Ardi Alspach is a writer, children’s book editor, amateur pool player, and fine artist living with her very own miniature house panther named Merlin down on the Jersey shore. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ardyceelaine. She also has a new blog, Genre Diary, where she reviews mystery, thriller, horror, true crime, sci-fi, and fantasy. That includes podcasts (yay!).

Minute by Minute

5:20—

Ardi started out working in publicity for a science-fiction and fantasy publisher, and later went on to work for Sterling Publishing. Although her work sometimes took her away from specific genres, Ardi never lost her passion for sci-fi and fantasy. She worked some networking magic, and began contributing to SF Signal. Now, she writes for the Barnes and Noble sci-fi/fantasy blog, and runs her own blog.

9:00—

Ardi went to the University of Denver Publishing Institute straight out of undergrad. This was pre-Facebook, and was entirely focused on print publishing.

11:46—

Ardi faced her fears of the big city and went on to study at New York University’s Publishing Institute. She says New Yorkers aren’t rude, just in a hurry.

16:54—

Indie bookstores are growing! Print books are not dead! (This is what we’re sayiiiing!!)

18:17—

Ardi was a fellow library kid! Corinne gets very excited about this.

23:22—

Everyone gushes about how awesome it is to be a writing tutor. Also, Ardi’s passion for helping people learn to write shaped what she does today. She says: “I feel that I am where I’m supposed to be.” (That’s pretty awesome).

30:33—

We talk about the consolidation of marketing and publicity. Balance and communication are key!

33:30—

Sci-fi/fantasy genre is becoming more mainstream, especially for a younger audience. Graphic novels used to be banned during reading time in elementary
schools. Inconclusive as to whether or not this is still the case. Hopefully not. Graphic novels are books too!

37:20—

A look into the world of (ametuer) competitive pool playing. Ardi has been playing competitively for two years, and her team needs jackets. Fashion designers and screenprinters, where you at?

40:04—

Meet Merlin, the giant house panther

49:04—

Our new intern Amanda talks about how she founded a literary magazine IN HIGH SCHOOL!

60:00—

Amanda talks about getting “lost” at theMicrocosm Publishing storefront.

The post Episode 24: Editor Ardi Alspach of Sterling Publishing first appeared on Hybrid Pub Scout.

The post Episode 24: Editor Ardi Alspach of Sterling Publishing appeared first on Hybrid Pub Scout.

Michelle McCann is even more optimistic about publishing than she was 20 years ago. And we’ve gotta say, her energy is pretty infectious! Since starting as an intern at Beyond Words Publishing in 1991, Michelle’s done pretty much every publishing job. From reading the slush pile she moved up to running a children’s book department and now writes books of her own. With multiple award-winning titles under her belt, she’s done right by the little girl she once was—who used to hide in closets reading books at slumber parties.

We’re rooting for Michelle’s More Girls Who Rocked the World in the Children’s Nonfiction category at this year’s Oregon Book Awards! (And don’t forget Shelley Pearson for YA Lit—listen to her interview here!)

If you don’t like kid’s books, then you’re just wrong.

In this episode…

• Michelle’s Website
• Another look at the Oregon Book Award finalists
• Enough is Enough — Michelle’s upcoming book about teen activism against gun violence
• Fire Sermon by Jamie Quatro
• The 5 Second Rule—inspired by a drunken evening watching rocket ship videos
• The Jewel song that made Emily realize that maybe ballet wasn’t her life path

The post Episode 20: Children’s Book Author and Editor Michelle McCann first appeared on Hybrid Pub Scout.

The post Episode 20: Children’s Book Author and Editor Michelle McCann appeared first on Hybrid Pub Scout.

It’s the holiday season—so whoop-dee-doo!
We’ve got a wholesome interview!
And some magical gift ideas for you!
(Can you tell Corinne’s not writing this?)

After years of letting his storytelling dreams lie dormant, Brian Parker and his wife Josie started their own children’s book publishing company, Believe in Wonder Publishing. The couple focuses on writing and illustrating their own stories of magic and the power of imagination, putting their work out into the world with the help of Brian’s publishing experience and education. Brian talks with Emily about the magic of sharing stories with children in your own neighborhood, juggling family life with creating and selling books, and warrior hippos! We also hear about the crazy projects that can arise when creativity takes control (hint: it can lead to zebras in aviator goggles). Check out the links below for links to Believe in Wonder’s books, artwork, and online presence.

• Believe in Wonder’s Facebook page

Book links (buy these for your kids!!)

• The Pawsons Move In 
• You Can Rely on Platypi
• The Wonderous Science (that’s not a typo)
• Crow in the Hollow
• Fancy Dressed Animals

Santa Propaganda posters to up your Christmas decoration game:

• Emily got the “Buy Cookies” one

The post Episode 11: Independent Author and Publisher Brian W. Parker of Believe in Wonder Publishing first appeared on Hybrid Pub Scout.

The post Episode 11: Independent Author and Publisher Brian W. Parker of Believe in Wonder Publishing appeared first on Hybrid Pub Scout.