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!

Continue reading
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

Continue reading
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

Continue reading
#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

Continue reading
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

Continue reading
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

Continue reading

An Uplifting Trio of New Picture Books by Hope Lim, Mindy Yuksel, & NoNieqa Ramos

May 17, 2022 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Hope, Mindy, and Nonieqa are all members of the Soaring ’20’s group of talented and prolific authors, and each one continues to bring us picture (and other) books full of heart.

INTERVIEW WITH PICTURE BOOK AUTHOR CAROL GORDON EKSTER

May 13, 2022 Hilary Elizabeth Margitich

Carol Gordon Ekster writes picture books–all kinds of them, inspired by all sorts of different topics that engage her, and in turn, engage her young

How Do Libraries Choose Books? Collection Development in Public Libraries: An Interview with Library Director Noelle Boc

May 10, 2022 Amy Amberg

With recent book banning attempts in several states, I thought it would be a good time to clarify how public libraries both collect and cull items from their collections.

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR LESLIE BULION

May 6, 2022 René Bartos

René Bartos: I am so excited to be able to chat with author Leslie Bulion today! Welcome to Writers’ Rumpus Leslie! Can you tell me

OCEANS OF LOVE for Illustrators

May 3, 2022 Alumni & Guests

Author Janet Lawler is always surprised by illustrations for her books, but she is grateful that artists add to her stories and create picture book magic.