I am a new writer to Writer’s Rumpus and will be bringing you interviews, reviews, and more every other month. I am excited

Interview with Rajani LaRocca, celebrated author of SONA and the GOLDEN BEASTS

February 18, 2025 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Rajani pours her heart and incredible talent into each new story for children she writes: it’s no wonder she has garnered so many well-deserved awards!