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

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Chalk + Ink's 50th episode! Without Andy J. Pizza , Chalk + Ink wouldn't exist. Want to know why? Give a listen. In this episode, we discuss the definition of creativity, what it means when we say art works, and how to produce a successful podcast. After you listen to this episode, if you want to hear more of what Andy has to say, be sure to check out his podc...

Send us Fan Mail On today’s show, with we talk about getting outside, the importance of cultivating a gratitude mindset, Susan Edwards Richmond , and how it takes community collaboration to create a powerful picture book. Stay tuned to the end of the episode to find out how to win one of Susan's signed picture books or one of Susan's picture book critiques. I’m hoping you’ll help me spre...

Send us Fan Mail Today, Tracey Baptiste lets listeners in on the organizational tricks that have scaffolded her breakthroughs as an author and as a teacher. In addition to talking about organizational tools, we talk about the subconscious and debunking inaccurate historical “facts.” Before our next episode, please read one of Susan Edwards Richmond’s fantastic picture books, Bioblitz! and Bird Cou...

Send us Fan Mail Torrey Maldonado highlights the importance of fun, whether it’s on the page in one of his amazing middle grade novels or in the classroom. We also talk about key questions and multidimensionality. Before our next episode, please read one of Tracey Baptiste’s fantastic books. Although Tracey is probably most known for her Jumbies series, we focus on her nonfiction titles Because Cl...

Send us Fan Mail Linda Urban   talks about the importance of ditching “have-tos,” and embracing specificity and small moments. Want to win a signed copy of one of Linda’s heartwarming books ? Tweet or retweet this episode and be sure to tag me , 2) Go to www.katenarita.com/podcast and make a comment on this episode’s post, 3) Make a comment about the episode on our Chalk + Ink  Facebook page ; and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the perseverant Sandy Stark-McGinnis talks about parallels, plot and point of view. Stay tuned till the end of the episode to find out how to win a signed copy of Extraordinary Birds or The Space Between Lost and Found from Sandy. Congrats to Jennifer Roman for winning a signed-copy of Sally Engelfried’s debut middle grade novel, Learning to Fall . Want to support...

Send us Fan Mail Today Sally Engelfried talks about productive weekends, innovative ways to use a writer’s notebook, and how to find a story’s emotional core.  Please help me spread the word by sharing the podcast on social media, writing a review wherever you listen to your podcasts, and/or sharing this episode with family, friends and colleagues. Maybe you’re not into promotion but you want to g...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode with Cindy Rodriguez , we talk about the importance of embracing opportunities, growth mindset, and developing relationships in and out of the classroom. Please help me spread the word by sharing the podcast on social media, writing a review wherever you listen to your podcasts, and/or sharing this episode with family, friends and colleagues. Maybe you’re not into...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Ruth Behar and I talk about solitude, storytelling and surprises. If Chalk + Ink has made you a better author and/or educator, please fill out this form so I can feature you on our 50th episode. It would be great if this season, the number of downloads per episode would double compared to the second season. Please help me spread the word by sharing the podcast on...

Send us Fan Mail I’m so excited to dive deep into our first interview of the season with marvelous Michelle Cusolito . In this episode we talk about the importance of writing with our students, the power of picture book dummies, and how stepping outside of our comfort zone enriches our creativity. If Chalk + Ink has made you a better author and/or educator, please fill out this form so I can featu...

Send us Fan Mail It's the end of the summer season and the beginning of fall which for teachers and students is bittersweet. The laid back summer feeling slips away and the frantic fall frenzy rushes in.  But the good news is after compiling last season’s top ten tips for a luminous literacy workshop, I can’t wait to pack up my beach bag and head back to the classroom. Here they are: 10-Plan...

Send us Fan Mail I’ve compiled the top ten writing tips from this season’s guests to help get listeners psyched up for a creative, productive summer.  This episode embodies the reason this podcast exists. You count. You matter. Your creativity counts. Your happiness matters. It’s time to pour all the energy you channel into teaching during the school year into your creative process. Whether you ar...

