Q&A with Deborah Kalb (myself!)

  

 

 

Deborah Kalb is the author of the new novel Everything She Most Admired. Her other books include the novel Off to Join the Circus. She is the host of this blog, and she lives in the D.C. area.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Everything She Most Admired, and how did you create your character Lauren Green?

 

A: Well, Deborah, you know the answers to all of this, but since you’re asking…I (or should I say we?) started working on this manuscript more than three decades ago. We were a lot younger then, and we had always wanted to write fiction, and for some reason we thought writing a mystery novel would be easier than writing some other kind of novel, because it had a built-in plot. Something awful happens, maybe something else awful happens, our protagonist has to figure out what happened, and the miscreant is unmasked. Well, we were so wrong! Writing a mystery novel is incredibly hard.

 

So we put the manuscript away for years. On a floppy disk, no doubt. On large piles of printer paper tucked away in a drawer. And then years later, things happened in our life and we thought, why not have our protagonist have something like that happen to her? (Okay, it was a horrible broken engagement, and why would we wish that on poor Lauren Green? But we did.) And then we put the manuscript away again, and the process continued for many more years. Of course, we were doing a lot of other writing in the meantime, weren’t we.

 

Q: Yes.

 

A: But you also wanted to know about Lauren, right?

 

Q: Yes.

 

A: Okay, so back in our 20s we created a character named Jennifer Greenberg who was a lot like us, and we wrote a few mystery novel manuscripts about her. But then we decided, wait! Jennifer Greenberg is just a little too much like us. We need a little distance. So let’s write about her sister! Her sister was named Karen Greenberg. Karen Greenberg became an only child, and her name eventually was changed to Lauren Green. We had to change a lot of our characters’ first names because naming fashions changed over the course of three decades.

 

Q: Why did you decide to set the novel at a magazine in Washington, D.C., and how important is setting to you in your writing?

 

A: Well, I think you know the answer to that. Back in our 20s, we worked at a magazine in Washington, D.C. Not that our fictional magazine, Lens, has anything to do with that magazine. And we worked at lots of other news organizations in D.C. during the years we pulled the manuscript out and put it away in the drawer/floppy disk/computer. So a magazine seemed like a good place to set the novel. And yes, setting is important. As you know, description has never been our strong point when we write. We prefer dialogue. We wish we were a more poetic writer who could conjure up beautiful scenes with just the perfect words. But we are not. Still, we do like to write about places we’ve spent a lot of time. It makes us feel more secure.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: It feels really strange talking to you, you know.

Q: I agree.

 

A: And yet somewhat therapeutic.

 

Q: Yes.

 

A: So we have a couple more novels in the works. Our wonderful publisher, Apprentice House, is going to publish two more of our novels over the next year or two. One is a sequel to Everything She Most Admired. The other is a young adult novel set at a summer camp in the Adirondacks in 1952. We are currently updating a reference book called Elections A to Z.

 

Q: Why do you write in so many genres?

 

A: We have very eclectic tastes.

 

Q: True. So this has been fun! Can we do it again sometime?

 

A: Absolutely. Thanks, Deborah!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb 

Q&A with Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

  

Stephanie Dray, photo by Kelsey Edwards

 

Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie are the authors of the new novel A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams. Their other books include America's First Daughter.  

 

Q: What inspired you to write a novel based on the life of Abigail Adams (1744-1818)?  

 

A: We’ve written other books about Founding Mothers: America’s First Daughter about Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph and My Dear Hamilton about Eliza Schuyler Hamilton.  

 

Originally, we thought we’d stay away from Abigail because we’re huge fans of the HBO John Adams miniseries, and weren’t sure what we could contribute to Laura Linney’s brilliant portrayal of Abigail.  

 

But the more we thought about it, we realized that the miniseries really only featured a small part of Abigail’s story, especially because John’s wartime and nation-building commitments separated them for years at a time.  

 

Once we began to dive more into her story, we realized that her journey from mother to ardent patriot to First Lady to matriarch of a political dynasty was one that needed to be told–with her front and center.

Laura Kamoie, photo by Renee Hollingshead

 

Q: How did you research the book, and what did you learn that especially surprised you?  

 

A: We started where we always do–with biographies and with the primary documents and letters available to everyone on the National Archives founders.archives.gov website. It’s an amazing source of not only digitized but transcribed sources and invaluable for researching the founding era.  

 

Reading those letters, it was surprising and delightful to see how tart and funny Abigail really could be. And how direct she was, especially compared to the other women we’ve written about. Abigail was not one to suffer fools. And she had a Yankee no-nonsense way about her that was delightful.  

 

So one of the most fun things about the research this time is that we reached out to an expert Abigail Adams re-enactor, Carol Cohen, who gave us many juicy details about Abigail… including the part about her making bullets!  

