Ever wondered how to blend art, history, and storytelling? 🎨📖 Don't miss our latest podcast episode featuring the incredible Marissa Moss. Discover her secrets behind beloved series like Amelia's Notebook and more. Listen today!
In this extensive interview, Marissa Moss, a prolific author and illustrator, discusses her diverse body of work, including narrative prose, graphic novels, a hybrid between the two, historical fiction, and biographies, spanning from picture books to young adult literature. She shares her journey from starting as an illustrator to becoming an accomplished writer, her interest in history, and her mission to highlight lesser-known but heroic figures, particularly women, in her books. Moss delves into specific series like Amelia's Notebook and Max Disaster, explaining their origins and themes. She discusses the ways in which her life is reflected in a lot of her work. She also talks about her research process, the challenges of writing and illustrating, and her future projects. The conversation touches on the importance of persistence for budding authors and illustrators, the need for better math and science education for girls, and her passion for encouraging kids to be creative and think critically.

You can find Dr. Paige's website at :
www.mindfulhappykids.com

In this episode of 'Mindful Happy Kids', hosted by Dr. Elisabeth Paige, children's book author Ann Marie O'Brien discusses her journey as a writer, her love for dogs, particularly Borzoi, and the inspiration behind her middle-grade novel 'Lara's Gift'. O'Brien shares her experience working in Russia during the late 1980s, her fascination with Russian culture and history, and how these influenced her writing. She also talks about the challenges she faced in her writing career, the importance of persistence, and her goals for the future, including her ongoing projects and personal aspirations. The conversation touches on her blog about dog books and her commitment to authenticity and detailed research in her storytelling.

You can find Dr. Paige's website at :
www.mindfulhappykids.com

Navigating Writing and Publishing with Book Coach Julie Artz

In this episode, Elisabeth interviews Julie Artz, a seasoned book coach and author who assists writers crafting empowerment and justice-driven stories. Julie discusses her journey from technical writing to book coaching, her services, and the importance of finding the right critique partners and support systems. She also introduces the WYRD Writers Collective, a community for writers to gain craft knowledge and peer support. Julie emphasizes the importance of writing communities, sharing experiences, and navigating the publishing landscape. She offers insights into her own writing process and aspirations, providing valuable advice for both budding and experienced writers.

00:00 Introduction to Julie Artz
01:04 What is a Book Coach?
01:34 Motivating Writers and Overcoming Challenges
03:28 Julie Artz's Journey to Becoming a Book Coach
08:14 Finding the Right Authors to Coach
10:39 The WYRD Writers Collective
19:26 The Importance of Critique Groups
24:29 Writing Conferences and Retreats
29:23 Personal Insights and Advice for Writers
32:44 Diversity in Publishing
34:48 Final Thoughts and AdviceN

You can find Dr. Paige's website at :
www.mindfulhappykids.com