Kidlit Happy Hour

kidlithappyhour
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Kidlit Happy Hour

Join New York Times bestselling and award-winning children’s book author Joanna Ho, and children’s book author Caroline Kusin Pritchard as we dive into storytelling - the craft, the industry, the creative life - with fellow kidlit authors, publishing professionals, and folks outside the children’s book world. Storytelling happens in many spheres beyond books, and we will draw insights and connections from all over to improve our craft and lives as writers. Grab a drink, cozy up and explore storytelling with creative minds inside children’s publishing and beyond.

  1. SEP 24

    Ep. 28: Setting: Grace Lin on Writing Where You Want to Be and the Myth of the "Real Writers"

    Highlights from our episode with the bestselling, awards-winning, queen herself, Grace Lin: Picking a setting where you *want* to spend time Identifying as a storyteller vs. a writer Why she is the 1% of writers who do NOT start their story with character Her pals persistence and doggedness The role of faith in writing How publishing has shape-shifted over the past 30 years Grace Lin, a NY Times bestselling author/ illustrator, won the Newbery Honor for “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” and the Theodor Geisel Honor for “Ling and Ting.” Her novel “When the Sea Turned to Silver” was a National Book Award Finalist and her picture book, “A Big Mooncake for Little Star” was awarded the Caldecott Honor. Grace is also an occasional commentator for New England Public Radio, a reviewer for the NY Times, a video essayist for PBS NewsHour, and the speaker of the popular TEDx talk, “The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child’s Bookshelf,” as well as the co-host of the Book Friends Forever podcast.  In 2016, Grace’s art was displayed at the White House where Grace, herself, was recognized by President Obama’s office as a Champion of Change for Asian American and Pacific Islander Art and Storytelling. In 2022, Grace was awarded the Children’s Literature Legacy Award from the American Library Association.

    60 min

  2. SEP 10

    Ep. 27: Setting: Liz Garton Scanlon on Creating Context and Chasing Stories Through a Dreamscape

    Here are some highlights from our conversation with award-winning, bestselling author Liz Garton Scanlon:   📚 Why setting is not relevant only in hsitorical fiction or fantasy and how it impacts every single experience of ourselves and our characters 📚 Setting as context, and reverse engineering elements of craft   📚Honoring the rhythms of being a s l o w writer 📚 Stories emerging in a dreamscape 📚 How what we know about our fledgling stories becomes self-perpetuating; ask the questions questions, follow the pathways 📚 What to do with envy in a publishing career   Liz Garton Scanlon is the author of numerous beloved books for young people, including picture books Frances in the Country; Kate, Who Tamed the Wind; One Dark Bird; the Caldecott honored All the World, and many others, illustrated by some of the very best artists in the business. She's also co-authored several books with her pal Audrey Vernick, including the hilarious Bob, Not Bob, and the upcoming World’s Best Class Plant. Scanlon’s middle grade novels are The Great Good Summer and Lolo's Light, and her delightful chapter book series Bibsy Cross debuted in 2024. Liz has taught at Austin Community College, the Writing Barn, the Writers’ League of Texas, and at countless schools and conferences. She currently serves on the faculty and is faculty co-chair of the Writing for Children and Young Adults program at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, but lives in Austin, Texas.  Liz's Facebook: Liz Garton Scanlon Liz's IG @LizGardenSalad Liz's Website: www.LizGartonScanlon.com   EPISODE LINKS: Snag your copy of Liz's irresistable Bibsy Cross! Joanna's latest A City Full of Santas is out TODAY! Get your copy at your local independent bookstore HERE! That Instagram post we couldn't stop blabbing about....

    1h 9m

  3. AUG 27

    Ep 26: Theme: Minh Lê on Burying Telephone Wires and Leaving Space for Connection

    Highlights from this episode include: Starting with a story and discovering theme along the way Propping up a story with telephone poles and burying the wires in between Leaving space for readers to lean in and discover things for themselves Minh Lê is the award-winning author of household favorites Drawn Together (winner of the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature), Real to Me, The Blur, Lift (an Eisner Award nominee). He also writes popular middle grade graphic novels, including Green Lantern books and Enlighten Me. He is also a has been a contributor to a number of national publications including the New York Times, The Horn Book, HuffPost, NPR, Book Riot, and Reading Rainbow, and was until very recently, on the Board of We Need Diverse Books. He's also on the faculty of the Hamline MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. IG: @bottomshelfbks

    59 min

  4. AUG 20

    Ep 25: Theme: Laurel Snyder on Maintaining an 8 year-old Brain and Creating in the Face of Capitalism

