Q&A with Terri Libenson

  

 

 

 

Terri Libenson is the author and illustrator of the new middle grade graphic novel Seriously, Celia?, the latest in her Emmie & Friends series. She lives in Cleveland. 

 

Q: Why did you choose Celia and Grace as your point-of-view characters in your new novel?

 

A: I chose them partly because I wanted to explore what makes a “mean girl” (Celia) tick, and because so many readers have requested Celia and Grace as main characters.

 

I’ve planted some mystery around Celia’s home life in my other books, which has generated interest in her back story. I guess I’ve been teasing her as a main character for a while.

 

Q: What do you think the novel says about popularity and bullying in middle school?

 

A: That they can be tied together and occur within close friend groups. Still, the bullying cycle can most definitely be broken. In this book, I try to allow paths for that to happen.

 

Q: How would you describe the dynamic between Celia and Grace?

 

A: I would describe it as toxic. There’s an imbalance their relationship. Celia seemingly has all the power and Grace – although she cares about Cee – can’t seem to break away from their friendship. She is worried she’d be all alone and unpopular without Cee.

 

The story asks the question: are some friendships worth it or not? Readers get to see that play out.

 

Q: And how would you describe Celia’s life at home with her family?

 

A: Celia is unintentionally neglected by her family. Her little sister is chronically ill and tends to occupy their parents’ time and energy. This explains why Cee tries hard to control her own life and those in it – it’s the only way she feels she has any power.

 

Q: What are you working on now? What's next in the series?

 

A: I am working on Book 11, which may finally conclude the series (we’ll see)! In the meantime, I’ve enjoyed a later launch date, which has freed up my time to work on new projects outside the series. I’m brainstorming other graphic novels as well as an adult book. We’ll see what pans out (so exciting and scary)!

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Sure, Seriously, Celia? comes out on September 29. You can pre-order the book here. P.S. Although the book deals with some serious topics, it’s balanced with all the Emmie & Friends trademark humor.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Terri Libenson. 

Q&A with Alex Sanchez

  

 

 

Alex Sanchez is the author of the young adult novel Rainbow Boys, now available in a 25th anniversary edition. He lives in Thailand and in Florida. 

 

Q: How did this new 25th anniversary edition of your classic novel Rainbow Boys come about?

 

A: Twenty-five years ago, Simon & Schuster was the only major publisher willing to take a chance on the manuscript. They saw it as groundbreaking for its upbeat portrayal of queer teens.

 

Now, at a moment when LGBTQ+ themed books are being challenged and banned like never before, I’m thrilled that S&S continues to champion inclusive literature for young people. Hooray!

 

Our country has come so far in advancing equal rights, and yet we need to constantly defend those rights—including the right to read. The anniversary edition celebrates the book’s part in the cultural change of the past 25 years, introduces the story to new readers, and reminds us of our need to keep striving for social justice.

 

Q: How did you create your characters Jason, Kyle, and Nelson, and how have readers reacted to them over the years?

 

A: The trio evolved out of facets of myself. Jason embodies my teenage-angsty insecurities. Kyle is my shy observer self. Nelson personifies my defiant rebellious streak. Together, the boys reflect my lifelong challenge to reconcile those three aspects of myself, much like the characters struggle in the three Rainbow novels.

 

Q: In an author’s note you wrote for the 25th anniversary edition, you said that the book's biggest audience has been straight teenage girls. Can you say more about that?

 

A: Cute boys on the original cover definitely helped! Beyond that, there’s the fact that girls comprise the biggest teen readership, and most of those girls are straight. Girls in general tend to be more open to finding out about people who are different from themselves.

 

There’s also the reality that so many young people now have LGBTQ+ friends, relatives, and parents. Combined with that, so many girls are huge social justice champions. Straight girls are the initiators and leaders of many, if not most, Gender and Sexuality Alliances in schools.

 

And lastly, straight teen girls love to read about something they’re endlessly curious about—teen boys. The fact that the rainbow boys are gay brings all those factors together!

 

Q: In the introduction to this new edition of the book, author Maia Kobabe writes about the attempts to target books like Rainbow Boys. What do you see looking ahead when it comes to censorship and banning of books with LGBTQ+ themes?

 

A: Surveys show that the vast majority of Americans oppose censorship and book-banning, so I’m frustrated that we have let things get to this point, but here we are. We need to uphold our democracy and stop allowing a small vocal minority to undermine our rights.