 

Another thing that surprised us was that Abigail was often more radical than her husband. Her opinions were less measured than his. She was often two steps ahead of getting to the place he might eventually land.  

 

Readers may also be shocked to find that she was an entrepreneur and that John's public career was enabled not just by her sacrifices on the farm, but also by her business acumen as an investor.  

Q: The writer Kate Quinn said of the book, “The research shines, the prose gleams, the characterization is a delight, and the themes are timelier than ever--on the eve of our nation's 250th anniversary, I can think of no book more necessary than A Founding Mother.” What do you think of that description?  

 

A: Have we mentioned how much we love Kate Quinn? In all seriousness, this praise is such an amazing compliment coming from someone we admire so much. And we can’t help but agree that Abigail is the perfect protagonist and A Founding Mother is the perfect story for this moment!  

 

Q: What do you think Abigail Adams would make of today’s politics?  

 

A: Interestingly, Abigail might have seen more in the intensity of today’s partisanship that was familiar to her than one might think, but she likely also would’ve wanted us to be much better stewards of the democratic republic she helped found.  

 

Q: What are you working on now?  

 

A: We have so many irons in the fire! Together, we are working on our next Founding Mother novel–though we can’t share who the protagonist is just yet! Individually, we’re both working on solo novels set in the World War II era.  

 

Q: Anything else we should know?  

 

A: The book comes out on May 5, 2026, in paperback, ebook, and audiobook! We can’t wait for everyone to read it! 

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie.

Q&A with Vanessa Bergeron

  

 

 

Vanessa Bergeron is the author of the new children's picture book What's That For?. Her other books include Snowflakes for Christmas. She is also a counselor.

 

Q: What inspired you to write What’s That For?

 

A: I began my career as a pre-kindergarten teacher, and humor played a central role in the way I connected with children. While many of our activities focused on learning important concepts, in more informal moments, I took great joy in inventing all sorts of playful answers to their many curious questions.

 

I loved seeing that moment of realization on their faces—when they understood that what I was telling them wasn’t true, but that it also opened the door to endless creative possibilities and a kind of joyful playfulness that meant a lot to me.

 

I find that with picture books, there is often such a strong desire to teach lessons or convey educational messages, but sometimes we forget the simple pleasure of letting ourselves be carried away by imagination. I like to believe this book will remind children of the importance of nurturing the creativity already living inside them.

 

Q: What do you think Virginie Lacoste’s illustrations add to the story?

 

A: Virginie’s illustration style is absolutely perfect for this story. It’s colorful, lively, but also soft and warm. She was actually the one who came up with the idea of including the little guinea pig that’s hidden throughout many of the indoor scenes. The double-page spread where you have to turn the book to see the image of Lulu with her grandfather was also her idea!

 

Virginie illustrated my very first picture book, whose theme was especially meaningful to me, so it was an incredible gift and privilege to have the chance to work with her again.

 

Q: What got you interested in writing for kids?

 

A: I’ve always held onto the dream of publishing children’s books, even though I now also write novels for adults and young adults. I’m a huge fan of Dr. Seuss’s world, and I absolutely love reading picture books aloud with children.

 

I’ve always said that, in my heart, I’m 4 and a half years old—and I have no intention of ever changing that!

 

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book?

 

A: I hope they come away knowing that they don’t always have to take everything so seriously—and that when they explore their creativity, a whole world of possibilities opens up to them.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: Two weeks after the release of What’s That For?, I’ll have a young adult novel coming out in bookstores (in French). I’m also currently working on a picture book with an original and playful concept centered on empathetic listening, as well as another project for teens related to sexual violence, which is a subject close to my professional life, as I work in that field as a counselor.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Thank you for reading me, for stepping into my world, and for riding the wave of imagination with us through this book!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb 

Q&A with Creator JJ

  

 

 

Creator JJ is the author of the new children's picture book Tiki Time: T-Rex Tiki. It's the second in his Tiki Time series.  

 

Q: What inspired this second Tiki Time book?

 

A: Tiki Time is a five-book series, and this is the second installment. The first book lays the foundation for the story, introducing the main character, Tiki, his personal journey, the supporting cast, and the mission behind the time-traveling quest.

 

In the second book, the adventure truly begins. It marks the first stage of the quest, as the characters travel back to prehistoric times to find King Lauia and recover the stolen Toku Mask. This is where the action and excitement really take off.

 

Q: How did you come up with the plot for this new addition to your series?

 

A: Throughout the series, Tiki and his friends travel through different time periods, with prehistoric times serving as the first destination and the official beginning of their time-traveling adventure. I chose this setting because it naturally captures kids’ imaginations, blending excitement, discovery, and a sense of wonder.

