The Book Faire Podcast

In this episode of the Book Faire Podcast, host Anthony Soto interviews his wife, Madison Soto, an aspiring author. They discuss the challenges of finding time to write, sources of inspiration, and the importance of representation in literature. Madison shares her thoughts on how art reflects political climates and the significance of diverse stories. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of writing, the exploration ...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews author Tiffany D. Jackson about her latest book, 'Blood in the Water.' They discuss the themes of class dynamics, the challenges of writing for middle grade audiences, and the importance of representation in literature. Tiffany shares her journey as a writer, her inspirations, and her vision for the future of children's literature, particularly in the thr...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews renowned author Gordon Korman, discussing his latest book 'Snoop' and the themes of privacy, technology, and character development in middle grade literature. Korman shares insights into his writing process, the importance of relatable characters, and the balance of humor and serious topics in his stories. The conversation also touches on the role of authorit...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Joanna Ho, author of 'Becoming Boba.' They discuss the cultural significance of milk tea, the evolution of identity through food, and the importance of self-discovery in writing. Joanna shares her journey as an Asian American writer and emphasizes the power of young voices in shaping culture and community. The conversation highlights the intersection of perso...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Kyle Casey Chu, a writer and drag queen, about his debut middle grade novel, 'The Queen Bees of Tybee County.' The conversation explores themes of identity, the writing process, and the importance of representation in literature. Kyle shares insights from his journey as a first-time author, the role of drag in his life, and how his experiences shape the chara...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Grace Russo, managing editor of Pennyworth Publishing. They discuss the importance of children's literature, the journey of self-publishing, and the creative process behind making books that resonate with young readers. Grace shares her passion for reading to children, the challenges of self-publishing, and her vision for creating substantial literature that nurtures...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony discusses the importance of Pride Month and introduces author Beth Ferry, who shares insights about her new middle grade novel, Growing Home. The conversation explores the unique character dynamics between personified plants and animals, the challenges of transitioning from picture books to middle grade novels, and the role of publishing in determining age ranges for books. Bet...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews writer Chad Quandt, who shares his journey from a hobbyist writer to a professional in the animation industry. They discuss the importance of writing for young audiences, the challenges of navigating standards and practices in children's media, and the need for nuanced storytelling that respects children's intelligence. Chad emphasizes that children deserve b...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Stan Yan, a graphic novelist and illustrator, about his upcoming book, 'The Many Misadventures of Eugenia Wang.' They discuss the character's journey of self-discovery, the cultural expectations faced by Asian American children, and the challenges of the editorial process. Stan shares insights into the importance of representation in literature, the intersection of a...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Erin Intrada Kelly about her new nonfiction book, 'At Last She Stood,' which tells the remarkable story of Joey Guerrero, a Filipino spy during World War II. The conversation explores themes of heroism, discrimination, and the challenges of researching and writing about lesser-known historical figures. Erin shares insights into Hansen's disease, the complexities of b...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Varian Johnson, author of 'Little Big Man.' They discuss the themes of family dynamics, the challenges of writing for children, and the importance of empathy in storytelling. Johnson shares insights into his writing process, the business side of publishing, and how he crafts relatable characters that resonate with young readers. The conversation highlights the signif...

In this episode of the Book Faire, an interview with the author and illustrator of the Emmie & Friends series Terri Libenson. We discuss the latest book in the series, character development, themes of insecurity and growth, and the importance of diversity in children's literature. Terri shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of creating relatable characters, and the role of humor in storytelling. The conversat...

In this episode of the Book Fair podcast, I interview author and illustrator Angela Hsieh about her new book, 'Lu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology.' We discuss the creative process behind writing and illustrating a graphic novel, and the themes of expectations and growing up that resonate throughout Hsieh's work. Angela shares her inspirations from the natural world and reflects on the importance of storytelling in connecting with rea...

In this episode Anthony interviews author Sharon G. Flake about her latest book, 'The Family I'm In,' which continues the story of John John, a character from her earlier work, 'The Skin I'm In.' The conversation explores themes of character development, father-son dynamics, the role of community, and the importance of adult figures in young people's lives. Flake discusses the challenges of writing relat...

In this episode, Anthony interviews Kali Wallace, author of 'The Secrets of Underhill.' They discuss the book's themes, including environmental stewardship, the importance of community, and the interconnection between humans and nature. Callie shares her creative process in writing middle-grade fantasy, emphasizing the significance of wonder and excitement in children's literature. The conversation also touches on the complexities ...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews author Shelby Mahurin about her latest book, The Shadow Bride, which concludes the Serpent & Dove universe. They discuss character development, the exploration of tropes in fantasy literature, and the complexities of good and evil in a gothic fantasy setting. Shelby shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of portraying vampires, and the themes of...

Host Anthony interviews author Kyle Lukoff in honor of the Trans Day of Visibility. They discuss Lukoff's latest book, the importance of teaching pride to young readers, and the intersectionality in LGBTQ+ literature. Lukoff shares insights on sincerity in writing, the role of a trans adult as a role model, and the current state of reading and libraries in America. He also offers advice for aspiring writers and emphasizes the s...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast; we discuss recent children's literature releases and the implications of a new executive order affecting library funding. The episode highlights several new books aimed at young readers, emphasizing themes of adventure, self-discovery, and resilience. Additionally, we address library services, stressing the importance of libraries in communities.

New Releases:

• The House at the Edge of Mag...