SCBWI Podcast Season 3

National Book Award finalist and Newbery Award winning author Christopher Paul Curtis speaks with Theo Baker about his own writing and publishing journey, and shares his advice on the craft of writing, offering insights into the process, and reflections on his works.

Emmy Award-winning Laurent Linn is the art director for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, and the author illustrator of the YA Novel, “Draw the Line.” Laurent speaks to Theo Baker about the appeal of puppetry, his eleven years working with the Muppets, and the shift in his career path that led him to children’s books. Their conversation also explores cover design, working with new illustrators, how “every book is an experiment,” and much more!

Multi-award winning nonfiction author Elizabeth Partridge speaks to Theo Baker about how her upbringing impacted her storytelling, her way into oral histories, and the responsibility she feels towards the people she interviews. She considers how her work is “bearing witness” and shares what she’s learned about writing compelling nonfiction.

Erin is the winner of the 2018 Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe. With many other awards and multiple books on the New York Times bestseller list, she is also a professor of children’s literature at Rosemont College. In this two-part interview with Theo Baker, Erin shares about her background in journalism, having the right mindset for feedback, how she developed her craft, and much more!

Francesco is the president and publisher of Penguin Workshop at Penguin Young Readers, as well the author of the Miss Popularity series. In this two-part conversation with Theo Baker, Francesco speaks of his vision for Penguin Workshop, his approach as a publisher, the influence of books like “Wimpy Kid,” and how co-writing a graphic novel has helped his own writing.

Malinda Lo is the author of several award-winning young adult novels, including most recently A Line in the Dark. Her novel Ash, a lesbian retelling of Cinderella, was a finalist for the William C. Morris YA Debut Award. Malinda speaks with Theo about the difference between popular fiction and literary fiction, the role of research in her writing, revision, her dual coming out, and so much more!

Jenny Bent founded The Bent Agency in 2009. The agency now has nine agents, offices in New York and London, and a strong focus on international rights. Jenny speaks with Theo Baker about Y.A. versus Adult, what she’s looking for, the decision behind launching her own agency, and the shift in how she approaches being an agent.

#1 New York Times bestselling and Michael L. Printz Award-winning YA author Libba Bray speaks to Theo Baker about her journey to becoming a writer, her embrace of the absurd and surreal, and shares her best writing advice!

Namrata Tripathi is Vice President and Publisher of Kokila, a newly-formed imprint of Penguin Young Readers. Namrata speaks to Theo Baker about her career as an editor, her unique perspective, and the vision behind her new imprint!

The celebrated author of over 100 books for children and young readers, Bruce Coville speaks to Theo Baker about audiobooks, covers and titles, his approach to book openings, and much, much more!

Andrea Davis Pinkney is vice president, executive editor at Scholastic Books, and is also a New York Times bestselling and multi-award winning author. Andrea speaks with Theo about her path to being a reader and an editor, the insights she’s gained from her background in journalism, the evolution of diversity in publishing, and much more!

Daniel José Older is the award-winning and best-selling author of middle grade, young adult, and adult books, including Shadowshaper, Half-Resurrection Blues, and Dactyl Hill Squad. Daniel speaks with Theo Baker about craft, process, diversity, the “secret heart” of a story, and much more!