VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

Ever since LeeAnna Kail was little, she had an interest in writing. In fact, when she was in the fourth grade, she completed a career project and dressed as an author with dreams of writing her own book one day. LeeAnna attended Duquesne University with a double major in political science and English with intentions of attending law school after graduation. While studying abroad in Rome, Italy, LeeAnna had a change of heart and decided to continue her education at Duquesne studying elementary education instead. She knew she found her niche the first day of class. Inspired by an assignment from a children’s literature course, LeeAnna's dream of writing a book has come true. LeeAnna currently teaches in Pittsburgh and hopes to be an inspiration to her students to follow their dreams. I want to thank LeeAnna for being my guest here on The Writing Mama today. VS: How long have you been writing? LeeAnna: I have been writing since I was a little girl. I

Mom's Choice Awards posted an interview with me on December 10, 2012. Imagine my surprise when I saw the twitt go out when I was at the Mesquite Festival of Books. I remembered them sending me a few questions to answer some months back but never heard a peep after. The interview shares about my inspiration, writing my award-winning book (which has won not only the Silver Mom's Choice Seal but also the 2011 Silver Quill here in Utah) and a bit about me in general. Yes, there are a few typos, not sure if that was me typing replies to questions at 2am in the morning or what...but the overall interview is done well. Here is little sample: VS Grenier (or Virginia, as we like to call her) is not just a children’s book author – she’s also founder and owner of Stories For Children Publishing, LLC ; chief editor for Halo Publishing, Int ; host of several blog talk radio shows – including  The World of Ink Network: Stories for Children and The Writing Mama ; and more! She is als

Sands Hetherington credits his son John for being his principal motivator. Sands raised his son as a single parent from the time John was six. He read to him every night during those formative years. He and young John developed the Crosley crocodile character in the series during months of bedtime story give-and-take. Sands majored in history at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) and has an M.F.A. in creative writing and an M.A. in English from UNC-Greensboro. He lives in Greensboro. Night Buddies and the Pineapple Cheesecake Scare by Sands Hetherington is an after lights-out adventure story that will delight young readers and middle graders who relish roller coaster fantasy and fun, filled with unforgettable characters and an astonishing and inventive collection of magical whatchamacallits. The book is all about the nighttime adventures of a young boy named John (named after Sands' son), who is not ready to go to sleep, and his friend, a bright red crocod

Viji K. Chary was born in India and immigrated to the United States at the age of two. Her passion for writing stories began in elementary school and has evolved from coaching children in various activities; including gymnastics, classroom activities and creative competitions. Her stories have been published in Highlights for Children, Ladybug Magazine, Hopscotch for Girls and many more. She will be joining us this coming Friday June 8, 2012 for an interview. Come learn about this children's author, what inspires her and how she balances her writing life with family life. Can't wait until Friday June 8, 2012...then listen to the Stories for Children Show on BTR's World of Ink Network. Viji K. Chary was the guest author on June 4, 2012. Producer Irene Roth and host VS Grenier chatted with Chary about her delightful children’s picture book, Porcupine’s Seeds that teaches about friendship and hard work . Chary also shared about her journey down the road to publicatio

I'm excited to share that award-winning author Fran Orenstein will be featured a few times on my blog over the next few days. She will be my guest on The Writing Mama show May 14th on BTR's World of Ink Radio. The show will air live at 2pm EST. Here is the link so you can RSVP and join us http://blogtalkradio.com/worldofinknetwork On May 18th, join us here to read my in-depth interview with Fran Orenstein about the writer's life, finding the balancing between family and writing, and also what is like to be a Writing Mama. Fran shared, "Personally, being a published author and poet is a fulfillment of a dream I have had since I wrote my first poem at age eight. Part of that dream is to leave a legacy for the future, whether it is simply a book my grandchildren will enjoy and pass on through the generations, to the ultimate dream of producing a classic that will live on forever." A bit more about Fran Orenstein: Her published credits include a ‘tween my

Life itches and torments Kenneth Weene like pesky flies. Annoyed, he picks up a pile of paper to slap at the buzzing and often whacks himself on the head. Each whack is another story. At least having half-blinded himself, he has learned to not wave the pencil. A New Englander by upbringing and inclination, Kenneth Weene is a teacher, psychologist and pastoral counselor by education. He is a writer by passion.    Ken’s short stories and poetry have appeared in numerous publications including   Sol,   Spirits ,   Palo Verde Pages,   Vox Poetica,   Clutching at Straws ,   The Word   Place, Legendary,   Sex and Murder Magazine ,   The New Flesh Magazine,   The Santa Fe Literary Review ,   Daily Flashes of Erotica Quarterly ,   Bewildering Stories, A Word With You Press, Mirror Dance, The Aurorean ,   Stymie , and   Empirical . Ken’s novels,   Widow’s Walk   and   Memoirs From the Asylum,   and   Tales From the Dew Drop Inne , are published by All Things That Matter Press. To purchase Ken&