Author Pep Talks

Author Pep Talks

By Laekan Zea KempArtsBooks
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Author Pep Talks episodes

  • Episode 13: Juliet Menendez

    Today I’m interviewing Juliet Menendez, debut author of the illustrated collection Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers.

    Juliet is a Guatemalan American author and illustrator living between Guatemala City, Paris, and New York. While working as a bilingual teacher in New York City’s public schools, Juliet noted the need for more books that depicted children like the ones in her classrooms. She studied design and illustration in Paris and now spends her days with her water colors and notebook. Latinitas is her first children's book.

    Today we’re talking about finding moments of creativity when you’re operating in survival mode, how unexpected projects can be a safe place to hide in the midst of trauma, and why being vulnerable with others is essential to avoiding overwhelm. I was awestruck by the medical journey Juliet’s mother went on and how Juliet remained by her side, sleeping for months in her hospital room, while also managing to pitch her debut collection in person. My conversation with her was a great reminder that we are all capable of doing extraordinary things, and that many of us have over these past two years, juggling work and caretaking and our creative endeavours. Finding strength and an ability to adapt we may never have thought possible. It’s the perfect conversation to kick off this new season of Author Pep Talks and I know you’ll find it just as fortifying as I did. So, without further ado, curl up with a furry companion or find yourself a warm blanket, and enjoy my conversation with Juliet Menendez.

    Connect with Juliet online:

    Juliet's Website

    Twitter

    Buy her books!

    32 min
  • Episode 12: Ally Malinenko

    Today I’m interviewing Ally Malinenko, debut author of the middle grade novel Ghost Girl.

    Ally writes poems and stories in a secret writing closet before dawn each day and is the author of several poetry collections, as well as two middle grade horror novels. She has a burning desire to go to Antarctica, specifically to the South Pole so she can see where Robert Falcon Scott died.

    You can find her online writing about smashing the patriarchy, writing anxiety, Doctor Who, David Bowie, and more patriarchy smashing.

    She’s also a cancer survivor and Brooklyn resident where she lives with her husband.

    Today we’re talking about the very normal experience of falling out of love with your debut novel, how celebration and grief go hand-in-hand when it comes to releasing a book out into the world, and the storyteller’s essential role in cultivating empathy and creating community. Ally’s story is raw and impactful and her relentless ability to push through is the perfect note to end on as the first season of Author Pep Talks comes to a close. So for the last time until I see you again in 2022, find a quiet place that’s just for you, and enjoy my conversation with Ally Malinenko

    Connect with Ally online:

    Ally's Website

    Twitter

    Buy her books!

    33 min
  • Episode 11: Lulu Delacre

    Today I’m interviewing Lulu Delacre, author and illustrator of the picture book Luci Soars and Us: In Progress, a middle grade collection of short stories.

    Lulu is a three-time Pura Belpré Award honoree and has been writing and illustrating children's books since 1980. The New York Times Bestselling artist was born and raised in Puerto Rico to Argentinean parents.

    Delacre has lectured internationally and served as a juror for the National Book Awards. She has exhibited at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, The Original Art Show at the Society of Illustrators in New York, the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico among other venues and Reading is Fundamental honored her with a Champion of Children’s Literacy Award.

    Today, we’re talking about channeling grief to create something beautiful for others, how a reverence for your audience, no matter how small, can give your work purpose, and the healing power of writing to understand.

    Connect with Lulu online:

    Lulu's Website

    Twitter

    Instagram

    Buy her books!

    21 min

About Author Pep Talks

From the publisher's feed

A podcast on writing through grief, trauma, and heartbreak.