Getting to The Heart of Why We Write

Accepting Imperfection and Embracing Courage with Author Gabriella Aldeman

Please welcome author Gabriella Aldeman to the show! Some Highlights: Nerding out about language. Writing in English when it’s your second language. Joining a professional kidlit organization as a translator and getting inspired to write her own stories. A love of writing.🖋️ “Embracing imperfection is the first step towards having courage.” Abuela’s talkative parrot in her latest book.🦜 Celebrating mistakes along your learning journey.💃💃💃💃 The joy and energy in author visits. The options clause–pay attention to it! You can narrow it!! Why Write: “Writing has always been the way I process my emotions and figure things out….But I do revise for young readers.” Links Mentioned🔗: Gabriella’s website [http://www.writebetween.com/] Gabriella on Twitter [https://x.com/write_between], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/write_between], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellaaldeman/], and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/WriteBetween] Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators [https://www.scbwi.org/] (SCBWI) Book Recommendations📚: Squawk of Spanish [https://www.writebetween.com/squawk-of-spanish]by Gabriella Aldeman, illustrated by Romina Galotta on Amazon [https://a.co/d/cMURxH9], Bookshop [https://bookshop.org/p/books/squawk-of-spanish-gabriella-aldeman/21303064?ean=9781623543921], and Barnes & Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/squawk-of-spanish-gabriella-aldeman/1144364351?ean=9781623543921] (It’s also available in Spanish!) Paula’s Patches [https://www.writebetween.com/paulas-patches]by Gabriella Aldeman, illustrated by Rocio Arreola Mendoza A Flicker of Hope [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/154488329-a-flicker-of-hope]by Cynthia Harmony, illustrated by Devon Holzwarth (Also available in Spanish!) How Not to Drown in a Glass [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59808037-how-not-to-drown-in-a-glass-of-water]of Water by Angie Cruz Feed [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169756.Feed] by M.T. Anderson

Nurturing Your Soul with Writing and Zombie Manuscripts with Author Jolene Gutiérrez

Please welcome author Jolene Gutiérrez to the show! Her latest book, Mamiachi and Me just released on January 7. Congratulations, Jolene! And grab your copy now while it’s still hot off the press!♨️🔥📚📚 Some Highlights: Publishing her first books on her teacher’s typewriter in elementary school. Denise Vega’s [https://www.denisevega.com/] author visit at Jolene’s school in 2008 and the spark it ignited. –“If you want to be a writer, why aren’t you now? Why not today?” Nurturing your soul with writing. Do something for yourself before anyone else. Following what brings joy as a parent, showing your children that it is okay to do that. Let them know they need to follow their own joy—but you have to follow your own first. Teaching as a librarian. Kidlit zombie manuscripts. Why write: I can’t not write. “If this ever stops bringing me joy, I can walk away.” The importance of choice and joy in creative endeavors. Co-writing picture books with her children. High school mariachi inspiration. Links Mentioned🔗: Jolene’s website [https://www.jolenegutierrez.com/] Jolene on Twitter [https://x.com/writerjolene], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/writerjolene/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/writerjolene/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/JoleneBallardGutierrez/videos], and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/writerjolene] The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators [https://www.scbwi.org/] (SCBWI) The Author’s Guild [https://authorsguild.org/] KidLitCollective [https://wtpsite.wordpress.com/] #KidlitZombieWeek  [https://sites.google.com/view/kidlit-zombie-week/home] Picture Book Gold  [https://picturebookgold.wixsite.com/website] Book Recommendations📚: Mamiachi and Me: My Mami’s Mariachi Band [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/207004628-mamiachi-me] by Jolene and Dakota Gutiérrez, illustrated by Mirelle Ortega on Amazon [https://a.co/d/dB0sL8K], Bookshop [https://bookshop.org/p/books/mamiachi-me-my-mami-s-mariachi-band-a-picture-book-jolene-gutierrez/21141936?ean=9781419767159], and Barnes and Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mamiachi-me-jolene-guti-rrez/1144781104?ean=9781419767159] The Ofrenda That We Built [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203164067-the-ofrenda-that-we-built]by Jolene and Shaian Gutiérrez, illustrated by Gabby Zapata Too Much! An Overwhelming Day [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/98652836-too-much] by Jolene Gutiérrez, illustrated by Angel Chang Bionic Beasts: Saving Animal Lives with Artificial Flippers, Legs, and Beaks [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49334791-bionic-beasts] by Jolene Gutiérrez Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53270990-mac-and-cheese-and-the-personal-space-invader] by Jolene Gutiérrez, illustrated by Heather Bell Thank you and thank you, Jolene! Stay tuned for the next interview with author Masha Sapron.💃💃💃💃

