WRITERS on Writing: Conversations with Authors

"Growing up as an avid reader, it was fascinating to me that I could go, or do, or be anything inside a story,” stated author Donna Sager Cowan during her interview with the host of the Writers on Writing Podcast, Anthony Manna.

About this Podcast:

This podcast platform interviews authors who openly discuss their books, writing journeys, goals, and accomplishments. It also provides practical tips and motivation for writers at all stages of their writing journey. The diverse number of guest authors will almost certainly provide an educational environment in which all authors will make discoveries about crafting particular genres. Topics discussed on the podcast cover the entire spectrum of writing, self-publishing, indie publishing, marketing, and distribution. Listeners are encouraged to review and share this podcast with other writers.

HOST:

For the past 50 years, Anthony Manna has taught reading, writing, literacy development, drama and language arts in schools and universities in the United States and around the world. His goal is to help kids and teens discover great books and exciting activities and games that’ll get them reading, writing, and thinking.

His website provides parents and educators with information and guides that support the success of their children, tweens, and, teens as readers and writers and encourage them to enjoy discovering books that will inspire them to become life-long readers. You can learn about Anthony’s award-winning books such as Loukas and the Game of Chance, The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece, Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale, and Greek Folktales: A Treasury of Delights by visiting his website.

GUEST:

As the youngest child in a large family, Donna felt lost in the crowd. She entertained herself by making up stories and friends to play with. By age 5, Donna had taught herself to read, and that began her imaginative journey to dreamy castles with princes and fairy godmothers.

Donna is a grandmother, random fact-finder, and encourager. And, yes, she believes she’s a superhero.

She lives in California with her family and four cats. (Sadly, no mice like Simon.) More information about Donna including writing tips can be found on her website.

“As a child, I loved writing and enjoyed coming up with stories and skits that would entertain," stated Matt Forrest Esenwine in his interview with the host of the Writers on Writing Podcast, Anthony Manna.

About this Podcast:

This podcast platform interviews authors who openly discuss their books, writing journeys, goals, and accomplishments. It also provides practical tips and motivation for writers at all stages of their writing journey. The diverse number of guest authors will almost certainly provide an educational environment in which all authors will make discoveries about crafting particular genres. Topics discussed on the podcast cover the entire spectrum of writing, self-publishing, indie publishing, marketing, and distribution. Listeners are encouraged to review and share this podcast with other writers.

HOST:

For the past 50 years, Anthony Manna has taught reading, writing, literacy development, drama and language arts in schools and universities in the United States and around the world. His goal is to help kids and teens discover great books and exciting activities and games that’ll get them reading, writing, and thinking.

His website provides parents and educators with information and guides that support the success of their children, tweens, and, teens as readers and writers and encourage them to enjoy discovering books that will inspire them to become life-long readers. You can learn about Anthony’s award-winning books such as Loukas and the Game of Chance, The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece, Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale, and Greek Folktales: A Treasury of Delights by visiting his website.

GUEST:

A voiceover talent and commercial copy writer, Matt Forrest Esenwine can be heard on commercials, animation, and corporate videos throughout the US and abroad.  Over the years, Matt has had several adult poems published in independent collections, including the Tall Grass Writers Guild's "Seasons of Change," "The Licking River Review," and the Donald Hall tribute anthology, "Except for Love" (Encircle, 2019), among others. In 2012, his poem, "Apple-Stealing," was nominated by the Young Adult Review Network (YARN) for a Pushcart Prize. 

His debut picture book, "Flashlight Night" (Boyds Mills Press, 2017), received a starred review from Kirkus and was selected by the New York Public Library as one of the Best Picture Books for Kids of 2017. You can find his children's poetry in numerous anthologies including Lee Bennett Hopkins' "School People" (Wordsong, 2018) and J. Patrick Lewis' "The National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry" (National Geographic Children's Books, 2015), as well as "Highlights for Children" magazine. Matt lives in New Hampshire with his wife and children. You can read more about Matt by visiting his web site 

Before I begin writing one of my children's books, I would meditate using a relaxation technique I was going to write about. This helps me understand how I could tell this story to a child. It allows me to shape the story in my mind." On today's episode, Anthony Manna talks with author, founder of Stress Free Kids and social media entrepreneur Lori Lite about her books and lesson plans which help children to manage stress, anxiety and anger.

About this Podcast:

This podcast platform interviews authors who openly discuss their books, writing journeys, goals, and accomplishments. It also provides practical tips and motivation for writers at all stages of their writing journey. The diverse number of guest authors will almost certainly provide an educational environment in which all authors will make discoveries about crafting particular genres. Topics discussed on the podcast cover the entire spectrum of writing, self-publishing, indie publishing, marketing, and distribution. Listeners are encouraged to review and share this podcast with other writers.

