Shows
Picture This…Move Beyond Story Time: Unlock Student Creativity with Picture Books in Your Classroom!How can you inspire boundless creativity and strengthen evidence-based teaching using the magic of picture books? In this illuminating episode of the Picture This Podcast, host Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with acclaimed author and educator Carmen Oliver!Designed specifically for **elementary teachers** and **librarians**, this conversation is a treasure trove of actionable ideas. Carmen shares her expertise on seamlessly integrating picture books into your curriculum to boost **student engagement**, enhance **literacy skills**, and support the **science of reading**.Discover innovative strategies like:📖 Sensory writing activities with "The Twilight Library"🎶 Building instru...
2025-07-2928 min
Way-Word Writers PodcastEPISODE 39: PART TWO: The Eight Stages of the Literary Life with Bethany Hegedus, Author and Founder of The Writing BarnSend us a textIn this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer chat with author Bethany Hegedus about her eight phases of the literary life. Bethany discusses her inspirations and the journey of launching the Courage to Create community. The episode delves into the different phases from 'dreamer' to 'the verge' to 'publishing,' and addresses the common challenges writers face, such as stuck-ness, comparison, and maintaining joy and resilience in their literary journeys. Listeners also get an insight into Bethany's upcoming projects and helpful resources available at The Writing Barn.
2024-09-3030 min
Way-Word Writers PodcastEPISODE 38: PART ONE: The Eight Stages of the Literary Life with Bethany Hegedus, Author and Founder of The Writing BarnSend us a textIn this episode of Way-Word Writers, senior literary agent Heather Cashman, along with authors and writing coaches Stephanie Bearce and Nicki Jacobsmeyer, welcomes author Bethany Hegedus. They discuss Hegedus's journey from New York to Austin, her founding of the Writing Barn, and her approach to fostering a vibrant writing community. Hegedus shares her experiences as a keynote speaker, workshop leader, and mentor, along with the transition to online classes and the importance of adapting to changing circumstances. The group also explores common challenges faced by writers, the significance of external and internal validation...
2024-09-2331 min
KnotWork Myth & StorytellingArt, Love, God: The Tragedy of Líadan and Cuirithir | S3 Ep2Support the Show on SubstackLove KnotWork Storytelling? Support the show, find the in-depth show notes, and get even more stories on our Substack, Myth Is Medicine.Our StoryLíadain and Cuirithir’s romance is the stuff of medieval tragedy. Two bards fall in love, but Líadain makes a choice that alters their shared fate. They end up at a monastic order, forever bound in chaste conversation--until the night they break their vows.Sinead O’Connor was Marisa’s muse for this tale from 700-800 BCE that highlights that it has alw...
2023-02-0857 min
The Space ShowBONUS | Lunar Science In the Artemis Era — Episode 16The Space Show Summer Series: Lunar Science In the Artemis Era — Episode 16
The Space Show podcast is on its annual summer hiatus for six weeks. In its place, we are pleased to present our Summer Series: Lunar Science In the Artemis Era.
This episode features CLPS, LuSEE, SunRISE, and Lunar Trailblazer with:
* Stuart Bale
* Alexander Hegedus
* Bethany Ehlman
* Lori Glaze
* Brad Bailey.
Lunar Science In the Artemis Era is a series which focuses attention on the science to be done at the Moon by both...
2023-01-0825 min
Curiosity WeeklyRe-release: A Pill Made from Poop, Universal Organs, Soothing Baby PainToday, you’ll learn about an interesting way pills made from poop could help millions of people with allergies, how researchers edited the contents of a pair of donor lungs to better match the recipient, and how pain can affect a baby’s development and what parents can do about it.Peanut allergies are being treated in an…interesting new way. "Fecal transplant pills helped some peanut allergy sufferers in a small trial” byhttps://www.sciencenews.org/article/fecal-transplant-pills-peanut-allergy-clinical-trial-poop-bacteria“Good early results with fecal microbiota therapy for peanut-allergic patients” by Bethany Tripp / Boston Children’s Hospitalhttps://www.eurekalert...
2022-12-2115 minCuriosity WeeklyA Pill Made from Poop, Universal Organs, Soothing Baby PainToday, you’ll learn about an interesting way pills made from poop could help millions of people with allergies, how researchers edited the contents of a pair of donor lungs to better match the recipient, and how pain can affect a baby’s development and what parents can do about it.Peanut allergies are being treated in an…interesting new way. "Fecal transplant pills helped some peanut allergy sufferers in a small trial” byhttps://www.sciencenews.org/article/fecal-transplant-pills-peanut-allergy-clinical-trial-poop-bacteria“Good early results with fecal microbiota therapy for peanut-allergic patients” by Bethany Tripp / Boston Children’s Hospitalhttps://www.eurekalert...
2022-05-0615 min
Absorb The Most Immersive Full Audiobook Today!Rise! by Bethany Hegedus, Colin JohnsonPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/103404to listen full audiobooks.
Title: Rise!
