PODCAST
PODCAST
Join us for author interviews, literary life talks, and more.
EPISODES
The Porchlight: Episode 20 with Julie Hedlund
This episode features founder of 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, Julie Hedlund. Julie is an award-winning children’s book author and a regular speaker at SCBWI and other industry events. Her latest book, MY LOVE FOR YOU IS THE SUN (Little Bahalia Publishing, 2014) has been hailed as belonging on the shelf “between Guess How Much […]
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The Porchlight: Episode 19 with Cory Putman Oakes
In this Writing Barn Words and Wine event, Program Manager Claire Campbell talks with author Cory Putman Oakes about her latest book, Witchtown (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books For Young Readers) takes place in the wake of the Second Inquisition, in which modern day witches live in witch-only communities called Havens. Cory discusses her process of […]
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The Porchlight: Episode Eighteen with Katherine Applegate
Episode 18 features Newbery winner Katherine Applegate, author of The One and Only Ivan, Crenshaw and most recently, Wishtree. Our Porchlight conversation with Katherine Applegate explores developing a unique point of view character, along with the optimism of middle grade readers. Katherine also reflects on the writing process and her journey – including the time […]
read moreThe Porchlight: Episode Seventeen with Hannah Barnaby
Episode 17 features Hannah Barnaby, author of novels Wonder Show and Some of the Parts and picture books Bad Guy and Garcia and Colette Go Exploring. Our Porchlight conversation with Hannah Barnaby explores her progression from writing novels to picture books, and how she balances working-writing mom balance. She discusses her publishing journey, as well as how illustrations enhance the tone and […]
read moreThe Porchlight: Episode Sixteen with Sheryl Scarborough
Disclaimer: This episode contains some distracting paper shuffling. Nothing too jarring. We wouldn’t be serious writers without some paper shuffling every once in a while anyway. Thanks! Sheryl Scarborough, author of debut novel To Catch A Killer and forthcoming sequel To Right a Wrong (February 2018) by Tor Teen. Sheryl is award-winning writer for children’s […]
read moreThe Porchlight: Episode Fifteen with Sarah Aronson
This episode features the sparkly, Sarah Aronson. Sarah began writing for kids and teens when someone in an exercise class dared her to try. Since then, she has earned an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and published three novels: Head Case, Beyond Lucky, and Believe. Titles […]
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The Porchlight: Episode Fourteen with Misha Maynerick Blaise
In this Writing Barn Words and Wine event, Program Manager Claire Campbell talks with author and illustrator Misha Maynerick Blaise about her new book, This Phenomenal Life (Lyons Press, 2017). The book explores the beauty and humor of science through surprising facts about the world around us and our connection with the universe. Misha discusses […]
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The Porchlight: Episode Thirteen with Jason Gallaher
Episode Thirteen features Jason Gallaher, author of Whobert Whover, Owl Detective, Margaret K. McElderry Books, July 2017. Jason’s debut picture book solves the mystery of what happened to Perry the Possum. Whobert Whover, Owl Detective, is on the case to keep his woods safe in this hilarious who-who-dun-it. Jason Gallaher is a children’s book writer who fell in love with […]
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The Porchlight: Episode Twelve with Jessixa Bagley
Episode Twelve features Jessixa Bagley, author & illustrator of Boats for Papa, Before I Leave, and Laundry Day. This Porchlight episode was recorded live when Jessixa led our last Picture Book Intensive. In this conversation we discuss Jessixa’s fondness for anthropomorphic creatures and the rich imagery they provide in her own picture books. Jessixa sheds […]
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The Porchlight: Episode Eleven with Katie Bayerl
Episode Eleven features Katie Bayerl, author of A Psalm For Lost Girls, Putnam, March 2017. Katie’s debut novel is a contemporary YA in mystery clothing, about an abduction that changes the lives of three girls. Katie holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and directs the […]
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ABOUT BETHANY
Grandfather Gandhi and Be the Change: A Grandfather Gandhi Story, both co-written with Arun Gandhi (grandson of Mahatma Gandhi), as well Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird,and the forthcoming Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People: Dr. Maya Angelou, and Hard Work But It’s Worth It: The Life of Jimmy Carter. Her books have been included in numerous “best of” lists such as A Mighty Girl’s Best Books of 2018 and Kirkus’ Best Books of the Year. A former educator, Bethany is an in-demand speaker and mentor who speaks and teaches across the country about writing, creativity, resilience, and privilege. She is also the Founder and Creative Director of The Writing Barn in Austin, Texas and host of The Porchlight podcast, which includes the popular Courage to Create series. She graduated from the Vermont College of Fine Arts with an MFA program in Writing for Children & Young Adults.
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