#BarbaraCarrollRoberts #WhenGeorgeWashingtonBowed #AnneYvonneGilbert #CreativeEditions #NonfictionPictureBook #KidsHistory #AmericanHistoryForKids #GeorgeWashington #RevolutionaryWar #AnnapolisMaryland #CivicEducation #Democracy #ReadAloud #BookInterview #Storycomic

On this episode, I’m joined by children’s author Barbara Carroll Roberts to talk about her new nonfiction picture book When George Washington Bowed to the New Nation, illustrated by Anne Yvonne Gilbert and published by Creative Editions (release date August 11, 2026). (barbaracarrollroberts.com)

The book zooms in on a surprising moment after the Revolutionary War: Washington, celebrated commander of the Continental Army, resigns his commission—not as a formality, but as a public decision to give up power. Barbara traces Washington from New York City (after the last British troops depart) to Annapolis, Maryland, where he submits his resignation to the Continental Congress—an action that helped set the tone for a democracy led by civilians, not generals. (bookshop.org)

We talk about the behind-the-scenes research—letters from witnesses, Washington’s own handwritten speech, and what it’s like turning big history into a book for young readers (recommended age 9+). (barbaracarrollroberts.com)

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/

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For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at [email protected]

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:

https://marekbennett.com/

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/

https://www.vonallan.com/

https://higgins802.com/

https://shewstone.com/

https://www.simkikuznick.com/

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/

https://benjaminhunting.com/

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/

https://www.pigmacast.com/

Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

#Jenniferdickinson #MaggiesBigBreak #MiddleGradeBooks #KidsLit #DebutAuthor #DisabilityRepresentation #StutteringAwareness #SpeechDifference #TheaterKids #SchoolPlay #FriendshipStories #ConfidenceBuilding #AuthorInterview #WeMakeChildrensBooks #Storycomic

On this episode of We Make Children’s Books, I’m joined by debut middle-grade author Jennifer Dickinson to talk about Maggie’s Big Break

This book is equal parts funny and deeply human—a sixth-grade friendship story with big theater energy, and a standout example of disability representation: Maggie is an 11-year-old aspiring actress who stutters, and the story treats her speech difference with respect, accuracy, and heart.

Maggie starts a new school with her best friend, Francesca, and they’re ready to audition for the fall play, Dahlia Rockets to Space. Then Valentine arrives—experienced, confident, and determined to win the lead role and a new best friend. When Valentine starts teasing Maggie about her stutter and Francesca begins drifting away, Maggie’s confidence wobbles for the first time in a long time. Quitting feels tempting… but Maggie still wants the stage.

We talk about writing speech-difference representation from lived experience, why performance spaces can help kids build communication confidence, and what parents and educators can do to support confident communicators—not “perfect” speakers.

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid. 

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/ 

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano 

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/ 

Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started: 

Follow us: 

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com 

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https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ 

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at [email protected] 

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: 

https://marekbennett.com/ 

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ 

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ 

https://www.vonallan.com/ 

https://higgins802.com/ 

https://shewstone.com/ 

https://www.simkikuznick.com/ 

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ 

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/ 

https://benjaminhunting.com/ 

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/ 

https://www.pigmacast.com/ 

Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club! 

#JustinCoke #SWATEldritchBlue #SecretWizardAssaultTeam #KickstarterComics #IndieComics #CrowdfundedComics #UrbanFantasyComics #HorrorComics #MagicAndMayhem #WizardDetectives #ComicCreator #IndieCreator #ComicsInterview #NewComicSeries #Storycomic

Justin Coke returns to the show to talk about his newest Kickstarter: SWAT: Eldritch Blue — Secret Wizard Assault Team, a supernatural crime comic that blends magic, law enforcement tension, and dark humor.

In this world, wizard detectives operate like a specialized unit, led by Larry Slaughter, and the stakes aren’t just monsters and mayhem — it’s also bureaucracy, survival, and what happens when a team is on the verge of being shut down and needs a win.

