Chalk and Ink: The Podcast for Teachers Who Write and Writers Who Teach

Send us Fan Mail Hello Everyone! Welcome to the 100th and the final episode of Chalk + Ink: The Podcast for Teachers Who Write and Writers Who Teach . I’m your host Kate Narita , author of 100 Bugs! A Counting Book and assistant principal.  It may sound like the words 100th and final episode of Chalk + Ink easily rolled off my tongue, but I assure you they did not. It has been an absolute honor cr...

Send us Fan Mail Debut middle-grade novelist N. West Moss says revision is the whole game. She talks about discovery drafts, middle drafts where she tries to accomplish goals, and then polishing drafts. She also talks about winning at writing every day not by putting a certain number of words on the page but by doing anything related to writing such as reading books, editing a section, or simply t...

Send us Fan Mail Brooke Eisenbach , John Schu , Josh Galarza , Lisa Stringfellow , and Meredith Adamo talk about how vulnerability is bravery, discuss the fact that it’s okay to not be okay and how we can help heal ourselves and others through writing, reading, and discussing children’s literature.  Please be aware that this episode addresses trauma including but not limited to grief, sexual assau...

Send us Fan Mail I’m overjoyed to be bringing you episode 97 Finding Our Way with Tom Bober , Michelle Cusolito , Valerie Bolling , and Cindy Jenson-Elliott . Before I release an episode, I always listen to it. Today, I listened while wrapping Christmas gifts, which truly filled my afternoon with cheer. If you’re wondering what this episode will bring you, you can count on hearing about mentor tex...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode focuses on the joy of collaborating, accountability and finding the golden thread. You’ll hear from the following fabulous creators: Carole Boston Weatherford, Jeffery Boston Weatherford , Rob Sanders , Ruth Behar , Andrew Hacket and Chris Baron .  Our next chat will be Sunday, November 16th at 12 EST. If you want to join me , Tom Bober , Michelle Cusolito , Valeri...

Send us Fan Mail Wrapping up our fifth season with this summer's top ten tips: 10. Conduct Interesting Interviews 9. Love Lists 8. Discover Structure 7. Setting Is a Super Tool 6. Side Write 5. Value Vulnerability 4. Tell a Story 3. Devise Dynamic Dialogue 2. Cut 10% 1. Have Fun and Be Kind This year my cousin, my friend, my writing partner, and this podcast’s biggest benefactor, Steven Kent,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jarrett Lerner talks about how publishing a book is like participating in the NBA finals, how kids are our bosses, and sloppy first drafts. Let’s get started. Thanks so much for listening and for being part of the Chalk + Ink  community.  Our final episode will be a compilation of writing tips from the fifth season to kickstart your summer writing or give it a boo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Ann Marie Stephens talks about visual reminders to write, stoplight writing, and positive self talk. To prep for our next episode be sure to check out Jarrett Lerner’s A Work in Progress . His nephews attend my school and one of his nephew’s, Dylan, is going to help me interview Jarrett. Be sure to listen and spread the word, it should be a ton of fun. Support the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Nancy McCabe talks about revising for authentic voice, taking detours, and hermit crab essays. Let’s get started. To prep for our next episode be sure to check out Ann Marie Stephens’s delightful, cat-centered, early childhood math books Scattered and Catawampus . Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this interview, Cindy Jenson-Elliott lets us in on incredible interview tips.  In addition to interview tips, Cindy talks about researching and writing simultaneously, nonfiction proposal dos and don’ts, and the importance of making connections. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Ann McCallum exposes the root of nonfiction in this episode. Ann has tons of tips for you including how to find a nonfiction structure that highlights your passions, how to craft enticing sidebars, and how to write a nonfiction book proposal. Our next episode will feature Cindy Jensen Elliott . Her newest nonfiction book, The Doomsday Detectives, How Walter and Luis Alvarez Solved...

Send us Fan Mail Amanda Jones definitely gives writing tips in this episode such as listen to music that reflects the mood that you're trying to convey in your manuscript, start with a bang to hook the reader, and seek feedback from a trusted critique partner. I could have featured one of those quotes. But I feel it’s time to get real because during these dark days it’s important to remind ou...