In this second book, the quest truly begins as Tiki first encounters and confronts King Lauia in an effort to recover the stolen Toku Mask. The stakes are high: Tiki is racing against time to retrieve the mask before his hometown, TikiTown, and its innocent citizens remain frozen forever.

This is also a pivotal moment in Tiki’s character arc. He takes his first real step toward becoming a hero, growing into the magical royal warrior defined by courage and integrity. Both the plot and Tiki’s personal journey begin to intensify here, raising the tension and setting the stage for what’s to come.

Q: What was the process this time around for creating the illustrations?

A: The process was incredible! Creating the original book required a tremendous amount of work, as Fates developed both the character designs and the visual world from the ground up. Every detail had to be just right - and it was! The artwork in the first book is truly stunning.

By the time we began the second book, Fates had become completely comfortable with the characters and artistic style, which allowed him to really expand and elevate the visuals.

 

When I first saw the new artwork, I was blown away.

 

That’s part of what makes the Tiki Time series so special, it’s a highly visual experience. I think both parents and children will genuinely enjoy the artwork as they read, bringing the story to life in a vivid and engaging way.

 

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?

 

A: Most importantly, I hope readers come away understanding the book’s core themes: building self-confidence, valuing friendship, embracing true character and integrity, and reflecting on the impact of their actions on others. These are the general themes of the Tiki Time series.

I also hope that both parents and children have a genuinely enjoyable experience reading this book together. Beyond helping children expand their vocabulary and learn valuable life lessons, the prehistoric setting offers an exciting and imaginative adventure. The visually stunning artwork is designed to spark children’s imaginations and inspire their own creativity.

 

Above all, I hope this story draws young readers into its world, taking them on a memorable journey as they follow the series. My goal is for them to enjoy this book so much that it encourages them to explore other stories, whether in similar genres or entirely new ones, and to develop a lasting love of reading. After all, reading is an essential skill that opens the door to lifelong learning.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I am working on the third installment in the Tiki Time series, Tiki Time: The Mummy’s Curse. This book is set in Ancient Egypt, and I think both kids and parents are going to love it. The quest becomes even more fun and wild, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

A: There are plenty of fun resources available to go along with the Tiki Time series! A read-along video of the first book, Tiki Time: It’s My Turn, is available on YouTube, and the read-along for Tiki Time: T-Rex Tiki will be coming soon.

 

In addition, The Children’s Book Review has created an amazing activity kit that parents can download for their kids. They also developed a fantastic educator’s guide based on the first book, designed for teachers who want to bring Tiki Time into the classroom.

 

You can find links to all of these fun resources below.

 

Read-Along Video: https://www.youtube.com/@CreatorJJ-d2k

Activity Kit:  https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tiki-Time-Activity-Kit.pdf

Educator’s Guide: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/TikiTimeEducatorGuide25.pdf

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. This Q&A was conducted in partnership with Creator JJ. Here’s a previous Q&A with Creator JJ. Readers who enter this giveaway will have the chance to win one of five signed paperback copies of Tiki Time: T-Rex Tiki by Creator JJ. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a signed copy of the book, a $100 Amazon gift card, and a National Geographic Light-Up Terrarium for Kids!

May 5

 

 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
May 5, 1864: Nellie Bly born.

Q&A with Jennifer Pearson

  

 

 

Jennifer Pearson is the author of the new young adult novel Drop Dead Famous. She is also an educator, and she lives in England.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Drop Dead Famous and how did you create your character Stevie?

A: The original spark for the book came from watching the intensity of modern celebrity culture, especially around huge global stars like Taylor Swift, and thinking, what if? What if something unthinkable happened at the height of that kind of fame – in the middle of the noise, the adoration, the obsession, the pressure?

 

I was fascinated by how enormous and emotional those fandoms are, and how strange it is that someone can be loved by millions and still be deeply vulnerable and alone.

For Stevie’s character, I wanted to show her as someone who had grown up in the shadow of her famous sister. She’s more guarded and doesn’t want to give parts of herself away like her sister did.

 

But to balance her more reserved nature, I wanted to give her a dry sense of humor to make her likeable. I knew she would need to be tenacious – she is the driving force of the investigation after all.

Q: The Publishers Weekly review of the novel says, “Sharp, witty prose balances suspense with humor, as Stevie and Colby’s banter provides levity amid the deadly stakes.” What do you think of that description, and what did you see as the right balance between suspense and humor?

A: I am thrilled with that quote from Publishers Weekly and I’m delighted they see it as a strength of the novel! It was something I thought a lot about when I was writing, because while the book deals with some heavy issues, I wanted it to be a fun read for teens.

I think the balance between suspense and humor works best when the humor doesn’t undercut the danger, but instead makes the characters feel more real.

 

The suspense comes from the mystery and the sense of risk surrounding what’s happening, while the humor (which mainly comes through dialogue and Stevie’s and Colby’s observations) gives the reader brief moments of levity.

