PB23Bunch Features: Malcolm Newsome

Hello, friends! Can you believe that we're coming into the very end of October?? I sure can't. This month is probably my favorite... it finally cools down in AZ, it's my birthday month, and I LOVE both fall and Halloween. (Love all things spooky, can't handle horror... it makes sense, really ;) But I hope you're also loving this time of year. Hopefully there are caramel apples, cider, hay rides, and pumpkin patches in your life right now, because really, we all need that. But as per usual, I digress...

The actual reason I'm here today is not to sing praises to October, but to sing praises to Malcolm Newsome! If you don't know him, you should! He is a force and definitely one to watch. I feel so lucky to be part of the PB23Bunch alongside such amazing authors, and Malcolm is one of them and the author of the forthcoming DEAR STAR BABY illustrated by Kamala Nair! So join me in welcoming him to the blog!

Kailei: Hi Malcolm! I'm so excited to be chatting. First off, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your writing journey?

Malcolm: Sure! How much time do I have? Hehe. Kidding! …sort of.

I’ve had the great fortune of having lots of varied experiences throughout my life. I think much of it was fueled by my constant curiosity and willingness to dive into new things. For example, since double-majoring in Psychology and Applied Sociology at Northern Illinois University, I’ve gone on to work in banking as a branch manager as business banker, have run a couple different small businesses, become a software developer and later an executive vice president for a software development firm, and I now work as an ethical hacker/penetration tester for a cyber security firm.

As for writing, it was something that I simply did for fun—beginning in childhood. I can recall making up stories on my parents’ new typewriter when I was in 3rd grade. In 6th grade, I started writing movie and commercial scripts as a way to convince my parents to get me a camcorder (they never did). And in high school and college, my writing took the form of hip hop and other types of song lyrics.

The real commitment to traditional publishing came at the start of 2019—mostly fueled by a desire to see the types of stories that I wanted my children to be able to read and experience.

Kailei: That is truly an amazing journey! I love that you wrote hip hop and other song lyrics too. I think we are going to have to see those some day!! But what great motivation to jump in and create those stories that you want for your own kids. So after that decision to commit to kidlit, what inspired your debut book?

Malcolm: Like the kid who writes the letter in this book, I had my own wonders, wishes, and sadness to process when miscarriages struck my family. And, in many regards, I still do.

It was only during that time that I discovered just how many others had similar experiences. Initially, I felt foolish that I had no idea of how many people had been impacted by unplanned pregnancy loss. Then I realized how taboo of a subject it is in our world. Over time, I came to think that most people don’t really talk about it in part because they might not really know how to.

When we went through it in my household, I didn’t know of any stories to share with the children I’d already had at the time. Such stories could have made discussing it easier.

Knowing now that millions of families are affected each year, my hope is that this book helps supply some words to aid on the healing journey for those who have and will experience this horror.

Kailei: That is powerful, Malcolm. I'm sure it was such a tough time for your family and what a beautiful way to heal and offer support to those on a similar journey. Your book sounds truly incredible. What message would you like for your readers to walk away with?

Malcolm: Miscarriage and infant loss has been such a taboo subject for far too long. In more recent years it seems that people have been addressing it more. But I think we still have quite a ways to go. I would be delighted if DEAR STAR BABY helps people have difficult conversations about miscarriage and infant loss—especially with children.

Kailei: Such an important book! So tell me, when does DEAR STAR BABY hit shelves?

Malcolm: April 4, 2023! (Of course you can pre-order now, though!)

Kailei: How exciting! Where can we follow you online?

Malcolm:

On Twitter: @malcolm_newsome

On IG: @malcolm.newsome

On my website: www.malcolmnewsome.com

Kailei: Thank you so much for joining us today, Malcolm! I cannot wait to get my hands on DEAR STAR BABY and all of the other books you put into the world!

*GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY*

Malcolm is generously offering one lucky reader their choice of a PB MS Critique or a Query Critique!

To Enter:

1. Follow Malcolm on Twitter

2. Follow PB23Bunch on Twitter

3. Retweet THIS tweet

For bonus entries:

1. Tag a friend in THIS tweet

2. Subscribe to this blog and comment below

Winner will be announce on Twitter. Thank you all for your support!

About Malcolm Newsome

Malcolm Newsome is a children's and Young Adult author represented by James McGowan of Bookends Literary. He is the cofounder of Black Creators in KidLit. His upcoming books include DEAR STAR BABY (@beamingbooksmn, 2023) and SYDNEY'S BIG SPEECH (@harpercollinsch, 2024). ​

About PB23Bunch

The PB23Bunch is a diverse group of 12 authors and illustrators with Picture Books debuting in 2023. We cannot wait to get our books in your hands!!

Ride, Roll, Run: Time for Fun! with Valerie Bolling

Hello, friends!! If you're a long-time reader, you know that Valerie Bolling is a dear friend (and co-author!) of mine. She has truly become such an important person in my life and I am beyond thrilled to chat with her today about her brand new book that released earlier this month-- Ride, Roll, Run: Time for Fun! written by Valerie Bolling and illustrated by Sabrena Khadija.