Lifelong Critique Partners and Tangible Joy with Author Christine Evans

Please welcome author Christine Evans to the show! Christine and I met in 12x12 and this episode has been a long time coming–thank you all for your patience!! Some Highlights: The perfect time to start a new career–when you have small children.😂 Growing up reading classics, not knowing “author” was a real job one could do. Starting with picture books before moving on to chapter books. Starting with Googling–highly underrated. Lifelong critique partners. The joy of reading the story you wrote aloud to young listeners. The tangible joy of creating stories.📖 When stuck, taking herself away from the work for a while. Change of scenery. And community.♥️ Tackling grief in picture books. At the end of the day, the writing itself is what’s most important. Why Write: Because I can’t imagine not writing. I write to figure things out for myself sometimes too. I write to find things out. That’s my creative outlet. It’s a bonus that it’s more than that as well. Early advice: Be patient. Wait until you’re ready. There’s no rush. Links Mentioned 🔗: Christine’s Website [https://www.pinwheelsandstories.com/] Christine on Twitter [https://x.com/ChristineNEvans/status/1745223021399511092?s=20] and Instagram Susannah Leonard Hill [https://susannahill.com/] The 12x12 Picture Book Challenge [https://www.12x12challenge.com/] Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators [https://www.scbwi.org/] (SCBWI) Book Recommendations 📚: Dear Mr. G [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62349946-dear-mr-g]. by Christine Evans, illustrated by Gracey Zhang on Amazon [https://a.co/d/9ME9o4a], Bookshop [https://bookshop.org/p/books/dear-mr-g-christine-evans/18829806], Linden Tree Books [https://www.lindentreebooks.com/dear-mr-g.html], and Barnes and Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dear-mr-g-christine-evans/1142171636?ean=9781454944171] The Wish Library [https://www.pinwheelsandstories.com/the-wish-library]by Christine Evans, illustrated by Patrick Corrigan Christine all books [https://www.pinwheelsandstories.com/books] The First State of Being [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/173956216-the-first-state-of-being] by Erin Entrada Kelly Luigi, The Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/177721371-luigi-the-spider-who-wanted-to-be-a-kitten] by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes Ava Lin [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196000044-ava-lin]by Vicky Fang Thank you so much to Christine for being on the show and you for listening! Stay tuned for the next interview with author Jolene Gutierrez [https://www.jolenegutierrez.com/]!💃💃💃💃

Author Rachel Funez on Neurodivergence, Wordplay, and Super Duper Disasters

Please welcome author Rachel Funez to the show! Her recent release, Sonia and the Super Duper Disaster, illustrated by Kelly Kennedy came out in July of this year. I met Rachel through the Rocky Mountain chapter of the SCBWI where she is very active as the critique coordinator and doing so many fabulous things. Please enjoy! Some Highlights: Mysteries, puns, and wordplay. Putting yourself out there as neurodivergent. The necessity of community.♥️ Life coaches for writers.🖊️ Enjoy the ride–enjoy the process. All the many things she does in the writing world–SHE IS PHENOMENAL!  Links Mentioned🔗: Rachel’s website [https://rachelfunez.wordpress.com/] Rachel’s Substack newsletter [https://substack.com/@breathemovebrief] The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators [https://www.scbwi.org/] (SCBWI) The 12x12 Picture Book Challenge [https://www.12x12challenge.com/] Courage to Create [https://thewritingbarn.com/courage-to-create/] Book Recommendations📚: Sonia and the Super Duper Disaster [https://rachelfunez.wordpress.com/sonia-and-the-super-duper-disaster/]by Rachel Funez, illustrated by Kelly Kennedy on Amazon [https://a.co/d/6MeBsiW], Bookshop [https://bookshop.org/p/books/sonia-and-the-super-duper-disaster-rachel-funez/20712940?ean=9798885543903], and Barnes and Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sonia-and-the-super-duper-disaster-rachel-funez/1144221514?ean=9798885543903] Wretched Waterpark (Book one of The Sinister Summer Series) [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57064814-wretched-waterpark] by Kiersten White Thank you so much for listening and thank you, Rachel, for coming on the show! Stay tuned for the next interview with children’s book author Christine Evans [https://www.pinwheelsandstories.com/].

Author Illustrator Meg Auchenbach on Wild Acorns and Character Worlds

I hope you enjoy this episode with author illustrator Meg Auchenbach. It was such a delight to hear about her artistic journey and the inspiration behind her book, If You Are an Artist. Please enjoy!💃💃💃💃 Some Highlights: Drawing on the family dog…with markers.🐕 Nerding out about meditation and mindfulness. What would your character wear? Read? What does your character’s world look like to them? Processing emotions through stories as a kid. Be patient. Take your time learning the craft. There’s no reason to race through. Illustrating death in a beautiful way. There’s no one way to be an artist. Links Mentioned🔗: Meg’s link.tree [https://linktr.ee/megauchenbachart] Meg’s website [http://www.megauchenbach.com/] Meg on Twitter [https://x.com/MegAuchenbach], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MegAuchenbach/?ref=hl], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/megauchenbachart/], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-auchenbach-8a733810b/] The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) [http://org] Kidlit411 on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1444222312460054] The 12x12 Picture Book Challenge [https://12x12challenge.com/] Book Recommendations📚: If You Are An Artist [https://www.megauchenbach.com/books] by Meg Auchenbach on Bookshop [https://bookshop.org/p/books/if-you-are-an-artist-meg-auchenbach/20526827?ean=9781441342010], Barnes and Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-you-are-an-artist-meg-auchenbach/1144008650?ean=9781441342010], Aaron’s Books [https://aaronsbooks.com/book/9781441342010], and Amazon [https://a.co/d/fK8ghLT] Acorn Was a Little Wild [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58437783-acorn-was-a-little-wild] by Jen Arena, illustrated by Jessica Gibson Farmhouse [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58783430-farmhouse] by Sophie Blackall The Longest Letsgoboy [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57007887-the-longest-letsgoboy] by Derick Wilder, illustrated by Catia Chen Thank you so much, Meg, for the much needed dose of inspiration. And thank you, listener, for being here. Stay tuned for your next regularly scheduled interview with author Rachel Funez [https://rachelfunez.wordpress.com/].