Author: Bethany Hegedus, Colin Johnson
Narrator: Cherise Booth
Format: mp3
Length: 31 mins
Release date: 02-06-21
Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars, 5 ratings
Genres: Literary
Publisher's Summary:
This glorious biography of Maya Angelou’s life - from her traumatic childhood through her work as a freedom fighter and her triumphant rise as a poet - is a powerful tribute to a phenomenal woman.
2021-02-0631 min
Picture Book LookEp28 Huddle Up! Cuddle Up! with Bethany Hegedus and Mike Deas***Today's episode is sponsored by the 12x12 Picture Book Writing Challenge. Find out more about 12x12 and how to register here: www.12x12challenge.com/membership Today we chat with Bethany Hegedus and Mike Deas about the creative process behind Huddle Up! Cuddle Up!, their fun-filled, cooperative, race-against-the-clock bedtime story. ***Find out more about Bethany here: Website: https://www.bethanyhegedus.com/ Twitter: @BethanHegedus Instagram: @bethany.hegedus ***Find out more about Mike here: Website: http://deasillustration.com/blog/ Twitter: @DeasIllos Instagram: @deasillustra...
2021-02-0212 min
Foreword: A podcast of Island Readers & WritersEngaging kids with picture books in three simple questionsIsland Readers & Writers Director of School Programs Alison Johnson shares the picture books she recommended for this summer's booklist: "The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family" by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly; "Truman" by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins; graphic novel "Cub" by Cynthia Copeland and "Rise: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou" by Bethany Hegedus, illustrated by Tonya Engel.
Alison also talks about how IRW programs are incorporating Visual Thinking Strategies and how to engage kids with picture books using three simple questions.
2020-06-1722 min
The Children's Book PodcastTonya EngelTonya Engel (@tonyaengel) shares RISE! FROM CAGED BIRD TO POET OF THE PEOPLE, MAYA ANGELOU, written by Bethany Hegedus. Tonya talks about allowing her stream of consciousness to guide her when creating the art for RISE!. The result is a series of paintings rich in imagery and an inner strength that undeniably links that artist to her subject. Tonya speaks on how illustrating Maya Angelou's life was like telling the story of one of her ancestors and how this book project shed light on how she and Angelou's life somewhat mirrored one another. Like a beautifully crafted poem, there's a...
2019-10-1541 min
Courage to CreateCourage to Create Episode 64 with Laura SibsonOur last episode before break! Bethany Hegedus welcomes young adult author Laura Sibson whose debut novel, THE ART OF BREAKING THINGS, has been compared to Sara Zarr's STORY OF A GIRL and Laurie Halse Anderson's SPEAK. Laura has an undergraduate degree in counseling and an MFA in writing for children and teens from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two sons, and when she's not writing, she can be found running or hiking. For ten or more years prior to publishing, Laura wrote and loved creating her first novel. Her third novel, h...
2019-09-111h 01Courage to CreateCourage to Create Episode 64 with Laura SibsonOur last episode before break! Bethany Hegedus welcomes young adult author Laura Sibson whose debut novel, THE ART OF BREAKING THINGS, has been compared to Sara Zarr's STORY OF A GIRL and Laurie Halse Anderson's SPEAK. Laura has an undergraduate degree in counseling and an MFA in writing for children and teens from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two sons, and when she's not writing, she can be found running or hiking. For ten or more years prior to publishing, Laura wrote and loved creating her first novel. Her third novel, h...
2019-09-111h 01Courage to CreateCourage to Create Episode 63 with Christina SoontornvatBethany interviews friend, Writing Barn student and teacher, and prolific author Christina Soontornvat in this episode of Courage to Create. Christina is the author of THE CHANGELINGS and IN A DARK LAND, the chapter book series DIARY OF AN ICE PRINCESS, three forthcoming picture books, the upcoming middle grade novel A WISH IN THE DARK, and the highly anticipated ALL THIRTEEN: THE INCREDIBLE CAVE RESCUE OF THE THAI BOYS' SOCCER TEAM. Together, Bethany and Christina discuss all of these titles plus the importance of diversity in children's literature. As a first-generation Thai American, Christina is thrilled to be writing b...
2019-09-0457 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create Episode 62: Creative A TeamDuring this episode, host Bethany Hegedus tackles the topic of critique groups, including what they are, how you find one or start one, how you keep one going, how you disband one when it's not working or leave one that isn't working for you. She also goes over reasons to join a group such as accountability and companionship. How should you structure the group meetings, and how can a group best function to include all members equally? You can be in any stage of your career and benefit from a critique group, and guess what? You don't have to...
2019-08-2846 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create Episode 61: Write. Submit. Support. Segment 2In segment two of the special Courage to Create episode Bethany recorded live during her Write. Submit. Support. class's summer retreat, the group of writers delve into what drives their literary lives at the moment and what, if anything they'd like to change about that. How can community help our work? Why is it so important to balance craft techniques like pace and structure with the emotion of the story? How do we unblock ourselves when we're creatively stuck? The writers explore all these topics as they continue on with writing exercises meant to unlock and investigate these areas...
