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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Meet #kidlit author, Karen Rostoker-Gruber

February 11, 2020 Carol Gordon Ekster

CAROL GORDON EKSTER: I “met” Karen through a Facebook group, Jewish Kidlit Mavens. She’s an inspirational talented #kidlit woman. Welcome, Karen! KAREN ROSTOKER-GRUBER: Hi! CGE:

This Is How I Grow: Wesley Davies, Versatile Illustrator

February 7, 2020 Joyce Audy Zarins

This is How I Grow by Dia L. Michels was beautifully illustrated by new talent Wesley Davies whose digital art skilfully depicts various species

Is Reading Part of Your Writing Diet?

January 31, 2020 Alumni & Guests

Writing picture books is not easy. It is a concentrated, deep, and selective process which we consider an art.

Don’t judge a book by its topic: An MCBA Post

January 28, 2020 Lexi Donahue

January 2020 has arrived and I can’t wait to vote for my favorite MCBA book! For those who don’t live in Massachusetts, or who don’t

Spot the Differences Between These Two Books

January 24, 2020 Laura Fineberg Cooper

What better way to lift someone’s spirits than with the unexpected gift of a beautifully rendered classic like BLACK BEAUTY, written by Anna Sewell with breathtaking illustrations by Christian Birmingham.

Interview of Talented Author, Rita Lorraine Hubbard

January 21, 2020 Kirsti Call

I adore Rita Lorraine Hubbard’s debut picture book, Hammering For Freedom. So when she joined the 20/20 Vision Picture Book marketing group, I was excited