Katiaesque

  • Dana Walrath: Making Art And Writing Stories About The Home of Her Ancestors

    Dana Walrath is the most unique YA author I have come across so far: a Fulbright Scholar, anthropologist and artist, blogging about her mother’s dementia and working now in Armenia, a small mountainous country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia and a former Soviet Republic. She is the author of the forthcoming Stone Pillow, a story…

    Katia Raina

  • Q & A with emily danforth: “Start with Story”

    After I contacted emily (and yes, she prefers her name in lowercase letters,) and initiated this exchange with her, I could see a little bit better why someone like her would come up with an amazing, eye-opening, stereotype-shattering book like “Cameron Post.” I hope that after reading her answers to my questions, you will see that’s…

    Katia Raina

  • Let’s Talk About Writers And Social Media

    I attended this workshop at my local library last week in which a marketing and PR consultant talked to writers about navigating the brave new world of social media. And do you know what everyone said at the end of the guy’s talk? How informative it was. Well, of course it was informative. The insane…

    Katia Raina

  • New Blog Spotlight: Introducing Bree and “The Magic Attic”

    I decided to do something different this week. Instead of interviewing an author, reviewing a book, or sharing another glimpse into my writing journey, I would like to present to you a teenaged blogger from California, who goes by the name of “Bree,” at least online, reads YA books by the hundreds (well, she says…

    Katia Raina

  • “So” Contemporary: A Book Impression, An Interview and A Giveaway

    Not all YA trilogies have to feature bleak dystopian futures, fantastic beasts and golden compasses. In the process of expanding my reading horizons, I stumbled upon an excellent contemporary “So” trilogy by Kieran Scott. Okay, so it’s not my usual literary fare. But let me assure you, it’s a very fun read — and the story is done…

    Katia Raina

  • Marc Acito: “A Poster Child for Misfits and Oddballs”

     Yep, that’s Marc Acito and me, in his midtown apartment — an island of mirrors and glass —  complete with head-spinning cityscape views. Marc calls the place a  “sanctuary” from the craziness that New York City can be. [“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as an artist is to slow down,” he tells me right off the…

    Katia Raina

  • “No Country Is Safe From Totalitarianism:” An Interview With Author Gloria Whelan

    The most amazing thing to me about Gloria Whelan is her incredible versatility and productivity. She has written dozens of books set in times and places as varied as Vietnam, Communist Russia, 19th century Michigan and ancient China. Through all that, her writing is never bogged down in research. Her stories are first of all that — stories. And she tells them…

    Katia Raina

  • Deborah Wiles: Documenting the Decade of “What?” and “Wow!”

    As promised earlier this summer . . . It is such an honor to introduce to you Deborah Wiles, the author of picture books and middle-grade novels, including my favorite “Each Little Bird that Sings” and now, the brand new “Countdown,” a documentary novel with a great spunky heroine! https://katiaraina.wordpress.com/2010/06/27/countdown-by-deborah-wiles/   How was the experience…

    Katia Raina

  • “Rhythm in My Head:” an interview with Ann E. Burg

    Since she was about four years old, Ann E. Burg, a middle child of four siblings, was walking around, “writing poems in [her] head.”                Michael fights, fights, fights                                                                         He fights for his rights               When he wins, he grins . . . Ann’s mother  and  father always had classical music playing on the radio,…

    Katia Raina

  • Dreaming Big in 1969: Interview with author Nan Marino

    It is always a thrill to find out you live practically next town over to an interesting, creative person. But imagine reading a book you love, then discovering its author is (a) basically your neighbor, and (b) is a writing maniac and a dreamer just like you. Imagine then, getting together with the said author, to…

    Katia Raina