HOST:

For the past 50 years, Anthony Manna has taught reading, writing, literacy development, drama and language arts in schools and universities in the United States and around the world. His goal is to help kids and teens discover great books and exciting activities and games that’ll get them reading, writing, and thinking.

His website provides parents and educators with information and guides that support the success of their children, tweens, and, teens as readers and writers and encourage them to enjoy discovering books that will inspire them to become life-long readers. You can learn about Anthony’s award-winning books such as Loukas and the Game of Chance, The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece, Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale, and Greek Folktales: A Treasury of Delights by visiting his website.

GUEST:

Lori Lite is the founder of Stress Free Kids and has authored 12 books. Stress Free Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children Build Self-Esteem, Manage Stress, and Reduce Anxiety has been named a Best Stress Management Book of All Time. Angry Octopus Color Me Happy, Color Me Calm has been awarded the Mom’s Choice Award. Lori’s content is featured in hundreds of media outlets, including CBS News, CNN Living, WebMD, The New York Times, Family Circle, and Parenting Magazine.

“Books give us a window into social issues and a way for kids and adults to learn." On today's show, Anthony Manna talks with author, speaker, and publisher Janet Wong about her work and how her family and multi-cultural experiences shapes her writing.

About this Podcast:

This podcast platform interviews authors who openly discuss their books, writing journeys, goals, and accomplishments. It also provides practical tips and motivation for writers at all stages of their writing journey. The diverse number of guest authors will almost certainly provide an educational environment in which all authors will make discoveries about crafting particular genres. Topics discussed on the podcast cover the entire spectrum of writing, self-publishing, indie publishing, marketing, and distribution. Listeners are encouraged to review and share this podcast with other writers.

HOST:

For the past 50 years, Anthony Manna has taught reading, writing, literacy development, drama and language arts in schools and universities in the United States and around the world. His goal is to help kids and teens discover great books and exciting activities and games that’ll get them reading, writing, and thinking.

His website provides parents and educators with information and guides that support the success of their children, tweens, and, teens as readers and writers and encourage them to enjoy discovering books that will inspire them to become life-long readers. You can learn about Anthony’s award-winning books such as Loukas and the Game of Chance, The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece, Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale, and Greek Folktales: A Treasury of Delights by visiting his website.

GUEST:

Janet Wong was born in Los Angeles, CA, the daughter of a Chinese-immigrant father and a Korean-immigrant mother. She grew up in Los Angeles and in San Anselmo, 20 miles northwest of San Francisco. After graduating from UCLA, Janet attended Yale Law School and went on to practice corporate and labor law for GTE and Universal Studios Hollywood. But after a few years of not feeling satisfied with her work, she chose to write for young people instead. “I couldn't think of anything more important than working with kids.”

Success as a children's author did not come easily for Janet; she received over 20 rejection letters for her early picture book manuscripts, and felt “like a failure” after a year of writing. “I almost decided to return to the law, but then I remembered what my husband had said, the night before I quit my law job: 'Why don't you write for a year — and it doesn't matter if you get published. If you love it, keep on doing it.'” Janet did love writing, and she decided to take writing classes at UCLA, where she studied with the accomplished children's poet Myra Cohn Livingston. Myra urged Janet to “read, read, read, at least a dozen books a week.” With Myra's help, Janet's first collection of poetry, Good Luck Gold, was published in 1994.

Janet is the author of more than 30 books for children and teens. Her poetry collections and picture books explore a wide range of topics including human diversity in Apple Pie 4th of July, yoga positions in Twist: Yoga Poems, dreams in Night Garden, and poems about driving in Behind the Wheel. Her poems have been reprinted in many textbooks and anthologies, as well as in some more unusual venues. “Albert J. Bell” from A Suitcase of Seaweed was selected to appear on 5,000 subway and bus posters as part of the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority's “Poetry in Motion” program, and poems from Behind the Wheel have been featured on a car-talk radio show.

Janet’s awards include Bank Street Best Books of the Year, CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book, Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor. A Book Links Lasting Connection Book, NYPL Book for the Teenage, and Asian Pacific American Librarians’ Association Award. She also received the International Reading Association's “Celebrate Literacy Award,” presented by the Foothill Reading Council for exemplary service in the promotion of literacy. Articles by and about Janet have appeared in Scholastic's Instructor magazine, Creative Classroom, Booklinks, and O magazine; Janet and her work have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and other television programs. You can read more about Janet and her work by visiting her website.

“Helping children to become strong readers is one of the most important things we can do." On today's show, Anthony Manna talks with author Gloria G. Adams about her early start in reading and writing and how this has shaped her writing career.

