# 32 - The Last Gargoyle

It's been a busy few months launching my latest middle grade novel, The Last Gargoyle. The book was named the Amazon Editors' Top Pick for January 2018, ages 9-12, and a Kids Indie Next List Pick for Winter. I thought it was time for a quick episode to help introduce you to Penhallow, the hero of the new book. Now's your chance to hear the first chapter, as read by yours truly! 

And don't forget to pick up a copy at your favorite independent bookseller, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

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# 31 - Live Halloween Podcast from Water Street Bookstore

Happy Halloween everyone! It's time for TELLING LIES TO CHILDREN's second annual Halloween podcast, recorded live at my favorite independent bookstore--Water Street Bookstore in Exeter, NH. I'm joined once again by the wonderful children's booksellers, Jill Sweeney-Bosa and Alice Ahn. Jill and Alice get into the spirit of the holiday by sharing some of their best creepy book recommendations for young readers. They cover picture books, graphic novels, middle grade fiction, and YA. Some favorites include The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea, Wee Sister Strange by Holly Grant & K.G. Campbell, The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag, Elizabeth and Zenobia by Jessica Miller, and House of Furies by Madeleine Roux. 

Of course, Jill and Alice always have great recommendations regardless of the season. If you ever find yourself in Exeter, be sure to stop by Water Street Bookstore for a terrific indie book-buying experience.

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# 30 - Erin Petti

Happy Fall! Telling Lies to Children is back after its summer hiatus. Today I'm joined by Erin Petti, author of the ghostly middle grade adventure, The Peculiar Haunting of Thelma Bee. Thelma Bee's been praised by Kirkus, School Library Journal, and fans of spooky stories everywhere. Erin and I had a great time chatting about first novels, Halloween costumes, and our mutual admiration of chicken coops-turned-writing spaces. Erin will be hosting a Thelma Bee Halloween party at the Winthrop Book Depot in Winthrop, MA, on Saturday, October 28, so be sure to stop by if you are in the area!

Find Erin on twitter @empetti and on Facebook @erinpettiauthor.

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# 29 - Tomasen Carey

Tomasen Carey is a writer and the Director of the University of New Hampshire's Writers Academy, a series of week-long summer workshops for young writers in grades 5-12. I first met Tomasen last year when I was invited to be the Academy's Guest Author. I'm returning this year as a Guest Author and faculty member, and I expect it to be a highlight of my summer. If you are regular listener of the podcast, you've probably heard me talk about Writer's Academy before. It truly is a remarkable experience for young writers. The best part? There are still spots available for 5/6th graders. If you have a young writer who wants to immerse him-or-herself in a wonderful summer program, you can find out all the details at UNH's Writers Academy Page.

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# 28 - Dana Alison Levy

Middle grade author Dana Alison Levy was nice enough to join me again at Water Street Bookstore in Exeter, NH. Her new novel, This Would Make A Good Story Someday, is out now and has already earned high praise (including a starred review from Booklist). Despite our tendency to be sidetracked by gross parasite facts and surfing cats, we actually managed to talk about Dana's latest book, how she outlines her projects, and the ups and downs of the children's publishing world.

You can and should find Dana online at danaalisonlevy.com, and on twitter and Facebook @danaalisonlevy.

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# 27 - Live with the BFA Students at NHIA (Part II)

This is Part Two of a special two-part series recorded live, on-campus, at the New Hampshire Institute of Art. NHIA is currently the only college in the country offering BFA degrees that require all students to complete three semesters of professional practices, business marketing, and entrepreneurship studies for the arts.

I teach professional practices at NHIA and recently combined forces with my faculty colleagues, Lisa Cyr and Cory Levine, to give our first year students an opportunity to practice talking about their work. Volunteers were invited to participate in a podcast interview in front of a live audience of their peers.

The episode is a little experimental and a bit of a departure from my usual format, but it was fun to hear young artists talk about their art, influences, and experiences as fine arts students.

