Celebrating Valentine’s Day with Linda Teed

I’m so happy that we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with Linda Teed, author of six children’s picture books including her new release I’m Making a Wish, written by Linda Teed and illustrated by the incredible Erin Richardson.

Me: What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?

Linda: Valentine’s Day is such a beautiful holiday and a time to show others the best gifts of all: friendship and love. I can still close my eyes and remember the excitement I felt as my paper “mailbox” on my desk in my elementary school classroom began filling with Valentine cards left by my friends. Is there anything better than a reminder of the love and friendship we feel for each other? Later as an adult married lady, I loved the extra-special presents my husband Pat left me in so many top-secret hiding places in our home. Valentine’s Day is such a great day; one that I wish would last far longer than one day.

Me: Do you have a favorite season? Is it winter?

Linda: My favorite season of all is autumn. The brilliance of a beautiful fall day was my inspiration for my current book, I’m Making a Wish. Erin did a gorgeous job creating art to enhance a beautiful Wisconsin car ride in the fall.

Me: How long have you been writing?

Linda: I’ve been writing since I was a little girl. I have kept a journal most of my life and still have many of them. It’s fun to go back in time and remember what I was thinking and reminisce about some special memories that I still hold in my heart. I became a serious writer when I became a teacher. I created many of the lessons I taught. I have always enjoyed creating meaningful lessons that open up my students’ beautiful imagination. In my classroom there were always extensions of the many things that I taught, most of which included writing. After I retired from teaching my husband was diagnosed with cancer and the days became very dark ones for me. I decided to write a story that would fill some of my time with light and hope. The miracle of this story is that it became a published children’s book. It’s entitled The Nest of Chockablock Hair. This story on so many levels catapulted me to continue my writing journey. Writing is infectious and very contagious!

Me: What, or who inspired you to write this book?

Linda: I was fortunate to have had two very important men in my life, my grandfather and my husband. This book is a dedication to these two most beautiful souls. I loved my grandfather deeply and found great joy in spending time with him. He never had a little girl of his own so when I was born a great love was also born between the two of us. I found that same great love with my husband Pat. He was such a beautiful soul and reminded me so much of my grandfather. Both were so wise and so humble and made the little girl, now the young lady very happy just being together. This book, I’m Making a Wish, is a tribute book to both of them.

Me: It’s so beautiful that you made this book a tribute to the two special men who have given you so much love and joy. When I read this book, I noticed that same love and joy radiating throughout the story. Tell me a little bit about this book’s journey to publication. Were there any bumps and bruises along the way, obstacles you had to overcome, an a-ha moment? You can share the good, bad, ugly lol, or not.

Linda: The most important thing that I have learned about the publishing of my books is that there are ALWAYS bumps in the road! Nothing EVER goes as planned. Not only do authors write books but they are in constant communication with others about so many things. I have learned over the years that patience is a virtue, that deadlines are never set in stone, and that you will drive yourself crazy thinking that you can change some things in the process. Having said that, you must remain diligent in keeping things moving and following up. It’s definitely a balancing act. With this book, Wish, my problems included working around others’ schedules, staying vigilant about attempting to meet deadlines, and of course, no matter the preparation there is always a problem printing the book. There are ALWAYS glitches. I have learned over the years that some things are in your control and others aren’t and to rush the process is never a good idea. My biggest problem was in the printing of the hardcover version of Wish. When I received my author’s copy two pages were missing that were not missing in the proof. I knew it was the printer’s mistake. Trying to rectify the situation in a timely manner was difficult. I had a scheduled book launch party, a large party which included food, drink, and music to celebrate the arrival of this new book. On the day of the party, I had my paperback books but didn’t have my hardcover books. I was grateful to have had the paperbacks. In spite of the missing hard covers the party was a wonderful success both financially, but more importantly personally. People came from all over to celebrate the book with me and to celebrate my husband. My biggest take away always is that despite the hard work put into a book, there are always problems.

Me: What is one piece of advice you can give writers just starting out or who are still in the query trenches?

Linda: My biggest piece of advice is to believe in yourself, in your ability as a writer and in the dream you have. You will ALWAYS have naysayers who give you advice or make you feel inadequate. Rejection is always tough but makes you stronger and I believe more determined to continue to try. When in doubt, head to the library! There you will find thousands of books written by people who took a leap of faith, who had a story that they were brave enough, bold enough, wise enough to tell through a tough process and who had that undying dream, who fought hard, and realized it. The library is full of heroes. When in doubt, go visit. You will be inspired!

Me: What are your plans for the future?

Linda: 2025 is the year of optimism for me. I am a big believer in the power of writing down goals. This year I set my sights high and wrote down 20 BIG goals. My goals are “all over the place”; from big ideas like traveling, North Carolina in particular, to promoting my book. Along the way are simple goals…extending myself to others in need, smiling more, enjoying the simple things in life, reading, soaking up some sun, bike riding, spending an afternoon in a convertible, singing, being with family and truly enjoying this beautiful life I’ve been given.

