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Interview with Author Elizabeth Gerlach

Elizabeth Gerlach Bens Adventures

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.

Interview with Author Susan Schmid

Susan Schmid Author 100 Dresses Starlight Slippers

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.

Interview with Author Bonnie Clark

Bonnie Clark Author Interview

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.

Interview with Author Heather Macht

Heather Macht ant farm escape

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.

Interview with Author / Illustrator Abi Cushman

abi cushman illustration 1

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!

Interview with Author / Illustrator Valeria Wicker – Part 2

Ugly Doodles Valeria Wicker 1

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 with Author Stephanie Campisi

Interview 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.

Interview with Author Lisa Wheeler

Interview Author Lisa Wheeler

What a joy it is to be able to glean experience from successful and prolific author Lisa Wheeler. She grew up near Pittsburgh, PA but has been in Michigan since she was almost 16. Though she has written all her life, Lisa didn’t attempt publication until the age of 32. (See, YOU are in good company!) After nearly 4 years and about 225 rejections, she sold her first book. She credits the support and encouragement of her husband, Glen, for taking those first baby steps and never looking back. Lisa totally loves the world of children’s books and says she "cannot imagine any other life".

Writing Strategies for Authors

Good Strategies for Authors

Someone may have asked you what some good writing strategies for authors are. Perhaps you've asked this yourself. Writing has been around for thousands of years and unlike new technology industries, we know what works for writers and what doesn't. You could call these good strategies for authors the basics or fundamentals for strong writing. Try not to see yourself as too good not to be reminded of the basics. Everyone needs these basic strategies. It's those with experience that stray from these strategies and test out new, unproven methods. Revisiting the basics will help get you back on course with your writing progress.

Interview with Illustrator Valeria Wicker

Interview Illustrator Valeria Wicker

Today, we have the incredibly talented Valeria Wicker here sharing insights and advice from her journey as an illustrator. She was born in Rome, Italy and graduated from art school with the intent of becoming a fashion designer. After moving to the United States, her passion evolved into writing and illustrating children's books. She has illustrated picture books for independent authors and embraced the children’s literature community through the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). With English as her second language, she works restlessly to hone her writing skills.