About this Podcast:

This podcast platform interviews authors who openly discuss their books, writing journeys, goals, and accomplishments. It also provides practical tips and motivation for writers at all stages of their writing journey. The diverse number of guest authors will almost certainly provide an educational environment in which all authors will make discoveries about crafting particular genres. Topics discussed on the podcast cover the entire spectrum of writing, self-publishing, indie publishing, marketing, and distribution.

HOST:

For the past 50 years, Anthony Manna has taught reading, writing, literacy development, drama and language arts in schools and universities in the United States and around the world. His goal is to help kids and teens discover great books and exciting activities and games that’ll get them reading, writing, and thinking.

His website provides parents and educators with information and guides that support the success of their children, tweens, and, teens as readers and writers and encourage them to enjoy discovering books that will inspire them to become life-long readers. You can learn about Anthony’s books such as Loukas and the Game of Chance, The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece, Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale, and Greek Folktales: A Treasury of Delights by visiting his website.

GUEST:

Gloria is a freelance writer from Ohio. She loves to write for children but also writes for tweens and adults, including short stories, free verse, flash fiction, non-fiction, and magazine articles. She has spent most of her career as a children's librarian and storyteller. The learn more, check out her webpage http://gloriagadams.com.

"Writing a novel is like mining for diamonds." quoted guest Liesl Shurtliff as she talks with Anthony Manna about her dramatic career change to take up writing, her passion for reimagining fairy tales, her research for writing complex middle-grade novels, and her forthcoming writing projects.

About this Podcast:

This podcast platform interviews authors who openly discuss their books, writing journeys, goals, and accomplishments. It also provides practical tips and motivation for writers at all stages of their writing journey. The diverse number of guest authors will almost certainly provide an educational environment in which all authors will make discoveries about crafting particular genres. Topics discussed on the podcast cover the entire spectrum of writing, self-publishing, indie publishing, marketing, and distribution.

The HOST:

For the past 50 years, Anthony Manna has taught reading, writing, literacy development, drama and language arts in schools and universities in the United States and around the world. His goal is to help kids and teens discover great books and exciting activities and games that’ll get them reading, writing, and thinking.

His website provides parents and educators with information and guides that support the success of their children, tweens, and, teens as readers and writers and encourage them to enjoy discovering books that will set them on the right path. You can learn about Anthony’s books such as Loukas and the Game of Chance, The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece, Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale, and Greek Folktales: A Treasury of Delights.  

GUEST:

Liesl Shurtliff grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and just as Snow White had seven dwarves, Liesl had seven siblings to keep her company! Before she became a writer, Liesl graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in music dance theater.  Her first three books, Rump, Jack, and Red are all New York Times bestsellers, and Rump was named to over two dozen state award lists and won an ILA Children’s Book Award. She lives in Chicago with her family, where she continues to spin fascinating middle-grade novels. You can learn more about Liesl by visiting her website. 

Her passion for writing started in 2nd grade, and today's guest Ellwyn Autumn talks with Anthony Manna about the joys and challenges of writing picture books and novels, her mission to challenge bullying, her school programs, and where she finds inspiration as a writer.

About this Podcast:

This podcast platform interviews authors who openly discuss their books, writing journeys, goals, and accomplishments. It also provides practical tips and motivation for writers at all stages of their writing journey. The diverse number of guest authors will almost certainly provide an educational environment in which all authors will make discoveries about crafting particular genres. Topics discussed on the podcast cover the entire spectrum of writing, self-publishing, indie publishing, marketing, and distribution.

HOST:

For the past 50 years, Anthony Manna has taught reading, writing, literacy development, drama and language arts in schools and universities in the United States and around the world. His goal is to help kids and teens discover great books and exciting activities and games that’ll get them reading, writing, and thinking.

His website provides parents and educators with information and guides that support the success of their children, tweens, and, teens as readers and writers and encourage them to enjoy discovering books that will inspire them to become life-long readers. You can learn about Anthony’s books such as Loukas and the Game of Chance, The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece, Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale, and Greek Folktales: A Treasury of Delights by visiting his website.

GUEST:

Ellwyn Autumn is an American author and a certified teacher with a Master’s Degree in Education. She writes children’s picture books, middle-grade novels, and Young Adult fiction.

Ellwyn’s first self-published novel, Chris Kringle’s Cops The First Mission, was a Finalist in the 2016 Reader’s Favorite International Book Contest. Her Kamyla Chung picture book series addresses difficult issues facing young children and has won The Mom’s Choice Award Gold Seal.

Ellwyn discovered her passion for writing in second grade when she had to write a book report for school. She was so excited to write the report until her mother told her that she had to write about someone else’s book and not her own story. Ellwyn became indignant and decided that once she finished the book report, she would most certainly write her own original story. She has been writing ever since!

Ellwyn lives with her family in Pennsylvania. She loves all things magical, curling up with a good book, writing stories, and almost anything with chocolate in it. You can read more about Ellwyn by visiting her website.