Gather, a Kidlit Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Highlights Foundation
The Highlights Foundation's mission is to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves.
This podcast was created for those who have a passion for storytelling for children and young adult audiences.
We publish podcasts with audio from our free online events, called #HFGather. From time to time, we also publish interviews with kidlit authors and illustrators with tips, tricks, ideas, and craft lessons.
Each year, Boyds Mills proudly celebrates the inspiring journeys of our scholarship recipients and opens the door to a new season of scholarship opportunities. Join us for this special session to hear directly from past awardees, learn about our one-of-a-kind programs (offered both at our retreat center and online), and discover how you can apply for or support our 2026 scholarships.
Have you ever wondered what a morning at Whole Novel feels like at the retreat center. Or wished you could bring that feeling home with you? Join Alison and Sarah for a cozy taste of a Whole Novel morning. We'll begin with a short, nourishing talk from Sarah on how to place yourself inside your story, followed by shared writing time in community.
Our stories help kids see themselves in the world—and if we’re lucky, spark a lifelong love of reading. For many stories, the love of reading ignites another skill— writing! In many classrooms, books serve to nurture readers and young writers. Join us for our next free HFGather exploring what it means to write with kids, and why discovering how to write with kids is an important skill for those who write for kids!
Our panelists include Diana Ma and Valerie Bolling who, using their educational backgrounds, have crafted pedagogical books about writing and empowering students. They will share ways that their work as educators influences their work as children’s book writers, as well as how you too can find ways to enhance your school visits, strengthen your community engagement, and honor the voices of the aspiring storytellers you inspire.
We bring much of ourselves to our work—for the better, many would agree—especially when writing for kids and teens. But, how do we do this work without harm to ourselves? How do we nurture our wounds, while providing honesty and hope to our readers? For this special #HFGather, join Heather Demetrios to work through writing strategies and talk about the importance of these heartfelt stories for kids and teens.
Charles Waters and Irene Latham lead our first-ever National Poetry Month Celebration showcasing their NEW poetry collection for children, IF I COULD CHOOSE A BEST DAY. Special guests join for a reading and discussion.
Our first HFGather of the year focused on celebrating our scholarship program and answering questions. With panelists Alison Green Myers, Nancy So Miller, Trisha Elam Walker, Hoda Elmasry and Darla Himeles.
Patti Gauch, a legendary faculty at the Highlights Foundation, has been inspiring authors for over 40 years. Her insightful lectures and mentorship have shaped countless careers. Recently, she revisited some of her favorite Highlights Foundation lectures, and they’re being released now for the first time. This is session 4.
Patti Gauch, a legendary faculty at the Highlights Foundation, has been inspiring authors for over 40 years. Her insightful lectures and mentorship have shaped countless careers. Recently, she revisited some of her favorite Highlights Foundation lectures, and they’re being released now for the first time. This is session 3.
Patti Gauch, a legendary faculty at the Highlights Foundation, has been inspiring authors for over 40 years. Her insightful lectures and mentorship have shaped countless careers. Recently, she revisited some of her favorite Highlights Foundation lectures, and they’re being released now for the first time. Here is session 2.
Patti Gauch, a legendary faculty at the Highlights Foundation, has been inspiring authors for over 40 years. Her insightful lectures and mentorship have shaped countless careers. Recently, she revisited some of her favorite Highlights Foundation lectures, and they’re being released now for the first time. This is session 1.
Join authors Pam Courtney, Andrea Loney, and Crystal Allen as they discuss one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change. This impassioned #HFGather will explore the power of storytelling to inspire meaningful change for our future. Through this conversation, we hope to connect ways that children’s books can offer a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between social justice, racial equity, and caring for our planet.
Our children are grappling with pollution and climate-related disasters, stories can help them find hope in their world. Our storytellers will share their personal experiences and offer insight into considerations other storytellers may make, especially when it comes to the many ways in which communities of color are disproportionately affected by climate change, and how it is all of our responsibilities to support our children in creating a safe and more equitable planet!