Send us Fan Mail Today, Jyoti Rajan Gopal and I talk about the power of changing one word in a manuscript, exploring various storytelling modalities, and the magic of making a manuscript sound like music. As many of you know, my beloved dog, Buck, passed away a week ago. Normally, I don’t record interviews with him in the room. But when Jyoti and I recorded this episode, I knew my days with him we...

Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode with Kate Messner we talk about what happens when we share our writing process with our students, inviting our students to help us make our writing stronger, and taking and making time to prioritize our writing. Debut author Jyoti Gopal will be joining us next episode to talk about her exquisite picture book debut American Desi . None of her six books, yes, you...

Send us Fan Mail The warm and inclusive, Michael Leali , talks about the danger of gendering books, how we miss out on the now when we try to “make up” for lost learning time due to the pandemic, and how readers rise to challenges. It’s homework time. The versatile and curious, Kate Messner , will be joining us on our next episode. Kate’s written so many wonderful books, it’s impossible to think a...

Send us Fan Mail The positive and flexible, Dr. Paula Laurel Jackson , talks about the importance of quality vs. quantity, music as a universal first language, and global citizenship. It’s homework time. Have you ever wondered if LGBTQ+ people played an important part in the history of the United States? If so, be sure to pick up a copy of Michael Leali’s debut middle grade novel, The Civil War of...

Send us Fan Mail The brave and reflective, Rukhsanna Guidroz , talks about the importance of bringing newspapers into classrooms, the power of a color-coded plot grid, and how engaging in social media can open up career doors. Are you in the mood for a party with guests from all over the world? Then, pull up a chair and read The Perfect Party by Laurel Jackson and you’ll be all set for our next ep...

Send us Fan Mail The tenacious and talented, Lisa Stringfellow , talks about the importance of setting goals and being accountable to ourselves, how word choice and sentence length determine voice, and why it makes sense to involve students in our professional writing journeys. Have you ever wanted to learn how to surf? Then, pick up a copy of Samira Surfs by Rukhsanna Guidroz . Once you start rea...

Send us Fan Mail The resilient and persistent , René Colato Laínez , talks about the magic of cardboard castles, how books are portals into difficult discussions, and the creative power of libraries. Are you in the mood for a Caribbean getaway? Then, you’ll like this assignment. Pick up a copy of debut author, Lisa Stringfellow’s , Comb of Wishes . Once you start reading, you won’t want to stop. W...

Send us Fan Mail Congratulations to all the Chalk + Ink guests who received 2022 ALA awards. Let’s start with today's guest,  Veera Hiranandani ! Her book How to Find What You’re Not Looking For won the Sydney Taylor Book Award and the Jane Addams Peace Award. Congratulations to Alicia D. Williams . Her picture book Shirley Chisholm Dared: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress won th...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is all about community building and becoming successful writers. Jeff Anderson and Whitney La Rocca talk about how their strengths complement one another, how focusing on students’ success breeds more student success, and the importance of getting the first draft on paper. In preparation for our next episode with Newbery Honor Winner , Veera Hiranandani , please be su...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the honest and humorous , Erin Dealey , talks about how picture books are like theater, finding moments of magic in students' writing, and following our dreams. In preparation for our next episode with Jeff Anderson and Whitney La Rocca , check out POPcast: A Patterns of Power Podcast . All of the episodes are fantastic, but it will take you less than forty m...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the strong and determined, Zetta Elliott ,  talks about how magic is for everyone, questions why some books aren’t reviewed, and shares a simple and flexible way to outline a novel. In preparation for our next episode and if you need a laugh, check out Erin Dealey’s Deck the Walls . If you’re in need of a hug, get snug and cozy with Snow Globe Wishes . If you’re a...

Send us Fan Mail I’ve got great news. If you’ve been trying to figure out how to find time to write but haven’t been successful, this episode is for you. Marcie Flinchum Atkins has incredible organizational skills and tips which will help you make the most out of every marvelous moment life has to offer. Marcie also gives listeners a great revision exercise that will raise works in progress to ano...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode is jam-packed with great information to help you improve your teaching and writing craft. The responsive and inventive,  Kristen Nordstrom , talks about learning from “lean-in” moments in teaching, how writing a sentence on a page is an act of bravery, and how the secret to getting started on the writing journey is to let yourself be imperfect. Before our next epis...