Children’s author Raven Howell joins me today to chat about her new book, Blink and Glow.
Feel free to check out Raven’s other stops as she tours with Wow! Women on Writing. Tour details are also listed at the end of this interview.
Bio:
Raven Howell writes stories and poetry for children. Having published several award-winning picture books, she enjoys sharing her joy of reading and literature by visiting classrooms and libraries. Raven serves as Creative & Publishing Advisor for Red Clover Reader, is a contributing author for Story Monsters Ink magazine, and a Collaborating Author for Reading is Fundamental, and I am a Promise Books.
She writes for children’s magazines including Ladybug, The School Magazine, Highlights for Children, and Humpty Dumpty. She’s a storybook writer foreducational publishers, and aims for every child’s opportunity to blossom.
Welcome, Raven. Please tell us about your current release.
It’s twilight when Leo and Lily catch and admire their glowing firefly and salamander and the children become excited about sharing them in school at show-and-tell the following day. However, as the evening progresses, the twinkling and glowing dims.
Grandma points out the enchanting free flying Luna Moth in her garden, inspiring Leo and Lily to decide on returning the firefly and salamander back to their natural habitats. And the show-and-tell? Grandma has a little magic up her sleeve as everyone enjoys the rest of the evening together crafting salamanders from popsicle sticks and making firefly suncatchers, a joyful alternative.
What inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired to write Blink and Glow as a gentle reminder for kids and parents to respect nature and treat all living things with tender care when possible. It was important for me to focus on the children making thoughtful decisions for themselves. The story’s narrative demonstrates that often we can choose different options pertaining to our environment, sometimes better ones than what we had originally intended.
Blink and Glow has a lighthearted concept, but there’s another quieter underlying message. When Grandma says, “The moth, like the firefly and salamander, needs to be free to live happily, and shine its brightest light”, that line is intended for children to appreciate and embrace their own freedom and respect for themselves in their hearts.
What exciting story are you working on next?
I’ve been thinking about the book banning occurring these days and was stunned to hear a librarian I know tell me how distraught she was about one of my books being banned from several places. I was flabbergasted! I’ve written many books over the years, and certainly have included diversity as a theme.
In lieu of that, I wrote a children’s book in a rhyming long poem format, that I’m hoping to garner interest in. It’s a happy shout-out about reading all types of stories and seeing oneself in a variety of books. It encourages a child to read what they connect with most dearly.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Writing is what I’ve always done. I never gave it much intentional thought. It’s what I love to do, and it comes naturally to me.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I do write full-time. I start my days at dawn. Making sure I’m tuned into the day, I hike and make sure our household is running as smoothly as possible and then write all day on and off, recently, ‘til seven o’clock in the evening. My writing time is interspersed with cooking family meals, running errands and other daily needs we all handle. But I have specific deadlines and assignments that need complete focus and those take priority.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
No interesting writing quirks unless writing 7 days a week counts. Ha!
Sometimes I’m made aware of my position in the children’s writing community and how it is slightly unique. I love writing my children’s poetry and picture books, but much of my time is spent as a journalist for kid lit and contributing writer for various children’s magazines and educational publishers. I’m bound to several timetables and my calendar is marked up months ahead. So, any time I’m in a classroom with students presenting my books, or giving a writing workshop, or at a book fair, it’s heavenly – a break! And nothing in my career makes me happier than sharing my love of books and reading with children.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wrote – ever since I can remember. I yearned to be a fairy godmother. I’ve been a Tinkerbell, Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother and Glenda the Good Witch fan. I realized early on that I could put those two things together, that somehow through writing, I may be able to bring a little magic or kindness to another.
Still, these days, decades later, my wish is that my work, whether that’s in a book or in a song or some creative piece I put together, uplifts and inspires a young heart.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I hope Blink and Glow encourages you to enjoy your happiest flight and shine the brightest light!
Links:
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | LinkedIn | TikTok
Purchase a copy of Blink and Glow on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your Goodreads reading list.
Blog Tour Calendar
July 22nd @ The Muffin
Our tour begins at the WOW blog, The Muffin. Join us as we celebrate Raven Howell’s newest book, Blink and Glow. We’ll interview the author and give you a chance to win a copy. https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
July 23rd @ Pages and Paws
Join Kirstine who shares a guest post by Raven Howell about how her tomboy childhood inspires her writing today at 60. https://pagesandpaws.com/
July 24th @ Pages and Paws
Visit Kristine’s blog for a review of Blink and Glow. https://pagesandpaws.com/
July 24th HERE!
July 25th @ Words by Webb
Visit Jodi’s blog for her review of Blink and Glow. https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
July 28th @ Boys’ Mom Reads!
Visit Karen’s blog for her review of Blink and Glow. https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/
July 31st @ Carole Writes
Visit Carole’s blog for her review of Blink and Glow as well as an interview with author Raven Howell. http://carolemertz.com/
August 1st @ AJ Kormon’s blog
Visit AJ’s blog for a review of Blink and Glow. https://ajkormon.com/blog/book-reviews
August 2nd @ Little Squirrel’s Bookshelf
Visit Veronica’s blog for her review of Blink and Glow. https://www.instagram.com/littlesquirrelsbookshelf
August 3rd @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Join Linda’s blog for a special recipe by Raven Howell. You’ll learn how to make easy firefly brownie bites and butterfly cupcakes. https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/
August 3rd @ The Faerie Review
Lily will be spotlighting Blink and Glow on her blog. https://www.thefaeriereview.com/
August 7th @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie’s blog for a review of Blink and Glow. You can also read a guest post by Raven Howell about whether audiobooks really promote literacy skills. https://chapterbreak.net/
August 10th@ Michelle Cornish’ blog
Stop by Michelle’s blog for a guest post about the highest-paid authors and how they make it happen. https://www.michellecornish.com/blog
August 14th @ BookBunnies
Join Caramel for a review of Blink and Glow. https://bookbunnies.blog/
August 15th @ Choices
Visit Madeline’s blog for a guest post by Raven Howell about today’s most popular children’s book themes. http://madelinesharples.com/
August 16th @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra’s blog for a guest post by Raven Howell, who has a chat with her publisher about the impact of books on young minds. https://www.astorybookworld.com/
August 17th @ A Wonderful World of Books
Visit Joy’s blog for a review of Blink and Glow. https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
August 18th @ What is That Book About?
Join Michelle to read an excerpt of Blink and Glow. https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/
August 20th @ Rosh’s Reviews
Visit Rosh’s blog for a review of Blink and Glow. https://roshreviews.blogspot.com/
August 22nd @ World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole’s blog for her review of Blink and Glow. You can also win a copy of the book! https://worldofmyimagination.com
August 24th @ Wildwood Reads
Visit Megan’s blog for her review of Blink and Glow. https://wildwoodreads.com/
August 25th @ Jill Sheets’ Blog
Visit Jill’s blog for her review of Blink and Glow. You’ll also have the chance to read an interview with the author herself. https://jillsheets.blogspot.com/
Fun interview!
It’s such an honor and pleasure to connect with everyone here! Thank you for the thought-provoking questions and kind comments. Here’s to a great rest of the summer!