The Hope Prose Podcast

This is a LIVE and UNEDITED  episode we recorded with FOUR loyal and talented listeners of the podcast! We're embracing the imperfections today - mouse clicks, awkward pauses, and clearing of throats included. ;)  Listen as we (Tara and Rebekah) talk about some of the show's highlights, stats, memorable moments,  and interview our listeners of the podcast and panelist! 

Due to character limitations, you can find our show notes, resources, and links to all our guest's social media at our website at: 

https://www.tarakross.com/podcast-show-notes
https://www.patreon.com/thehopeprosepod

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What do you get when you cross a blockbuster film director turned writer with two curious authors from Canada and California? An hour-long episode full of heart, laughter, and an enlightening conversation about the impact words have on our young people today. 

Holly Goldberg Sloan is the author of seven books for young readers of which have been published in twenty-seven languages. Her most popular novel, Counting By 7s, was an E.B. White Honor book, made 44 state reading lists, and with English language sales now approaching one million copies. She also is a writer and director for Disney & Disney+, Hallmark Hall of Fame, and various other projects. 

Listen as the trio talks about her latest release THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, tackling hard subjects in children’s literature, infusing hope into a seemingly hopeless world, and being understanding of each other’s differences. 

Enjoy! 

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Today’s episode brings you a conversation between your hosts and YA fantasy/adventure author Lani Forbes! 

Lani is the daughter of a librarian and an ex-drug smuggling surfer (which explains her passionate love of the ocean and books). A former teacher turned trauma counselor, her passion is showing readers the transformative and encouraging power of story on the human experience.

Listen as they talk about her trilogy, THE AGE OF THE SEVENTH SUN, her tips for research and how she went about researching mesoamerican myths, mentorship with the Mary Webber, and what her biggest phobia is and why. 

Enjoy! 

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Today, Rebekah and Tara sit down with C.F.E. Black, YA sci-fi and fantasy writer. And no, she’s not related to Rebekah but hey, they are soul sisters so technically ….anywho! 

C.F.E is a high school Spanish teacher with a love for stories that sweep her away into another world and when she’s not chasing her son, she’s reading & writing, or hiking in the great outdoors. 

Join them in a cozy roundtable where they discuss her debut book, The Veritas Project, a dystopian/sci-fi story that thrusts the main character V into a world shared by 15 other minds. 

Listen as they talk: 

• How working with teens help strengthen her writing 
• Her love for all things sci-fi and how she got into the genre
• Why aspiring authors shouldn’t knock self-publishing before they try it
• Her advice for authors wanting to get into sci-fi and publishing in general

Enjoy! 

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In today’s episode, Tara and Rebekah gear up and travel to a distant galaxy far, far away to chat with legendary YA fantasy (now turned Sci-fi!) author, Chuck Black!

Chuck is a former F-16 fighter pilot and tactical combat communications officer, is the author of eighteen novels, including the popular and household name at this point, Kingdom Series. 

Listen in as he drops by to talk about what it’s like to make the switch from writing fantasy epics to sprawling sci-fi worlds in what is to be a 12 book series! Yes, you read that right folks….12 books! However, in this episode, they talk about his latest upcoming release LORE (book 3 in the STARELORE Legacy series!) and dig deep on topics such as: 

• Why he started writing
• His tips and techniques he uses to snap out of the dreaded imposter syndrome 
• The most daring things he’s done to date
• The sweetest story behind why he started the Kingdom series
• His heart for youth and the power of story

And so much more! 

An interview with a master of story, characters, and allegory, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

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Today’s podcast guest is a multi-published author, book columnist, guest host on CBC’s q, and founder and Executive Director for the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD). Her latest release, GUTTER CHILD, is a dystopian story of courage and resilience that arrived last January with HarperCollins Canada. 

Can you guess who it is? 

That’s right, Jael Richardson joins the Hope Prose family alumni to talk about her debut novel GUTTER CHILD, racism and its many forms, what makes a YA book vs. Adult, the systems that make us, and how we can do and be better at breaking them down, and how important diversity is in literature--especially YA and Middle Grade.  

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In today’s episode, Bekah and Tara sit down with Ellen McGinty to talk about her YA debut, THE WATER CHILD which takes place in her current country of residence, Japan! Ellen originally hails from Texas with cowboy blood in her veins and is the working mom of not one, not two, but three boys. 

Listen as the trio discusses the dream and real-life event that inspired Ellen’s stunning novel, the Japanese word she would use to describe the Water Child, and the importance of mental health and illness representation in YA. Oh, and also how she once went undercover and saved a bunch of kids??? Yeah, you’re gonna wanna listen...

Grab your tea or coffee, find a cozy spot, and enjoy! 

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In today’s episode of The Hope Prose Podcast, Rebekah and Tara talk to Christy Award-winning author of The Means That Make Us Strangers---Christine Kindberg! 

Christine was born in Peru and grew up in Chile, Panama, Kentucky, North Carolina, and studied English at Wheaton College. Now, she lives in the Chicago area where she works as a Spanish-language editor at Tyndale House Publishers and guest teaches a creative writing class at Wheaton College.

Listen in as they chat about her groundbreaking and thought-provoking novel, THE MEANS THAT MAKE US STRANGERS, the Shakespearian inspiration behind the title, how running marathons have helped her write books, what it was like to win a Christy Award for an independently published book, and the most daring thing she’s done in her years of traveling the globe. 

Sit back, relax, and enjoy! 

https://linktr.ee/the_hope_prose_podcast

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In today’s episode of The Hope Prose Podcast, Tara and Rebekah are absolutely thrilled to sit down with multi-award-winning YA author Caroline George. Caroline graduated from Belmont University with a degree in publishing and public relations and now travels the country speaking at conferences and writing full-time. Her latest book Dearest Josephine from HarperCollins releases February 2nd and is available for pre-order now! 

Curl up with your warmest blanket and headphones as you listen to the trio discuss all things from what it’s like to be a young author in the publishing industry, what encouraged Caroline’s transition from dystopia/sci-fi to time-slip romance, her crazy journey from self-published author to signing with HarperCollins, and her biggest tip for aspiring authors. 

Enjoy! 

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In their first episode of 2021, Rebekah and Tara are ecstatic to talk with Isabel Ibañez, a novelist born in Boca Raton, Florida, who is the proud daughter of two Bolivian immigrants. A true word nerd, she received her degree in creative writing and has been a Pitch Wars mentor for three years, is the author of Woven in Moonlight which was named one of the best YA fantasy books of all time by Time magazine, and the soon to be released Written in Starlight (January 26th).

In a magical conversation highlighted by Isabel’s delightful laugh and energy, they talk about what prompted her to leave her successful career as a graphic design and card artist to writing, the inspirations behind her lush Woven in Moonlight series, and what it feels like to have her work named one of the best by TIME magazine. 

This is an episode you won’t want to miss so grab your coffee or tea, a blanket, and get ready to learn more about Isabel and her works. 

To pre-order Isabel’s book, take a look here: https://amzn.to/35rQRZK

To connect with Isabel on socials, you can find her on:  Instagram & Twitter  

Visit Isabel on her website at:  http://isabelibanez.com/

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