Today we welcome author Debbie Zapata and her editor, Kristine Enderle of Magination Press to discuss writing about tough topics, bilingual books, and Debbie’s latest book, Abuela’s Letter, illustrated by Alejandra Ruiz (Magination Press, October 2024).
Debbie Zapata, author and Licensed Clinical Social Worker
When considering picture book topics,
Congratulations to editors Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Rocky Callen on the release of their new anthology, Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes (Candlewick, April 11, 2023). Contributors include: Mercedes Acosta, Karen Jialu Bao, James Bird, Rocky Callen, Nora Shalaway Carpenter,
I spent an informative and inspiring hour talking with authors A.S. (Amy) King, Jason Reynolds, Francisco X. Stork, Bill Konigsberg (not pictured), and Cory McCarthy about mental health. In the course of our conversation, we covered our own mental health,
Continue Reading Young Adult Authors on How Writing about Mental Health Saves Lives »
I came here to talk about science, advocacy, and truth—themes in my first three picture books, releasing this fall.
My picture books focus on empowering kids with foundations of:
Continue Reading Guest Post: Lindsay H. Metcalf on Anxiety, Creativity & the Pandemic »
This week I’ve caught myself for two minutes here, five minutes there, reading a scene from my manuscript in progress.
Not to edit it. Not because I’m nervous about what my new editor will say (that won’t kick in for another couple of weeks).
Not because I don’t have other things to do.
Continue Reading Election Reflections & Caring for Your Creative Heart »
From the promotional copy of Lily and Duncan by Donna Gephart (Delacorte, 2016):
Lily Jo McGrother, born Timothy McGrother, is a girl. But being a girl is not so easy when you look like a boy. Especially when you’re in the eighth grade.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Donna Gephart on Lily and Duncan »
Check out the book trailer for Wish Girl by Nikki Loftin (Razorbill, 2015, 2016)–now available in paperback. From the promotional copy:
Peter Stone is a quiet boy in a family full of extroverts, musicians, and yellers.
Continue Reading Book Trailer & Giveaway: Wish Girl by Nikki Loftin »
From Macmillan: “Martine Leavitt has written several award-winning novels for young adults, including My Book of Life by Angel (FSG, 2012), which garnered five starred reviews and was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist; Keturah and Lord Death (Boyds Mills,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Martine Leavitt on Calvin »
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I will always remember the first time I had a panic attack.
I was in fifth grade, in the middle of a math lesson, and I don’t remember what triggered the attack, although I assume it had something to do with the fact that I was in the middle of a math lesson.
Continue Reading Guest Post & Giveaway: Claire Legrand Announces Some Kind of Happiness »
Cindy L. Rodriguez is the first-time author of When Reason Breaks (Bloomsbury, 2015). From the promotional copy:
A Goth girl with an attitude problem, Elizabeth Davis must learn to control her anger before it destroys her.
Emily Delgado appears to be a smart,
Continue Reading New Voice: Cindy L. Rodriguez on When Reason Breaks »
