Telling Lies to Children: Recent Episodes
Paul Durham
Join award-winning children's author, Paul Durham, as he and his weekly guests give you a behind-the-scenes look at the children's publishing industry.
On this quick episode, Paul reads from his brand new middle grade novel, THE LAST GARGOYLE. Meet Penhallow, the 130-year-old stone grotesque tasked with keeping the residents of his Boston apartment building safe from unwanted visitors who go bump in the night. The Last Gargoyle was the Amazon Editors' Top Pick for January 2018, ages 9-12, and was also selected as a Kids Indie Next Pick for Winter 2017-2018. Find out more at pauldurhambooks.com or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @pauldurhambooks.
Happy Halloween! It's time for TELLING LIES TO CHILDREN'S second annual Halloween podcast, recorded live at Paul Durham's favorite independent bookstore--Water Street Bookstore in Exeter, NH. Paul is joined once again by WSB's children's booksellers, Jill Sweeney-Bosa and Alice Ahn. Jill and Alice get into the spirit of the holiday by sharing some of their best creepy book recommendations for young readers. They cover picture books, graphic novels, middle grade fiction, and YA. Some favorites include The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea, Wee Sister Strange by Holly Grant & K.G. Campbell, The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag, Elizabeth and Zenobia by Jessica Miller, and House of Furies by Madeleine Roux.
On today's episode, Paul is joined by Erin Petti, author the ghostly middle grade adventure, The Peculiar Haunting of Thelma Bee. Thelma Bee has been praised by Kirkus, School Library Journal, and fans of spooky stories everywhere. Paul and Erin talk about first novels, Halloween costumes, chicken coops-turned-writing spaces, and much more. You can find Erin on Facebook @erinpettiauthor and twitter @empetti.
Tomasen Carey is a writer and the Director of the University of New Hampshire's Writers Academy, a series of week-long summer workshops for young writers in grades 5-12. Paul is returning to the Academy this year as a Guest Author and faculty member, and expects it to be a highlight of his summer. The best part? There are still spots available for 5/6th graders in this wonderful program. If you have young writers who want to immerse themselves in a creative environment this summer, you can find out all the details at UNH's Writers Academy Page.
Middle grade author Dana Alison Levy joins Paul again at Water Street Bookstore in Exeter, NH. Her new novel, THIS WOULD MAKE A GOOD STORY SOMEDAY, is out now and has already earned high praise (including a starred review from Booklist). Despite their tendency to be sidetracked by gross parasite facts and surfing cats, Paul and Dana actually manage to talk about Dana's latest book, how she outlines her projects, and the ups and downs of the children's publishing world.
In Part II of this special two-part episode, Paul continues his discussions with the students at the New Hampshire Institute of Art.
In this special two-part episode, Paul and his faculty colleagues chat with the fine arts students at the New Hampshire Institute of Art.
Erin Moulton is a YA and middle grade author, a youth librarian, and an organizer of cool author events like Derry Author Fest in Derry, NH. Erin and Paul escape to a hideaway in her library to talk about her writing, the ups and downs of the publishing world, and the importance of resiliency in every writer's life.
Like the podcast? I've got a bunch of new episodes on the way and now there's a new way to support them on Patreon. What's Patreon you ask? It's a way for fans and patrons to support their favorite artists and creators on a monthly basis and earn some cool rewards in return. Watch the video and visit my page to find out more.
Lisa Rosinsky is the 2016-2017 Associates of the Boston Public Library Writer-in-Residence fellow. Her debut novel, INEVITABLE AND ONLY, is due out in October. In this episode, Paul encourages Lisa to sneak into the Library President's office, hide in the library after closing for an impromptu slumber party, and carve her initials into the furniture. He's not sure if he'll be invited back.
"Shush has left the building." Paul is joined by Maija Meadows, Youth Programs Librarian at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. Paul and Maija talk about the library's renovated Children's Room and its latest programs for young patrons.
Pine Manor College is a hidden gem--one of the most diverse undergraduate colleges in the country tucked away in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. That diversity is mirrored by the faculty and student body at its Solstice MFA Program. Paul chats with Meg Kearney, the Founding Director of the Program, and her Assistant Director, Beth Gosart Little.
YA novelist Mackenzi Lee is the author of THIS MONSTROUS THING, the forthcoming A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE, and the creator of the #BygoneBadassBroads Twitter series. Join Paul and Mackenzi as they are serenaded by coffee grinders, espresso machines, Tom Jones, and other musical legends at a busy Boston coffeehouse.
Cathryn Mercier is the Director of the Children's Literature Program and the Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons College in Boston, MA. Paul joins Cathie on campus to talk about Simmons' prestigious full residency MFA program, their approach to the study of children's literature, the program's accomplished faculty and alums, and lots more kids' lit topics.
Dana Alison Levy is the author of the critically-acclaimed middle grade novels, THE MISADVENTURES OF THE FAMILY FLETCHER and THE FAMILY FLETCHER TAKES ROCK ISLAND, which have been praised by Kirkus, The New York Times, and The Boston Globe. Her next novel, THIS WOULD MAKE A GOOD STORY SOMEDAY, is out this May. Join Paul and Dana as they talk writing, publishing, obscure cat facts, and potty mouths.
It's a new holiday tradition on Telling Lies to Children, as Paul tells the story behind Village Drowning's favorite holiday--Silvermas--and reads the first chapter of THE LUCK UGLIES: FORK-TONGUE CHARMERS.
Paul answers reader questions submitted from far and wide. He covers how he comes up with settings, the process of editing, what he's really got in his pocket, and much more.
Paul talks about a Presidential election that left him feeling down in the dumps, and the kids at the Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading who helped pull him out of it.
Paul Durham records his live, luncheon speech to 130 amazing children's librarians at the New Hampshire Children's Librarians Fall Conference. He discusses the long road of failures that finally led to the publication of The Luck Uglies; tells stories about what school visits mean to him; and shares the secret of who he really writes for.
TELLING LIES TO CHILDREN is always free to listeners and I will always be a strong advocate for independent booksellers. But, if you are an Amazon shopper and would like to support the podcast (and my guests), consider ordering their books or doing your Amazon shopping through this podcast's Amazon Associate Store. I have added all of my guests' books to the Amazon store but you can also use it to do any of your online shopping. Just follow the link, click the Amazon logo in the right hand corner of the store page, and you can purchase pretty much anything your heart desires. There's no extra charge to you, but a small portion of every purchase will go toward supporting the podcast! Maybe I can get some better equipment...or better yet, an assistant who knows how to work it.
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Today's episode is a live Halloween podcast from Water Street Bookstore in Exeter, New Hampshire. Children's booksellers Jill Sweeney-Bosa and Alice Ahn join me on a dark and stormy night to discuss their favorite scary book recommendations for kids. for kids.
Liz Gotauco is the Children's Librarians of New Hampshire (CHILIS) Vice President and the Youth Services Librarian at Merrimack Public Library. Paul and Liz talk about CHILIS, graphic novels, dynamic libraries, and Wonder Woman tiaras.
Caroline Carlson is the author of THE VERY NEARLY HONORABLE LEAGUE OF PIRATES series and the forthcoming middle grade murder mystery, THE WORLD'S GREATEST DETECTIVE. Paul and Caroline have plenty of fun on this episode, including finally solving the childhood mystery of who pinched Caroline's brother and made him cry. But they also broach several timely and important topics such as gender imbalance in the representation of women on certain author panels and book tours, and what middle grade authors can do to support diversity in children's literature.
Liesl Shurtliff is the New York Times bestselling author of RUMP, JACK, and RED. Paul and Liesl compare notes on banned books, school visits, and the physical hazards of being an author. Liesl also offers a sneak preview of her next project.
Jonathan Auxier is an award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author of books for young readers. He recently had an opportunity to return to his screenwriting roots when his second novel, The Night Gardener, was optioned by Disney. Paul and Jonathan talk about the joys of first drafts, C.S. Lewis's words on children's literature, and what it's like when Disney comes calling. Paul also coaxes Jonathan into giving us a few hints about what's next in the pipeline (or in his case, the chimney).
Kent Davis is the author of the middle grade trilogy, A RIDDLE IN RUBY. Kent is also an actor, director and game designer. You may have seen him on television playing the role of concerned friend, overbearing flunky, or odd-yet-amusing next door neighbor. Today Paul and Kent discuss how Hollywood prepared Kent for a career in writing, why it's okay--and awesome--to be an introvert, and the joy of helping young creative writers find their tribe.
Tom Watson is the author of the wildly popular Stick Dog and Stick Cat series of books for elementary school readers. Join Tom and Paul as they discuss Skype school visits, HarperCollins' Class Acts tours, book signing etiquette (or lack thereof), and the infamous trail mix food-poisoning incident.
Jennifer Underhill is the Chair of the Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) Committee, Florida's statewide motivaional reading programs designed to encourage students in grades 3-8 to read independently for pleasure. Each year, over 70,000 students vote for their favorite book as part of the wildly successful SSYRA program. Join Jenn and Paul as they discuss this year's SSYRA list, school library trends, getting your hands dirty in library makerspaces, and "shushing" the librarian.
Lou Anders is a Hugo Award-winning editor, Chelsey Award-winning Art director, and most recently, the author of the Thrones & Bones series of middle grade fantasy novels. Paul and Lou talk about Lou's many accents, video-gaming as inspiration, and the utility of collapsible Viking helmets.
Markus Hoffmann and Claire Anderson-Wheeler are literary agents at Manhattan-based Regal Hoffman and Associates. The agency represents adult and children's authors, and regularly sells in the United States and foreign markets. Paul, Markus, and Claire discuss selling foreign rights, differences in the adult and children's market, and the mysterious world of literary "scouts."
Marisa de los Santos has published three New York Times bestselling novels for adults. Her latest novel is The Precious One. David Teague is the author of the critically acclaimed picture books Franklin’s Big Dreams and The Red Hat. Their first joint middle-grade venture was the Texas-Bluebonnet-Award nominated Saving Lucas Biggs, and their second collaboration, Connect the Stars, appeared in September 2015 and is a Scholastic Book Fair pick. Join Paul, David, and Marisa as they chat about school visits, the challenges and rewards of collaboration, and how characters are like old friends.
Sarah Dotts Barley is the Senior Editor at Flatiron Books, an imprint of Macmillan. She edits Flatiron's Young Adult list, which includes recently released AMERICAN GIRLS by Alison Umminger, IF I WAS YOUR GIRL by Meredith Russo, and the forthcoming CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber. Paul and Sarah talk about the process of acquiring and editing books, the challenges of marketing to teenage boys, and what makes a good author-editor relationship.
Christopher Healy is the middle grade author of the much beloved, HERO'S GUIDE series. His books have been praised by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and kids around the world. Paul and Chris talk about their experiences at Book Expo America (BEA), the similarities between children's authors and stand-up comedians, and the perils of eating trail mix on author tours.
J.A. White is the author of the critically-acclaimed middle grade series, THE THICKETY. He won the Children's Choice Debut Author Award and his debut novel was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. Paul and Jerry talk about book tours, their mutual social media incompetence, and much more.
Paul Durham introduces his new podcast, where adults talk about kids' books and children's publishing.