2019-08-2334 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create Episode 60: Write. Submit. Support. Segment 1In this special first segment of a two part Courage to Create, Bethany leads the group of writers from her pilot program of Write. Submit. Support. during their most recent retreat. This group of writers has worked together for three years now, and they continue to retreat together twice yearly at The Writing Barn. The theme of this retreat was "Reclaiming Your Brave," and during this episode, listeners will hear Bethany and the ten retreat participants discuss various aspects of how they are doing that in their creative lives and how they plan to add more bravery to their...
2019-08-1635 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create Episode 59 with Nancy ChurninNancy Churnin is the author of eight picture book biographies, including her newest release, MARTIN & ANNE: THE KINDRED SPIRITS OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND ANNE FRANK. Nancy is a native New Yorker who now lives in Texas. She is a graduate of Harvard University with a master's from Columbia University, and she is a former theater critic for The Dallas Morning News. During their conversation on Courage to Create, Bethany and Nancy discuss how they both write about people who have made a positive difference in the world and who inspire them personally. When Nancy realized Anne...
2019-08-0755 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create Episode 58 with Jorge and Megan LaceraHusband and wife illustrator and author duo, Megan and Jorge Lacera, join Bethany to discuss their humorous picture book debut, ZOMBIES DON'T EAT VEGGIES. Megan and Jorge wanted to create a book that depicted a family like theirs: bilingual, multi-cultural, funny, and imperfect! That desire resulted in zombies. The couple first met while working at American Greetings, so the two have always enjoyed working together, and during the podcast, they discuss how they balance that relationship. They also talk about why diversity not only matters in their own lives but in the lives of all children who need books...
2019-07-2452 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create Episode 57: Refilling Your WellIn this episode of Courage to Create, Bethany ruminates on what it means to refill our personal wells of energy, calling on quotes from previous guests on the Courage to Create podcast as well as her own experiences as an author and creative. How can we listen to others? How can we listen to ourselves?
2019-07-1841 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create Episode 56 with Sarah AronsonSarah Aronson first appeared on episode 15 of Courage to Create, and she joins Bethany again in this episode to discuss her new picture book biography, Just Like Rube Goldberg. Sarah has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has published three stand alone novels: Head Case, Beyond Lucky, and Believe. Her most recent books are part of a new young MG series, The Wish List. Writing about inventor and cartoonist Rube Goldberg allowed Sarah to learn about research and explore her own curiosity, one of her favorite endeavors. Sara...
2019-07-0942 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create Episode 55 with Daria Peoples-Riley and Jess RinkerIn this episode of Courage to Create, author Jess Rinker and illustrator Daria Peoples-Riley join host Bethany Hegedus to discuss their picture book biography GLORIA TAKES A STAND: HOW GLORIA STEINEM LISTENED, WROTE, AND CHANGED THE WORLD. Jess is also the author of the forthcoming SEND A GIRL: THE BRENDA BERKMAN STORY and a middle grade duology, THE DARE SISTERS. She has a BA in Social Welfare and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Daria Peoples-Reily is a former teacher with a BA in English and a Masters in Education, and...
2019-07-0353 min2019-06-2641 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create 53: Self-PromotionOn this episode of Courage to Create, Bethany tackles the sticky subject of self-promotion through Jennifer Weiner's recent Publisher's Weekly article, "Deconstructing 'I Wrote A Thing.'" Writers, especially women, struggle to promote our own work without falling into the familiar trap of self-deprecating "humble-brags." How can we reframe self-promotion to remove shame and prioritize connection? How can women writers stop letting male writers be the confident ones? Listen as Bethany works through these questions by reflecting on both Weiner's article and her own personal life.
2019-06-1934 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create 52 with Ann Braden Ann Braden writes books about kids struggling to find their voice amidst the realities of life. Her debut middle grade novel THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS was listed as one of NPR's Best Books of 2018, received a starred review from School Library Journal, and was described by Newbery award-winner Karen Hesse as "a compassionate look at poverty, hard choices, and defending one's right to be treated humanely." Ann founded GunSenseVT, a grassroots group focused on championing the common ground on the issue of guns in Vermont, and she also founded the Local Love Brigade, which now has chapters all ov...
2019-06-1243 min
Courage to CreateCourage to Create 51: Naysayers & Energy Vampires Be Gone!This Courage to Create episode is all about learning to be resilient and work with the negative aspects of ourselves and others while also learning to set boundaries. Bethany Hegedus discusses the fine art of critiquing your own work and the work of others and learning to accept what resonates with you and leave the rest. As writers, we must also guard who we let into our creative lives and set ourselves up to win as we come to understand our own limits along with who and what feeds us and who and what drains us. Bethany quotes from...
2019-06-0538 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create: Episode 50 with Kathi AppeltWriting Barn friend and master storyteller Kathi Appelt returns to The Porchlight after having joined Bethany previously in episode 5. In this latest episode, they discuss Kathi's first young adult novel, ANGEL THIEVES, as well as her picture book MAX ATTACKS, which will be released this summer. Kathi's books have won numerous national and state awards, including the Irma and Simon Black Award, Children's Choice Award, Teacher's Choice Award, the Oppenheimer Gold Award, Parent's Choice Award, Storytelling World Award, Growing Good Kids Award, Texas Writer's League Award for Children's Literature, the Texas Institute of Letters Award, Best Books for Young Adults, V...
