WRITERS' RUMPUS

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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Transitional Readers – Diving into Early Readers and Chapter Books

August 4, 2026 Alumni & Guests

I recently launched my newest series, One Mad Cat. My publisher calls it a “graphic reader.” SLJ calls it an “early reader.” JLG calls it a “chapter book.” So what on earth is it? And does it even matter? I’m going to talk about the world of early readers, including the various formats, craft considerations, and pitching.

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The Puffin Who Whispered: Interview with #kidlit talent Marcia Strykowski … and a giveaway, too!

July 28, 2026 Laura Fineberg Cooper

In this interview, I’m excited to interview my gracious and uber talented friend about The Puffin Who Whispered on its fledgling day. Although this charming book is fiction, I guarantee you’ll be as puffin-obsessed as I am after reading Marcia’s responses!

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Book Review: Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper

September 17, 2013 Kirsti Call

Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper, is the kind of book that should be shared. I read Out of My Mind for a library book

Interview with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Picture Book Author and Presenter

September 13, 2013 Carol Gordon Ekster

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen is an author filling big high-heeled shoes in the world of picture books. (She LOVES high heels.) I met her when she

Just Keep Swimming

September 6, 2013 Alumni & Guests

By Jen Malone As a writer, I’m always searching for inspiration (read: procrastinating), but I especially love stories of perseverance because, as anyone who dreams