 

Although the future seems crazy-unpredictable, I trust that we’ll restore our freedoms of speech and expression, including the freedom to read.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: A memoir about growing up gay and a Mexican immigrant.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Only that this anniversary edition celebrates not just Rainbow Boys, but its role in helping to open the door for the many other LGBTQ+ books and authors that have followed. I’m grateful to all the young (and older) readers, parents, teachers, and librarians who have made that reality possible. Thank you!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb 

Q&A with Glenn R. Miller

  

 

 

Glenn R. Miller is the author of the new novel Rough Cuts. He also has written the novel Doorman Wanted. He has worked as a television producer and a creative director, and he lives in Minneapolis.  

 

Q: You write in Rough Cuts’s Afterword that the inspiration for the novel came from family history--can you say more about that?

 

A: One afternoon, my mother-in-law Nor told me that she had spent the day going through her grandfather’s papers, including two boxes of 4x6 cards that instructed Hollywood production studios of the cuts they needed to make if they wanted their movies to be shown in the state of Ohio.

 

This simple comment by my mother-in-law as we were sitting on a deck overlooking the St. Croix River elicited about six questions from me, the primary one being, why would her grandfather – a minister in Marietta, Ohio – be telling Hollywood directors of the 1920s what can and can’t be included in their films?

 

Nor said that, apparently, he had served on the Ohio Film Review Board, an oversight committee that held the power of censorship. I said, “You mean a minister in a small town in Ohio had the power to direct, um, directors?” “Apparently so,” she said. “Now that’s a story!” I proclaimed, wagging my finger dramatically in the air. “Can I write it?” My mother-in-law, an author herself, graciously responded, “Go for it.”

 

Q: How did you create your characters Patrick J. Shepard and Harold Dawdry?

 

A: Based on that conversation with my mother-in-law, both the story and structure of Rough Cuts hit me like a lightning bolt.

 

All stories hinge upon some central conflict and this one had it in spades – the director who has created what he considers his masterpiece, his legacy; and the young censorship board member who sees his appointment as an entrée to the power he desperately craves.

 

The fact that my mother-in-law’s grandfather happened to be a minister added a layer of symbolism that I folded into my storyline.

 

Though my previous book, Doorman Wanted, employs a gentle humor, I always saw Rough Cuts as made for satire; that is, a more exaggerated form of humor.

 

Q: How did you research the novel, and did you learn anything that especially surprised you?

 

A: Fun question. Yes, I did a great deal of research, reading biographies of film directors and actors of the era, which provided wonderful background and a greater understanding of the challenges that those within the industry were facing during the 1920s.

 

I also read several histories about film censorship at that time. Prior to the conversation with my mother-in-law, I had not been aware that individual states (Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) had censorship boards, thereby forcing production studios to create upwards of eight distinct copies of all of their films.

 

What were the states looking for? You can probably guess: sex, violence, and disrespect for authority. Of course, there are shades of grey to all of this, which is what made every single submission to a state panel such a crap shoot. For the studios, all requested (read: demanded) changes by the states incurred additional costs and delayed distribution timeframes.

 

Q: Do you see any echoes between the period you write about a century ago and today's cultural world?

 

A: Most definitely. With the advent of social media, mobilization efforts around book bannings have increased dramatically, with record highs of banned book titles in both public library systems and school library systems.

 

There is a marked difference between saying, “I don’t want that book in my house,” and “I don’t want that book in any house.” This is the same impulse in which members of film censorship boards determined certain films – as created – should not be seen by any resident within their state.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: A sequel to Doorman Wanted.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Glenn R. Miller. 

Q&A with Ann McCallum Staats

  

 

Ann McCallum Staats is the author, with Karen Nyberg, of the new children's picture book A Quilt of Stars: Astronaut Karen Nyberg Stitches a Dream. Staats's other books include High Flyers. She is a former educator, and she lives in Virginia.

 

Q: How did you and Karen Nyberg end up writing this book together? What was the writing process like?

 

A: When I was researching subjects to include in another book, this one YA, I reached out to Karen and interviewed her. But in High Flyers: 15 Inspiring Women Aviators and Astronauts, my focus was on Karen’s incredible determination and perseverance to become an astronaut.

 

When we connected after that book was published, we talked about her experience of sewing a community quilt square in space and inviting the world to participate. We realized that this was a story that needed to be told, too.

 

We decided on a younger audience and picture book format because of theme of connectedness and the opportunity for beautiful illustrations.

 

I’ve never co-authored before, but thankfully the process of writing together was a smooth one. Karen is absolutely amazing! We worked via Zoom meetings and phone calls since we live on opposite ends of the country. We went back and forth many times as we polished the story and worked out details.

 

Then, when Familius offered us a contract, again things flowed. It took two years to get the book published, but it was a fun and rewarding process.

 

Q: What do you think Alida Massari’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: When Familius first shared Alida’s sketches, we were both thrilled with the result. I personally love the color palette and the sense of hope and possibility that Alida brings to each spread.