2019-05-291h 02Courage to CreateCourage to Create: We've Rebranded!That's right! You heard us correctly, the Porchlight Podcast will now be fully folded under author Bethany Hegedus' Courage to Create Series. Listen to this quick episode to find out exactly what that means! Don't worry listeners, we still full intend to provide you with author interviews, literary life talks, and more. You can also read more about the change on The Writing Barn Blog.
2019-05-2205 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create 10: Expectations - The Time it Takes is the Time is TakesDo you have great expectations about writing and publishing and how much time your literary life should take? Are you constantly disappointed because your literary life isn't meeting those high standards? In the tenth episode of Bethany Hegedus' Courage to Create series, she discusses how we can free ourselves from unrealistic expectations and focus on small steps rather than huge milestones. She reminds us that there are no shortcuts in having a writing career nor is there one specific path to follow. We each create that path for ourselves. Bethany advises us to stop letting...
2019-05-1551 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 49 with Charlotte Sullivan WildBethany interviews Charlotte Sullivan Wild whose debut picture book is THE AMAZING IDEA OF YOU, illustrated by Mary Lundquist (Bloomsbury, 2019). Charlotte has served as the Regional Advisor for the Southwest Texas chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators; founding host of the Picture Book Salon of San Antonio, Texas; and bookseller at The Twig Book Shop. She previously taught children's literature for nearly two decades, volunteered in public and school libraries, and interviewed children's authors for Write On! Radio (KFAI). In this episode of The Porchlight, Bethany extends a welcome to author-hood to Charlotte who says one of he...
2019-05-0857 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create #9: Creating From Personal PainBethany Hegedus is back with episode 8 in her Courage to Create series. This is Bethany's most personal and forthright talk yet where she discusses how to create from personal pain and your unhealed places and how she herself has done this numerous times in her career. Delving deeply into the messiness of life, Bethany monologues on the struggle of good vs. great writing, allowing ourselves to have breakdowns, and examining what we are looking to heal from in our own life and how that shows up in our work. She talks about writers who have influenced her, namely Laurie...
2019-05-0149 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 47 with Lynne KellyOn this episode of The Porchlight, Bethany interviews her friend and fellow author, Lynne Kelly. As a former special education teacher and now a sign-language interpreter, Lynne has always loved words. She also loves animals, and they have been the catalyst for her debut middle grade novel, CHAINED, as well as her latest book, SONG FOR A WHALE, which Publishers Weekly called "a finely crafted novel." Lynne lives near Houston, Texas with her adorable dog, Holly. You can find Lynne online at lynnekellybooks.com and on Twitter @lynnekelly. During the interview, Bethany and Lynne discuss the importance of feeling heard and th...
2019-04-2456 minCourage to CreateCourage to Create #8: Failure is Not FinalIn this brand new episode of The Porchlight's popular installmentCourage to Create,author Bethany Hegedus talks about the F word. Yes you read me correctly. The dreaded F word: Failure. We've all been there, whether it be a rejection or a bad review or any of the other small failures we encounter in our daily lives as humans, failure is inevitable. But it is not fatal, nor is it final. "Success is not final, failureis not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchil Using this quote as a c...
2019-04-1753 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 45 with Lindsay LeslieIn this brand new episode of The Porchlight, Bethany Hegedus interviews friend and local Austin author Lindsay Leslie whose debut picture book, THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS, has one of the finest first page turns ever according to a review from Booklist. Lindsay was a journalism major who worked as a public relations executive, but it wasn't until she found her way into the world of children's literature that she felt safe and at home. She began telling bedtime stories to her children and realized she wanted to write stories as well. In fact, the inspiration for THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS c...
2019-04-1047 minCourage to CreateEpisode 44 (Courage to Create #7: Meaning or Happiness)In this season 3 finale of The Porchlight Podcast, Bethany Hegedus caps off her newest series Courage to Create with an episode on In this inspiring episode Bethany asks listeners to define what meaning, happiness, and purpose looks like in their own lives. How can we gift ourselves these assets on a regular basis? Is our life purpose directly related to our relative happiness? How many times do we as artists put ourselves last, when what we really need to be doing is nourishing the soul that we may better nurture others and our craft. Throughout t...
2019-02-1346 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 43 with author Rob SandersFourth grade teacher and author Rob Sanders joins Bethany for this inspiring episode of The Porchlight where they discuss everything from Rob's literary life to the importance of inclusion, social justice, and perseverance. Rob is the author of eight picture books, including PRIDE, PEACEFUL FIGHTS FOR EQUAL RIGHTS, RODZILLA, and the forthcoming STONEWALL, which allows readers to learn about the rich and dynamic history of the Stonewall Inn and its role in the gay civil rights movement. Rob is a Florida resident who met Bethany when he took one of her online classes at The Writing Barn...
2019-02-061h 05Courage to CreateEpisode 42 (Courage to Create #6: The Deeply Disciplined Half-Ass)In episode six of Courage to Create, Bethany talks about how to become what writer Elizabeth Gilbert calls a deeply disciplined half-ass. Our own inner critic and perfectionism can stop us from even getting started with our writing. Bethany discusses how we can overcome this and stop our stopping when we are scared. She encourages listeners to forget about perfect and focus on the good, realistic, possible, and fun. Perfectionism keeps us from feeling joy in our work, and Bethany gives tips on how we can find a middle ground and a balance between perfectionism and keeping...
