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Jeannine Atkins is one of the kindest people I know, and her compassion radiates through her verse. So, my wish for all of you is that your year is filled with kindness, just like Jeannine’s novels.

In this episode we talk about the power of compression, repetition, and representation. Let’s get started.

Thanks so much for listening and for being part of the Chalk + Ink family. Join us for our next live Chalk + Ink Chat about author’s craft on Sunday, January 19th at noon EST. I can’t wait to talk about writing moves with April Jones Prince, Jody Little, Josh Galarza, Katrina Moore and Zetta Elliott. You can sign up by clicking on the link above or on my website at www.katenarita.com/podcast. Bring your notebooks, favorite pens, and your questions too and join us for what’s sure to be an enlightening discussion.

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Jen Ferguson talks about opportunities to sharpen our work, why characters mirror one another in dialogue, and why we need different books for different readers. Let’s get started.

Our next episode will feature Jeannine Atkins. 

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In today’s episode Sarah Aronson talks about the importance of embracing conversations, challenges, and community. Sarah's latest biography, Abzuglutely!, celebrates congresswoman, lawyer, and activist, Bella Abzug,  

Our next episode will feature Jen Ferguson. Jen’s latest novel, A Constellation of Minor Bears is a USA Today bestseller.

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Jen Malia and I talk about celebrating neurodiversity, identifying your audience, and writing on location.

Our next episode will feature Sarah Aronson. Sarah’s latest picture book biography, Abzuglutely! Battling, Bellowing, Bella Abzug released last month.

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A.S. King talks about her newest novel, Pick the Lock, ACES or adverse childhood experiences, and the importance of honesty and expression.

Our next episode will feature Jen Malia. Check out her chapter book series The Infinity Rainbow Club  to prep for our next episode. 

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Andrew Hacket, Ernesto Cisneros, Marcie Flinchum Atkins, Lisa Stringfellow, and Tina Athaide talk about creating classroom writing communities. In addition to their wonderful voices, authors Cindy Jenson-Elliott, Valerie Bolling, and Jody Little also contributed to this heartfelt discussion.

Our next episode will feature the only two-time winner of YALSA’s Michael L. Printz award, A.S. King. She’s as honest and kind in conversation as she is in her books. So be sure to join us again in two weeks. 

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I had a blast chatting with Ryan Bani Tahmaseb. We celebrate his debut picture book, Rostam’s Picture-Day Pusteen, and talk about collaborating, connecting with family, and leading with curiosity.

Click here by 11:30 AM EST on Sunday, September 22nd, to sign up to join our live chat with Andrew Hacket, Ernesto Cisneros, Lisa Stringfellow, Marcie Atkins and Tina Athaide. If you aren't able to join us, no worries. The recorded episode will release in two weeks.

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Debut author Josh Galarza talks about the importance of veracity, voice, and vulnerability in this episode, all of which are embedded into his heartfelt, hilarious, and heartbreaking debut, The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky. Let’s dig in.

Click here for the transcript.

Join Andrew Hacket, Ernesto Cisneros, Lisa Stringfellow, Marcie Atkins, and Tina Athaide to glean some tips to enrich your classroom writing community and for the chance to ask them questions about the craft of teaching writing. Don’t miss this priceless opportunity. Click here to sign up.

To prep for our next episode and for picture day, which is just around the corner, be sure to read Ryan Bani Tahmaseb’s debut picture book, Rostam’s Picture-Day Pusteen. 

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Chalk + Ink presents the top ten writer’s workshop tips for the 2024-2025 school year:

1. Choose Community Building Books
2. Partner with Families
3. Embrace Growth Mindset
4. Incorporate Multiple Entry Points
5. Use Art
6. Mimic Mentor Texts
7. Listening Is Key
8. Be Vulnerable
9. Have Fun and Celebrate
10. Believe

Join us in two weeks to hear from young adult author, Josh Galarza. If you, your students, or someone you love has ever suffered from disordered eating or struggled with body positivity, you have to read Josh’s debut, The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky. 

Sign up for the first celebratory Chalk + Ink Chat on Sunday, September 22nd at noon EST. Andrew Hacket, Lisa Stringfellow, Marcie Flinchum Atkins, Tina Athaide, and Ernesto Cisneros will talk about creating a community of writers in the classroom. Make sure to bring your questions so you can get the answers you need. 

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Tip Number 10: Tap Into Classroom Adventures

Tip Number 9: Head to the Library

Tip Number 8: Write from a Personal Place

Tip Number 7: Mine Memory Moments

Tip Number 6: Travel New Places

Tip Number 5: Take a Deep Dive When You Revise

Tip Number 4: Explore Outdoors

Tip Number 3: Find Nooks and Crannies

Tip Number 2: Learn and Collaborate

Tip Number 1: Celebrate and Create

I’m signing off for the summer to focus on revising. This episode has me ready to write, and I hope it’s done the same for you, too. If it has, please be sure to share this episode with someone who could use it,  write a review, and let me know which tip helped you out.

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