The Highlights Foundation is proud to learn from and work alongside Knology to amplify Black Storytellers in STEM. BlackRep4Kids is a National Science Foundation-funded project led by Knology, in collaboration with the Highlights Foundation, the National Black Child Development Institute, and the Association of Children’s Museums. The project brings together Black researchers and practitioners from a variety of fields (including climate science, developmental psychology, informal learning, and children’s media) to collaboratively develop methods and strategies for creating children’s climate media that helps Black families and their children discuss, prepare for, and respond to a multitude of environmental threats.
Valerie Bolling, Jack Wong, Lucy Ruth Cummins and Emily Joof kicked off summer by sharing four picture books about swimming; revealing the story behind their stories, and have a conversation about representing diversity in picture books.
Special guest alums Jasminne Poulino and Elizabeth Lilly joined some members of the Highlights Foundation team for a question-and-answer session about coming to an in-person program at the Highlights Foundation. If you missed it, you can see the video and read the transcript below.
Author/agent Sera Rivers and agent Linda Camacho joined us for an #HFGather conversation facilitated by author Heather Demetrios about their personal experiences crafting and sharing books with readers–Sera sharing as an author shaping her past into a novel and Linda as a friend of the Rebecca Dykes Writers’ mission and as a literary agent with her experiences selling books and supporting the authors and illustrators who create them. Heather will facilitate the conversation, and talk about her experience with the Rebecca Dykes Writers and her experiences teaching at the Highlights Foundation’s Writing Through Trauma to Empower Readers.
Highlights Foundation Program Director Alison Green Myers celebrated our 2024 scholarship program with some special guests: scholarship recipients Camellia Koo, Karol Ruth Silverstein, Elyse Arring and Shuba Mohan. Special thanks to our ASL Interpreter, Cynthia Norman.
Erin Entrada Kelly and Laurel Snyder joined George Brown to discuss their writing process, how to write for the middle grade audience, their current works in progress, and their recent middle grade retreat experience.
Intisar Khanani joined George Brown to discuss writing the Mighy Girls series, being a mentor and mentee at the Highlights Foundation, and her writing process as an intuitive writer.
Nikki Grimes joined George Brown to discuss the Nikki Grimes Cottage on campus, her most recent book birthday, her works in progress, and her push to get people thinking about banned books.
Traci Sorell, Andrea Page, and Monique Gray Smith joined George Brown to discuss the in-community retreat for Native writers and illustrators, the new Native Creatives cabin, scholarshop opportunity for Native writers, and their writing process.
Authors & Highlights Foundation team members Delia Ruiz and Alex Villasante joined George Brown to discuss the work they do for the organization, how they find community here, their works in progress, and the upcoming Latinx Kidlit Book Festival.
Illustrators Sara Gómez Woolley, Joe Cepeda, and Aram Kim joined George Brown on our podcast to talk more about their work style, upcoming projects, and insight into their visit on campus.
Courtney Pippin-Mathur joined George Brown on our podcast to talk more about her art method, and her upcoming projects as an author-illustrator, and the Highlights Foundation course she teaches: From Idea & Sketch to Dummy & Submission: An Author/Illustrator Online Course.
Author Rajani LaRocca and illustrator Abhi Alwar joined George Brown on our podcast to talk more about the creative, personal, and emotional process behind their new picture book SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS and Abhi's experience as an illustrator attending the Crafting Novels in Verse workshop.
Authors Rajani LaRocca and Chris Baron joined George Brown on our podcast to talk more about their novel in verse collaboration, how they balance their writing with full-time professions, and hosting the Crafting Novels in Verse workshop.
Cordelia Jensen joined George Brown on our podcast to talk more about the classes she teaches at the Highlights Foundation, her work in progress, and everything related to novels in verse.
Authors NoNieqa Ramos, Vicki Johnson, and Alexandra Villasante will gather together to talk about illuminating and joyous books that we’ve loved, and projects that have brought pride and joy to our lives, even in unexpected places.
At the end of the session, Em Dickson will join us in conversation from the perspective of reader, writer, librarian, and founder of Pronouns May Vary.
A Jolt of Inspiration, Indeed! Program Director Alison Green Myers opened this #HFGather with an inspiring mini-keynote celebrating this creative life, with echoes back to the Highlights Foundation’s first summer writers’ workshop at the Chautauqua Institution and reflections on moving the summer camp experience to the Barn at Boyds Mills.
First, the History: “Rich and Righteous Lectures” Alison said that creative magic (in the form of rich and righteous lectures, generous mentorship, and community) continues in our Summer Camps today.
A Celebration of How We Do This Together with 3 Camp Alums After this powerful beginning, Highlights Foundation Marketing Director Christina Ousouljoglou took over. She explained how while inspiration can remind of us why we do this hard job of creating for kids, being together is practically how we get through the ups and downs of this industry (and this life).
She then introduced three panelists: Daria Peoples, Harlan DeChamps and Judie Offerdahl. All three are alums of Summer Camp, and shared their experiences of togetherness with the group: mentorship, community, and support–all gleaned from Summer Camp and beyond.
Alison Green Myers celebrated our 2023 scholarship program, and answered questions, with some special guests: 2022 scholarship recipients Christiana Doucette, Sid Champagne and Jenniffer Jones and faculty member Sarah Aronson.
https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/2023/01/31/hfgather-2023-scholarship-celebration-and-information-session/
At our latest #HFGather, authors Ally Malinenko, Amber McBride and Linda Epstein shared an honest and thoughtful conversation about writing about trauma and grief for kids and teens sensitively and honestly.
Resources Mentioned: https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/22304/hfgather-writing-about-trauma-and-grief-for-kids/
Illustrators Pat Cummings, Shadra Strickland, Xindi Yan and Rudy Gutierrez joined us to talk about this important topic! Pat moderated a lively conversation, asking the others to talk about the kinds of work they’ve done and to share some of their experience and wisdom. A few things talked about:
- Targeting your portfolio towards the kind of work you want to get
- What does your agent/rep/legal team look like outside of kidlit?
- Keeping the rights to your work
- Negotiating joint permission with the client -to use your work
- Publicizing your work outside of kidlit
- And more!
Illustrators Pat Cummings, Shadra Strickland, Xindi Yan and Rudy Gutierrez joined us to talk about this important topic! Pat moderated a lively conversation, asking the others to talk about the kinds of work they’ve done and to share some of their experience and wisdom. A few things talked about:
- Targeting your portfolio towards the kind of work you want to get
- What does your agent/rep/legal team look like outside of kidlit?
- Keeping the rights to your work
- Negotiating joint permission with the client -to use your work
- Publicizing your work outside of kidlit
- And more!
The Highlights Foundation’s Alison Green Myers and Alex Villasante had a wonderful conversation with educator, advocate, and activist Julia Torres: Empowering Readers and Reader Choice. Among the things they discussed:
- The importance of encouraging young people to recommend books to each other–it’s more powerful than having adults recommend books to them.
- Giving young people the honor of being quiet and listening to them, and see what they tell you about what they’ve read or what they’d like to read. We want them to feel joy in their own choices.
- We need to rework our whole idea of what learning looks like. As we are facing the worst teacher shortage that’s ever happened, maybe there is opportunity now to do things differently. Why don’t we adopt the tools that will give young people more agency with their reading?
- Educators should not be afraid of other reading modalities, like manga, graphic novels and fan fiction.
- Publishers and organizations need to think about real-world ways to connect young people with authors.
- Picture books are not just for very young kids – they are quite nuanced and can be used with older children too, if we can de-stigmatize reading them.
- Letting go of the idea that allowing young people to choose the books they want to read would mean they aren’t reading rigorously enough, that they might be missing key educational points.
- Regarding the current book-banning discussions, Julia says she would like to hear directly from young people, instead of listening to adults talking about it. She things that these book banning conversations are taking place in primarily white suburbs, whereas “people from the margins have had their choices censored for a very, very long time.”
Jas Hammonds, Anna-Marie McLemore, NoNieqa Ramos and Em Dickson joined us for a PRIDE Celebration of Stories. They had a wonderful conversation with Highlights Foundation team members Alison Green Myers and Alex Villasante about:
- Supporting stories you love and getting those books into kids’ hands
- Their careers in the kidlit LGBTQIA+ space
- Bringing things out into the open and going “anywhere we want” in terms of genre
- Helping each other find safe spaces in publishing
- Having the wonder and freedom to write what you NEED to write
- The unique challenges of gender diverse authors in kidlit
For the full list of book recommendations, visit our website: https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/21683/watch-our-pride-celebration-of-stories/
Faculty Sarah Aronson answers questions and shares what makes the Whole Novel Workshop so special.
At the latest Ask-Me-Anything, we answered some general questions before moving to breakout rooms with Sarah Aronson (Whole Novel Workshop) and Pam Cummings and Harold Underdown (Crash Course in Children's Publishing) This video shares the content from before and after the breakouts.
It also includes Harold Underdown and Pat Cummings answers about the upcoming the Crash Course in Children's Publishing and the Illustrator's Edition of the Crash Course.
We celebrated Children’s Book Week (and Teacher Appreciation Week!) with an #HFGather featuring author Sarah Aronson talking with Amy Guglielmo, Creative Director for Reading Rainbow Live. The two had an enthusiastic conversation about:
- Amy’s work as an artist, art educator and Creative Director of Reading Rainbow Live!
- Sarah’s experience of having her book Just Like Rube Goldberg featured on the show
- How books are selected for the show; finding books that have been overlooked. Find out more at https://readingrainbowlive.com/
- Opening doors to a creative life without expectations
- Where they find inspiration
- Embracing your writing the way kids do, without worrying about perfection or your audience
- Finding inspiration in collaboration
- Sharing your excitement about something with kids–enthusiasm is contagious!
In this #HFGather, we celebrate Poetry Month with "A Celebration of Poetry" with Margarita Engle & Padma Venkatraman. Padma and Margarita converse about poetry, their stories, and their mutual respect for one another’s craft.
The Highlights Foundation just introduced a new scholarship application process and we wanted to host an office hour to answer anymore questions our community might have. Program Director Alison Green Myers and Social Media Manager Cat Galeano answered questions submitted and talked a little about their experience as scholarship recipients themselves.
It’s our Scholarship Info & Celebration Night! We celebrate our scholarship programs, learn about the available scholarships together, and talk about the process for applying. The application deadline is March 13th; more than $75,000 in scholarships will be awarded in total this year. We love being in-community with these sessions during this exciting time! ————— Scholarships are made possible through generous donations from Highlights Foundation supporters who believe in our mission: to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves. These include several organizations who have partnered with the Highlights Foundation to make scholarships available. Thank you for your support!
Do you have a question before you make an investment in a Highlights Foundation workshop? Is there an online course that sounds appealing, but you’re not sure if it’s the right fit for you?
Do you need more information before you make plans to travel to our Retreat Center?
Highlights Foundation Program Director Alison Green Myers recently held an Ask Me Anything Zoom, answering questions from YOU.
We had so much fun celebrating our highlights of 2021! Virtual visitors joined us from India (hi, Steve!), Mexico (hello, Yuko!) and all over the U.S. Everyone on the Highlights Foundation Team had things to share, and we were all humbled by the stories shared by our community about our impact on them. Highlights Team Members: (Not in Order) Alison Green Myers
Cat Galeano
Alex Villasante
Rona Shirdan
Molly Chao
Emily Rosenthal
George Brown
Bobbie Combs
Christina Ousouljolgou
Jo Lloyd
Christina Ahren
In this #HFGather, five children’s and YA authors joined us in conversation to celebrate the start of Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month: * Alex Villasante * Mia García * NoNieqa Ramos * Ismée Williams * Hilda Eunice Burgos
They shared a wealth of resources for Latinx authors and illustrators, and ways for educators, librarians, booksellers, and other members of the Kidlit community to amplify Latinx voices during this month and throughout the year.
Author Tiffany Jackson talks about her jump from the TV/Film world to being a full time writer and how plotting your favorite movie can really help you with your story.
Author/Illustrator Shadra Strickland talks words, illustrations, teaching and secret agenting.
In between sessions of the Whole Novel workshop, we caught up with Author and faculty Ashley Hope Perez.
Which novel workshop should you take in 2020? Program Director Alison Green Myers breaks down this year's workshops.
Harold Underdown gives us a sneak peek on his upcoming online course, Everything You Need to Know About Children’s Publishing.
Guest interviewer Merrill Rainey talks all things graphic novels with Colleen AF Venable, & Nidhi Chanani
You've written a manuscript now what? Harold Underdown & Eileen Robinson talk about the revision process and their workshop tailored to just that.
Authors Jess Rinker and Deb Gonzalez talk about how the lack of resources for debut authors helped in the creation of the online course and its different modules. They share what they've learned and wish they'd known in their own debut years.
Authors Lesléa Newman and Rob Sanders talk about their Writing the Rainbow LGBTQ+ themed workshop and their big upcoming projects.
Poets Rebecca Kai Dotlitch and Georgia Heard talk about their annual workshop/retreat, creative processes and their dear friend, the late Lee Bennett Hopkins.
Crystal Allen got her start at the Highlights Foundation as a scholarship recipient, now she’s back to talk to us about her career and the workshop she’s teaching.
Author/Illustrators Elizabeth Rose Stanton and Carolyn Dee Flores talk about the importance of women in kidlit and nurturing your creative voice.
Meg Medina talks about setting goals, believing in one's self and living a creative life.
Librarian, writer and podcaster Matthew Winner takes on kid lit through his passion for storytelling, readers, education and media.
Art Directors Mallory Grigg and Jen Keenan give us sneak peek into their world and how they're helping illustrators hone their skills in a meaningful way.
Author/Illustrators Kelly Light and Steve Light are not related but talk about their similar upbringings, their work processes and the camaraderie they share.
Author Kathy Erskine tells us all the different ways you can get to know your characters during your writing process and her history with The Highlights Foundation.
Author/Illustrators Kathyrn Othoshi and Mike Curato discuss their creative processes, their preferred illustration methods and fill us in on what's next.
Author Emma Otheguy updates us on her current projects in the works, her passion for children’s storytelling and the value of expanding your horizons through diverse stories.
Author Heidi Stemple joins us from the porch of cabin 16, the Jane Yolen cabin, named after her mother, beloved author Jane Yolen. She explains how to find your creative voice, shares her writing process and current projects and shares how birds have played a significant role in her writing.
Christine Carron talks the highs and lows of critiquing/receiving feedback on a WIP and the vulnerability it really takes to do all that. She also chats about her new venture, “The Critique MD,” a website built to help strengthen writers skills and confidence in the critique/feedback process.
Award-winning poet and children's book author, Carole Boston Weatherford talks about how viewpoint, voice, and verbs can affect the a manuscript.
Tara Lazar, children's book author, talks about humor in picture books, and about Storystorm--a picture book idea-generator project. The Storystorm challenge is to create 30 story ideas in 30 days.
Young Adult author Alex Villansante talks about the things she didn't know to expect as her first novel was getting ready for release.
Program Director, Alison Green Myers previews our upcoming Fall Workshops. Executive Director, George Brown provides information about attendance logistics, the history and context of what we’re doing, and what makes a Highlights Foundation workshop different from other children’s literature conferences.
Highlights Diversity Fellows, Jessica Galán, Trisha Tobias, and Daria Peoples-Riley discuss why they write for children and share their experience of the 2019 Summer Camp workshop at the Barn.
Paula and Jan discuss the difference between writing for trade versus writing for the educational market. In their workshop, students learn how to navigate this area of writing and market themselves to educational publishers. Paula and Jan also discuss the needs in this industry and how a writer can soar to success.
Julie and Patrice talk about their inspiration behind the creation of the Villains and Anti-Heroes workshop. Inspired from Julie's debut book, "Forest of a Thousand Lanterns", students could expect to learn what makes these types of characters take the path that they do and act out of the norm, and how world-building can influence the origin story of a villain. Patrice and Julie also discuss must-read books that portrays the best character developments of some of their favorite villains.
Jennifer talks about what aspiring writers can expect to learn at the Nuts and Bolts of Science Writing workshop, such as selecting a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) topic that stands out, and developing an amazing hook that everyone will love. Two of Jennifer's book projects that will be coming out this fall include, "Save the Crash-test Dummies" about the history of car safety engineering, and "Spies, Lies, Disguise: The Daring Tricks and Deeds that Won World World II," which is a historical book that was influenced by her military background. Jennifer also speaks to us about her research methods when writing science versus historical books and how her mentor has been able to support her through her projects. Stem Tuesday (www.stemtuesday.com), a blog created by Jennifer and her team, brings attention to middle grade and YA STEM books. She also discusses the success of her new nonprofit, based in her hometown of Jacksonville Florida, called Kid Literacy, Inc., which brings authors and illustrators into schools that are disadvantaged and donates $500 worth of books to their library.
Heather, a STEM writer, talks about breaking boundaries in nonfiction, the practice of finding tone and voice with imagery, sound mapping during nature walks, writing in trees, and her up and coming books about poop and nature observations!
Baptiste and Miranda talk about writing creative science, rhythm and lyricism in the cadence of your book, and making your writing palatable for an impactful and engaging story for kids to become inspired. Baptist talks about his debut book, "The Field", an ode to his childhood life in the Caribbean. Miranda and Baptist also discuss the collaboration and research involved in their latest book, "I am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon" about Farmer Tantoh, a Camaroonian environmentalist.
Leslie and Darcy talk about writing picture books and what their workshop is all about, including format, dummies, word choice, and much much more. Leslie's picture book, "Are Your Stars Like My Stars" from Sterling releases January 2020. Darcy's latest picture book, "Pollen: Darwin's 130 Year Prediction (Moments in Science)" was released March 2019.
Writing teacher, picture book author, and novelist Sarah Aronson talks about what to do when you get stuck when writing your novel, fellowship, her personal writing practice, and her latest picture book biography, "Just Like Rube Goldberg: The Incredible True Story of the Man Behind the Machines."
Padma talks about voice, her middle grade novel, "The Bridge Home", and how she drew from her own childhood experiences to connect readers to a message that is not only about support for our families, but how they can also be created.
Nicole and Rob talk about a round-table critique method that includes the author in the conversation.
Aram talks about overcoming her fear of public speaking to help her develop a successful school presentation.
Nancy discusses the value in having your entire novel read and critiqued rather than just the first pages. She also discusses the artful technique of cutting the unnecessary words to make your story more enriched. Nancy is the author of ten young adult novels and has been writing for over 20 years.
Na An and Lilliam talk about getting your story unlocked, world building, and doing the research to make the most out of your story.
Melissa, a special guest at the Whole Novel workshop, talks about writing prompts and how they can be used to inspire your writing practice.
Jennifer talks about a workshop designed for mid-career authors and illustrators looking to continuously improve their craft.
Christine and Deb discuss their various roles in the children's publishing world, as well as their experience with Writing the Unreal: A Whole Novel Workshop in Fantasy and Speculative Fiction.
Get to know Angela Dominguez, the 2019 Highlights Foundation Visual Artist of the Year whose work is currently on display at our retreat center. Angela discusses her latest book, "Sing, Don't Cry".