WRITERS' RUMPUS

QUILT OF STARS: Out-of-this-World Book Talk and Giveaway with Co-Authors Astronaut Dr. Karen Nyberg and Ann McCallum Staats

September 29, 2026 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Happy Book Birthday to QUILT OF STARS: Astronaut Karen Nyberg Stitches a Dream! This inspiring and beautiful written picture book, published by Familius, is co-authored by the impressibly accomplished and talented duo of Dr. Karen Nyberg and Ann McCallum Staats and gorgeously illustrated by Alida Massari.

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INTERVIEW WITH #JEWISH #KIDLIT #MIDDLEGRADE AUTHOR MIRIAM CHERNICK

September 22, 2026 DrZatHome

I dove into Miriam Chernick’s The Zuzu Secret with great excitement and anticipation–and was not disappointed. As a molecular biologist and geneticist who has taught

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MG Book Review: GRACIELA IN THE ABYSS by Meg Medina

September 15, 2026 Jennifer Finkle

Meg Medina’s GRACIELA IN THE ABYSS (Candlewick Press, 2025) is an absolutely delightful dual POV story that alternates between the perspectives of a spirit girl named Graciela and a young mortal boy named Jorge.

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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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Goblin: Interview with Eric Grissom

July 6, 2021 Lexi Donahue

When I picked up Goblin by Eric Grissom and Will Perkins, the fantastical illustrations immediately sucked me in. Filled with light and darkness that illuminate

The Power of No Words at All: Henry Cole’s “One Little Bag”

July 2, 2021 Joyce Audy Zarins

In April of 2020 a remarkable picture book was released into the world. Inspired by the author’s childhood experience, the story follows the life cycle

July Middle Grade and Young Adult Opportunities

June 25, 2021 Marti Johnson

Events, classes, contests for Middle Grade and Young Adult writers for July, 2021

Critiquing: A Superpower?

June 22, 2021 Alumni & Guests

Critiquing the work of others brings an ultra-awareness to the all-encompassing task of writing picture books. With fresh eyes, you present considerations and questions for others that are important to think about in your own writing, too. But when it comes to critiquing your own stories, fresh eyes are harder to come by.