2019-01-3054 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 41 with author Marcie ColleenIn episode 41 of The Porchlight, Marcie Colleen charms us with her wit and heart, both of which are larger than life. Marcie holds a bachelor's degree in Education of English and Language Arts from Oswego State University and a master's degree in Educational Theater from New York University. She is the author of THE SUPER HAPPY PARTY BEARS chapter book series with Macmillan/Imprint, as well as her debut picture book, LOVE, TRIANGLE, illustrated by Bob Shea (Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins), and PENGUINAUT!, illustrated by Emma Yarlett and published by Scholastic in 2018. Marcie creates highly acclaimed Teacher's Guides that align picture book...
2019-01-2352 minCourage to CreateEpisode 40 (Courage to Create #5 - Dark Night of the Soul)The dark night of the soul. As writers, we've all been there. We've all had those moments where we feel like our work is not good enough. Will never be good enough. That we are not good enough. In Courage to Create episode #5, Bethany Hegedus walks us through this dark night and leads us back out. January feels like a fresh start, a new page, a time to move forward. But if you're experiencing a crisis of faith in your work and/or yourself, moving forward can feel impossible. Bethany delves into the hurt of rejections, the s...
2019-01-1638 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 39 with Librarian + Podcast Host, Matthew WinnerOn this episode of The Porchlight we flip the script and interview Matthew Winner, Librarian and Podcast Host of All The Wonders, a podcast that we here at The Writing Barn hold near and dear to us. We just knew we had to interview Matthew for The Porchlight. Listen to this in-person interview at The Writing Barn during our Picture Book Intensive (for which Matthew was faculty). Today's Porchlight guest is elementary school librarian, author, and host and creator of The Children's Book Podcast (formerly All the Wonders), Matthew Winner. He is the author of ASHA WENT WAL...
2019-01-0947 minCourage to CreateEpisode 38 (Courage to Create #4: Believing Your Book Into Being)In episode four of The Porchlight's new Courage to Create series with Bethany Hegedus, Bethany talks about the power of believing stories and books into being. Courage is a crucial component of that belief, and Bethany discusses how you can find your own courage to create and why she chose to give the series that title. She comments on finding time for your work and saving energy for your creativity even while living your daily life filled with job, family, and friends. Bethany explains how boredom can be a major feeder for creativity and how in our busy lives, we...
2019-01-0236 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 37 with Author/Agent Alex PenfoldIn this live Words and Wine event at The Writing Barn, Bethany Hegedus interviews her own literary agent, Alexandra Penfold, who is the author of five picture books plus NEW YORK A LA CART, which spotlights the best of the Big Apple's food-on-the-go. Alex's newest picture book, ALL ARE WELCOME, spent a month on the New York Times bestseller list, and Alex brings her experiences in marketing, editing, and now as an agent and writer to her own work as well as to the work of her clients.
2018-12-191h 05Courage to CreateCourage to Create #3: Author/Agent RelationshipIn episode three of the new Courage to Create series, Bethany Hegedus takes us through the agent/client relationship, including what it should and should not be, how to make sure it's a fitting partnership on both sides, and how to be your own boss. How can you know yourself first as a client before entering the relationship? How can you be wary of "schmagents" who are not in it to be your advocate? What do you need and want from an agent? Bethany answers these questions and more on how you can find the right agent a...
2018-12-1248 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 35 with Lucia DiStefanoOn episode 35 of The Porchlight, Bethany Hegedus speaks with debut author Lucia DiStefano about her YA novel BORROWED, a genre-bending book about the mysteries of cellular memory in a teen girl who receives a heart transplant. Lucia is a first generation Sicilian and the daughter of an olive farmer. She grew up in Connecticut and now lives near Austin, TX. A former high school English teacher, Lucia now not only writes fiction, but she also works as an editor, ghost writer, and writing coach. Bethany calls this episode a master class in creativity as she and Lucia delve into what No...
2018-12-051h 02Courage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 34 (Courage to Create # 2)In episode two of The Porchlight's new series, Courage to Create, Writing Barn founder and author Bethany Hegedus asks listeners to answer the question why were you called to live this literary life?
2018-11-2837 minCourage to CreateEpisode 33 with Cate BerryJoin Bethany Hegedus as she interviews friend and fellow author, Cate Berry, about Cate's debut picture book, PENGUIN AND TINY SHRIMP DON'T DO BEDTIME (Balzer + Bray 2018). The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books has said that "The story is a smartly comedic entry in the genre of the anti-bedtime story, and the exclamatory dialogue-only text adds energy and humor. This will be a joyous bedtime read." Cate is a seventh generation Texan with an MFA in Children's Literature from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She also teaches at The Writing Barn and is a longtime member of SCBWI and The...
