Hi Everyone! Today my special guest is Sarah Choi, founder of Komerican Pie, a quarterly webzine celebrating Korean-American Komerican life and the immigrant experience with defiant joy since 2024. Made with heART.

In 2023, Sarah canceled her debut book deal with an international publisher to take a chance on creating new channels of media and representation. She resides in Atlanta with her family.

Komerican Pie website to learn more.

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Hi Everyone! I interviewed the skilled author, Eric Bell, of Alan Cole Is NOT a Coward. Eric shared some incredible wisdom about his journey as an author and someone who struggled with mental health. Here is more about Eric:

Eric Bell lives and writes in Pennsylvania. He was once in middle school. He survived. You will too. Alan Cole Is Not a Coward is his debut novel, followed by Alan Cole Doesn't Dance. You can find him online at www.iamericbell.com.

www.iamericbell.com

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Hi Everyone, I interviewed Courtney Pippin-Mathur, children's book author and illustrator. I got to meet and talk with Courtney in person at a KW retreat and she was so welcoming!

Here is more about Courtney:

Courtney grew up in East Texas and passed the hot summer days reading, drawing, watching She-Ra and exploring her grandma’s farm. She doodled constantly through elementary, middle and high school but didn’t think about art as a career until a fateful art history class at The University of Texas at Austin. After transferring from Government to Studio Art, she moved to the east coast and started pursing a career in childrens’ books where she could combine all of her favorite things.

She now lives in Northern VA with her husband and three kids and is the author/illustrator of several picture books, Maya was Grumpy, Dragons Rule, Princesses Drool, Fairies Don’t Fight and Dinosaur Days (2026, author only) She has also co-written and illustrated  a picture book with her sister-in-law, Sanyukta Mathur, titled Happy Diwali! and illustrated It’s Holi! which Sanyukta wrote. 

Courtney also makes paper maché and polymer clay figures, ornaments, original acrylic paintings and more. (See shop link above)

To see what she’s up to lately, follow her on Bluesky or Instagram @pippinmathur.

Visit her website: www.pippinmathur.com

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Hi Everyone, my guest today is Lindsey Gerow, artist and art teacher. She talks about her passion for creating art, teaching art, and founding the Effingham Artists Association in Georgia.

To learn more about the Effingham Artists Association, visit:

https://effinghamartists.org/

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Hi Everyone! I interviewed Erin Richardson, Illustrator. Here is more about Erin:

As a lifelong artist, I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through illustration. Growing up, I spent countless hours lost in books, captivated by the details in the artwork and eager to create my own. My vivid childhood imagination still inspires me today—whether it’s the cozy world of my beloved dollhouse or the magic of turning a simple idea into something tangible.

My dream project is to build a 3D set to illustrate the story of a spunky girl navigating her emotions in a miniature world within her dollhouse. It’s a tale of self-discovery, unlikely friendships, and realizing you don’t have to shrink to escape.

I’m inspired by all things that matter to kids—emotions, relationships, and the beauty found in small, everyday moments. My artistic influences include Jessie Wilcox Smith, Norman Rockwell, David Hohn, Arthur Rackham, Chris Van Allsburg. I loved the classics from storytellers C.S. Lewis, Roald Dahl, and Judy Blume. If there’s an element of fantasy, magic, or adventure, I’m all in!

Beyond illustration, I’m passionate about color, texture, and atmosphere, blending vintage aesthetics with modern storytelling. I’ve painted Trompe L’Oeil murals, designed hand-painted furniture, and created custom cards and advertising. Lately, I’ve been exploring 3D set design, finding joy in building miniature furniture and discovering new textures.  Studying the papercrafting and 3D world building from Samantha Cotterill, Nancy So Miller and Cybele Young, I am fascinated with the interaction between cut paper and the way a shadow falls from a structure in dimensional set.  If I am not illustrating, I can be found hiking the Rocky Mountains, trying a new recipe, or spending time with family and friends. 

Most of my illustrations are digital, using Photoshop and my Cintiq, yet I love traditional media like watercolor, gouache, ink, and cut paper.  I believe pictures open doors where words sometimes can’t, offering kids a window into new worlds and deeper emotions.

