My Creative Life for Artists and Creators

Hi Everyone! Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Katie, Mazeika, author Maybe Just Ask Me! published by S&S/Beach Lane Books. Here is more about Katie: Katie Mazeika is an award-winning author and illustrator who can’t imagine a better job than making books. She loves creating stories based on real people and events. Katie is passionate about highlighting disabled voices in her work. Kati...

Hi Everyone! I interviewed Tonnye Fletcher, kidlit author and K-2 elementary music teacher, today. Here is more about Tonnye: Tonnye Fletcher is a K-2 music teacher, an author, an educational speaker, and an officer for her local reading council. She is the author of MUSIC PLANTS HOPE due out Spring 2026 from Reycraft Publishing. Visit Tonnye's site: tonnyefletcher.com/ Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! My guest today was Colleen Kong-Savage, kidlit author and illustrator, and teacher. Here is more about Colleen: Colleen Kong Savage is Write-handed artist with a penchant for paper. Debut author-illustrator of PIANO WANTS TO PLAY and illustrator of Fortune Cookies for Everyone. She is also a teaching artist! Check out Colleen's website: https://ckongsavage.com/ Colleen's Insta...

Hi Everyone, Melquea Smith and I interviewed award-winning illustrator, London Ladd! Here is more about London: London Ladd is an award-winning illustrator who uses a unique mixed media approach, combining cut paper textured with acrylic paint, tissue paper, and colored pencil to bring his diverse subjects to life. London is the illustrator of such noted books as You So Black and The Gathering Tab...

Hi Everyone! Today my guest is Adriana Hernández Bergstrom, kidlit author and illustrator. She is is a Cuban-American artist and children’s book author-illustrator. She loves languages and literacy and is the author-illustrator of ABUELITA AND I MAKE FLAN (Charlesbridge, 2022), TUMBLE (Scholastic, 2023) and COUNTDOWN FOR NOCHEBUENA (Little, Brown, 2023). Visit her site: https://adriprints.com/ Tha...

Hi Everyone! I interviewed Kristy Acevedo, YA author, and english teacher. Here is more about Kristy: Kristy Acevedo loves to write stories that make people think and give people hope. She is a public high school English teacher, gardener, and Star Trek fan. When she was a child, her “big sister” from the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program fostered her love of books by bringing her to the public lib...

Hi Everyone! Today my guests are David McMullins & Robb Hillman and we discuss financial planning in order to have a more creative life. Here is more about David and Robb: David McMullin and Robb Hillman have been together for 32 years, pursuing a life that mixes art, travel, and financial freedom. David is a former youth librarian and the author of FREE TO BE FABULOUS and ROCK ’N’ ROLL BABY....

Hi Everyone! My guest today is Erika Totoro, stop-motion Creator, I met while teaching this summer. Erika is doing some amazing work in stop-motion animation. More about Erika: Erika Totoro is a stop-motion director, writer, and producer. Her work has appeared in 70+ festival offical selections, and received numerous awards including the NATAS SouthEast Emmy Student Production "best Animation...

Hi Everyone! I interview Brandi, a kidlit author in Hawaii. We met as mutual Holiday House authors! Here is more about Brandi: Brandi-Ann Uyemura is a gosei, a fifth-generation Japanese American writer, born and raised on the island of Oahu. She holds a BA in English/Ethnic Studies, a MA in Counseling Psychology, and recently completed a fellowship for Climatebase. For over 18 years, she’s written...

Hi Everyone! I had return guest Ali Terese, MG author chat about her new book and how she infuses humor, heart, and disability into her writing. Here is more about Ali: Ali Terese writes funny and heartfelt middle grade and YA stories like FREE PERIOD (Scholastic 2024) and VOTE FOR THE G.O.A.T. (Aladdin / Simon & Schuster 2025). Her work has been honored on the National Book Award longlist, Ki...

Hi Everyone! I'm going to be sharing my book marketing and publicity efforts at this time for Sun, Moon, and Star, published by Holiday House today!!! Here is more about me: Nancy So Miller is a Korean American children's book author/illustrator and art teacher based in Savannah, Georgia. She creates handmade, dimensional paper worlds that capture the magic and joy of childhood, inviting v...

Hi Everyone! I'm going to be sharing some behind the scenes about my children's book Sun, Moon, and Star that will be published in the next week with Holiday House. Here's more about me: Nancy So Miller is a Korean American children's book author/illustrator and art teacher based in Savannah, Georgia. She creates handmade, dimensional paper worlds that capture the magic and joy of...

