My First Book Story

Episode 10 – Carolyn Leiloglou When her picture book about libraries launched in May 2020, when not a single library was open, Carolyn Leiloglou didn’t give up. In this episode of My First Book Story, Meredith Davis talks with award-winning middle grade fantasy author Carolyn Leiloglou about the long road to her first published book, Library’s Most Wanted. Carolyn shares how childhood dreams of wr...

Episode 9 – Varsha Bajaj How did a bedtime game with her son and a flyer at the public library spark Varsha Bajaj's path to becoming a bestselling children's author? In this episode of My First Book Story , Meredith Davis talks with New York Times bestselling author Varsha Bajaj about the journey that led to her first published book, How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight? . A sweet counting game wit...

Episode 8 – Meghan Browne How did signing up for the wrong class, and doing an interview in eighth-grade, lead Meghan Browne to her first published picture book? Find out in this episode of My First Book Story, where Meredith Davis talks with award-winning Austin-based children’s book author Meghan P. Browne, who will soon add middle grade author to her resume with her debut novel The Edge of Fore...

Episode 7 – Claudia Rueda How did a woman bent on changing the world make her way from law school and political cartoons to children's books? In this episode of My First Book Story , Meredith Davis talks with New York Times bestselling Colombian author and illustrator Claudia Rueda—creator of over 30 picture books translated into 17 languages—about the path that led to her first published book. Cl...

Episode 6 – Carmen Oliver How did a magazine quiz, an episode of Oprah, and her daughter’s school reading buddy program set Carmen Oliver on the path to her first published book, Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies? Find out in this episode of My First Book Story, where Meredith Davis talks with award-winning picture book author and founder of The Booking Biz, Carmen Oliver. They’ll trace the wind...

Episode 5 - Bethany Hegedus How did a 9/11 survival story and a bold email to Mahatma Gandhi's grandson lead to a first published picture book after two novels had been published? Find out in this episode of My First Book Story, where Meredith Davis talks with bestselling author, educator, and founder of The Writing Barn Bethany Hegedus about the long chain of books that began with Between Us Baxt...

Episode 4 - Chris Barton How did a toddler, a smoke alarm and an obituary lead to Chris Barton’s first published book? Find out in this episode of My First Book Story, where Meredith Davis talks with award-winning author Chris Barton about The Day-Glo Brothers, illustrated by Tony Persiani. Chris shares how his son’s interest in the story of how he installed a smoke alarm in their house, a story h...

Episode 3 – Kathi Appelt How did a single question open the door to a lifelong career in children’s literature? In this episode of My First Book Story, Meredith Davis talks with celebrated children’s author Kathi Appelt about the journey that led to her first published picture book, Elephants Aloft. Kathi shares how becoming a mother introduced her to the world of picture books, how reading aloud...

Episode 2 - Kari Lavelle How did five years of rejection eventually lead to a ten-editor auction and a first book deal? In this episode of My First Book Story, Meredith Davis talks with picture book author Kari Lavelle about the winding, emotional journey that led to her first published book, We Move the World. Kari shares how motherhood reignited her creativity, how years of revision and rejectio...

Episode 1 — Liz Garton Scanlon How do life disruptions, beginner’s luck, and creative play lead to a published book? In this episode of My First Book Story, Meredith Davis talks with award-winning author Liz Garton Scanlon about the surprising chain of events that led to her first picture book, A Sock Is a Pocket for Your Toes. Liz shares how motherhood, losing her home in a devastating flood, and...

Welcome to My First Book Story , the podcast where children’s author Meredith Davis interviews successful writers about their journeys to publishing their very first book. Whether you’re still dreaming of your debut, working on your next contract, or chasing an entirely different creative goal, these short, inspiring interviews will encourage you to keep going. From decade-long persistence to over...