We talk about where the idea came from, how Justin balances comedy with real danger, and the tricky craft of writing a world where “law” and “magic” collide — especially when the characters are tempted to do questionable things for what they think is the greater good.

If you like urban fantasy with teeth — and Kickstarter comics you can jump into right now — you’ll have fun with this conversation.

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid. 

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/ 

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano 

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/ 

Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started: 

Follow us: 

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com 

www.patreon.com/storycomic 

www.facebook.com/storycomic1 

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ 

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at [email protected] 

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: 

https://marekbennett.com/ 

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ 

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ 

https://www.vonallan.com/ 

https://higgins802.com/ 

https://shewstone.com/ 

https://www.simkikuznick.com/ 

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ 

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/ 

https://benjaminhunting.com/ 

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/ 

https://www.pigmacast.com/ 

Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club! 

#JoanMWhite #ACommonersPrayer #RootstockPublishing #VermontPoetry #ShelburneVermont #PoetryCollection #DebutPoetry #ZenAndPoetry #Haiku #Haibun #NaturePoetry #SpiritualWriting #PoetryCommunity #AuthorInterview #Storycomic

On this episode, I’m joined by Joan M. White, a Shelburne, Vermont poet and longtime Zen practitioner, to talk about her debut collection a commoner’s prayer: poems (Rootstock Publishing), released April 1, 2026.

Rootstock describes the book as an exploration of the seasons—not only spring, summer, fall, and winter, but the “human seasons” too: grief, love, resilience, and the ways a life changes shape over time. Joan’s poems draw on plant knowledge, wandering in woods and wetlands, and a deep attention to daily experience—where wonder and hard truths can sit right next to each other.

We talk about how Zen practice informs her craft, what haiku and haibun teach a writer about precision, and how to write poems that feel intimate without being sentimental. We also talk about what it means to stay observant in a loud world—and how a poem can be a form of steadying.

If you like poetry that’s clear-eyed, tender, and quietly brave, this conversation is for you.

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid. 

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/ 

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano 

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/ 

Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started: 

Follow us: 

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com 

www.patreon.com/storycomic 

www.facebook.com/storycomic1 

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ 

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at [email protected] 

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: 

https://marekbennett.com/ 

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ 

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ 

https://www.vonallan.com/ 

https://higgins802.com/ 

https://shewstone.com/ 

https://www.simkikuznick.com/ 

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ 

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/ 

https://benjaminhunting.com/ 

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/ 

Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club! 

#EdithForbes #TheLawnmowerLady #RootstockPublishing #VermontFiction #NorwichVermont #SmallTownFiction #DarkComedy #LiteraryFiction #HumorousFiction #GreenBurial #AfterlifeStory #BookInterview #AuthorInterview #IndiePublishing #Storycomic

On this episode, I’m joined by Edith Forbes, a Norwich, Vermont novelist whose work mixes sharp humor with real emotional weight — the kind of storytelling that can make you laugh and then immediately feel a little called out. (rootstockpublishing.com)

We’re talking about her novel The Lawnmower Lady (Rootstock Publishing), which opens with the death of Fay Kirkwood — a self-professed grouch living on a north-country farm, raising pigs and fixing lawnmowers. The twist is that Fay doesn’t exactly leave. Her consciousness lingers, and she winds up watching the ripple effects of what she said, what she did, and what she meant… through the lives of the people she left behind. (kirkusreviews.com)

The book turns a wild premise into something surprisingly human: a comedy about death, regret, and consequences — plus the small-town decisions that can land people “in the soup,” long after you thought the moment had passed. (mountaintimes.info)

If you like Vermont-set stories with bite, heart, and a little mischief, this conversation is for you.

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid. 

