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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When Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

April 23, 2024 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Inspiration is all around us, within our homes and throughout our vast, amazing world. Case in point: the featured image comes from my once-in-a-lifetime trip

Fiction isn’t Fact, right?

April 16, 2024 Marti Johnson

A fiction writer makes things up. The characters, places, thoughts, plot elements, it’s all fake, right? Well, sometimes, yes, and sometimes, no. Creativity plays a

INTERVIEW with #kidlit Superstar Rebecca Gardyn Levington About AFIKOMEN, WHERE’D YOU GO? PLUS A 30 Minute AMA GIVEAWAY

April 12, 2024 DrZatHome

by Danna Zeiger Danna Zeiger: It seems like just yesterday, Rebecca was interviewed here at WR for her stunning debut picture book, Brainstorm, by the

Meet the awesome #kidlit creator and debut author, Andrew Hackett.

April 9, 2024 Carol Gordon Ekster

CAROL GORDON EKSTER: I met Andrew first in the NESCBWI on-line meet and greets during the pandemic. He was a bright light and because I

Manfish and the Sea by Jennifer Berne

April 2, 2024 Joyce Audy Zarins

Picture book author Jennifer Berne adventured on a sailboat for two years while deepening her understanding of the ever-evolving sea. Two of her eloquent, award-winning