This year, my goals are to write and illustrate my own manuscript, expand my website with a store and blog, and continue honing my skills through SVS Learn. I’m excited about school visits and hope to inspire kids to believe they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

Awards: 

Top 12 Critique Arena, 2022 SVS Learn

Winner of the Rocky Mountain Chapter SCBWI Annual Calendar Contest, 2023

Illustrator of the Month, September 2024 SCBWI

Books:

Oliver’s Shadow, Brinkley Press, written by Martin Knight-Yeager.  When Oliver discovers his shadow disappears as soon as the light goes out, he decides his shadow must be afraid of the dark. Joined by favorite bear, Watson, they set out to find his shadow. This heartwarming tale of Oliver's misguided first impression about his shadow's disappearance leads them both to explore the unknown. Yet, it also allows the reader to explore a bit more about the fears we all face. As Oliver decides his shadow must be fearful of the dark, he also shares his concerns about being alone. 

I’m Making a Wish, Tootsie and Teed, written by Linda Teed. 

One little girl’s travels in her grandfather’s car evoke an overflow of emotions that remain deeply woven in her heart. Years later, she recalls those early days as she makes new memories with her husband, children, and grandchildren. I’m Making a Wish is a tribute to all those that enjoy the simplicity of time spent together and the memories that are created for a lifetime.

In development:  A Magic Stick Box, by author Michael Kujawa.  Release date TBD 2025

Erin Richardson Designswww.erinrichardsondesigns.comIG: @erinrichardsondesigns21

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Hi Everyone! In this episode, I talk about finishing my picture book and reflecting on what's next!

My work can be seen at:

https://www.nmillerillustration.com/

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Hi Everyone! I interviewed the lovely Allison Rozo, children's book co-author of Diego Fuego the Firefighting Dragon and Unique Like You. She and her Colombian husband, Rafael Rozo, write bilingual stories in English and Spanish for their children to weave together their two cultures.

Here is their site:

https://www.rozobooksart.com/

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Today I interviewed Carolyn B. Fraiser, an award-winning children's book author. Here is more about Carolyn:

Carolyn Fraiser is an award-winning author of M IS FOR MASON JAR, a Homesteading Alphabet, and Moon Tree. Carolyn and her husband currently manage a small homestead in western North Carolina where she continues to write for the non-profit sector and encourages local youth to discover a passion for writing. When she is not reading, writing, or researching a new topic.

Link to Carolyn's site:

https://carolynbfraiser.com/

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Hi Everyone! I interviewed Amanda Fletcher, kidlit author and co-assistant regional advisor for the SCBWI Southern Breeze. Here is more about Amanda:

Formerly a magazine art director, Amanda Fletcher writes novels, picture books, and short stories for children. She’s the co-assistant regional advisor for the SCBWI Southern Breeze region where she helps plan workshops, conferences, and monthly writing webinars for the kid-lit community. She’s also actively involved with the Atlanta Writer’s Club, where her coming-of-age short story won the Terry Kay Prize for fiction in 2024. She lives in Suwanee, GA, with her family and is querying her first middle grade novel. Find her on Bluesky @mandyfletcher.bsky.social and on her website www.mandyfletcherwrites.com

Hi Everyone! I had the pleasure of interviewing Sheree Tomba, children's book author and illustrator. She's also an agency sib!

Here is more about Sheree:

Sheree's award winning art career was solidified at age 6 when she took home the $10 grand prize from the local grocery store coloring competition. She has since expanded from crayons and especially enjoys working in graphite, acrylic, and digital media. Her time studying theater at New York University taught her how to tell a story using color, space, and shape. She sees picture books a lot like a piece of theater - a chance to bring the audience into a different world and give them an experience through story. Sheree has loved animals since she was a little girl and they often show up in her work. Her list of former pets includes a Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula, a Giant African Millipede, and some very cuddly guinea pigs. When she isn't riding her bike, she can be found at home in Dallas, Texas with her dog, cat, and more often than not, a litter of foster kittens.

Represented by Kaitlyn Sanchez of Bradford Literary Agency.

Link to Sheree's website!