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/ 

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano 

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/ 

Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started: 

Follow us: 

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com 

www.patreon.com/storycomic 

www.facebook.com/storycomic1 

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ 

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at [email protected] 

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: 

https://marekbennett.com/ 

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ 

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ 

https://www.vonallan.com/ 

https://higgins802.com/ 

https://shewstone.com/ 

https://www.simkikuznick.com/ 

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ 

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/ 

https://benjaminhunting.com/ 

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/ 

Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club! 

#JeffGottesfeld #HonorFlight #CandlewickPress #MattTavares #ChildrensBooks #PictureBooks #KidsLit #Veterans #HonorFlightNetwork #WashingtonDC #HistoryForKids #ReadAloud #LibraryBooks #BookInterview #Storycomic

On this episode, I’m joined by award-winning children’s author Jeff Gottesfeld to talk about Honor Flight: Celebrating America’s Veterans, illustrated by Matt Tavares and published by Candlewick Press. The book releases March 3, 2026.

The story introduces young readers to the real-life Honor Flight program (organized by the Honor Flight Network), which brings aging U.S. veterans to Washington, D.C. on an all-expenses-paid trip to visit the memorials built in their honor—and to receive the kind of homecoming many never got. Jeff brings a personal connection: he served as a Guardian on an Honor Flight in 2023, and Matt Tavares also participated as a Guardian.

We talk about how you turn a powerful real-world experience into a kid-accessible picture book, what it means to write about service and memory without turning it into a lecture, and how illustration can carry emotional weight with restraint and dignity. The book also includes back matter for curious readers.

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid. 

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/ 

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano 

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/ 

Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started: 

Follow us: 

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com 

www.patreon.com/storycomic 

www.facebook.com/storycomic1 

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ 

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at [email protected] 

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: 

https://marekbennett.com/ 

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ 

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ 

https://www.vonallan.com/ 

https://higgins802.com/ 

https://shewstone.com/ 

https://www.simkikuznick.com/ 

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ 

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/ 

https://benjaminhunting.com/ 

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/ 

Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

#NancyHudgins #BooksGoodEnoughForYou #UrsulaNordstrom #MiddleGradeBooks #ChildrensBooks #KidsLit #AbramsBooks #BookBiography #PublishingHistory #EditorsMatter #GoodnightMoon #CharlottesWeb #WhereTheWildThingsAre #HarrietTheSpy #Storycomic#NancyHudgins #BooksGoodEnoughForYou #UrsulaNordstrom #MiddleGradeBooks #ChildrensBooks #KidsLit #AbramsBooks #BookBiography #PublishingHistory #EditorsMatter #GoodnightMoon #CharlottesWeb #WhereTheWildThingsAre #HarrietTheSpy #Storycomic

On this episode, I’m joined by debut author Nancy Hudgins to talk about Books Good Enough for You, a middle-grade biography of Ursula Nordstrom—the legendary children’s editor at Harper & Bros. who helped shape what “classic” kids’ books even means. The book publishes March 24, 2026 with Abrams Books for Young Readers.

What makes this biography such a fun angle is the structure: Nancy doesn’t just tell Ursula’s life story—she shows what editors do by building chapters around the creation of iconic books Ursula championed, including Goodnight Moon, Charlotte’s Web, Where the Wild Things Are, Harriet the Spy, Stuart Little, In the Night Kitchen, and more.

We talk about Ursula’s editorial superpowers—taste, nerve, and a fierce belief that kids deserve books with real honesty—and we dig into how Nancy uses Ursula’s own words so young readers can hear her voice on the page. Kirkus calls the biography a strong match for its “brave, funny” subject.

If you love children’s lit, publishing history, or you’ve ever wondered how a great editor changes the world from behind the scenes, this conversation is for you.

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/

Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:

Follow us:

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com

www.patreon.com/storycomic

www.facebook.com/storycomic1

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at [email protected]

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:

https://marekbennett.com/

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/

https://www.vonallan.com/

https://higgins802.com/

https://shewstone.com/

https://www.simkikuznick.com/

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/

https://benjaminhunting.com/

Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

#SharonDarrow #RootstockPublishing #TheCountryInTheMirror #PoemsOfProtestAndWitness

On this episode, I’m joined by Sharon Darrow — poet, educator, and award-winning author — to talk about her work and her newest Rootstock role as editor of The Country in the Mirror: Poems of Protest & Witness (Rootstock Publishing, April 21, 2026).