Send us Fan Mail Sarah Prager talks about her passion for queer history, learning how to write for a YA audience, and how to research. Our next episode will feature school librarian Amanda Jones . She fights against censorship and advocates for protecting intellectual freedom so that every child sees themselves reflected on library shelves. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail April Jones Prince , Jody Little , Josh Galarza , Katrina Moore and Zetta Elliott talk about the courage to be emotionally vulnerable on the page, writing about subjects for kids that people have told you kids shouldn’t read about, and the fact that even though publishing has a long way to go before it’s truly equitable that in 2014 only 8.4% of creators of children’s books were p...

Send us Fan Mail Jeannine Atkins is one of the kindest people I know, and her compassion radiates through her verse. So, my wish for all of you is that your year is filled with kindness, just like Jeannine’s novels. In this episode we talk about the power of compression, repetition, and representation. Let’s get started. Thanks so much for listening and for being part of the Chalk + Ink family. Jo...

Send us Fan Mail Jen Ferguson talks about opportunities to sharpen our work, why characters mirror one another in dialogue, and why we need different books for different readers. Let’s get started. Our next episode will feature Jeannine Atkins .  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode Sarah Aronson talks about the importance of embracing conversations, challenges, and community. Sarah's latest biography, Abzuglutely!, celebrates congresswoman, lawyer, and activist, Bella Abzug,   Our next episode will feature Jen Ferguson . Jen’s latest novel, A Constellation of Minor Bears is a USA Today bestseller. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Jen Malia and I talk about celebrating neurodiversity, identifying your audience, and writing on location. Our next episode will feature Sarah Aronson . Sarah’s latest picture book biography, Abzuglutely! Battling, Bellowing, Bella Abzug released last month. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail A.S. King talks about her newest novel, Pick the Lock , ACES or adverse childhood experiences, and the importance of honesty and expression. Our next episode will feature Jen Malia . Check out her chapter book series The Infinity Rainbow Club   to prep for our next episode.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Andrew Hacket , Ernesto Cisneros , Marcie Flinchum Atkins , Lisa Stringfellow , and Tina Athaide talk about creating classroom writing communities. In addition to their wonderful voices, authors Cindy Jenson-Elliott , Valerie Bolling , and Jody Little also contributed to this heartfelt discussion. Our next episode will feature the only two-time winner of YALSA’s Michael L. Printz...

Send us Fan Mail I had a blast chatting with Ryan Bani Tahmaseb . We celebrate his debut picture book, Rostam’s Picture-Day Pusteen , and talk about collaborating, connecting with family, and leading with curiosity. Click here by 11:30 AM EST on Sunday, September 22nd, to sign up to join our live chat with Andrew Hacket, Ernesto Cisneros, Lisa Stringfellow, Marcie Atkins and Tina Athaide. If you a...

Send us Fan Mail Debut author Josh Galarza talks about the importance of veracity, voice, and vulnerability in this episode, all of which are embedded into his heartfelt, hilarious, and heartbreaking debut, The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky . Let’s dig in. Click here for the transcript. Join Andrew Hacket, Ernesto Cisneros, Lisa Stringfellow, Marcie Atkins, and Tina Athaide to glean some tips...

Send us Fan Mail Chalk + Ink presents the top ten writer’s workshop tips for the 2024-2025 school year: Choose Community Building Books Partner with Families Embrace Growth Mindset Incorporate Multiple Entry Points Use Art Mimic Mentor Texts Listening Is Key Be Vulnerable Have Fun and Celebrate Believe Join us in two weeks to hear from young adult author, Josh Galarza . If you, your students, or s...

Send us Fan Mail Tip Number 10: Tap Into Classroom Adventures Tip Number 9: Head to the Library Tip Number 8: Write from a Personal Place Tip Number 7: Mine Memory Moments Tip Number 6: Travel New Places Tip Number 5: Take a Deep Dive When You Revise Tip Number 4: Explore Outdoors Tip Number 3: Find Nooks and Crannies Tip Number 2: Learn and Collaborate Tip Number 1: Celebrate and Create I’m signi...

Send us Fan Mail On June 22nd, I will be participating in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk in Boston. I will be walking 16 miles to raise money to stop suicide. If this podcast has been helpful to you in any way ever, if it has made you a better teacher or a better writer, or even brought a smile to your face, please click here if you’re reading the...