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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Five Page Layout Tips

May 7, 2021 Joyce Audy Zarins

All picture book author-illustrators need to consider how your story and images fit together. Even when the narrative is not told in actual words, it

MAY Middle Grade and Young Adult Opportunities

April 30, 2021 Marti Johnson

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

The Impact of Author Visits

April 27, 2021 Alumni & Guests

Just like we learn from picture books as mentor texts, we can also learn from author visits as mentor visits.

LISTENING TO THE STARS: Interview with Author Jodie Parachini

April 23, 2021 Marianne Knowles

When I learned that Astronomer Jocelyn Bell Burnell, discoverer of pulsars, was getting her own picture book biography, LISTENING TO THE STARS, and it was

Interview of Jane Yolen, Author of 400 Books!

April 20, 2021 Kirsti Call

Kirsti Call: As my mentor and friend, you are an inspiration! This is your 400th book. How does it feel to make it to 400?

7 “Gentle” Graphic Novels for Kids and Teens Guaranteed to Make You Say “Aww…”

April 16, 2021 Rebecca Moody

We’ve all heard it before: conflict is what drives stories. This idea has led to a market where bestsellers are stuffed with ever-increasing stakes that