2018-11-2155 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Courage to Create #1Writing Barn founder and director, Bethany Hegedus, launches her Literary Life series of talks on this episode of The Porchlight. Bethany's goal with these episodes is to delve deeply into what leading a literary life means to each individual and how we can keep ourselves inspired and engaged in our work without neglecting the many other areas of our lives. This series grew out of a talk Bethany gave years ago, and then it evolved into the Write. Submit. Support classes offered both in-person and online at The Writing Barn. The next evolution of Bethany's idea is this, the podcast...
2018-11-1450 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 31 with Jamie SwensonJamie A. Swenson, author of the newly released picture book A FALL BALL FOR ALL, joins Bethany on this episode of The Porchlight. Jamie has an MFA from Hamline University and is the author of four picture books and two chapter books, including BIG RIG and MEET WOOF AND QUACK. She's also an associate librarian and early literacy story teller who lives in Wisconsin and is teaching an online picture book class via The Writing Barn beginning in January 2019. During their conversation, Bethany and Jamie discuss the challenges of writing rhyming picture books and the importance of...
2018-11-0747 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 30 with Samantha M. ClarkIn this latest episode of The Porchlight Podcast, Writing Barn Founder, Bethany Hegedus, speaks with author, long-time friend, and Austin's own SCBWI Regional Advisor, Samantha M. Clark. Listen as they discuss the release of Samantha's debut novel, The Boy, The Boat, and The Beast (Simon & Schuster 2018). This inspiring episode touches on craft, creation, and the long, sometimes arduous road your book must take on its way to publication. But as Sam points out in this episode, the only thing we can control is the creation itself, all we can control is finding the heart of the story, m...
2018-09-0753 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight Podcast: Episode 29 with Carrie FountainIn this newest episode of The Porchlight, Writing Barn Founder talks with poet and novelist Carrie Fountain about her debut novel I'm Not Missing (Flatiron Books 2018). I'm Not Missing, is a coming of age novel set in Las Cruces, New Mexico and follows the life of the protagonist, Miranda, as she navigates her senior year and the sudden disappearance of her best friend. In this episode Bethany and Carrie discuss the writer life, transitioning from poetry to Young Adult Fiction and the power and honor behind being a woman writing for younger women. Carrie and Be...
2018-08-211h 14Courage to CreateEpisode 28: Diane WhiteDianne White is the award-winning author of Blue on Blue (S&S/Beach Lane Books), illustrated by Caldecott medalist, Beth Krommes. She holds an elementary bilingual teaching credential and a master's degree in Language and Literacy. In 2007, she received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. After 25 years teaching students of all ages, Dianne now writes full-time from her home in the suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona. Two new picture books are forthcoming in 2018 – Goodbye Brings Hello, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), and Who Eats Orange?, illustrated by Rob...
2018-08-0735 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 27 with Natalia Sylvester Author Natalia Sylvester joins Bethany at The Writing Barn for this interview in which they discuss Natalia's first novel, CHASING THE SUN, as well as her recently published second novel, EVERYONE KNOWS YOU GO HOME. Born in Lima, Peru, Natalia came to the U.S. at age four and has lived in Florida and Texas. She received a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Miami. A former magazine editor, Natalia now works as a freelance writer in Texas and is a faculty member of the low-res MFA program at Regis University. During their conversation, Natalia and...
2018-06-2059 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight Podcast: Episode 26 with Deborah HopkinsonThis episode of the Porchlight features Deborah Hopkinson, author of more than 50 books for young readers, including picture books, middle grade fiction and nonfiction. Her she discusses her newest book, Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen, a picture book biography of a now famous author - who was neither rich nor famous during her lifetime. She talks about the writer's role as an observer of everyday life and how the events of childhood contribute to who we become as adults, as well as the importance of revision and growing as a writer. And how even after 50 books, she still goes through many...
2018-05-1642 minCourage to CreateEpisode 25 with Lisl DetlefsenIn this episode, Bethany talks to picture book author Lisl Detlefsen. Lisl is the author of TIME FOR CRANBERRIES and IF YOU HAD A JET PACK as well as the forthcoming 3, 2, 1 JUMP!, a humorous book about swimming lessons. Lisl lives on a family-owned cranberry marsh near Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, with her husband and two sons. She grew up with a mother who was a librarian and created a customized class in children's literature for Lisl to study while she was majoring in art in college. During their conversation, Lisl and Bethany discuss being both picture...
2018-05-1546 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 24 with Nanci Turner Steveson This inspiring episode of The Porchlight features middle grade author Nanci Turner Steveson, author of SWING SIDEWAYS and GEORGIA RULES as well as a forthcoming novel in 2019. Nanci grew up in a large family of six kids, and after raising her two sons in Maryland, she now lives in a historic meadow cabin in the shadow of the Teton mountains in Wyoming. Nanci says she was the kid who walked around with her head in the clouds, a book in one hand, and the reins of a pony in the other. Reading BLACK BEAUTY at age nine inspired Nancy to...
2018-04-1859 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 23 with Daria Peoples Daria Peoples-Riley's first job was at nine years old in the children's section of her hometown library. Much later, she became a teacher, and now she is a full-time author and illustrator. THIS IS IT is her first picture book inspired by her daughter, her rich cultural background, and their first visit to New York City. She lives with her family in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this Porchlight conversation, Bethany and Daria discuss Daria's inspired path to becoming an author/illustrator and how both her childhood and her own daughter were stepping stones along the way. They talk about the u...
