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Interviews

Interviews (scroll down) with book creators and others in the children’s book community. I’m still gradually moving these over from the old site; thanks for your patience.

Many of these book creators were kind enough to offer useful Advice For Young Writers and Illustrators.

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Martha Rago (HarperCollins Children’s) and Lauren Rille (Simon & Schuster Children’s) advice for aspiring children’s book illustrators

Martha Rago, Associate Creative Director at HarperCollins Children’s Books I recently posted two mini-interviews with Martha Rago and Lauren Rille over on the KidLitArtists blog. With the SCBWI Summer Conference coming up, I asked HarperCollins Associate Creative Director Martha Rago about how SCBWI portfolio showcases help publishers HarperCollins Children’s find illustrators. Martha says . . .


Interview: Carmella Van Vleet on middle grade novels, publication, writer advice and ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER (Holiday House, launches Feb. 14, 2014)

I met Carmella Van Vleet through MiGWriters, a wonderful critique group I discovered through the SCBWI message boards. Carmella is a former kindergarten teacher and the author of numerous hands-on science and history books, including Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself (Nomad Press). She loves lists, cooking shows, exclamation points, and taekwondo . . .


Interview with Moira Allen, author and founder of Writing-World.com

 Moira Allen is the editor of Writing-World.com, and has written nearly 400 articles, serving as a columnist and regular contributor for such publications as The Writer, Entrepreneur, Writer’s Digest, and Byline. Those of you who have been following my projects from the very beginning will be familiar with Inkspot, one of the very first . . .


Interview: Lisa Dalrymple and Suzanne Del Rizzo on the making of SKINK ON THE BRINK (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)

Title: SKINK ON THE BRINK Author: Lisa Dalrymple – Illustrator: Suzanne Del Rizzo Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside –  June 2013 I first heard about Skink On The Brink at a CANSCAIP meeting. Not only was the title intriguing, but I love the inspiring publication success story (details below). Lisa and Suzanne are popular children’s book presenters; their activity . . .


Interview: Peggy Eddleman and SKY JUMPERS (Random House Children’s)

SKY JUMPERS – Author: Peggy Eddleman – Hardcover / 288 pages / Publication date: Sept. 24, 2013 from Random House Children’s Books. ISBN 0307981274. More info about the book on Goodreads. SKY JUMPERS by Peggy Eddleman is a fast-paced middle grade adventure with engaging characters and imaginative world-building. I was totally fascinated . . .


Thanks to 14-year-old Caitlan for being my 26,000th follower on Twitter

Thanks so much to Caitlan Washington (@CreatorWashingt) for being the 26,000th person to follow my @inkyelbows account. With permission of Caitlan’s parents, here’s more about this young UK writer… Caitlan says she’s just “an ordinary 14-year-old girl from Leeds with a passion for performing.” From Caitlan: “I’ve always been a fan of reading . . .