Me: I like the idea of setting BIG goals, you’ve really inspired me to do the same! Before I let you go, I’d love for you to share a recipe with me, I have a collection of recipes from friends and family that goes back many years. I would love to include yours, as well as share it with my readers.

Linda: I’ll share my family’s award-winning BBQ recipe.

Me: Thanks so much for your time, it was wonderful getting to know you, and I knew your new book was the perfect story for my Valentine’s Day blog post. I’m off to make a list of my BIG goals now, and maybe, cook some chili.

Click here to learn more about Linda and purchase her books.

Celebrating Diwali with Shachi Kaushik

Welcome Shachi and Happy Diwali! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me about your writing journey. I can’t wait to hear all about your book, and how it came about.

Me: How long have you been writing?

Shachi: My writing journey began in 2018, and I took my first writing class at the Writing Barn in Austin in January 2019. I’ve been a dedicated student there ever since, and I can confidently say that joining the Writing Barn was a game-changer for me. Investing in their classes and courses has not only sharpened my writing skills but also deepened my understanding of the craft.

Me: What or who inspired you to write this book?

Shachi: My inspiration for writing Diwali in My New Home came from my experiences at the Round Rock Public Library, where I hosted bilingual storytime for children. Each year, the library organized a Diwali celebration that quickly became a highlight of the community calendar. The joy and excitement on the children’s faces as they learned about the festival sparked a desire in me to write this book. I wanted to share the magic of Diwali, the festival of lights, with those who might not be familiar with it, creating a bridge of understanding and celebration.

Me: Tell me a little bit about this book’s journey to publication, were there any bumps and bruises along the way, obstacles you had to overcome, aha-moments? You can share the good, bad, ugly lol, or not.

Shachi: This book has had its share of rejections. Each rejection felt like a door closing, and I took each one to heart. Eventually, I learned that rejection is a part of the process. After several setbacks, I realized I needed a fresh approach—almost like rebranding a business. So, I rebranded my book,and changed the title from Diwali Away from Home to Diwali in My New Home. This change transformed the entire tone, shifting it from feeling lonely to feeling more welcoming. It was my aha moment, and the title change marked a turning point for both me and my book.

Me: What is one piece of advice you can give to writers who are just starting out, or who are still in the query trenches?

Shachi: Stay persistent and keep writing. Surround yourself with supportive fellow writers, take feedback, and invest in your craft. And as Wayne Dyer said, ‘Don’t die with the music still in you.’

Me: What are your plans for the future? Writing or otherwise, traveling, hobbies, etc.

Shachi: Looking ahead, I plan to keep writing and exploring new story ideas—there’s always something new to bring to the page! I’d also love to travel more and experience different cultures, as they’re a huge source of inspiration for me.

Me: Traveling sounds wonderful, and writing is a great excuse to visit new, exciting places. I’d love for you to share a recipe with me. I have a collection of recipes from friends and family that goes back many years. I would love to include yours, as well as share it with my readers.

Shachi: No holiday is complete without a sweet treat, and for Diwali, it’s all about laddoos! Pronounced “la-doos,” these are small, flavorful delights that bring a taste of tradition to the celebration. My favorites are chickpea (besan) laddoos —they’re gluten-free!

Chickpea Laddoo Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups chickpea flour (besan)
1 cup clarified butter (ghee)
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
A handful of chopped nuts (like cashews or almonds)
Raisins for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

In a non-stick pan on low heat, add the clarified butter, letting it melt slowly.
Add the chickpea flour, stirring continuously to prevent it from burning. (Prepare for an arm workout here!)
Roast the chickpea flour for about 10-15 minutes, until it turns golden brown and releases a nutty aroma. The mixture will also thicken and become crumbly.
Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
Add the powdered sugar and cardamom powder, mixing well. (Feel free to adjust the sugar to taste.)
Add nuts if desired or skip them if preferred.
Let it cool a bit more until you can handle it, then grease your hands with a little clarified butter to prevent sticking.
Shape the mixture into small, round laddoos, making them as big or small as you like.
Garnish each laddoo with a raisin or a piece of nut if desired and allow them to cool completely—they’ll firm up as they set.

(Note: Adjust the sugar and nuts as you like.)

Enjoy this sweet treat, and Happy Diwali!

Thanks so much for your time, it’s always fun getting to know writing friends, I hope you have a wonderful day, and Happy Diwali!

Shachi Kaushik is a writer and storyteller in the children’s media industry. She creates content that is both entertaining and educational for young audiences. With experience contributing to popular animated series on the production side, Shachi is also the author of Diwali In My New Home. Her work inspires young readers to embrace new cultures and experiences through stories.

Watch the book trailer here!

You can connect with Shachi here:

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Celebrating Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos with Stephanie Wildman

I’m so excited that we will be celebrating Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos with Stephanie Wildman, one of the authors of Ghost Writer, along with Cecilia Populus-Eudave and illustrated by Estefania Razo from Lawley Publishing. (also available in Spanish as Escritor Fantasma)

Me: Welcome Stephanie and thank you for taking the time to chat with me about your writing journey. As we begin to enjoy the cooler fall weather, thoughts of Halloween, pumpkins, and goblins enter my mind. I always enjoy a good Halloween story, especially one that shares traditions with us. I can’t wait to hear more about this story and how it came about. Speaking of the Halloween season, do you have a favorite season? Is it Fall?

