Category: Author

Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

Interview with NYT Bestselling Author Megan Shepherd

Today, I’m excited to chat with Megan Shepherd. She’s well-known for her brilliant, edgy young adult fiction, but her latest novel, THE SECRET HORSES OF BRIAR HILL, is an unforgettable middle-grade story that reads like historical fiction rolled into a sweet magical fantasy. There are winged horses that live in the mirrors of Briar Hill hospital. In the mirrors that line its grand hallways, which once … Continue reading Interview with NYT Bestselling Author Megan Shepherd

Michelle Leonard1 Comment
Author, Interviews, Middle Grade

Author Interview — Jeff Zentner

Gabby: Today, I’m thrilled to be chatting with Jeff Zentner. He’s the author of the YA novel, THE SERPENT KING, out now, and GOODBYE DAYS, coming out in March of 2017. If you’ve read Jeff’s work, you already know you better have your tissues handy. Jeff lives in Nashville, TN where he like to rock out, show kids how to rock out, and write books … Continue reading Author Interview — Jeff Zentner

Gabrielle Byrne4 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Writer's Life

Interview with Kelly Barnhill: Author of THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON and THE WITCH’s BOY

I had the COMPLETE PLEASURE of chatting with Kelly Barnhill, author of THE WITCH’S BOY, THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON (which I reviewed here last Friday), and many other beloved middle-grade fiction and nonfiction books. THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON is my ✨Favorite Middle-Grade 2016 Read ✨ so far, and I couldn’t think of any better way to celebrate #NationalBookLoversDay AND THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON’s book birthday than to share our … Continue reading Interview with Kelly Barnhill: Author of THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON and THE WITCH’s BOY

Michelle Leonard3 Comments
Author, Interviews

Literary Auctions: The Inside Scoop with Pitch Wars Winner Eric Bell

With all the Pitch Wars excitement in the air, I thought it would be fun to invite the MG winner of PitchWars 2015 to stop by for a chat. Eric Bell, thanks for joining us! Your 2015 PitchWars entry generated tremendous enthusiasm during the agent round. I’d love to hear about that, but first … let’s talk about your publishing deal. Your middle grade novel sold … Continue reading Literary Auctions: The Inside Scoop with Pitch Wars Winner Eric Bell

Jessica Vitalis1 Comment
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Picture Books

Sophie’s Squash Go to School! (An Interview with Pat Zietlow Miller)

Fans of Pat Zietlow Miller’s picture book, Sophie’s Squash, will be thrilled to hear that the sequel, Sophie’s Squash Go to School, releases on June 28th. Today, Pat, my friend and former neighbor, joins us to talk about her work. Pat, welcome to The Winged Pen! Sophie’s Squash is a humorous but poignant story of friendship and devotion. Tell us about Sophie’s Squash Go to … Continue reading Sophie’s Squash Go to School! (An Interview with Pat Zietlow Miller)

Jessica VitalisLeave a comment
Author, Interviews, Young Adult

Interview with Author — Kerry Kletter

Today, Winged Pen is thrilled to spend time with the (fabulous) debut author of the YA book, THE FIRST TIME SHE DROWNED. Kerry Kletter is in the house! I’m especially excited to get to know Kerry better, as we not only have the same agent, but also share a country and a coastline! Yay! Thanks for being here, Kerry. Kerry: Thanks for having me on Winged Pen! Gabby: Okay, … Continue reading Interview with Author — Kerry Kletter

Gabrielle Byrne3 Comments
Author, Interviews

Interview with Author Julie Rubini

Julie Rubini’s love of books began with bike rides to the bookmobile for Nancy Drew mysteries. She began writing as a child, worked in sales as an adult, became a councilwoman, got married, and had a family. In addition to a freelance writing career, Julie  wrote the children’s books Hidden Ohio (published by Mackinac Island Press) and Missing Millie Benson: The Secret Case of the … Continue reading Interview with Author Julie Rubini

Halli Gomez1 Comment
Author, Interviews

Character Development: A Conversation with MG Author Jennifer Maschari

Character development has two distinct parts: the behind-the-scenes work the author does to get to know the characters and identify their emotional arcs, and how the characters are revealed to the reader on the actual pages. If the second part is done right, readers will fall in love with a character and buy into his or her journey. Done poorly, readers will find themselves slogging … Continue reading Character Development: A Conversation with MG Author Jennifer Maschari

Jessica Vitalis1 Comment
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews

Author Chat with Carrie Firestone, author of The LOOSE ENDS LIST

I loved the ARC of Carrie Firestone’s debut YA novel, The Loose Ends List! The book will be released on June 7th by Little, Brown. Carrie is insanely busy – both with getting ready for the launch and with edits for her second novel, but she graciously let us steal a few minutes of her time to tell us about preparing for her debut novel’s pub date. … Continue reading Author Chat with Carrie Firestone, author of The LOOSE ENDS LIST

Rebecca J. Allen2 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Creativity and Craft, Interviews

Interview with Author — Karen Foxlee

Gabby Byrne: Today I have the unparalleled delight of interviewing one of my agency-sisters, Karen Foxlee. She’s the bestselling author of OPHELIA AND THE MARVELOUS BOY, THE MIDNIGHT DRESS, and AN ANATOMY OF WINGS. She’s also just an all-around wonderful person. Her new book, A MOST MAGICAL GIRL is due out in August, 2016. Karen lives in the far-flung wilds of Northern Australia and is … Continue reading Interview with Author — Karen Foxlee

Gabrielle Byrne4 Comments
Author, Interviews

Interview with MG author Wendy McLeod MacKnight

Hi, Wendy. I’m really excited to talk to you not only because you recently revealed the cover of your debut upcoming book, It’s a mystery, Pig-Face, but also because you’ve got a unique story about how you got there! Let’s start with the first question I’ve been dying to ask, how did you make the jump from CEO to author? I kind of imagine you … Continue reading Interview with MG author Wendy McLeod MacKnight

Kristi Wientge13 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews

Interview with MG author Shelley Sly

Hey, Shelley! It’s so great to feature you as our first interview on the blog. Thanks so much for inviting me here! For those of you who are not familiar with Shelley and her amazing contemporary Middle Grade books, here’s some links to her blog and books.  Now, on with the interview! In the past, when I’ve interviewed you, we focused on your journey of self-publishing and … Continue reading Interview with MG author Shelley Sly

Kristi Wientge5 Comments