    We're thrilled to introduce our first guest of Season 2, the brilliant author Laurel Snyder. Highlights in this episode include: Theme bumping against character, setting, plot and more in order to find its path Writing from the heart in a capitalist system Writing like a cook, not a baker Why the outline changes the minute she starts writing The realities of loving, and envying!, authors like Kate Messner Episode links: Laurel's episode on the Commonplace Podcast with Rachel Zucker The Ezra Klein Show podcast episode with Wilco's Jeff Tweedy   Laurel Snyder is the beloved author of many picture books and novels for children, including National Book Award nominee Orphan Island, the Geisel Award winner Charlie & Mouse, and the Sydney Taylor Award winner The Longest Night. A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, she teaches in Hamline University’s MFA in writing for children and young adults program. She lives in Atlanta with her family and can be found online at laurelsnyder.com. IG: @ohmylorelai

    55 min

  5. AUG 13

    Ep 24: We're back! Caroline and Joanna Kick off Season 2

    In which we share ways we've taken our KLHH guests' advice to live life as inspiration for craft, and attempt to buckle down for this upcoming year - because the year actually follows the academic calendar, right? We've got things cooking for you this season, and we hope we can find ways to connect with our listeners more. One way you can do that is by dropping your questions for upcoming guests on our KidlitHappy Hour IG! We're excited to be back for Season 2 - we've already got some gems ready for you!

    22 min

  6. JUN 25

    Ep. 23: Reflections: Joanna and Caroline on Taking Leaps That Make No Sense and Our Favorite Moments From This Past Year

    It’s our final episode of the inaugural season of Kidlit Happy Hour!!! Join us as we surprise one another with favorite moments from each episode, reflect on the season, and talk through where we’re going from here.   We will officially be back in August with our second season that is PACKED TO THE BRIM with brilliant minds across kidlit. In the meantime, be sure to follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen and catch up on any episodes you missed!

    1h 12m

  7. MAY 15

    Ep. 22: Finding Audience: Claribel A. Ortega on Cultivating Real Community and No "Little Book Energy"

    Highlights from our conversation with NYTimes bestselling and award-winning author Claribel A. Ortega: The #1 way to connect to your audience Claribel's tried and true mantra in publishing Risks and benefits of sharing your writing journey online Why writing your interests into your stories is a smart bet The joys of trolling (not the kind you may be thinking) and why she loves receiving "hate mail" from readers  The brilliant approach to making self-promo work for you Why supporting the writing community is everything, and focusing on online conversation vs. discourse Ways to cultivate in-person community  What it's like drafting in Windings 3...   New York Times Bestselling and award-winning author, Claribel A. Ortega is a former reporter who writes middle-grade and young adult fantasy inspired by her Dominican heritage. When she's not busy turning her obsession with eighties pop culture, magic, and video games into books, she’s co-hosting her podcast Bad Author Book Club. Claribel is a Marvel contributor and has been featured on Buzzfeed, Bustle, Good Morning America and Deadline. Claribel’s NYT Bestselling debut middle grade novel Ghost Squad is being made into a feature film. Her latest book Witchlings (Scholastic) was an Instant NYT and #1 Indie Bestseller. Her graphic novel Frizzy with Rose Bousamra was winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award for Children's Text and an Indie Bestseller.    Instagram, X and Tiktok @Claribel_Ortega Twitch @radbunnie Website at claribelortega.com

    1h 2m

  8. MAY 8

    Ep. 21 Finding Audience: Emily Lyman on Reframing Self-promo and Why Good Marketing is Storytelling

    Some highlights from our conversation with marketing guru Emily Lyman:   Reframing self-promotion as a celebration with your community Individuals understand their “brand” Good marketing IS storytelling Why sharing your values, even if controversial, generates more loyal connections and community Empathetic marketing   Emily spent nearly a decade working in-house with global publishers such as Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster managing both corporate and title marketing initiatives. Emily is now the CEO and Founder of Branch and Bramble, a digital marketing company. As an award-winning data artist, Emily specializes in blending data with heart and values to create meaningful audience connections for brand partners which include Patagonia, Paramount, and Penguin Random House. She's worked with companies with household names to individual authors just trying to get their books out in the world. She also runs the Mountain Brook Inn in the Catskills in upstate New York.   Branch and Bramble Book influencer guide IG @emilylyman LinkedIn @Emily Lyman

    54 min
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5
out of 5
51 Ratings

About

Join New York Times bestselling and award-winning children’s book author Joanna Ho, and children’s book author Caroline Kusin Pritchard as we dive into storytelling - the craft, the industry, the creative life - with fellow kidlit authors, publishing professionals, and folks outside the children’s book world. Storytelling happens in many spheres beyond books, and we will draw insights and connections from all over to improve our craft and lives as writers. Grab a drink, cozy up and explore storytelling with creative minds inside children’s publishing and beyond.

Information

  • Creator
    kidlithappyhour
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Kidlit Happy Hour

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