The Storyteller's Shelf Podcast

“I started self-published, got an agent, and then chose to go back to indie publishing because I wanted freedom and momentum.” — Dana Goldstein Middle grade author Dana Goldstein shares the honest story behind one of the biggest decisions of her writing career: leaving traditional publishing and returning to self-publishing. In this episode of  ⁨@TheStorytellersShelfPodcast⁩  , Dana reveals what r...

Want to break into children's publishing but don't know where to start? Poetry magazines might be your secret weapon! In this episode of The Storyteller's Shelf Podcast, acclaimed poet and author Heidi Bee Roemer reveals why starting with poetry magazines is one of the smartest moves for aspiring children's writers—and how she built a career with nearly 500 published poems in magaz...

“Being a good writer is like being a good actor. You have to know people. You have to know things… anything you can do to pick up on life experiences really does, because at the end of the day, when you sit down to write, you have to pull from something.” -Max BeaudryWhat is it really like to write the shows that kids everywhere love and talk about? Emmy Award winning writer Max Beaudry joins us f...

Ever wonder how a publishing company is actually built? Kate Simkins, founder and publisher of Big Thinking Publishing (UK), pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to run a modern independent press — from acquiring manuscripts and editing picture books, middle grade, YA, new adult, and poetry titles to managing finances, marketing strategies, and maintaining transparent relationships with...

“Being led by your curiosity opens so many doors.” — Janna Morishima ✨ You want a career in children’s publishing, but don’t know where to start? You’re sending cold emails, second-guessing yourself, and wondering if anyone actually breaks in without connections. In this episode of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast , Janna Morishima —founder of Kids Comics Unite , literary agent at Janna Co. , and...

“You’re not there to teach — you’re there to inspire.” — Andy Coats Award-winning children’s author and illustrator Andy Coats has self-published 18 books, built a thriving brand through school visits, and mastered the art of launching stories that connect with readers and educators alike. In this episode of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast , Andy shares how authors can turn school visits into a po...

 “Writing is failing your way upwards.” — Kwame Mbalia Award-winning author Kwame Mbalia shares behind-the-scenes insight from writing CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD: A HERO LOOKS LIKE YOU for Marvel, his new Star Wars novel, and leading the Disney-Hyperion imprint FREEDOM FIRE —a space dedicated to celebrating Black stories and voices across the diaspora. He also opens up about: How to “fail yo...

“Being led by your curiosity opens so many doors.” — Janna Morishima You want a career in children’s publishing—but don’t know where to start? You’re sending cold emails, second-guessing yourself, and wondering if anyone actually breaks in without connections. In this episode of @thestorytellersshelfpodcast , Janna Morishima—founder of Kids Comics Unite, literary agent at Janna Co., and co-founder...

“Children’s publishing is serious work. We’re building future readers.” — Lori WieczorekBreaking into children’s publishing can feel confusing and competitive. In this episode, Lori Wieczorek, Senior Editor of Trade Licensing at Scholastic, shares her real journey from campus newspaper to Scholastic Book Clubs and Trade Licensing. Learn how licensing and fandom inspire reluctant readers, what a se...

"If you hire a copy editor when you need developmental editing, you'll just have a very clean copy with plot holes." ~ Mary Kole Your manuscript isn't ready until you hear this!!!!! Connect with us for freebies and submission opportunities: https://thestorytellersshelfpodcast.com/   Hello! Most authors waste thousands of dollars hiring the wrong type of editor at the wrong time....

“You’re not there to teach — you’re there to inspire.” — Andy Coats Award-winning children’s author and illustrator Andy Coats has self-published 18 books, built a thriving brand through school visits, and mastered the art of launching stories that connect with readers and educators alike. In this episode of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast , Andy shares how authors can turn school visits into a po...

This week on The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast , we sat down with Caleb Masters and Lupe Penn from Bookmarks, NC: Books with Purpose , one of the nation’s only nonprofit independent bookstores.  ✨ What it really takes to choose which books land on shelves 📚 How schools can partner with nonprofits to bring authors directly to kids ❌ Challenges with censorship and book access in 2025 🌟 Why represe...

"Always wonder. The world is full of amazing, spectacular things." – Robin Currie📚 Want to get your book into libraries and grow your audience as an author? In this episode of THE STORYTELLER’S SHELF PODCAST, we sit down with Robin Currie, award-winning author of over 45 picture books and a former youth librarian, to talk about: 📚 How to get your book into libraries 📖 Avoiding common...

