Category: Interviews

Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Young Adult

Interview with Kati Gardner, author of BRAVE ENOUGH

Last week, I reviewed Kati Gardner’s debut young adult novel, BRAVE ENOUGH, as part of our regular Windows and Mirrors feature. You can find that review here. Now, I’m thrilled to welcome Kati Gardner to the Winged Pen today to answer my burning questions about her upcoming release. Congrats on your debut novel, Kati! Brave Enough has two main characters who are dealing with life-threatening problems when … Continue reading Interview with Kati Gardner, author of BRAVE ENOUGH

Michelle Leonard1 Comment
Author, Book Recommendations, Middle Grade

WHERE THE WOODS END (An Interview with Author Charlotte Salter)

Creepers and crawlers and things that go bump in the night? Yes, please! Since my latest literary obsession is dark middle grade fantasy, I’m especially thrilled to welcome middle grade author Charlotte Salter to The Winged Pen. Charlotte’s second novel, WHERE THE WOODS END, comes out on August 14th. The story follows Kestrel, a fierce huntress, as she strives to protect her village from Grabbers––shadowy … Continue reading WHERE THE WOODS END (An Interview with Author Charlotte Salter)

Jessica VitalisLeave a comment
Author, Interviews, Middle Grade

Interview with KA Reynolds, author of The Land of Yesterday

There’s nothing I love more than announcing a gorgeous new voice in middle grade fantasy. So it’s with great pleasure that I introduce you to K. A. Reynolds, debut author of the magical, glorious The Land of Yesterday. Welcome to The Winged Pen, K. A.! JA: More and more often, we’re seeing middle grade authors tackle tough subjects like grief, mental illness, and trauma for … Continue reading Interview with KA Reynolds, author of The Land of Yesterday

Julie Artz1 Comment
Contests, Interviews, News, Writer's Life

Let’s Meet the Pitch Wars Mentors!

Pitch Wars is here! The excitement is spreading through social media as hopeful mentees ignore their laundry, home-cooked meals, and the clock as they get their manuscripts ready. Mentors are also getting ready by putting on their reading glasses, grabbing their red pens, and stocking up on coffee and tea. The lucky mentor-mentee pairs will work together to get the full manuscript ready for the … Continue reading Let’s Meet the Pitch Wars Mentors!

Halli GomezLeave a comment
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Young Adult

Linda Vigen Phillips talks about BEHIND THESE HANDS

In Behind These Hands, a teenage piano prodigy’s life is upended when her two younger brothers are diagnosed with Batten, a rare neurodegenerative disease. In its *starred* review, Kirkus says, “Free verse evokes the myriad emotions brought up by the story’s numerous well-balanced themes. The result is a richly woven, unforgettable symphony of feelings and words.” Kirkus perfectly sums up the effect this book has had on me. Weeks … Continue reading Linda Vigen Phillips talks about BEHIND THESE HANDS

Michelle Leonard2 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Young Adult

Launch of BRAVE NEW GIRLS: TALES OF HEROINES WHO HACK and Interview with Contributor, Halli Gomez

We Pennies are very excited about the Brave New Girls anthology because one of our own, Halli Gomez, contributed a short story to this year’s edition. Halli’s here to talk about the anthology and her story today! Publisher’s Description Welcome to the sci-fi worlds of brainy teen heroines who hack not just computers, but whatever puzzles come their way. A scrappy mechanic on an oppressed … Continue reading Launch of BRAVE NEW GIRLS: TALES OF HEROINES WHO HACK and Interview with Contributor, Halli Gomez

Rebecca J. AllenLeave a comment
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Publishing & Promotion, Windows & Mirrors

Interview with Kate Hillyer: Raised by Unicorns: Stories from People with LGBTQ+ Parents

I’m thrilled to announce a new anthology available today: RAISED BY UNICORNS: STORIES FROM PEOPLE WITH LBGTQ+ PARENTS. And even more excited that our own Kate Hillyer has an essay featured inside. In recent years, the world has been saturated by endless blogs, articles, and books devoted to the subject of LGBTQ+ parenting. On the flip side, finding stories written by the children of LGBTQ+ … Continue reading Interview with Kate Hillyer: Raised by Unicorns: Stories from People with LGBTQ+ Parents

Halli GomezLeave a comment
Author, Conferences & writing retreats, Interviews, Publishing & Promotion

Writer’s Digest Annual Conference Success Story: YA Thriller Author, Tiffany D. Jackson

Writer’s Digest Annual Conference asked us to be their promotional partner this year. We love writers’ conferences—for inspirations, to improve our craft, and to meet and network with other writers, agents and editors, so we were happy to say yes! To announce this partnership, we invited Writer’s Digest to share a guest post highlighting the success story of Tiffany Jackson, author of the YA thriller … Continue reading Writer’s Digest Annual Conference Success Story: YA Thriller Author, Tiffany D. Jackson

Rebecca J. AllenLeave a comment
Author, Middle Grade

THE FRAME-UP with Wendy McLeod MacKnight

You might remember Wendy from an interview last year when her debut IT’S A MYSTERY PIGFACE! hit the shelves.   Well, she’s at it again with book two, THE FRAME-UP. How did you know that the idea for THE FRAME-UP was your next book and how did it all come about?  I struggled a bit to decide what I would write next, and one night, … Continue reading THE FRAME-UP with Wendy McLeod MacKnight

Kristi WientgeLeave a comment
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

Interview with debut author A.M. Morgen: The Inventors at No. 8

The gorgeous cover of THE INVENTORS AT NO. 8 by debut author A.M. Morgen pulled me in immediately. Imagine my delight when I realized it was a middle grade #STEM historical adventure fantasy starring Ada Lovelace and written by a NC author! Like a moist, delicious piece of chocolate cake, I ate it up much faster than I wanted to! The Inventors at No. 8 publishes … Continue reading Interview with debut author A.M. Morgen: The Inventors at No. 8

Michelle Leonard1 Comment
Creativity and Craft, Interviews, Literary Agent, Master Your Craft, Publishing & Promotion

MYC – Querying, An Agent’s Perspective

Welcome to this week’s Master Your Craft post! Last year, we walked you through every step from getting the big idea through polishing your finished novel. Our bonus post last week dipped back into craft and how to give your story cliffhangers. We also offered anxiety-free tips on playing the waiting game. This week, we’re talking with agent and Winged Pen pal Hilary Harwell from KT Literary about … Continue reading MYC – Querying, An Agent’s Perspective

Julie Artz1 Comment
Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

Stacy McAnulty Interview: The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

I’ve been a fan of Stacy McAnulty’s picture books and chapter books for years now. Last September, I got the opportunity to read the manuscript for her latest book, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl. I set aside the other books I was reading and devoured it in exactly 1.0000 sittings. Lucy, a.k.a. Lightning Girl, is a once-struck-by-lightning middle-school math savant with a serious case of OCD. … Continue reading Stacy McAnulty Interview: The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

Michelle Leonard3 Comments