This is the podcast You May Contribute a Verse, where we talk to kidlit creators, share their stories, and learn from their journeys.

Is this a nonfiction podcast? I’ve never thought about it that way, but the more we talked to today’s guest Jocelyn Rish about her book Battle of the Butts – and her journey into nonfiction – the more we realized that we’re here just like Jocelyn, to inform and educate, but also to entertain and laugh!

Jocelyn’s been writing for a long time. Like many of us, she’s written a lot that she’s back-pocketed, and like many of us should strive to, she’s found some really fun success by staying open to inspiration, and affectionately pinching inspiration’s butt when it came a-calling.

Battle of the Butts is what’s resulted, followed at the end of this year by its semi-sequel, the nonfictional Battle of the Brains.

There’s so much to this chat that’s just pure delight. I’m really happy to share Jocelyn’s journey through self-discovery, publication, self-promotion, nerding out with scientists, and more.

Mentioned herein:

Jocelyn’s website: http://jocelynrish.com

David Creighton-Pester’s website: https://wanderingbert.com/

Battle of the Butts: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56638642-battle-of-the-butts

Battle of the Brains: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60462890-battle-of-the-brains

500 Women Scientists: https://gage.500womenscientists.org/

The Grave Intentions Anthology: www.graveintentionsanthology.com

And our #ChewyReviewy picks of the week:

Swashby and the Sea, by Beth Ferry: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43094096-swashby-and-the-sea

A Costume for Charly, by CK Malone: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60143396-a-costume-for-charly