If you listened to the previous episode, you know that Maile has been struggling with discouragement--this episode, which was actually recorded a few months ago, is the perfect follow up. Mitali Perkins offers the perfect encouragement, the perfect answer to, "Why keep writing?"

Mitali (mitaliperkins.com) has written many books for young readers, including Between Us and Abuela (2020 Charlotte Huck Honor Book), Forward Me Back To You (SLJ and Kirkus Best YA Books of 2019), You Bring the Distant Near (nominated for a National Book Award, six starred reviews), and Rickshaw Girl (adapted into a film by Sleeperwave Productions), all of which explore crossing different kinds of borders.