2018-04-1153 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 22 with Lina MasloLina Maslo is the debut author and illustrator of FREE AS A BIRD: THE STORY OF MALALA and the forthcoming picture book biography of C.S. Lewis, THE DOOR TO NARNIA, which will be published in 2019. Lina was born in Ukraine and came to the USA at age five. She has an art degree from New College of Florida and now lives in South Carolina with her husband and four children. In this Porchlight episode, Bethany Hegedus and Lina Maslo discuss Lina's path to publication and how her life changed once she found an agent to represent FREE AS A BIRD...
2018-04-0657 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 21 with Linda Williams JacksonThis episode features Linda Williams Jackson, the debut author of Midnight Without a Moon and its recently released sequel, A Sky Full of Stars. Our Porchlight conversation with Linda explores her writing journey to share the story of the 1955 murder of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old boy who was killed, allegedly for whistling at a white woman in Mississippi. Linda talks about how changing the opening line of her query letter took her from a string of rejections to multiple offers from agents and editors. Linda and Bethany also have an honest and powerful conversation about the current state of...
2018-03-211h 13Courage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 20 with Julie HedlundThis 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 I Love You and Goodnight Moon." Her book A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS (Little Bahalia, 2013) was also published as an interactive storybook app and received the 2014 Independent Book Publisher's Association Benjamin Franklin Digital Gold Award. When she is not acting like a monkey...
2018-02-0758 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode 19 with Cory Putman OakesIn 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 research for the book including watching Bewitched, studying herbs, and Wiccan theology. Kirkus Reviews said, "This uncomplicated, romantic story will charm reluctant readers who want a little magic." and Booklist said, "This genre-blender - think Ocean's 11 meets Charmed – is an enjoyable coming-of-age ta...
2018-01-2549 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Eighteen with Katherine ApplegateEpisode 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 she considered giving up on the Ivan manuscript and the dynamics of the author/agent relationship. Includes announcement of Katherine's Write, Submit, Support scholarship in honor of poet Mary Carolyn Davies, who wrote the epigraph that opens Wishtree. Wishtree book trailer Wishtree website
2017-12-071h 06Courage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Seventeen with Hannah BarnabyEpisode 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 voice of her picture books. Discussion includes looking at what is conceptually complete in picture book writing versus what is creatively complete, and where there is room to grow with illustrators and publishers. Thank you for listening. Please share...
2017-11-221h 00Courage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Sixteen with Sheryl ScarboroughDisclaimer: 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 television and holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, lives in Washington state, and has always had an obsession with forensics. In this Porchlight conversation Bethany and Sheryl talk about looking at t...
2017-10-1951 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Fifteen with Sarah AronsonThis 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 forthcoming include her first nonfiction picture book, Just Like Rube Goldberg (Beach Lane Books, TBD) and a new young MG series about the worst fairy godmother ever, The Wish List (Scholastic, 2017). When Sarah is not writing or reading (or cooking or riding her bike...
2017-10-041h 03Courage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Fourteen with Misha Maynerick BlaiseIn 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 her process of making art, writers and illustrators who have influenced her and sources of inspiration. Publishers Weekly gave This Phenomenal Life a starred review, saying the lovely graphic book "offers a sweet-spirited reminder that all human beings are more alike than different, and that the en...
2017-09-0650 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Thirteen with Jason GallaherEpisode Thirteen features Jason Gallaher, author of Whobert Whoover, 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 detective work while watching episodes of Blue's Clues. He solved the mystery of what to do when he grew up and became an author when he learned being a merman is impossible (at least for now). Jason lives in Austin, Texas, with hi...
2017-08-241h 05Courage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Twelve with Jessixa BagleyEpisode 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 light on the struggle of writing about the difficult theme of an absent parent in Boats for Papa. She also discusses the challenging yet rewarding process of writing a new picture book with her husband, also and author & illustrator, and their d...
2017-08-1051 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Eleven with Katie BayerlEpisode 11 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 VCFA Young Writers Network. The Network connects VCFA alums to underserved young readers through writing workshops at no cost for attendees. She has taught creative writing in schools and a variety of community settings and currently teaches classes for teens at GrubStreet. Our Porchlight conversation w...
2017-06-2943 min
Courage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Ten with Cynthia Levinson & Donna Janell BowmanEpisode 10 features Cynthia Levinson, author of We've Got a Job; Watch Out for Flying Kids: How Two Circuses, Two Countries and Nine Kids Confront Conflict and Build Community; Hillary Rodham Clinton: Do All the Good You Can; The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Henricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist (illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton) and the forthcoming Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights and the Flaws that Affect us Today (with co-author Sanford Levinson) and Donna Janell Bowman, author of Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness (illustrated by...