Sharon has written widely for young readers and beyond, with acclaimed titles including Through the Tempests Dark and Wild (about Mary Shelley), The Painters of Lexieville, and TRASH, along with other award-recognized books and honors noted by Rootstock.

We dig into what it means to edit an anthology that brings together nearly ninety poets in a time that demands attention, honesty, and craft. We also talk about poetry as witness, how writers decide what belongs on the page, and what Sharon hopes readers do with a book like this after they finish it.

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/

Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:

Follow us:

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com

www.patreon.com/storycomic

www.facebook.com/storycomic1

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at [email protected]

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:

https://marekbennett.com/

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/

https://www.vonallan.com/

https://higgins802.com/

https://shewstone.com/

https://www.simkikuznick.com/

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/

Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

#BenjaminHunting #DeadAirComic #DeadAir #IndieComics #ComicKickstarter #CrowdfundedComics #SciFiHorror #HorrorComics #SciFiComics #CollegeRadio #TimeSplitStory #MysteryComics #ComicCreator #IndieCreator #Storycomic

Benjamin Hunting is back on the show to talk about Dead Air, his sci-fi/horror comic built around a killer idea: a ’90s university radio crew starts picking up something they can’t explain… and years later, their adult counterparts (in 2011) are still dealing with the fallout. The mystery is linked across time, and tied to the D-TALq technology that shaped their future.

Issue #1 sets the stage with that split timeline and the central question: what exactly is reaching out through the static? Issue #2 deepens the paranoia as the crew follows cryptic signals that bring mortal peril and bigger questions—warnings, threats, or something stranger.

Now Benjamin’s running a new crowdfunding push: the Kickstarter campaign for Dead Air #1–3 is live, with the campaign link routed through deadaircomic.com.

We talk about building a long-form mystery with music at its core, how he structures “then vs. now” character arcs, and what it takes to keep an indie series moving while keeping new readers welcomed in.

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/

Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:

Follow us:

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com

www.patreon.com/storycomic

www.facebook.com/storycomic1

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at [email protected]

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:

https://marekbennett.com/

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/

https://www.vonallan.com/

https://higgins802.com/

https://shewstone.com/

https://www.simkikuznick.com/

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/

Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

#DonLesser #CrystalSprings #RootstockPublishing #LiteraryFiction #DebutNovel #FoundFamily #LoveOfPlace #FriendshipStories #PioneerValley #WesternMassachusetts #BookInterview #AuthorInterview #IndiePublishing #SmallPressBooks #Storycomic

On this episode, I’m joined by author Don Lesser to talk about his debut novel, Crystal Springs — a work of literary fiction set in Western Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley, and driven by the love of place, found family, and friendships that last longer than we expect.

At the center is Steven Bennett, an everyman trying to find his footing across a decades-long journey—while the past keeps pulling at his sleeve. As one early praise note puts it, “peril simmers beneath the surface,” and the book explores how a single decision can change a life’s trajectory in ways that don’t reveal themselves all at once.

We talk about building a novel that spans time without losing emotional focus, how the Pioneer Valley shapes the characters, and what it means to write about the long game of memory, regret, and loyalty.

Crystal Springs is published by Rootstock Publishing and is scheduled for May 5, 2026, with a launch event listed for May 13, 2026 at the North Amherst Library in Amherst, Massachusetts.

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/

Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:

Follow us:

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com

www.patreon.com/storycomic

www.facebook.com/storycomic1

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at [email protected]

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:

https://marekbennett.com/

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/

https://www.vonallan.com/

https://higgins802.com/

https://shewstone.com/

https://www.simkikuznick.com/

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/

Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!