Hi Everyone! Today, my guest is Melquea Smith, kidlit illustrator! Melquea has been a previous guest, and it was great to catch up with her! Here is more about Melquea: My name is Melquea Smith, and I'm a Black, multi-award-winning, published children's book illustrator based in New York. Melquea's website: https://www.prettykittypaintings.com/ Join Brown Sugar Graphics, Melquea's...

Hi Everyone! I interviewed Cat Ward, art teacher and artist based in Savannah, GA. Here is more about Cat. Cat Ward is an art educator and fine artist. She combines that with a lifelong love of animals, and the hobby of scuba diving she began nearly a decade ago. Her work has been shown at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center and she often collaborates with the Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Ce...

Hi Everyone! Today, my guest is Jackie Morera, kidlit author, and a return guest. We had a heartfelt conversation about her powerful book Together We Remember, her experience attending ALA, and the lasting impact our books can have on young readers. Always inspiring to connect with fellow creatives who are making a difference through storytelling. Here is Jackie's website! https://www.jmorerab...

Hi Everyone, in this episode, I talk about where I'm at in the course of my art business. That includes updates on writing and illustrating. I think the end of year is a great time to reflect on life and what's going on. I hope everyone has a happy holidays! Pre-order a copy of Sun, Moon, and Star: A Folktale from Korea here! Coming Feb. 24, 2026, published by Holiday House Books. Thanks f...

Hi Everyone! My guest is Anne Sibley O'Brien, children's book author and illustrator! More about Anne: Anne Sibley O’Brien is a celebrated children’s book creator, author, and illustrator of over 35 titles. Raised in Korea, her work centers on multicultural themes. She co-founded I’m Your Neighbor Books and Diverse BookFinder and received the Katahdin Award for lifetime achievement from the Maine...

Hi Everyone! I had the honor of interviewing NYT Bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller—author of the beloved picture books Sophie’s Squash, Be Kind, When You Are Brave, and many more! We talked about her creative journey from journalism to children's books, her approach to storytelling, and Pat's perspective on the role of the illustrators for her books. Visit Pat's website: https://ww...

Hi Everyone, I had the pleasure of interviewing Victoria K. Chapman, kidlit author and illustrator, on this episode of My Creative Life. Here is more about Victoria: Victoria K. Chapman is a fine artist, illustrator, author, and teacher who grew up in New England and currently lives in central Massachusetts. She graduated from the University of Connecticut’s illustration program in 2004. Victoria’...

Hi Everyone, I interviewed Melissa Gardner, children's book author and illustrator. Melissa and I connected over a love of Kdrama's and kidlit art! Here is more about Melissa: When I was a little kid, I was always creating things. I remember making an entire family of bunny rabbits, complete with handsewn dresses, out of empty eggshells and cotton balls. I remember molding bits of clay and...

Hi Everyone! Today my special guest is Sarah Choi, founder of Komerican Pie, a quarterly webzine celebrating Korean-American Komerican life and the immigrant experience with defiant joy since 2024. Made with heART. In 2023, Sarah canceled her debut book deal with an international publisher to take a chance on creating new channels of media and representation. She resides in Atlanta with her family...

Hi Everyone, I interviewed Courtney Pippin-Mathur, children's book author and illustrator. I got to meet and talk with Courtney in person at a KW retreat and she was so welcoming! Here is more about Courtney: Courtney grew up in East Texas and passed the hot summer days reading, drawing, watching She-Ra and exploring her grandma’s farm. She doodled constantly through elementary, middle and high sc...

Hi Everyone! I interviewed the skilled author, Eric Bell, of Alan Cole Is NOT a Coward. Eric shared some incredible wisdom about his journey as an author and someone who struggled with mental health. Here is more about Eric: Eric Bell lives and writes in Pennsylvania. He was once in middle school. He survived. You will too. Alan Cole Is Not a Coward is his debut novel, followed by Alan Cole Doesn&...

Hi Everyone, my guest today is Lindsey Gerow, artist and art teacher. She talks about her passion for creating art, teaching art, and founding the Effingham Artists Association in Georgia. To learn more about the Effingham Artists Association, visit: https://effinghamartists.org/ Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! I interviewed Erin Richardson, Illustrator. Here is more about Erin: As a lifelong artist, I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through illustration. Growing up, I spent countless hours lost in books, captivated by the details in the artwork and eager to create my own. My vivid childhood imagination still inspires me today—whether it’s the cozy world of my beloved dollhouse or the m...