Dive into the mind of Kwame Mbalia, the award-winning author of Tristan Strong! In this exclusive preview, he shares how African folklore inspired him to transform his main characters into gods, creating a magical and mythic world. In this episode, he also talks about his background, his upcoming book, and his experiences working with Disney, Hyperion, and a new project with Lucasfilm and Disney....

📚 “For me, when I write, it’s like a movie going across my eyes and all I’m doing is converting that movie and putting it down on paper.” — Paul Rushworth-BrownAward-winning historical fiction author Paul Rushworth-Brown joins THE STORYTELLER’S SHELF PODCAST to share how his life as a high school teacher, professional football coach, and global traveler shaped his writing voice. His latest novel,...

📚 “EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO BOOKS. EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO KNOW HOW TO READ AND WRITE, ESPECIALLY FROM AN EARLY AGE.” — BRANDI WARREN, AFRICAN LIBRARY PROJECT @AFRICANLIBRARYPROJECT But across Sub-Saharan Africa, too many children grow up without books of their own. In some places, a single book can cost more than a family’s monthly salary. Representation is scarce. And when c...

📚 Did you know that 1 in 3 adults in Harris County is functionally illiterate? And those adults were once kids. This literacy crisis is bigger than test scores. It's about opportunity, equity, and the ability to thrive in everyday life. When children grow up without books of their own, those gaps follow them into adulthood. But there's hope. In this episode of ⁨@TheStorytellersShelfPodcas...

“Middle grade is such a special time in a child’s life. They have one foot still in the magical part of childhood, one foot heading into young adulthood. It’s a time I remember that I could still believe in magic.” – Donna S. GalantiIn this episode of MIDDLE GRADE MARVELS, we sit down with children’s book author Donna S. Galanti (UNICORN ISLAND, JOSHUA AND THE LIGHTNING ROAD, LOON COVE SUMMER).✨...

LOIS LOWRY, author of THE GIVER and NUMBER THE STARS, reveals how childhood memories, family loss, and intuition shaped her books and why she’s still writing at 88. In this exclusive interview on THE STORYTELLER’S SHELF PODCAST , the two-time Newbery Medalist shares her journey from aspiring writer to internationally acclaimed author. Lois talks about: 📚 Her non-traditional path into traditional...

📚 A library is an oasis. ✨ In this episode of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, we sit down with Michael Hardrick, Executive Director of Forest Hill Library,  ⁨@foresthilllibrarydistrict107⁩  , explore how libraries shape children’s lives, and how authors, illustrators, and educators can collaborate. Michael, who was recently honored as the Small Community Libraries Round Table’s 2025 Librarian o...

“When children see themselves in books, it validates them…and they want to explore.” – Farida Ladipo-Ajayi 🇳🇬 Imagine being a child who seldom has a book at home, never steps inside a library, and rarely finds a story that reflects your life, culture, or dreams. ➡️ Without these opportunities, entire generations risk losing not only literacy skills, but also the self-belief to imagine a bigger fut...

 Selling SEL: Tying Social Emotional Learning into Writing & Marketing | with author, speaker, and book reviewer, Meredith Davis 📚 POV: You're a kidlit author struggling with ZERO 0️⃣ SALES. 🥹 Figuring out why your book isn’t moving can feel like climbing Mount Everest. But here’s one shortcut that can boost you: tapping into Social Emotional Learning (SEL). 💥 When done right, SEL takes you...

“I would take persistence over talent any day,” says Sherri Winston, award-winning author of SHARK TEETH and PRESIDENT OF THE WHOLE SIXTH GRADE In an era of burnout, book bans 🚫📖, and pressure to chase market trends or awards 🏆, many writers feel overwhelmed by the publishing world. When the noise gets loud, it’s easy to forget why you started writing in the first place. But here’s the truth: y...

Confused by legal jargon in publishing? Not sure what rights you're signing away or how to protect your work? One misunderstood clause can cost you ownership of your work, future royalties, or your creative freedom. And if you’re unclear on the difference between copyright, trademark, or publicity rights, you could accidentally infringe OR be taken advantage of. In this episode, attorneys Erin...

😑 Middle school isn’t easy. You’re figuring out who you are, dealing with braces, bad haircuts, embarrassing moments, and a growing sense that the world’s a lot bigger than you thought. It’s awkward, confusing…and kind of magical. 🚨 But most books for kids skip over that messy middle, real stuff. They go straight to fantasy or fast-forward to big life lessons, leaving behind the silly, cringey,...