2017-06-281h 03Courage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Nine with Varsha BajajEpisode 9 features Varsha Bajaj, author of the lyrical picture books How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight? (illustrated by Ivan Bates), T is for Taj Mahal (illustrated by Robert Crawford), This is Our Baby, Born Today(illustrated by Eliza Wheeler), and the forthcoming Our Earth, Our Home(illustrated by Simona Mulazzani). Our Porchlight conversation with Varsha explores her path in the writing business, from feeling "invisible" to meeting mentor and friend Kathi Appelt, agent and poet Jill Corcoran, and her gentle and patient editor, Nancy Paulsen. We also discuss This is Our Baby, Born Today an...
2017-05-2542 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Seven with Evan TurkEpisode 7 Evan Turk Evan phones in from Queens to chat with his friend and collaborator Bethany Hegedus. Evan is the illustrator of two picture books authored by Bethany, Grandfather Gandhi and Be The Change: A Grandfather Gandhi Story, which was recently released. He is also the author/illustrator of The Storyteller, published last June. Hang out with Bethany and Evan on the porch and listen as they discuss Evan's first project, Grandfather Gandhi, and how his illustration approach, materials, and methods accentuate a book's contents. You'll hear about the forthcoming book about Muddy W...
2017-02-1733 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Eight with Kristen-Paige MadoniaEpisode 8 Kristen-Paige Madonia Join the live audience at Austin's Bookpeople as author Bethany Hegedus chats with author Kristen-Paige Madonia. Kristen-Paige's most recent YA novel Invisible Fault Lines is now available from Simon & Schuster and follows her successful first YA novel Fingerprints of You. In their chat, Bethany and Kristen-Paige touch on KP's journey to become an "accidental YA author," as well as on valuable book business advice from her author–mentor, none other than Judy Blume. You'll hear about Kristen-Paige's process while writing Invisible Fault Lines, including the intellectual exploration of ambig...
2016-10-1833 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Six with Sara PennypackerEpisode 6 features Sara Pennypacker, award-winning author of Pax, the New York Times best-selling Clementine series, the Waylon! series, Summer of the Gypsy Moths, Pierre in Love, Sparrow Girl, The Amazing World of Stuart, and many more. During Sara's Porchlight visit, she and host Bethany Hegedus explore her journey creating Pax, including what it means to write from an animal's point of view and how much "wildness" it takes to live an authentic life. We discuss the scary but beautiful craft of writing and allowing the story to be the boss—letting go so that we can...
2016-10-1247 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Five with Kathi AppeltEpisode 5 Kathi Appelt Kathi Appelt is the author Maybe a Fox, co-written with Alison McGhee. Her many other award-winning books include The True Blue Scouts of Sugarman Swamp, The Underneath,and When Otis Courted Mama, Counting Crows and more. She pops by the Porchlight and together she and host Bethany Hegedus meander on a craft and creativity talk, that like the loveliest of long walks takes in the beauty and importance of place. We discuss literary friendships—the meaningful ones with our artist colleagues that push us to do our best work. We touch on omni...
2016-09-1353 minCourage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Four with Carmen OliverEpisode 4 features fabulous friend and Writing Barn teaching artist Carmen Oliver, author of Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies and founder of The Booking Biz, a boutique speaking agency, with such esteemed clients as Kwame Alexander, Evan Turk, Arun Gandhi, and Bethany Hegedus. Our Porchlight conversation with Carmen covers writing picture book text, teaching the picture book and helping writers find their stories hearts, the importance of analysis work and more. We then dive in to Carmen's career as a literary business person and how and why she formed The Booking Biz (with a big s...
2016-08-1251 min
Courage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode Three with Katherine CatmullPorchlight Craft & Creativity Conversations Episode Three From time to time, here at the Porchlight podcast we will be sharing a LIVE podcast directly from the party porch, with a live audience. Applause. Laughter. Wine and cheese. (Perhaps this will replace our tag line: Retreat. Create. Celebrate.) What could be better? Today we share with you our first LIVE AND DIRECT FROM THE PARTY PORCH episode, complete with audience questions. Episode Three features the incredibly multi-talented Katherine Catmull discussing her glorious new novel The Radiant Road Katherine and I discuss bad reviews, w...
2016-06-2349 min
Courage to CreatePorchlight: Episode Two with Greg NeriPorchlight Craft & Creativity Conversations Episode Two The Porchlight: Craft & Creativity Conversations welcomes author G. Neri (Greg to his friends and family.) Join us as we talk about mining stories from real life headlines, following the happy accidents, becoming an accidental author, the death of Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and the research behind Tru & Nelle. Harper Lee and Truman Capote enthusiasts will have much to grin about as Greg shares about Tru and Nelle's love of Sherlock Holmes and how their childhood reading influenced their lives. And if you listen close, Greg even reveals a "dark"...
2016-06-1653 min
Courage to CreateThe Porchlight: Episode One with Donna GephartThe Writing Barn is thrilled to premiere its new series Porchlight Podcast So much of being a writer involves talking about writing. Whether it be about the grueling process of getting the words on the page or the hardships of submissions and rejections, when we are able to talk about the successes and pitfalls of our creative careers it all begins to feel less daunting and we begin to feel part of something bigger than ourselves and our next manuscripts. The Porchlight Podcast is centered around these kinds of conversations with authors who...
2016-06-1635 min