Stephanie: While fall would be a better answer for this post and for the sake of the book, I confess spring is my favorite season because that’s when my birthday occurs. But my half-birthday is in October, and I celebrate that too!

Stephanie Wildman

Cecilia Populus-Eudave

Estefania Razo

Me: How long have you been writing?

Stephanie: I did create a pen name for myself in fourth grade, so it’s fair to say I’ve always wanted to be a writer. And I wrote a lot in my day job as a law professor – books, articles, op-eds. But I didn’t start writing for children until 2018, when I took a class from Maxine Rose Schur.

Me: What or who inspired you to write this book?

Stephanie: Several inspirations came together to create Ghost Writer. The initial idea came from my grandson asking me repeatedly over months, “Grandma, did you know Julio died?” Julio was their beloved Boston Terrier, and I knew he was trying to process his sadness and the death itself. At the same time, I was working with illustrator Estefania Razo on the second Flor, Roberto, and Luis story – Breath by Breath. I love Estefania’s artwork, and I thought what fun it would be for her to illustrate a story about Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. I interviewed her about her own family customs. I also interviewed Cecilia Populus-Eudave, who has been the Spanish translator for the series about how her family celebrated Dia de los Muertos, and that’s how we became co-authors in telling the story.

Stephanie: The publication journey was smooth, because Ghost Writer is the third book in a series – so we had all worked with the team at Lawley Publishing before. But a wonderful aha moment came when Kid Lit author and blogger/podcaster Gina Soldano interviewed me. One of the headings on her website said Ghost Writer and that’s how this book found its title!

Me: What is one piece of advice you can give to writers who are just starting out, or who are still in the query trenches?

Stephanie: I always beat the drum about rejections. I think many writers get devastated by bad news, but honestly, there are so many opportunities for rejection in this business – not just from agents and publishers, but from bloggers who don’t want to interview you or bookstores who won’t carry the book. So I urge writers to embrace the rejection – it means you are out there doing what you love – being a writer.

Me: What are your plans for the future? Writing or otherwise, traveling, hobbies, etc.

Stephanie: I’m happy to share that another Flor, Roberto, and Luis book is in the works. It’s coming on October 14, 2025, and is titled Story Power! and the co-author is my grandson Simon Wildman-Chung (because the book was his idea). And I have another book coming out in November – Miri’s Moving Day, coauthored with Adam Ryan Chang and illustrated by Dream Chen from Kar-Ben Publishing. Maybe next time you interview me, we will talk about co-authoring.

Me: Yes, that sounds like a plan! I love that your grandson is a co-author of a book with you; I’m looking forward to hearing all about that. I’d love for you to share a recipe with me. I have a collection of recipes from friends and family that goes back many years. I would love to include yours, as well as share it with my readers.

Stephanie: I’m happy to share my chicken soup recipe, which combines my grandmother’s recipe with a NY times recipe.

Not My Grandmother’s Chicken Soup

(Although my grandmother Lena Sokol did tell me she put beef short ribs in her chicken soup.)

Place in a large pot & barely cover with water (I have a little of the chicken not covered in water):

1 3 ½ to 4 ½ lb. chicken (whole) – (take any chunks of fat out of body cavity opening &include all inner parts, if available)

1.5 lbs. beef short ribs (optional if prefer no beef)

1/2 tsp. sea salt

bunch of cilantro (washed and tied with string)

1tbsp. dried oregano

1 large yellow onion, chopped

Before adding water, season with pepper, paprika, and turmeric – a few healthy shakes of each

Cook for 1 to 1 ½ hours until chicken is done. Remove chicken and parts, ribs, and cilantro with string.

Add to the pot and bring back to a boil before lowering heat to simmer:

handful of diced ginger

1 large yam (peeled and cut)

8-10 small red potatoes (cut in half)

2 – 3 ears of corn — broken into halves or thirds

cubed Butternut squash (I use about 3-4 cups, often sold pre-cut)

1-2 jalapeno chili(s) – seeds removed and diced

After another ½ hour to 1 hour stir and add to the pot:

2-3 large tomatoes – chopped

2-3 zucchini, cubed

Return diced chicken (I don’t use the innards, except the liver) and beef to the pot and let simmer for at least ½ hour, but the soup is very forgiving as to how long.

About 15 minutes before serving stir and add 1 bag of washed spinach to the pot. Stir again before serving.

Serve with these garnishes:

capers

sour cream

chopped avocado

This recipe combines my grandmother’s recipe with inspiration from this recipe in the NY Times food section for Columbian-Style Chicken, Short Rib and Potato Stew.

Me: Thanks for taking time to chat with me during this spooky Halloween season. It’s always fun getting to know writing friends! I look forward to interviewing you again, and, I plan on making your chicken soup recipe, I like that it has a little ginger in it to spice it up.

You can learn more about Stephanie at http://www.stephaniewildman.com/

You can connect with Stephanie here:

You can purchase her books here.