KIDLIT MEET AND GREET

I’m delighted to welcome author and Kidsbookcrew teammate Lori Keating back to the blog, this time sharing the spotlight with author and co-host April Berry.

I’m so excited to chat with Lori and April about their most recent project together: Kid Lit Meet N Greet, which you can check out on YouTube.

About Kid Lit Meet N Greet:

Kid Lit Meet N Greet is a podcast that celebrates the diverse and talented individuals who contribute to the world of children’s literature. Each episode offers an intimate and insightful conversation with a member of the kid lit community, delving into their personal experiences, creative processes, and the inspirations behind their work. Whether you’re a fan of children’s books or aspiring to be a part of the kid lit community, this podcast is for anyone interested in the journey and impact of storytelling for young readers.

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Now on to our interview:

M. Lori, April, how nice to have this chance to chat about your new venture. Can you tell us what inspired you to create this project together? When/how did you come up with the idea?

L. I wanted to provide the Kid Lit community with an opportunity to get to know each other beyond our tweet-sized interactions on social media. When I put the idea out on X, I was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response it received.The positive feedback encouraged me and I decided to give it a try. The first person to comment on my post was April, who showed genuine interest and enthusiasm, so I reached out to her and asked if she would be willing to be interviewed. April agreed, and our conversation revealed her incredible passion for the kidlit community. I proposed the idea of working together as a team, where April could conduct her own interviews and contribute her ideas. I was thrilled when she gladly accepted the offer. April’s organizational skills and wealth of ideas have proven to be invaluable, and I am truly grateful she joined the team.

A. Awww. Shucks! I feel so fortunate to have teamed up with Lori on this project. She is such a powerhouse for the kidlit community – a real go-getter. Lori and I originally met a couple years ago when we exchanged manuscripts during one of Mindy Alyse Weiss’s #PBParty Critique Trains. I enjoyed Lori’s writing and critique styles, and we found ourselves interacting often on Twitter X. Later, I joined her #MidWeekCritique team where we offer weekly critique giveaways. She is such a pleasure to work with that when she asked me to join forces with her on this podcast, I immediately jumped at the opportunity.

M. How did you think of the name Kid Lit Meet N Greet?

L. I wanted the name to evoke a sense of comfort and friendliness, like the feeling of sitting across from someone in a cozy café, sipping on a hot cup of coffee, and engaging in a casual conversation about writing. I envisioned a place where writers of all levels could gather and inspire one another. It had to be a name that instantly made people feel at ease, as if they were among friends, ready to discuss their passion for writing and discuss all things related to the craft.

M. I think the name works really well, you nailed it! What were the most important considerations you made when starting this project? How did you decide on the format you’d follow?

L. The most important aspect for me was to create an all-inclusive platform for all children’s literature enthusiasts, including writers, illustrators, both agented and unagented individuals, and self-published authors. April spearheaded the format development with graphic ideas and strategies for social media engagement. Our goal is to have weekly episodes where each of us will take turns hosting guests. We have considered interviewing agents, and should we receive personal interest, we would be thrilled to include them as well!

M. If you could include some agents and editors in the future, you would be able to provide a wider view of what the kidlit industry is. It would be awesome! Do you have a standard list of questions for the interviews or are they tailored to each guest?

L. For our first few interviews, we stuck to a set script of questions. But as we grow into our interviewer roles, we have begun to tailor our questions to each guest’s specific experiences and knowledge. We feel these personalized interview experiences allow us to delve deeper into the guest’s areas of expertise, exploring topics that resonate with both our guests and our audience. This approach not only allows us to showcase the individuality of each guest but also helps us to uncover valuable insights and perspectives that might not have been addressed with a generic set of questions. As interviewers, we are constantly evolving and refining our skills, recognizing the importance of adapting our approach to create a more meaningful and impactful interview experience.

M. I agree that having personalized questions for each guest is a great way to approach the interviews, as it also allows you more freedom and opportunity to grow yourselves. How can authors participate in Kid Lit Meet N Greet?

A: Anyone interested in being a guest on Kid Lit Meet N Greet should complete this form: https://forms.gle/sZv8XoTUsQSTE9Be9

Occasionally, we close the form while we process submissions. If you get the “temporarily closed” message, please check back in a couple of weeks.

M. Thanks for sharing! I ‘ll make sure to fill a form for me too 🙂 Now, can you share how do you decide which one of you will be interviewing each guest?

A: Ultimately, our goal is to establish a rapport with the guest, making them feel at ease and encouraging them to engage in an open and meaningful conversation. If we have previously interacted with the guest in real life or online, then we often try to pair the guest up with whichever interviewer we feel the guest may be most comfortable with.

M. What’s been the most rewarding and most challenging aspects of this project so far?

L: One of the most rewarding experiences at Kid Lit Meet N Greet is finally meeting fellow Kid Lit creators whom I have connected with through social media. Often, we have exchanged countless messages and shared our writing journeys, but seeing them in person is an entirely different level of connection. As we greet each other, it feels like we have known each other for years. Hearing their voice and seeing their lovely faces as we chat about all things writing brings our online interactions to life. It is truly rewarding to witness the passion and dedication the Kid Lit community has for their craft. As an introvert, socializing and networking can be challenging for me. Stepping out of my comfort zone means pushing myself to do things I never thought possible. Which in turn, makes this aspect rewarding as well. I enjoy meeting people that share my passion for children’s literature and are filled with creativity, inspiration, and a genuine love for storytelling. Connecting with them allows me to learn from their experiences, exchange ideas, and form meaningful relationships. Despite the initial discomfort, the sense of belonging that comes from being a part of this vibrant Kid Lit community makes the effort of pushing myself out of my comfort zone entirely worthwhile.

A: For me, it has been growing into the role of interviewer. I’m a major introvert, and I was so nervous at first! I feel much more comfortable during the interviews now, and I think that newfound confidence really shows in my most recent interviews. But more than that… I love having this opportunity to strengthen my connections with the amazing kidlit folks I had already met through social media. How lucky am I to get to meet all these fabulous people for real!

M. I love your answers, and I’m glad you’ve got valuable rewards as a result of this projects in spite of the challenges you have also faced. Do you have any future plans for Kid Lit Meet N Greet?

L: The future of Kid Lit Meet N Greet could consist of expanding the scope of interviews to include industry professionals such as agents and editors to enhance the value and depth of the Kid Lit Meet N Greet platform. By featuring interviews with these professionals, aspiring authors and illustrators would gain valuable insights into the publishing process. They would have the opportunity to learn about the dos and don’ts of submitting manuscripts, hear tips on how to catch the attention of agents and editors, and understand the latest trends and preferences in the industry. Additionally, interviewing agents and editors would provide a unique networking opportunity for community members, as they could potentially connect with these professionals and establish valuable relationships. This expansion would not only benefit the members of the community but also contribute to the overall growth and success of Kid Lit Meet N Greet as a premier platform for aspiring children’s book creators.

A: So many ideas! So many possibilities! I’m excited to brainstorm ideas with Lori to see where we can take this podcast and what we can accomplish with it.

M. This is so exciting to know! Finally, what comes next for you both as authors? Any new projects you’re currently working on?

L: I am on the verge of having two novels published, eagerly awaiting their release. BUTTERFLY INK is a young adult sweet romance novel with a bit of magical realism releasing June 4, 2024. And ANGELS IN THE SAND is a young middle-grade, dealing with grief, novel releasing January 2025. I am currently working on the next installment in a series of picture books, which will follow THE MEMORY QUILT. I am also revising another YA sweet romance novel that I hope to have ready by summer.

A: I started offering professional critique services recently, and that is bringing me a lot of joy right now. It’s so fun to help others grow, revise, and polish their picture book manuscripts. I love being a small part of their author success stories. Meanwhile, I’m still in the querying trenches… inching a little closer to my “yes” with every passing day.

Lori and April thanks so much for this wonderful chat. I loved learning more about your project and I’m looking forward to getting to know different new authors in a more personal way through your interviews. I wish you a lot of success with Kid Lit Meet N Greet, and who knows, maybe one day we’ll be having a conversation there. Best of luck with your current and future projects, and congratulations again! 🎉

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APRIL’S BIO

April Berry is a budding children’s book author who writes stories filled with wonder, beauty, and heart as well as offers picture book critique services. Within the online kidlit communities, she is an enthusiastic community builder. In addition to her passion for kidlit, April loves family, travel, nature, reading, and ice cream. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband, their three children, and their family dog.

Bluesky / Twitter / Instagram / Facebook / Website

LORI’S BIO

Lori is a sun-loving writer living it up in Southwest Florida with her awesome hubby and daughter. Her love for storytelling first sparked in the fourth grade when she won the top prize in a young author’s competition. When she’s not weaving words or creating art, Lori
treasures moments with her loved ones, watching the ocean waves roll in. She’s a globetrotter at heart, and in her downtime, you’ll find her cozied up with a book, lost in a world of adventure.

Twitter / Instagram

Website: www.lorikeating.com

Thanks for reading!

M

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Cover photo by George Milton.