Hello again from social distancing land! I hope everyone is staying safe and well and getting outside if you are able. Going for walks in the neighborhood has been a sanity-saver for me, and it is still permitted, even under the governor’s stay-at-home order. I’m in Virginia, where we’re under that order until June 10th…so far.

Today, I’ve got a pre-recorded interview with author-illustrator Laurie Smollett Kutscera, she talks about her path to becoming an author-illustrator, her magician-themed book, Misadventures of a Magician’s Son, and more! We had a few technical issues recording, but with the magic of editing, I think it all came together nicely.

About Laurie:

Laurie Smollett Kutscera was born in Greenwich Village and grew up in Queens, New York. At the age of 11, she performed her first magic trick and was destined to be a ventriloquist with the aid of her childhood friend, Neil, who today is a real magician! But rather than follow in the footsteps of Houdini, she went on to study fine art and children’s book illustration at Queens College with Caldecott medalist Marvin Bileck. Laurie is an award-winning graphic designer, a published children’s book illustrator, and toy designer.

Laurie has cruised on a wooden boat from Nantucket to the British Virgin Islands. Today she continues to write and illustrate and is currently working on several contemporary picture books and middle grade novels. Laurie lives on the North Shore of Long Island with her husband Nick and rescue dog, Cody. You can learn more about Laurie by going to LSKillustration.com.