 

When Karen and I first saw the images in color, we went over each one and talked about our favorites. She especially loves the ones of her family.

 

I’m most drawn to the first spread where it shows Karen as a little girl gazing up at the stars. It shares the faith of a child that she would one day achieve what seemed like an impossible dream at the time.

 

I also love the illustration of Karen gazing from the cupola on the International Space Station down on Earth. This represents a huge theme of the book—the world is like a patchwork quilt of people and places, each connected to the beautiful whole.

 

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

 

A: I’d already done quite a bit of research into Karen’s life because of my other book, but still, I’ve never traveled to space. I asked Karen a lot of detail about what that experience was like because I wanted to at least get a sense of the feeling of seeing our world from the outside.

 

One thing that struck me was when Karen said how stepping away from Earth changed her. Looking down on our complex and stunning world from the International Space Station, she got a renewed and powerful sense of how critical it is to fight for the health of our planet.

 

It’s a true gift to all of us to have such an amazing planet to call home. This isn’t surprising, I suppose, but it really hit home for me.

 

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

 

A: As parents and caregivers and the ones handing off the world to the younger generation, we have a huge responsibility. I hope that kids will feel inspired by Karen’s story and that it may seed whatever dreams they set about accomplishing themselves later in life.

 

I know I’m inspired and awed by Karen’s story. She comes from humble roots, not that different from how I grew up, actually. She grew up in a tiny town in Minnesota; I come from a remote village in Canada. Of course, the similarities end there, but, wow, the whole idea of her succeeding in becoming an astronaut against the odds …

 

Then, while in space when she engaged the world in a community sewing project, it became a metaphor for how we are all different, but connected by our humanity. It’s mind-boggling—and beautiful. 

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: Well, of course, everything is top secret until we actually land a contract. But suffice it to say, I’m working with another collaborator from the NASA community. Fingers crossed that we can make a book together.

 

I’m also working on a middle-grade novel, but boy, that genre is a different animal for sure! I seem to always have my fingers in a number of different projects. We’ll see which one sparks interest first!

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I’d love to share the book trailer we made for A Quilt of Stars. Note that the background images of space are from Karen’s personal collection. And the song is an excerpt of the theme song composed by Dr. G and the Range Shadows. (Yes, that’s my husband—he hired a session musician for the singing part.)

 

Book Trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-Xkc05M5k0

 

There’s also a downloadable educator’s guide and details about author visits on my website. Website link: https://annmccallumbooks.com/

 

Finally, Karen and I are doing a national tour to share the book. I’m also doing some local events on my own. We kick off the launch with a program at the National Children’s Museum on Sept. 26.

 

We have another event at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum on Oct. 30 along with tour stops in Miami, Houston, and Seattle. I’m also doing a couple of events in the D.C. region including Barnes & Noble Fairfax on Oct. 3 and Scrawl Books on Oct. 24. It’s going to be a busy but fun fall season! 

 

Thanks for having me on your blog, Deborah. I appreciate all you do for the writing world! 

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Ann McCallum Staats. 

Q&A with Ashley Franklin

  

 

 

Ashley Franklin is the author of the new children's picture book Our Favorite Day of the Week. It's a sequel to the book Our Favorite Day of the Year, by A.E. Ali. Franklin's other books include Not Quite Snow White. She is also an educator, and she lives in Arkansas.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Our Favorite Day of the Week?

A: It wasn’t so much inspiration as much as it was a request. I was asked if I was interested in stepping in and taking over the series. How could I say no to such an adorable bunch of characters? 

Once I began Our Favorite Day of the Week, I took inspiration from the characters’ behaviors in the first book as well as my inspiration as a mom who has spent many days on playgrounds with children.

 

Fun fact: I actually worked at a preschool/kindergarten for a short period after graduate school. Those were some amazing times!

Q: How did you choose the reasons for the characters’ favorite days?

A: For Musa, I specifically wanted to do swimming. Swimming stood out to me based on its complex past of segregation in the United States and the fact that there are still racial disparities in swimming ability to this day. Also, I’d already written a Muslim boy character who loved Fridays at the masjid and didn’t want to do something similar to that again.

 

As for the other characters, I wanted a mix of fun, academic, culturally relevant, and quirky favorite days. I hoped there would be something there for any child to be able to relate to.  

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book called it a “positive portrait of youngsters thriving in a busy, supportive, multigenerational community.” What do you think of that description?

A: Nailed it!  I think that's a beautifully accurate description. Community is so important in this day and age. That feeling of connection across cultures and ages is the type of positivity that helps us to thrive as a society.

