Creative Success Stories

Category

Elizabeth Gerlach Bens Adventures

Interview with Author Elizabeth Gerlach

It's a privilege to introduce children's book author Elizabeth Gerlach. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, children and dogs. With a background in marketing, she only recently considered herself a writer. Elizabeth's life has taken surprising turns over the past few years that led her here. The Gerlach's lost one of their triplets in 2016 at just 3 years old and established the Ben Smiles Memorial Foundation. She then developed a series of children’s books called Ben’s Adventures, about a young brother who uses a wheelchair. Both the foundation and books were prompted by the loss of her son. Elizabeth also blogs about the grieving process and has been published on a variety of websites. While not working on the Ben's Adventures series, she has been writing something more like a memoir but it's still taking shape.

Susan Schmid Author 100 Dresses Starlight Slippers

Interview with Author Susan Schmid

It's a joy to have children's book author Susan Maupin Schmid by for an interview. Susan is the author of the 100 Dresses series from Random House, an avid seamstress, and a Mentor Mom for MOMSnext (a division of MOPS International). She considers her inner 10-year-old her greatest asset as a writer and mentor (except when said inner child wants to stay up late or play Animal Crossing). You can connect with Susan on SusanMaupinSchmid.com or on Twitter @maupinschmid.

Bonnie Clark Author Interview

Interview with Author Bonnie Clark

It's a joy and a pleasure to introduce an avid writer and true seize-the-day'er Bonnie Clark. Bonnie is a stay-at-gym mom of three kids and the lucky wife to a hairstylist. She lives in Canton, GA where she enjoys running, doing yoga, drinking coffee, writing and is often found behind a stack of books. Bonnie is an inventor and has been a contestant on Wheel of Fortune. She has been writing for children for about 4 years and is passionate about helping kids discover and like who they are. TASTE YOUR WORDS is her debut picture book, set to debut in 2020 with Worthy Kids/Ideals. Her literary agent, Adria M. Goetz from Martin Literary Management, negotiated the deal.

Heather Macht ant farm escape

Interview with Author Heather Macht

Welcome to the (virtual) interview platform, Heather Macht! Heather is the author of THE ANT FARM ESCAPE! (Pelican, 2019), REX THE…WE-DON’T-KNOW (Pelican, 2019) and YOU MAY JUST BE A DINOSAUR (Pelican, 2015). She has a degree in Fine Arts, is an active member of the SCBWI, and is the Assistant Administrator, the Newsletter Coordinator, and a volunteer judge for Rate Your Story. She loves spending her Saturday’s in bookstores or in libraries with friends. Heather is happily married and currently resides in Florida next door to a quiet beach. When she’s not writing, she enjoys painting, reading poetry, and watching scary movies with her husband and children.

abi cushman illustration 1

Interview with Author / Illustrator Abi Cushman

I've been so excited to share this interview with the #writingcommunity! Abi Cushman is an award winning children's book author and illustrator based in Connecticut. Her debut picture book, Soaked, comes out Summer 2020 from Viking Children's Books. You can find her on Twitter @AbiCushman or Instagram @Abi.Cushman. Are you ready to gleam some insight from, and share in the journey of, this talented lady? Let's go!

Ugly Doodles Valeria Wicker 1

Interview with Author / Illustrator Valeria Wicker – Part 2

What an exciting opportunity we have to gleam more publishing insight from successful #kidlit and #SCBWI author/illustrator Valeria Wicker! If you haven't read our first interview with Valeria, be sure to check it out so you're up to speed on her backstory. Buzzing in the news was her children's book sale with literary agent extraordinaire Adria Goetz from Martin Literary Management. The sale was for her debut picture book, The Ugly Doodles, and a second untitled picture book to Sasha Henriques at Little, Brown/Patterson. Valeria stopped by for a conversation on her debut picture book and to share more (including some illustration dummies!!!) on her life as a soon-to-be published author/illustrator.

Interview Illustrator Jessika von Innerebner

Interview with Illustrator Jessika von Innerebner

It's a special treat to have successfully published illustrator Jessika von Innerebner, who is represented by veteran agent Kelly Sonnack with Andrea Brown Literary Agency, stop by for an interview! She's known as Jess von I to her friends (which now includes you!) and is a full-time freelance children’s book illustrator who travels the world. Morning cups of coffee, long-boarding and laughing at corny puns are a few of her favorite things. Some newly released projects include, Grow Up Ant-Man with Marvel, Miranda & Maude the Princess and Absolutely-Not-A-Princess with ABRAMS and Rox’s Secret Code with POW! The rest, well, we'll soon find out!

Interview Author Stephanie Campisi

Interview with Author Stephanie Campisi

I'm pleased to introduce Stephanie Campisi, an Australian-born, Washington-based picture book author who lives in a self-described haunted house in a haunted town - creepy! Stephanie is a copywriter by day; think 9am-5pm (and beyond) writing ads and labels for every day products. Her latest picture book, Luis and Tabitha, is about two star-crossed cat lovers. She has two more picture books coming out in 2019, holds an honors degree in linguistics from the University of Melbourne, and keeps busy in the gym or tending to various animals on her property.