20 Questions: Our Favorite Podcasts

Welcome back to our series, 20 QUESTIONS!,

where we answer questions about writing, reading, and author life.

(Note that we enjoy the series so much we’ve decided to just keep the questions coming!)

This month’s question:

What book-related podcast are you listening to?

Candy Wellins

“What Should I Read Next?” with Anne Bogel

Guests share three books they love, one they hate and what they’re reading lately. Host (and book whisperer) Anne Bogel recommends three books that would make a great next read.  I have found so many titles to add to my TBR through this podcast as well as tips to improve my reading life. It’s a game changer as well as a really entertaining listen.

—Candy Wellins, author of A GEODUCK IS NOT A DUCK, illus. Ellie Peterson (Little Bigfoot, 2024)

---

Isabella Kung

“Literaticast” by Jennifer Laughran

I may be biased since Jenn is my agent, but it is popular amongst the kidlit community for a reason! Jenn has years of experience as a bookseller and a reputable agent. She is very knowledgeable about the children’s book industry and invites all kinds of interesting guests, from award-winning creators, agents, editors, booksellers, librarians, and more! Their conversations are fun, interesting, and I always learn something new from each episode—gaining a much deeper understanding about the inner workings of our industry, and her book recommendations are always stellar!

—Isabella Kung, author and illustrator of NO SNOWBALL (Orchard Books/Scholastic 2022)

---

Carrie Finison

“3 Point Perspective:
The Illustration Podcast” with Will Terry, Lee White, and Jake Parker

I’m not an illustrator, but I really enjoy listening to this podcast about both the craft and business of illustration. The hosts sometimes interview other artists—many from the children’s publishing world, but some not—about their practice and how they make a living in illustration; they sometimes take listener questions and review portfolios (they produce it as a YouTube show as well, so you can look at the illustrations they’re discussing); and they sometimes just banter and share information among themselves about the book publishing business, where they find inspiration, and what practices are effective for them (or not) and why.

—Carrie Finison, author of PIGS DIG A ROAD, illus. Brian Biggs (Putnam, 2024)

20 Questions: Things We Are Grateful for

Welcome back to our series, 20 QUESTIONS!,

where we answer questions about writing, reading, and author life.

(Note that we enjoy the series so much we’ve reset for a second round of 20.)

This month’s question:

What’s one thing you’re grateful for in your creative or personal life?

Isabella Kung

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity and privilege to explore and express myself in a creative way. Not only does the act of writing and illustrating fulfill me to no end, it allows me to connect with others in a way very few can–especially kids! Just seeing the little ones light up and fill with joy when they read my books warms my heart.” 

– Isabella Kung, author-illustrator of NO SNOWBALL! (Orchard Books, 2022)

---

Angela Burke Kunkel

“There’s a lot of overlap between what I’m grateful for in my personal life and my creative life. I’m grateful to live in a place full of natural beauty that inspires me daily. I’m grateful that my family, especially my husband, is supportive of my writing and celebrates all sorts of book-related milestones with me, large and small. I’m grateful that the words I’ve worked so hard on are then turned into beautiful art by illustrations whose talents I can’t even begin to comprehend. And I’m grateful to work in partnership with my editor, who so very carefully guides these books into existence!”

– Angela Burke Kunkel, author of MAKE WAY: THE STORY OF ROBERT McCLOSKEY, NANCY SCHÖN, AND SOME VERY FAMOUS DUCKLINGS (Random House Studio, 2023) and WORLD MORE BEAUTIFUL: THE LIFE AND ART OF BARBARA COONEY (Random House Studio, 2024)

---

Kim Rogers

“When I was growing up, I never saw a kid like me in a book. I am so grateful that I get to publish books that allow Native kids, specifically Wichita kids, to see themselves centered as heroes in stories.”

– Kim Rogers, author of JUST LIKE GRANDMA and A LETTER FOR BOB (Heartdrum, 2023)

---

“As newbie authors, we’re all tempted to seek relationships with editors and agents in pursuit of a contract. While those relationships are important, my friendships with local writers or writers I”ve met at conferences have sustained me through the tough times, motivated me, opened my eyes to new ideas and experiences, and made me a better writer. With love to all my writer-pals out there. You know who you are!”

– The Soaring 20s “collective unconscious”

---

Valerie Bolling

“Seeing my words matched with gorgeous art to produce a book, meeting and inspiring young readers and writers, connecting with other creators who are also passionate about writing/illustrating stories for children are all things I’m grateful for. I’m also thrilled that I get to determine and manage my own schedule, which means I can make time for what’s important to me besides writing – like walking/exercising, reading, and spending time with my husband and our friends.”

– Valerie Bolling, author of BING, BOP, BAM: TIME TO JAM!, illus. Sabrena Khadija (Abrams Appleseed, 2023)

20 Questions: Creators We Admire

Welcome back to our series, 20 QUESTIONS!,

where we answer questions about writing, reading, and author life. This month’s question:

Do you have a successful author or illustrator whose career you admire and if so, whom—and why?

Isabella Kung

“I have too many to list so I’ll just pick three: LeUyen Pham, Suzy Lee, and Matt Forsythe. LeUyen Pham is a master author/illustrator with the speed, technique, and versatility one could only dream of! She doesn’t let style, medium, genre, or format limit her way of expression. It’s no wonder she continues to dominate this industry. Suzy Lee’s brilliantly simple, yet profound books took my breath away. The way she plays with her concepts and experiments with her illustrations is out of  this world. Lastly, I’ve always been a fan of Matt Forsythe’s beautiful illustrations, and when he debuted his author-illustrated book, I was immediately charmed by his humor and characters.”

—Isabella Kung, author-illustrator of NO SNOWBALL! (Orchard Books, 2022)

---

Kirsten W. Larson

“I’m a big fan of fellow Soaring ‘20s Rajani LaRocca and Vicky Fang, because they write in so many genres and categories, from picture books to early readers and graphic novels (Vicky), and middle grade novels (Rajani). I’ve recently branched out into graphic novels and am working to master novels, and it’s tough. Every format demands a different style of writing and further development of the writing craft.”

—Kirsten W. Larson, author of THE FIRE OF STARS: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of (Chronicle Books, 2023)

---

Lindsay H. Metcalf

“I will echo Kirsten’s answer of Rajani and Vicky, who are both so prolific while wearing many hats. And I will add Nikki Grimes, whose esteemed career in kidlit has spanned decades. She continues to publish poetic works in categories that span all ages of children’s literature and consistently gives back to the community.”

—Lindsay H. Metcalf, co-editor of NO WORLD TOO BIG: Young People Fighting Global Climate Change (Charlesbridge, March 2023)

---

M.O. Yuksel

“I admire so many authors and illustrators. To name a few, I’m a big fan of Kathleen Krull’s books because she was a prolific author who crafted beautiful biographies like Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez, and Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest Woman. I also admire Demi because she not only wrote biographies about diverse figures but she also illustrated her books in her own unique style.”

—M.O. Yuksel, author of ONE WISH: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University (HarperCollins, 2022)