 

I suppose the right balance is that the suspense drives the plot forward, but the humor shapes how we experience it.

Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

A: My working title was actually Homecoming. I think this title worked in some ways–Blair Baker is killed during the opening act of her homecoming tour, and it hints that the home is an important part of the story, but I don’t think it was quite strong enough for the YA audience. It doesn’t mention murder or death, words which are frequently found in YA thrillers as they serve as good genre touchstones.

 

This was something I realized midway through my first draft so I spent some time thinking of alternatives. I think Drop Dead Famous is quite punchy and it gives a good idea of what the story is about in just three words.

Q: Did you know how the novel would end before you started writing it, or did you make many changes along the way?

A: Before I started writing, I had completed a very comprehensive chapter-by-chapter plan of what had to happen and when. I didn’t stick to it religiously, but I knew exactly where the story was heading.

 

There were some alternative endings that I considered during the planning stage, and a few different culprits but once I made the decision about what was going to happen, that didn’t really change once I started writing.

Q: What are you working on now?

A: I have just finished the first round of edits for the sequel to Drop Dead Famous! I’m still working on a title, but this story follows Stevie during her first term at Wexford University where she is majoring in criminal justice. It explores sororities and hazing and cold cases and there is, of course, another murder.

Q: Anything else we should know?

A: That while I am the one who gets to be interviewed and it is my name on the front cover, there is a huge team of people behind me who have made it all possible. I am hugely indebted to everyone at Simon and Schuster, in particular my wonderful editors, Sarah Barley in the US and Ali Dougal in the UK, and I also owe so much to my agent Sam Copeland.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb 

Q&A with Jeanine DeHoney

  

 

 

 

Jeanine DeHoney is the author of the new children's picture book This Sunday My Daddy Came to Church. She is also an educator, and she lives in Pennsylvania.

 

Q: What inspired you to write This Sunday My Daddy Came to Church?

 

A: Growing up, I used to go to my maternal grandmother’s church in Brooklyn with my mother and sister. We’d usually leave to go to her apartment on a Friday evening or early Saturday. On Sunday we all got dressed in our Sunday best and walked the few blocks from my grandmother’s apartment to her neighborhood church.

 

My father, a jazz musician who played the saxophone, though, very rarely attended church with us. Instead, when we came back home, he’d have a delicious meal he prepared waiting for us, and jazz music playing in the background.

 

I was very close to my father, his mini shadow who was always underfoot. I never wanted anyone to judge him because he didn’t attend church services with us. I knew from seeing him pray and wear his rosary and also how he helped others, that he definitely was a man of faith but worshiped in his own way.

 

One day while thinking about my father, my heart full and warm, with memories, I felt led to write about that aspect of my childhood with him.

 

Q: What do you think Robert Paul Jr.’s illustrations add to the story?

 

A: Robert Paul Jr.’s illustrations truly brought this story to life. He is an exceptional, award-winning illustrator and I was so honored he took on this project. He conveyed each of the characters emotions exactly as I had hoped for. He captured the playful and the serious tone of this book and most of all showed the loving and accepting bond between a family.

 

I can only describe my feelings after seeing the finished illustrations upon receiving my advance copies as taking my breath away. They were breathtaking.  

 

Q: How did you create your character Omar, and how would you describe the dynamic between him and his parents?

 

A: It was so easy to create the character Omar because he is so much like me when I was his age and how I was with my parents, just a different gender.

 

Omar and I as a little girl are kindred spirits. I just had to close my eyes and envision being in my home with my parents; the love, the laughter, the music, the food, and how both my mother and my grandmother encouraged me to always have faith as small as a mustard seed. 

 

Omar had very good dynamics with his parents. He shared the experience of going to church with his mother and truly enjoyed going. He was also able to communicate his honest feelings to both of his parents when he felt sad about his father not attending services with them.

 

Though a young boy, as their son, they didn’t disregard his feelings or dodge his questions. Even when children don’t get the answer they may want or even deserve, they need to feel heard and seen. And thanks to Omar’s close loving bond with his parents, he was heard and seen.

 

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book?

 

A: I hope that kids take away from This Sunday My Daddy Came to Church the heart of this story, which is familial love, acceptance of others in their beliefs, and the importance of holding on to faith.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I am always working on several writing project. I have picture book ideas I am working on, and also an adult novel and a middle grade novel. I also continue to write and submit to literary and mainstream magazines and lately I have been entering literary contests as often as I can.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I love collecting quotations and putting one or two on sticky notes around my computer desk. My favorite one is a quotation from the great novelist Toni Morrison: “If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”

 

That’s what I’m trying to do, like so many other awe-inspiring authors, write that book I want to read that hasn’t been written yet, hoping it lands in the hands and hearts of readers who need my words the most.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb