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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How to Write (In)credible Nonfiction: Find an Expert!

March 15, 2024 Alumni & Guests

Guest Post by Lori Alexander As the author of nonfiction picture books and chapter books, I’m sometimes asked by other nonfiction writers, “Do I need

The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass

March 12, 2024 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Award-winning authors Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass have teamed up on this delightful and mysterious novel! How could any lover of middle grade resist?

Interview with Nonfiction Picture Book Writer (and Story Detective!) Karen M. Greenwald

March 5, 2024 Hilary Elizabeth Margitich

I’m thrilled to have Karen M. Greenwald as my guest today, a talented nonfiction picture book author, and an incredible “story detective” of sorts. She

Editing Tips 2: When to edit and how

February 20, 2024 Joyce Audy Zarins

To preserve the art of your story, don’t edit until you have a full draft. Or a second, or even a third. Then, you are

#KIDLIT INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ANITRA ROWE SCHULTE

February 13, 2024 Carol Gordon Ekster

CAROL GORDON EKSTER: I love the #kidlit community on social media. Anitra reached out to me in a message and when I checked her out,

Embracing Connection: The Joy of Returning to In-Person Conferences

February 9, 2024 Alumni & Guests

Guest Post by Carrie Pearson Back in the (pre-pandemic) day, writers and illustrators used to gather in person for most of our conferences and workshops.