Seattle author Mark Holtzen interviewed Kristi Wientge; the two are long-time critique partners and long-distance friends. Best Friends, Bikinis, and Other Summer Catastrophes is available at bookstores around the country as of May 17, 2022. Mark Holtzen (MH): You have a new middle grade children’s book. What first inspired this story idea? What caused …
“This engaging story of childhood summer adventure and real Pacific Northwest history will appeal to the whole family. Older brother Kell and his younger sister Grace are sent to visit their grandfather on one of the remote islands of the San Juans. It easily took me back to my summers with my brother exploring new …
During my thirteen years in a third-grade classroom, reading a book aloud has always been a favorite time of the school day—for me as well as for my students. As I strive to maintain the daily sort-of-order, luring my clan to sit quietly and enjoy the ancient art of storytelling provides all the relief you …
Seattle kids’ author Mark Holtzen interviewed Seattle kids’ author Kim Baker about her upcoming middle grade novel, The Water Bears. Where did the idea for The Water Bears come from? What was the original grain of sand that led to this pearl? (If you have better ideas for jokes or puns in questions, I’m all …
An interview by Seattle author Mark Holtzen, originally posted to The Winged Pen blog Welcome to my fellow Winged Pen Critique Partner, Kristi Wientge! I’m going to dive right in with questions about your upcoming middle grade release on June 4th, 2019, entitled Honeybees and Frenemies from Simon and Schuster. When did the seed of …
From the Island Books tumblr April 23, 2019 Seattle Bookstore Day is in its 5th year running, and we couldn’t be more excited! Island Books plans on celebrating all of April 27th with a schedule of activities (listed below). If you don’t know much about this wonderful holiday, Independent Bookstore Day was started in Northern California …
Saturday April 29 marked the third national Independent Bookstore Day and the third Seattle Bookstore Day. In Seattle, the weather held and bookstore love was out in full force. The Seattle Bookstore Day Indie Challenge increased to 23 participating stores, with a visit to 19 stores required to achieve Indie Champion status (and a 25% discount …
Did you know that the good folks at Island Books are having a short story contest for all ages? Please see the details below (from their blog). Share Your Story: A Contest More than one person approached us last week, wondering if it wasn’t time for us to sponsor a short story contest. Yes, we …
