Welcome, Sara Nickerson! I’m happy to host you here on The Winged Pen about your new middle grade book, Last Meeting of the Gorilla Club. Let’s dive right in. What a beautiful cover! Where did the inspiration for Last Meeting of the Gorilla Club come from? Yes, the fabulous cover! It was designed by Maria Fazio at Penguin Random House and illustrated by Maeve Norton. As for the … Continue reading Interview – Middle grade author Sara Nickerson
Welcome to my fellow Winged Pen Critique Partner, Kristi Wientge! I’m going to dive right in with questions about your upcoming middle grade release on June 4th, 2019, entitled Honeybees and Frenemies from Simon and Schuster. When did the seed of this story germinate? How was it pollinated?Way back in 2014 I had this idea for NaNoWriMo that really excited me. I dropped my younger … Continue reading Interview – Author Kristi Wientge shares the BUZZ about HONEYBEES AND FRENEMIES
During this morning’s writing session I was reflecting on how long I’ve been at this writing gig. Not in a bad way. Strictly the facts. I’ve written five middle grade novels now. It’s impressive to me when others in the arts share their struggles WITHOUT some big news to share at the end. Just the challenging points in the middle with no “but-now-I’ve-made-it” caveat. So … Continue reading My Writing Life to Date: Stay-at-Home Dad & Words
Today we’re featuring The Heart and Mind of Frances Pauley by April Stevens This novel does so many things well (see reviews below), and there are many layers to explore, but a particularly wonderful one is what it’s like to have an extra-inquisitive, quirky mind. I taught in a classroom for highly gifted children, as well as a regular education room, and the label “gifted” … Continue reading Book Recommendation: The Heart and Mind of Frances Pauley
Today I’m happy to interview my fellow Winged Penner and critique partner, Olivia Kiernan, to celebrate the US release of her adult thriller, Too Close to Breathe. Driven. Polished. Perfect. Dead. Eleanor Costello is found hanged in her home. There is no note. And her husband is missing. The suicide turned murder investigation soon spirals outwards leading Detective Frankie Sheehan and her team onto a … Continue reading Happy US Book Birthday – Too Close to Breathe
Children’s books paired with passionate book people are a potent combination. On April 27th of 2017, I was reminded just how potent. A few months ago, I was chatting with my neighbor on our driveway. She shared a few frustrations regarding processes at her work in an organization which helps place refugee families in the greater Seattle area. These families have run from war, famine, … Continue reading A Donated Library: Books for Refugee Children
When I left my third grade teaching position of sixteen years, I knew I was leaving behind something important – my community. In a classroom, community presses in on you whether you want it or not. Students hover around you like bees. You’re injected into the personal lives of families participating in crippling family events and decisions. For an introvert this intensity leads to exhaustion. But the … Continue reading My Community – An Evolution