Q: What do you think Rahele Jomepour Bell’s illustrations add to the book?

A: The illustrations aren’t just adding to the book. Rahele’s illustrations are an integral part of the story. They are what bring the characters to life and show the innocence of the children as they see the joyous components of the everyday world in their own special way.

Q: What are you working on now?

A: I’m working on a few picture books that I hope to get to my agent before the year is out, and I am actively revising my middle grade novel that was acquired by Celia Lee titled Safi’s Summer Split. 

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb 

Sept. 29

 

 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Sept. 29, 1810: Elizabeth Gaskell born.

Q&A with Sian Gilbert

  

 

 

Sian Gilbert is the author of the new novel The Five of Us. Her other books include the novel I Did Warn Her. Also an educator, she lives in Bristol, UK. 

 

Q: What inspired you to write The Five of Us, and how did you create your cast of characters?

 

A: The Five of Us was inspired by my time as a teacher during lockdown. I was teaching in 2020 when schools were first closed and the world became unlike anything we had ever known. Expecting young people to suddenly grapple with this alongside an already massive transitional period in their lives created a time of so much uncertainty.

 

A lot of people want to avoid the topic of lockdown entirely, and it is easy to understand why when there was so much sadness surrounding it. But I couldn't help but think of those young people and all the expectations they had for beginning their adult lives, and the fact this anticipation sometimes never followed through.

 

The cast of characters, a group of five girls only known by their bird nicknames, are completely fictional, but are absolutely drawn from the students I taught during this time.

 

In an author's note at the beginning of the book, I say that Crow, Cuckoo, Wren, Starling and Goldfinch are "an amalgamation of the confusion, anger and resentment that existed at the time and still does now."

 

I wanted them to be students who cared about their education and saw it as a means of achieving their dreams. I also wanted them to be relatable as teenage girls and follow them on their life journey into their turbulent adulthood.

 

Approaching them as both teenagers and adults was a very important part of the novel to me in order to demonstrate the significant impact lockdown had on their generation, and the consequences they are reaping for it in the years afterwards, all wrapped up in a twisty, dark academia thriller.

 

Q: The author Bruce Holsinger called the book a “brilliantly conceived story of rivalry, vengeance, and the terrible secrets that can lurk within even the closest of friendships...” What do you think of that description?

 

A: Firstly, I have to say, getting a Bruce Holsinger blurb was absolutely incredible! Bruce is such a nice guy and the fact he made the time out of his busy schedule to read this novel meant so much.

 

The description is a great one at getting to the heart of these characters. I wanted them to ultimately be realistic teenage girls, and anyone who has been a teenage girl or raised teenage girls (or taught them!) knows that friendships can be complicated.

 

They aren't perfect all of the time, and especially not when there is a dead body or two to contend with as there might be in this novel. There is jealousy, and pettiness, and love, and respect, and laughter, and tears, all wrapped up in relationships that feel the most important in the world.

 

Vengeance is a big theme in The Five of Us, for a variety of reasons, and the terrible secrets hang over not just the actions they commit in the first half of the novel as young people but directly impact their lives as adults in the second half. Is their behaviour justified? Readers will have to decide that for themselves.

 

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

 

A: Without giving away any spoilers, the novel did change in its ending. For anyone who has read the book, they might be surprised by how the women are left, and I'd love to hear from readers their thoughts on it.

 

Initially, the ending was more what might have been expected, a more obvious consequence, shall we say. Instead I chose a different direction, and this links to the idea of hope within the book. Is their ending justified? I would be interested to hear what readers have to say about that!

 

I did also make changes along the way. One of the biggest changes was actually their names---originally, the girls went by their real names, and birds did not come into the equation.

 

But as they developed, something interesting happened. The idea of tying them down to a set name felt less right, and I wanted them to represent the wider generation as a whole. Birds were the obvious choice for how to go about that.

 

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

 

A: If there is anyone that feels that same anger or resentment from what happened to them in lockdown, I hope this book speaks to them.

 

I hope anyone that enjoys dark academia appreciates the different take on that genre, situated within a comprehensive school and council flats instead of luxurious penthouse apartments and exclusive boarding schools.

 

It is a coming of age story, but it isn't written for young people today; it is for the generation that came up during lockdown and might be feeling a little lost in the tough world that remains.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: Thriller number four (which feels wild to say!) has been written and gone through developmental edits. It hasn't quite been announced yet but will be very soon, and there is a lot of excitement around it. I cannot wait to share more!

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: If you loved The Five of Us, do check out my other two thrillers, She Started It and I Did Warn Her, and you can follow me for all updates on me and the next book via my social media and website: @sianmgilbert or SianGilbert.com.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb