Guest author Lesa Cline-Ransome gets into it about writing nonfiction (particularly biographical) picture books. Like, how does she choose subjects? How does she decide HOW to tell the story, do research, and get a new angle on a topic we might think we already know? Plus, what is it like to have a partner who is also the illustrator for your picture books? Annnnd, we discuss Lesa's brand-new debut Middle Grade novel, FINDING LANGSTON.

* The Literaticast has a Patreon! 

* Find me on the Twitters!

* Find Lesa Cline-Ransome on Twitter, or on her website!
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* 44 PAGES - A documentary about Highlights Magazine and the production of the 70th anniversary issue, Inon Netflix

* KIM'S CONVENIENCE - A funny and heartwarming sitcom about a Korean-Canadian family, also on Netflix. (Both OK for kiddos.)

* Want to procrastinate? Spend time on Apartment Therapy.

* One of our fave shows on HBO, INSECURE is about to start its third season! (Not for kiddos...)

Author Debbi Michiko Florence joins us to chat about her winding path to publication, and her awesome chapter book series, JASMINE TOGUCHI, the fourth book of which has just been released. I talk about how to query chapter books, Debbi gives insight into the writing of them, and we both dole out wisdom (??) for listener questions. Plus we talk about ducks, snacks, and cooking shows.

* The Literaticast is able to exist because of Patreon. Like it? Throw in a buck and you just might win books!
* Debbi Michiko Florence's official website
* Debbi on Twitter! Me on Twitter!
* Debbi on Insta!  Jasmine Toguchi on Insta!  Me on Insta!
* Meet the illustrator of Jasmine Toguchi - Elizabet Vuković!
* The Infamous Word Count post!
* Bokksu - a subscription service for Japanese Treats
* Meet Darcy and Lizzie:

Award-winning author-illustrator Dan Santat joins me to discuss time management, illustrating vs authoring, portfolio-making, the World Cup, killers for hire (again! it's a theme!), and so much more. 

SHOW NOTES:
* The Literaticast has a Patreon! Throw in a buck to support the show, and you just might win books, too.

* Find Dan Santat on Twitter, or on his website!  Find ME on Twitter!

* Dan talked a bit about the SCBWI -- are you a member? 

* Check out the portfolios of some of the up-and-coming illustrators Dan is keen on: Matthew Forsythe, Stephanie Graegin, Katherine Roy, Corinna Luyken.

* Jenn's fave new podcast is Graphic Novel TK - subscribe!

(SOME OF THE) BOOKS WE DISCUSSED:

I give some recommendations for my favorite books for writers. Then my guest, middle grade novelist and English professor Erin Dionne, chats with me about revision tips and tricks, plotting vs pantsing, story structure, and more. Spoiler alert: There is no one way to be a writer! Oh also we talk a bit about contract killers and trivia addiction. Obviously.

SHOW NOTES:

* The Literaticast has a Patreon - throw in a buck and you just might win books! (Also, you'll help keep new episodes of the podcast coming. Yay!)

* Erin Dionne is on the web, and on twitter. (Also, I'M on twitter!)

* Blake Snyder's "Beat Sheet" for plotting (See the book SAVE THE CAT, below, for more details)

* Another example of cinematic plot points

* Erin's first picture book is coming this fall, and you can pre-order it now! ​

* Teachers Write is a great FREE program that runs over the summer, July 9-Aug 3, particularly geared towards teachers who also write books. Check it out for mentorship and inspiration!

BOOKS WE DISCUSSED:

I'm joined by Suzanna Hermans, from Oblong Books & Music in New York's Hudson Valley. She talks about how she curates the selection at Oblong -- what prompts an "auto-buy" from her -- and when books get returned. We also touch on some hot topics: Does a scandal from an author prompt exclusion from the bookstore shelves? And just how terrible IS Henry Higgins from MY FAIR LADY? (#theworst). Plus, great book recommendations, and current obsessions!

SHOW NOTES:

* SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE!
* The Literaticast has a Patreon - chip in a buck, and you just might win books every month.
* Find me on Twitter @literaticat - Find Suzanna Hermans on Twitter @oblongirl
* Visit Oblong Books & Music on the web!
​* Awesome upcoming YA events at the Hudson Valley YA Society
* Edelweiss is a digital catalogue system
* Obsessions have a Caribbean flair:
 -- Jenn rec's a TV show on Netflix: DEATH IN PARADISE is escapist "Murder She Wrote-esque" fare.
 -- Suzanna recommends ONCE ON THIS ISLAND for Broadway Lovers.

BOOKS WE DISCUSSED:

It's a jam-packed double episode featuring two authors whose YA books are polar opposites... except for the fact that they are both TERRIFIC... and they both have the same release date! Amy Spalding is on hand to discuss her new rom-com THE SUMMER OF JORDI PEREZ (AND THE BEST BURGER IN LOS ANGELES), and also to do a deep dive into the hamburger-based culinary traditions of L.A. Justina Ireland joins me to talk about her blood-spattered alt-historical novel DREAD NATION, Mark Twain, and how to kill a man with a grass trimmer. Never say we don't teach you anything on the Literaticast!

* The Literaticast has a Patreon! Throw in a buck, and you can be the first to ask questions... and you just might win great books. Including the books featured on this very episode! 

* I'm on twitter! Amy Spalding is on twitter!Justina Ireland is on twitter! WE'RE ALL ON TWITTER!

* Amy's author website -- * Justina's author website

* The In-n-Out Secret Menu Items, ranked

* The Two Bossy Dames newsletter - you can subscribe for free, or get bonus content with a paid subscription. (It is SO GOOD, gang)

* From the NYT: Black Kids Don't Want to Read About Harriet Tubman All the Time

* The Hamline MFA program in Writing for Children & Young Adults

* Writerly Resources: Justina tweetly opines about novel openings and the Promise of the Story

​* Writerly Resources 2: Books by Donald Maas including WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL

* Writerly Resources 3: The AbsoluteWrite message board

Every year in Spring, children's agents descend on a small city in Italy for the largest international children's-only book fair in the world. But it's not all gelato-nomming and prosecco-swilling! I give a crash course in what translation rights even are, and then superagent Kathleen Ortiz from New Leaf Literary joins me to talk about what exactly goes on at the Bologna Children's Book Fair. (Though, off the record, if you want to talk to me about gelato, I do also have a lot of opinions on that subject.) Plus, we talk about some upcoming titles in self-promotion corner, and as always, share our current obsessions.

* The Literaticast has a Patreon! 

* Me on Twitter! Guest agent Kathleen Ortiz on Twitter!

* New Leaf Literary Agency Submission Guidelines

YA author Saundra Mitchell joins me to chat about her new anthology, ALL OUT: THE NO-LONGER SECRET STORIES OF QUEER TEENS THROUGHOUT THE AGES. ALL OUT is stuffed chock-full of genre-spanning queer historical stories, and Saundra talks about not only the making of this book, but also different ways to approach anthologies. Also: we talk about how YA publishing has changed in the past ten years, what's up with writing under pseudonyms, what the deal is with #ownvoices, how to know if you are writing YA or adult, and how to juggle writing and promoting your books while holding down a day job. Plus, what we're obsessed with this week.

SHOW NOTES

* The Literaticast has a Patreon: Throw in a buck, and you just might win a copy of ALL OUT. New prizes every month!

* I'm on Twitter. So is Saundra Mitchell! You can also visit Saundra on her website. Her spring tour schedule will be updated as she gets information. :-)

Some of the books we discussed in this episode:

Brilliant and opinionated Lisa von Drasek joins me to talk about Kerlan Collection, the Caldecott and Newbery Awards, and much more. Lisa tries not to get roped into my shenanigans of wildly speculating about award outcomes, and only partially succeeds. And, we share a passion for a certain upcoming book about zombies.

PS: I almost definitely said the date of the ALA Youth Media Awards announcements incorrectly on the podcast, or forgot to say it at all. If you want to attend the press conference or view the livestream, the correct date is MONDAY, FEB 12, at 8am Mountain Time. Link to the livestream in the show notes, and I'll be tweeting about it on the morning of!

SHOW NOTES:

* Literaticast has a Patreon!

* Jenn on Twitter. Lisa on Twitter.

* University of Minnesota Children's Book Art: Techniques and Media 

* The Kerlan Collection
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* Lisa's blog, the Blue Ox Review

* Check out the LIVE STREAM of the ALA Youth Media Awards, Monday 2/12 at 8am MT.

* ALA YMA: Awards and Criteria

* Other awards to keep your eyes on: Charlotte Zolotow Award - Ezra Jack Keats Award - Ridgway Award

* Ask a Manager Blog  - One of Lisa's obsessions now has a book deal!

Some of the books we discussed: 

Superagent Molly Ker Hawn, head of the U.K. office of The Bent Agency, joins me for a proper chinwag about the U.K. vs U.S. book market. Along the way, we answer some listener questions, including: What does one look for in a newer agent? How does one work with an editor? What if one wants to write in multiple categories/genres? Plus, we talk about upcoming new books, complain about the monarchy, gab about ghosts, and more!

* Me on Twitter - Molly on Twitter
​* Molly's agency page & submission guidelines
* Some of the books we discuss: