Episode 122: SCBWI 2013 (Featuring Jay Asher, Kristi Valiant, and Bethany Griffin)

This week, Josh and Dietrich return to the Society For Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) conference in Nashville, Tennessee, and get the opportunity to sit down with a New York Times bestseller, an author weaving the bleak Gothic horror of Edgar Allen Poe into young adult novels, and a brilliant artist with the opportunity to illustrate the new Danielle Steele children's book. Yes, you heard that right. It's a trio of remarkable conversations with three talented people, and a genuine treat for the pair of podcasters. But before that, we receive an email about a possible Blood Meridian adaptation (among other things), Dietrich discusses a non-fiction book that's plot is much better than its writing, and Josh delights in a favorite of Dietrich's with his first John Scalzi book. Our thanks to the wonderful Rae Ann Parker for facilitating our visit with SCBWI, and you can send questions or comments to questions@thelibrarypolice.com.
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What We've Been Reading0:00 to 19:31
- John Scalzi, Old Man's War - Jim DeFede, The Day The World Came To Town - Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler, The Future of Us |
Jay Asher19:31 to 37:17
Jay Asher, NY Times bestselling author sits down with us to discuss co-writing books, the effort to find his way into publishing, and the challenges of writing about topics as delicate as that of teen suicide.
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Kristi Valiant37:17 to 1:17:03
Fresh from a trip to Europe (the life of a renowned illustrator is good, people), Kristi Valiant talks about finding her style as an illustrator, making her way into the business, and how she got from dancing penguins to sitting down with a publishing icon to illustrate the most improbable of children's books.
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Bethany Griffin1:17:03 to 1:09:09
A fellow English teacher, Josh quickly establishes a rapport with Bethany Griffin, the author of the Red Death Saga, a series inspired by Edgar Allen Poe. Griffin discusses the challenges of balancing teaching and writing, how to weave Poe into her work without losing her own voice, and visiting the legendary home of Sherlock Holmes for research.
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