Karen Cushman: November Podcast

Over the summer, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Newbery Medal winning author, Karen Cushman, when she was in Los Angeles for the SCBWI conference.

We chatted with Karen about her writing, what it was like to win the Newbery Medal (and Honor!), and all about her latest book, Will Sparrow's Road. In addition to being an incredible author, Karen is simply a lovely person, and we were honored (and more than a little awed) to speak with her. 

In this episode, we also share our book picks of the month: Michelle chose Princess of the Silver Woods, by Jessica Day George, and Allison chose The Fire Chronicle, by John Stephens.

Want to download this podcast? Click here for an mp3 or find us on iTunes!

Now that you've enjoyed the interview, we have an awesome giveaway for you! Comment on this post by Thursday, December 13, either tell us your favorite Karen Cushman book, and why you love it OR why you should be made a "Princess for the Day". We'll send one lucky winner a prize pack that includes a paperback copy of Catherine, Called Birdy, signed by Karen Cushman, and a hardcover of Princess of the Silver Woods, by Jessica Day George. (Many thanks to Bloomsbury for providing the copy of Princess of the Silver Woods.) Contest open to US residents only. Please include your email with your blog comment or Twitter account, so we can notify the winner. Good luck!

EDIT: Entries are now closed. Thanks to Random.org for selecting "Reader Roberts" as our winner!

Be sure to visit Karen Cushman's Web site to keep up with her latest news, and drop by her publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Podcast hosting courtesy of archive.org. Intro music by 46bliss. Special thanks to our sound engineer, Marc Conrad Tabula and Joshua Bertrand for helping make this interview sound so great! Please subscribe to Authors are ROCKSTARS! on iTunes so you'll never miss an episode! (And if you like us, please be so kind as to leave a review.)

Kiersten White, Marie Lu, Cynthia Hand, Robin LeFevers: Road Trip Edition Podcast

At the end of last month, we caught up with Kiersten White at her book launch for the final volume in her Paranormalcy trilogy, Endlessly. What a fun event at the Barnes and Noble in Oceanside, California! Not only did we get to see Kiersten, but we also got to interview Cynthia Hand, Marie Lu, and Robin LeFevers. And our teen correspondent, Ava, joined us for this interview, so it was extra fun!

We talked to Kiersten about what it was like to wrap up Evie's story and what future projects she's got brewing. Then all of the authors answered some awesome questions from our podcast listeners, including a particularly interesting discussion of how they write strong female characters. We also have our "Picks of the Month". This month, our picks are the Pittacus Lore series (I Am Number Four, The Power of Six and The Rise of Nine - stay tuned for a giveaway of this series!) and Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron.

The fabulous author panel + adorable kiddo hug for Kiersten.

Want to download this podcast? Click here for a mp3 or find us on iTunes.

BONUS: It's giveaway time! We have an autographed ARC of Endlessly to give away to one lucky listener. Leave us a comment after listening to this episode and tell us which one of Kiersten's many upcoming projects you're MOST looking forward to. (There are a few to choose from!) Be sure to leave your email in your comment so we can contact the winner. Contest is open to US residents only. Deadline to enter the contest is August 27th.

Hosting courtesy of archive.org. Intro music by 46bliss. Our closing song this month is "Nothing's Cruel" by Kyte. Special thanks to our sound engineers for this episode Marc Conrad Tabula and Joshua Bertrand for helping make the interview sound fabulous. Please subscribe to Authors are ROCKSTARS! on iTunes so you'll never miss an episode! (And if you like us, please be so kind as to leave a review!)

J. Anderson Coats: Debut Author Edition

Welcome to another podcast in our debut author series and The Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge. This week, we have an interview with the YA historical fiction writer, J. Anderson Coats!

We chatted with Jillian via Skype and discussed such topics as: what's awesome about being a librarian, how to write historical fiction without sounding like a textbook, and Jillian's tour dates for Pacific Northwest readers to check out.

Give this interview a listen, and be sure to pick up The Wicked and the Just, in bookstores everywhere on April 17 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Want to download this podast? Click here for a mp3.

Hosting courtesy of archive.org. Intro music by 46bliss. Be sure to subscribe to Authors are ROCKSTARS! on iTunes!

December Special Edition Podcast with Helen Landalf, author of Flyaway

In the midst of holiday stress? Take a moment to listen to our interview with Helen Landalf, author of the awesomely edgy new contemporary novel, Flyaway.

(Notice how we didn't suggest you sit down and listen? Ha! We know you're on the go right now, doing your holiday shopping, wrapping presents, baking cookies... so just put this podcast on your mp3 player and keep on going!)

We got to talk to Helen about setting her book in Seattle, her love of revision, and how she unwinds after writing some really intense stuff. Enjoy!


Want to download this podcast? Click here for the mp3 or subscribe on iTunes.

Hosting courtesy of archive.org. Intro music by 46bliss.