Andrew Shaffer, author of What Kind of Queen?: A Royal Biography of Drag Queen and Activist José Sarria (Harry N. Abrams), co-authored with Kyle Casey Chu and illustrated by Cindy Lozito, joins Matthew to talk about focusing the script when there's so much content to cover.

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

Andrew Hacket, author of In This Classroom (Red Comet Press), illustrated by Arthur Lin, joins Matthew to talk about the journey of a new school year and never having exactly the same class again.

Visit Andrew Hacket online at www.andrewhacket.com

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

Lil Miss Hot Mess, author of Make Your Own Rainbow: A Drag Queen's Guide to Color (Running Press Kids), illustrated by Olga De Dios, joins Matthew to talk about bickering about the things we fundamentally agree on.

Visit Lil Miss Hot Mess online at www.lilmisshotmess.com

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

Ellen Oh, author of Jin Young, In Between (Crown Books for Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about exploring the many ways that lead to an endpoint in the story.

Visit Ellen Oh online at www.ellenoh.com

Other helpful links:

• Ellen Oh at Boyds Mills

• The Writing Shorter Retreat: Why (and How) Less Can Be More - In the shifting publishing landscape, it seems that many people are discussing the need for more "short" books. How can creatives write shorter without sacrificing the necessary elements of a good story? And how can learning to write short make you a stronger writer overall? Join bestselling authors Hena Khan, Christina Soontornvat, Minh Lê, and Ellen Oh for a retreat that focuses on creating propulsive, vibrant stories where every page packs a punch. This award-winning faculty will share their knowledge of pacing, plot, concept generation, how to write visually, and much more. There will be ample time for you to try out their suggestions as you write and retreat on your own projects.

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

Namrata Tripathi, publisher and president of Kokila (kokilabooks.com), an imprint of Penguin Random House, joins Matthew to talk about finding pathways to the reader.

Browse all of Kokila's titles and see what's coming next by visiting kokilabooks.com

Selected titles featured on the podcast:

• The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani (listen to episode published April 28, 2018)

• My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero; Illustrated by Zeke Peña (listen to episode published July 30, 2019)

• Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers by Celia C. Pérez (listen to episode published October 21, 2019)

• At the Mountain's Base by Traci Sorell; Illustrated by Weshoyot Alvitre (listen to episode published February 24, 2020)

• Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper; Illustrated by Kenard Pak (listen to episode published December 21, 2020)

• Brave, written and Illustrated by Weshoyot Alvitre (listen to episode published April 12, 2025)

• A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation by Pablo Cartaya (listen to episode published June 10, 2025)

• Bela and Lily by Natasha Khan Kazi (listen to episode published October 14, 2025)

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

Andy Griffiths, author of You and Me and the Peanut Butter Beast (Feiwel & Friends), joins Matthew to talk about puncturing the vanity and making us believe.

Visit Andy Griffiths online at andygriffiths.com.au

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

Israel Moya, author of Monarchs in the Wild (Tu Books), shares what is giving him hope today: young, creative, hopeful, courageous people.

This is an ongoing miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.

Visit Israel Moya online at israelmoya.com

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting boydsmills.org.

Learn more about Lee & Low Books and their upcoming releases by visiting www.leeandlow.com.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.

Katherine Applegate, author of Wombat Waiting (Storytide), joins Matthew to talk about books providing the opportunity to practice being a better human.

Visit Katherine Applegate online at katherineapplegate.com

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

Olivia Abtahi, author of Twin Flames (Tu Books), shares what is giving her hope today: seeing the bulbs start to bloom.

This is an ongoing miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.

Visit Olivia Abtahi online at www.oliviaabtahi.com

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting boydsmills.org.

Learn more about Lee & Low Books and their upcoming releases by visiting www.leeandlow.com.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.

Dan Santat, author of A Fishboy Named . . . Sashimi (Roaring Brook Press), joins Matthew to talk about creating worlds that readers will want to believe.

Visit Dan Santat online at www.instagram.com/dsantat

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.