87: All the Worst and All the Best of Writing for Kids - PJ Gardner Middle Grade Author Interview

87: All the Worst and All the Best of Writing for Kids - PJ Gardner Middle Grade Author Interview

Have you ever wondered about the greatest aspects about being an author? Or about the lowest moments? While discussing PJ Gardner's newest book I thought it was the perfect time to delve into some of these questions since the title of this book is: Worst in Show. Find author PJ Gardner https://www.pjgardnerswitzer.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pjgardnerswitzer/ Worst in Show by PJ Gardner https://www.amazon.com/Worst-Show-PJ-Gardner/dp/0063134764/ Reach by Celesta Rimington https://www.amazon.com/Reach-Celesta-Rimington/dp/0593860306/ Monster Tree by Sarah Allen https://www.amazon.com/Monster-Tree-Sarah-Allen/dp/0374390975/ Chapters 00:00 Meet middle grade author PJ Gardner 07:22 What is Worst in Show by PJ Gardner about? 11:26 What was the worst part about writing the book Worst in Show? 12:55 The best part about writing Worst in Show? 13:44 What is the worst part about being a writer? 14:54 What is the best part about being a writer or author? 15:38 What is the worst review someone has given one of your books? 20:20 The best feedback or review you have ever received on a book you wrote? 22:03 Worst and best things about dogs? Worst and best things about ferrets and weasels? 25:03 The worst and best things about friendship? 26:13 The worst and best things about fashion? 27:45 The worst and best things about food? 29:39 What was the worst thing about starting a career as a traditionally published author? 32:21 The worst and best things about starting a brand new book? 35:05 The worst and best things about attending writers conferences? 37:05 What is next for author PJ Gardner? 38:53 PJ’s book recommendations

86: Accidentally Becoming an Illustrator with Carmen Mok

Chapters 00:00 Meet illustrator Carmen Mok 02:48 How did Carmen Mok get into illustrating books 05:15 What made Carmen want to stay in illustration? 08:39 Carmen’s process from start to finish for when her illustrations are in a published work 12:16 How the art directors feedback effects Carmen’s illustrations 13:53 After Carmen receives the manuscript what does she do to enhance the story through illustrations? 15:14 What is Carmen’s hope that readers notice about images throughout Orris and Timble? 17:26 Working with Kate DiCamillo 19:56 One of Carmen’s favorite images she created for Orris and Timble 22:17 Has anything surprised Carmen in her journey as an illustrator? 25:10 How does Carmen continue to grow as an artist? 30:38 What is next for creator Carmen Mok? 28:40 Carmen’s book recommendation

85: Teens Crave Mysteries and Thrillers - Interview with YA Author April Henry

Bring on the high stakes tension! April Henry is a New York Times bestelling author of young adult and adult fiction books. In this episode we discuss her 32nd book, In the Blood. What is it like to go all in researching for these thrillers and what are some of April's experiences with writing them.  Find author April Henry https://www.aprilhenry.com/ https://www.instagram.com/aprilhenrybooks/ In the Blood by April Henry https://www.amazon.com/Blood-April-Henry/dp/0316586218/ That's Not My Name: A Pulse-Pounding YA Thriller of Secrets, Lies, and Betrayal by Megan Lally https://www.amazon.com/Thats-Not-Name-Megan-Lally/dp/1728270111/ Chapters 00:00 Meet author April Henry 04:42 What is In The Blood by April Henry about? 06:33 Researching for In the Blood 14:27 Are April’s stories ever based on real stories? 16:53 The main character is a writer, how is April’s writing like her own character’s experiences  19:00 Who is April’s first reader when she finishes a draft? 20:37 Reader’s reactions that April loves? 21:46 Why do readers love thrillers and books with high tension? 23:57 When April was a child she sent a story to Roald Dahl and it was published in a magazine 28:08 What is next for author April Henry? 29:59 April’s book recommendation

84: Hawaiian Legend Turned Into a Middle Grade Fantastical Adventure - Malia Maunakea Author Interview

Do your readers love fantastical shapeshifter books? Werewolves? Vampires? Sharks? Malia Maunakea joins us to talk about her newest middle grade fantasy based on Hawaiian legends. The Shark Prince is about a boy cursed to transform into a shark. You decide if it is a curse or a blessing.  Find author Malia Maunakea  https://www.maliamaunakea.com/ https://www.instagram.com/maliamaunakea/ https://www.tiktok.com/@maliamaunakea The Shark Prince by Malia Maunakea https://www.amazon.com/Shark-Prince-Malia-Maunakea/dp/0593890728/ Lei and the Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea https://www.amazon.com/Lei-Fire-Goddess-Malia-Maunakea/dp/0593522036/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0 Lei and the Legends book 2 Lei and the Invisible Island https://www.amazon.com/Lei-Invisible-Island-Legends/dp/0593522052/ Clairboyance by Kristiana Kahakauwila https://www.amazon.com/Clairboyance-Kristiana-Kahakauwila/dp/0063045362/ Chapters 00:00 Meet author Malia Maunakea 05:28 What is the Shark Prince about? 07:10 Did you know you wanted to be a writer? Did you know you wanted to write fantasy? 09:01 Is the Shark Prince based on a real Hawaiian legend? 11:41 Pitching the Shark Prince to people who aren’t familiar with the legend or aren’t fantasy lovers. Using books to talk to your kids. 21:52 Themes of friendship 25:02 What is next for author Malia Maunakea 28:28 Malia’s book recommendation

83: A Story Out of Order with Caldecott Medal Winning Philip Stead Middle Grade Author Interview

Philip Stead is best known for his writing and illustrating of picture books, but after a little convincing from others and a lot of creativity on his part he recently published his first middle grade novel. "A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic or Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm a Story Out of Order" quickly became a New York Times bestseller for children and in this episode you get to hear about how he came up with this unique writing style and how to work morals into middle grade books. Find author and illustrator Philip Stead https://www.numberfivebus.com/ https://www.instagram.com/number5bus/ A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic Or Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm a Story Out of Order by Philip Stead https://www.amazon.com/Potion-Powder-Little-Bit-Magic/dp/0823458091/ The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine by Mark Twain, Philip Stead, and Erin Stead  Bambert's Book of Missing Stories by Reinhardt Jung Chapters 00:00 Meet author and illustrator Philip  Stead 01:40 What is A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic or Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm a Story Out of Order about? 03:20 Does Philip Stead represent the author in his book? 04:25 What inspired Philip Stead to write his first middle grade book, A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic or Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm a Story Out of Order? And finishing a children’s book that Mark Twain started? 13:05 Did life go like you expected it to as a child? 14:20 Enjoyment vs fulfillment in life? 16:16 Why 10 year old Philip Stead would like a story out of order? 18:00 An interview out of order - author ice breaker in the middle - what is Philip’s will power struggle? 19:20 24 morals in Philip Stead’s books and why Philip decided to put morals in? 22:14 What significance some of the morals hold for Philip personally? 32:31 This or that based on Philip’s book? 34:21 What is next for author and illustrator Philip Stead and wife Erin Stead? 36:45 Philip Stead’s book recommendation.