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# 26 - Live with the BFA Students at NHIA (Part I)

This is Part One of a special two-part series recorded live, on-campus, at the New Hampshire Institute of Art. NHIA is currently the only college in the country offering BFA degrees that require all students to complete three semesters of professional practices, business marketing, and entrepreneurship studies for the arts.

I teach professional practices at NHIA and recently combined forces with my faculty colleagues, Lisa Cyr and Cory Levine, to give our first year students an opportunity to practice talking about their work. Volunteers were invited to participate in a podcast interview in front of a live audience of their peers.

The episode is a little experimental and a bit of a departure from my usual format, but it was fun to hear young artists talk about their art, influences, and experiences as fine arts students.

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# 25 - Erin Moulton

Erin E. Moulton is the author of Flutter (Penguin, 2011), Tracing Stars (Penguin, 2012), Chasing the Milky Way (Penguin, 2014), and Keepers of the Labyrinth (Penguin, 2015). She is also editor of the forthcoming anthology Things We Haven’t Said (Zest, 2017). Erin also happens to be a youth librarian and an organizer of cool author events. We slipped into her library and hid so that she wouldn't be interrupted by her adoring patrons. We talk about her writing, the ups and downs of the publishing world, and the annual Derry Author Fest. You can find out more about Erin and her books at her website, erinemoulton.com.

Also be sure to follow her on social media @erinemoulton.

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Support the Podcast on Patreon

Like the podcast? I've got a bunch of new episodes on the way and now there's a new way to support them on Patreon. What's Patreon you ask? It's a way for fans and patrons to support their favorite artists and creators on a monthly basis and earn some cool rewards in return. Watch the video and visit my page to find out more.

# 24 - Lisa Rosinsky at the Boston Public Library

Lisa Rosinsky is a YA author and the current Associates of the Boston Public Library Writer-in-Residence. I met Lisa at her office in the library not long before closing time. There must be something about grand old libraries that spark a rebellious streak in me, because over the course of our interview I encouraged Lisa to sneak into the Library President's office, hide inside after closing for an impromptu slumber party, and carve her initials into the furniture. Lisa was a great sport and a lot of fun, but I'm not sure if the library will invite me back...

Whether I'm allowed back or not, the Associates of the Boston Public Library Writer-in-Residence program is a terrific opportunity for writers of children's and young adult literature. Each year, a new writer is granted office space and the resources to develop and write a full-length project over the course of the residency. You can hear more about Lisa's current project on this episode, find her on her website, and keep your eyes peeled for her debut novel, Inevitable and Only, coming October 2017. And, if you are interested in learning more about the Associates of the Boston Public Library Writer-in-Residence program or applying for the program yourself, follow this link.

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# 23 - Maija Meadows at the Boston Public Library

"Shush has left the building." This week I visit with Maija Meadows, Youth Programs Librarian at the Boston Public Library. Like so many youth librarians I've met, Maija is fun, energetic, and a huge advocate for her young patrons. We recorded in her office at the beautifully renovated Central Library in Copley Square. You can find out more about BPL's Children's Room and its upcoming programs on the Children's Room web page.

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# 22 - Meg Kearney & Beth Grosart Little at Pine Manor College

Pine Manor College is a hidden gem--one of the most diverse undergraduate colleges in the country tucked away in scenic, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. That diversity is mirrored by the faculty and student body at its Solstice MFA Program. Today I'm joined by Meg Kearney, the Founding Director of the Program, and her Assistant Director, Beth Grosart Little. We chatted at a delightful Hogwarts-like mansion on campus, where I had to resist the urge to go hunting for secret passageways. You can learn more about the Solstice MFA Program on its website and Facebook page, and on twitter @SolsticeMFA.

If you are interested applying to the Solstice MFA Program, the general application deadline for a Summer/Fall start is April 17, 2017. The deadline to apply for the 2017 Kurt Brown Fellowship for Diverse Voices is March 13.

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# 21 - Mackenzi Lee

YA author Mackenzi Lee joins me at a busy Boston coffeehouse to talk about her novels (THIS MONSTROUS THING and A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE), her awesome #BygoneBadassBroads online series, her mechanical arm, and so much more. Listen in as we're loudly serenaded by coffee grinders, espresso machines, Tom Jones, P!nk, and other musical legends (my top-notch production skills strike again).

You can learn more about Mackenzi at mackenzilee.com and follow her #BygoneBadassBroads series @themackenzilee on Twitter.

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# 20 - Cathryn Mercier at Simmons College

Today's episode is the first in a series of five on-location interviews recorded live in Boston, MA. Cathryn Mercier is the Director of the Children's Literature Program and the Director of the Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons College. I joined Cathie on campus for a great chat about Simmons' prestigious full residency MFA program, her approach to the study of children's literature, the program's accomplished faculty and alums, and an hour's worth of other interesting kids' lit topics. For more information on Simmons College and its Children's Literature (MA) and Writing for Children (MFA) programs, visit the college website here.

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# 19 - Dana Alison Levy

Friend and fellow middle grade author, Dana Alison Levy, joined me at Water Street Bookstore for my first show of 2017. Dana's first two novels, THE MISADVENTURES OF THE FAMILY FLETCHER and THE FAMILY FLETCHER TAKE ROCK ISLAND, received rave reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, The New York Times, and The Boston Globe. Her next book, THIS WOULD MAKE A GOOD STORY SOMEDAY, is out this May. Join us as we talk about the publishing world, writing partners, obscure cat facts, and potty-mouths.

You can find Dana online at danaalisonlevy.com and on twitter and facebook @danaalisonlevy.

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# 18 - 'Twas the Night Before Silvermas

It's a new holiday tradition on Telling Lies to Children. On today's episode I tell the story behind Village Drowning's favorite holiday--Silvermas--and read the first chapter of The Luck Uglies: Fork-Tongue Charmers. If you haven't met Good Harper Killpenny yet or put out your Silvermas boots, now's the time! Happy Holidays and Ugly Luck!

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# 17 - Reader Q&A

You have questions? I've got answers (well, maybe). Today I answer reader questions submitted from New England, Florida, Texas, and even as far away as Scotland. We'll talk about how I come up with settings, the process of editing, what I've really got in my pocket, and much more! Post, tweet, or email your questions to paul@pauldurhambooks.com and I'll be sure to tackle them on a future episode.

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# 16 - Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading Wrap-Up

It was an eventful and emotional week across the nation. On today's episode I talk about a Presidential election that left me feeling down in the dumps, and the kids at the Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading who helped pull me out of it.

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# 15 - Paul Durham Live at the NH Children's Librarians Fall Conference

This week's podcast features another fun road trip to a live event, and this time I'm the one doing most of the talking. I recorded my live, luncheon speech to 130 amazing librarians and media specialists at the New Hampshire Children's Librarians Fall Conference. You can hear me discuss the long road of failures that finally led to the publication of The Luck Uglies; tell stories about what school visits mean to me; and share the secret of who I really write for (hint, it's not just kids).

If you would like to support the podcast, consider doing your Amazon holiday shopping through the Telling Lies to Children Affiliate Store. There's no extra cost to you and a portion of every purchase goes toward supporting the podcast. 

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New: Support the Podcast!

TELLING LIES TO CHILDREN is always free to listeners and I will always be a strong advocate for independent booksellers. But, if you are an Amazon shopper and would like to support the podcast (and my guests), consider ordering their books or doing your Amazon shopping through this podcast's Amazon Associate Store. I have added all of my guests' books to the Amazon store but you can also use it to do any of your online shopping. Just follow the link, click the Amazon logo in the right hand corner of the store page, and you can purchase pretty much anything your heart desires. There's no extra charge to you, but a small portion of every purchase will go toward supporting the podcast! Maybe I can get some better equipment...or better yet, an assistant who knows how to work it.

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST VIA AMAZON