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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The Twists and Turns of Publishing with an Overseas Press

March 8, 2022 Alumni & Guests

Guest Post by Susan Lendroth, author of Piper and Purpa Forever! This year’s Super Tues(2)day – 2/22/22 – was indeed a super day for me

Interview with Author Doe Boyle

March 4, 2022 René Bartos

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

March Middle Grade and Young Adult Opportunities

February 25, 2022 Lexi Donahue

Welcome to our MG/YA Opportunities post! In 2022, the MG/YA Opportunities post has taken on a new structure but don’t worry, you’ll still be able

Writer’s Voice – Your Most Powerful Tool

February 22, 2022 Marti Johnson

Writers hear over and again about the strength or lack of voice in their manuscript. (Hopefully, the former.) In non-fiction, it is generally the author’s

Finding Your Place in the Writing Community

February 18, 2022 Rebecca Moody

Writing can often seem like a solitary occupation, and for a new writer this can be discouraging. Sometimes it feels like you’re writing in a

Imaginary, by Lee Bacon

February 15, 2022 Laura Fineberg Cooper

IMAGINARY, written by Lee Bacon and illustrated by Katy Wu, is poignant, humorous, and sheer delight from start to finish. Released in October 2021, this early middle grade novel is centered around eleven-year-old Zack, who still hasn’t recovered from his father’s death five years earlier. Zack’s only solace is to retreat into his imagination with his imaginary best friend Shovel. If you think the narrator is Zach, guess again.