Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson

Can a children's book help a child find the courage to try something they thought they couldn't do? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I'm joined by children's author David Michael, the pen name of Michael Dreyfus, a pediatric occupational therapist with more than 10 years of experience helping children develop confidence, independence, and essential life skil...

How does a brand-new children's book author get her books into 14 local stores, without relying on Amazon advertising? In this episode, I'm joined by children's author Jacqueline Priestly, creator of The Wild-Life Keepers, a playful children's book series inspired by the wonderfully wild personalities of childhood. After 15 years working in marketing and communications, Jacqueline...

What happens when you finally have the time to pursue all those creative ideas you’ve been dreaming about? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson , I’m joined by children’s author, illustrator, and artist Kim Marie , creator of the Live Your Dreams brand. Kim shares how her creative journey evolved from art and storytelling into writing, illustrating, and self-publishing her own c...

What happens when a filmmaker brings nearly two decades of visual storytelling experience into writing books for children? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson , I’m joined by children’s author and filmmaker Mikael Bjorn , creator of Hugo the Sock Bandit and Russell’s Grandma . Mikael shares how his background in filmmaking and screenwriting influences the way he writes, why he...

What if selling children’s books didn’t have to rely entirely on social media? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson , I’m joined by children’s author and entrepreneur Mary-Jean Harris , who has found a creative way to combine storytelling, picture books, and her successful Fairy Tale Princess Parties entertainment business. Mary-Jean shares how years of interacting directly with...

Want to learn how to market children's books, grow your author brand, and increase book sales without paying for ads? In this special episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I'm welcoming back Harleigh Rose of Doppy's Official, a full-time self-published children's book author, illustrator, marketing coach, YouTube creator, and host of Children's Book Marketing Made Ea...

What does it take to build an independent novel and children's author career when you don't write in just one genre? In this episode, I'm joined by bestselling indie author Nicoline Evans, known online as Nicoline Novels, for a fascinating conversation about writing across genres, self-publishing, book marketing, author events, and building a long-term writing career. Nicoline began wr...

Book marketing can be one of the biggest learning curves for independent children's book authors. With so many options- social media, book fairs, author events, awards, schools, libraries, newsletters, conferences, and more, how do you decide where your time and money are actually worth investing? In this episode, returning guest and children's author Dr. Deana Plaskon joins me for an open...

What if a children’s book could become more than a story and give teachers and families practical tools they can continue using long after the last page is read? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson , I’m joined by educator, professor, and children’s author Dr. Tisha Shipley , author of Rider’s Magic Mark: Your Difference Is Your Magic . Inspired by Tisha’s real-life nephew, Rid...

What happens when a reluctant reader grows up to become a writer, illustrator, musician, and creator of more than 700 short stories ? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson , I’m joined by children’s author and self-taught artist Derek Allen , creator of the Moonbeams and Rhyme Dreams trilogy. Derek shares the fascinating journey behind his creative work—from a dream that sparked...

What happens when a love of national parks, wildlife, and nature becomes the inspiration for an imaginary world of adventure and magic? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson , I’m joined by award-winning children’s author Kathy Arnold Cherry , creator of the Erutuf National Park children’s book series. Kathy shares how her own experiences visiting national parks inspired her to c...

Sometimes the books that mean the most begin in places we never expected. In this heartfelt episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I sit down with first-time author Janie Nichols to talk about the deeply personal story behind her new book, Unshaken: 365 Days of Hope, Faith, and Eternity. After walking alongside her beloved husband, George, during his battle with ALS, Janie turned to some...

What makes kids want to read a children’s book again and again? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson , I’m joined by children’s author Kelly Riera , creator of the What They Love series and founder of Bright Voyage Books. Kelly shares the story behind What Trucks Love to Do: Wreck and Build Construction Crew and her newly released What Trucks Love to Do Too: Help and Serve Crew...

What happens when someone who has spent her career helping others find their voice decides to use her own voice to create stories for children? In this episode, I’m joined by debut children’s author, speech-language pathologist, and Yellow Rocket Press founder E.M. Wynne, author of Never Trust a Wobbly Broom. E.M. shares how writing first became a creative outlet in childhood, why she returned to...

, What if a child’s greatest superpowers weren’t flying or becoming invisible—but empathy, resilience, mindfulness, and logical thinking? In this episode of Beyond the Book , I’m joined by children’s book authors and school counselors Ashley Zomalt and Kacy Brubaker , creators of Captain Emotions and the SuperPower Pack , the first book in the We All Have SuperPowers series. Ashley and Kacy share...

What if learning the alphabet could feel more like an adventure? On this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson , I’m joined by children’s author, educator, and licensed clinical social worker Ophra Ashur , author of Sailing the ABCs . We talk about her creative approach to bringing letters to life as lovable “Alpha-Besties,” the thoughtful learning concepts woven throughout the story, an...

Have you ever stepped back and looked at everything you've created? While organizing my coloring books, I realized I hadn't created one children's book brand; I had built two completely different children's book brands. In this first episode of Building Your Children's Book Brand, I share how discovering those brands changed the way I market my books, organize my website, and h...

Thinking about formatting your own children's book? Before you hit publish, listen to this first. In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson , professional book designer and formatter Mike Nicloy shares expert advice on creating a polished, professional book for Amazon KDP and IngramSpark. We discuss common formatting mistakes, Adobe InDesign, children's books vs. middle grade books,...

Can early reader children's chapter books do more than entertain? In this episode, Children's Book Author and preschool director Danielle Simone discusses how her Adventures of Sid series combines adventure, literacy, STEAM (STREAM) learning, environmental awareness, and real-world exploration to create meaningful reading experiences for young readers. Danielle shares the inspiration behin...

How do you teach the five senses to children? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, children's author and former kindergarten teacher Stacy Taylor shares how storytelling can help young readers learn sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch through her Moose Tracks Tales series. As a former kindergarten teacher, Stacy understands how young learners discover the world through si...

How can children's books strengthen family connections while helping kids learn and grow? Children's book author, educator, and founder of Bright Little Pages, Bria Freitas, shares how she creates family-friendly, faith-based children's books that encourage reading, learning, creativity, and meaningful time together. Bria discusses her popular children's books, including Rosie Mae and Mama B's Ban...

What happens when a child’s imagination becomes the heart of a published children’s book? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson , I sit down with author Darya Gunay to talk about the inspiring story behind Dani the First Kid in Space — a fun and imaginative STEM adventure about a young boy who travels through a portal and explores the planets in our solar system. Darya shares how...

Writing a book is only the beginning. Author coach, and publisher Brenda Cortez shares the biggest mistakes new authors make and the most important lessons she teaches writers before they publish their first book. Brenda works with authors from the earliest idea stage all the way through editing, layout, publishing, and bringing books to market. Through BC Books, she and her team of editors, illus...

In this episode children’s author Leigh Ann Hughes shares her inspiring journey back to writing after years away. Leigh Ann opens up about how motherhood reignited her creativity and how she builds engaging elementary chapter book series like Cob & the Kingdom and the Hart Girls Adventure Series. This conversation dives deep into chapter book writing for young readers, pacing, character develo...

How does a children’s book character grow beyond the page and into a bigger brand? In this episode, I sit down with award-winning Elizabeth Retter, creator of the beloved Easton series, to talk about brand expansion, animation, stuffed toys, school visits, and the heart behind her mission. Elizabeth shares how Easton’s children's books grew into a plush toy, how she used AI to create animation, wh...