Join me in giving a warm welcome to Valerie!

Kailei: Hello, Valerie! And welcome back to my blog. As you know, I always love having you and will always shout out about your books.

Valerie: I so appreciate you, Kailei, and how supportive you’ve been throughout my publication journey.

I’m also thrilled that we’re co-authoring I See Color. It has been such a joy to collaborate with

you on this 2024 title.

Kailei: Aww, thank you, friend. I am still just beyond grateful for that whole process and that we're on that journey together. But for today, I am so excited to talk about Ride, Roll, Run: Time for Fun!

This book really resonated with me and my own kiddos. When I first read it, I even got emotional thinking about my own childhood memories and the friendships I cherished so dearly. I grew up in a neighborhood full of kids my age and I have so many great memories that this book brought to the forefront of my mind.

Can you tell me a bit about the inspiration for this book?

Valerie: I’m glad this book resonated with you and your daughters. I, too, have fond memories of childhood friendships, including playing games together outside. I wrote this book to remind children how much fun they can have just by going outdoors. They don’t need expensive equipment or electronics to have a good time – just their friends and imagination. I hope this book inspires children, and their adult readers, to head outside to play!

Kailei: I love that so much! And absolutely agree. Nothing like playing outside as a kiddo! Do you have a favorite spread or a favorite line in this book? Maybe a favorite play activity that the kids are doing?

Valerie: All of the spreads are wonderful, thanks to Sabrena Khadija’s beautiful art. I especially like the basketball spreads, however, because all of the characters are involved in the game, either as players or as cheerleaders from the sidelines.

Kailei: Those really are great spreads! And as a whole, I love the illustrations in this book! The colors are so bright and vibrant and of course I love seeing such a beautifully diverse group of kids. Can you tell us a little more about working with Sabrena?

Valerie: As you know, Kailei, it’s rare for a traditionally-published author to communicate directly with an illustrator during the creation of a book. That said, it has been wonderful to work with Sab on Ride, Roll, Run. They are such a talented illustrator. What captivated me are their vibrant, energetic art that conveys the joy, movement, and sense of community I sought to evoke.

Kailei: They really did do such a great job! I always love hearing more about that collaborative process. It is such an interesting dynamic not talking directly with each other, but it's so amazing how the entire publishing team works together to make that happen. Now shifting just a bit, Valerie... you are such a prolific author! I know we recently talked about Together We Ride and I know you have more than 5 other books slated for release over the next couple of years. It’s amazing and I’m in awe at all you are doing. Can you tell us just a bit about how you are managing it all?

Valerie: Sometimes, I honestly don’t know how I’m managing it all. It’s a challenge because I also have a full-time job as an instructional coach. I try to make the most of my time outside of school, especially on weekends and during holiday breaks. In addition to making time for writing, I carve out time for exercise and visiting with family and friends. Trying to honor and balance all that’s important to me is not easy, but I do my best to manage my time accordingly.

Kailei: I think that is so important, Valerie. And from my perspective, you are doing it all so well! Now back specifically to Ride, Roll, Run. What do you hope that young readers will take away from your book?

Valerie: I hope young readers will go outside and play with their friends. I want them to know that they should have fun! That’s an important part of life, especially for children. So many skills are learned during play – not only physical skills but also how to communicate and work together to accomplish a goal.

Kailei: That really is so wonderful. And to get a little personal, my husband and I were just talking the other day about how we feel like the pandemic has really been at a formative time in our own children’s lives and how they haven’t really had the same “friend experiences” that we grew up with because of that. Of course, as things improved, we were able to have outdoor playdates, pool meetups, etc. but there’s still definitely a sense of things not being quite the same. And truthfully, your book gave me both a peace about what we have been able to give our kids, as well as so much hope for all the experiences and moments that are still going to come for this young group growing up during a global pandemic. So thank you for that!

Valerie: Thanks for sharing that, Kailei. We can’t deny that the pandemic has affected so many things, including kids’ ability to play with friends. I really hope those days of children running and jumping together have returned.

Kailei: Agreed! Before I let you go, is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers today?

Valerie: Readers often want to know what’s coming next, so I’ll give an update.

In 2023 there will be sequels to my 2022 books titled,

TOGETHER WE SWIM and

BING, BOP, BAM: TIME TO JAM!

My Scholastic Acorn early reader series, RAINBOW DAYS (illustrated by Kai Robinson), is also

scheduled for release in 2023.

In 2024, our book, I SEE COLOR (illustrated by Laylie Frazier), will be published. (If you missed it earlier, Kailei and I have co-authored a book!)

To keep up to date

about my books, please check out my website: https://valeriebolling.com.

Kailei: Wow, Valerie! That is truly amazing!! I am thrilled for all of your successes and can't wait to read all these other books on the horizon. Thank you again for joining me today and for taking the time to tell us more about the wonderful Ride, Roll, Run: Time for Fun!

About Valerie Bolling

Valerie Bolling is the author of the 2021 SCBWI Crystal Kite award-winning and CT Book Award finalist LET’S DANCE! (March 2020). In 2022 Valerie is happy to welcome TOGETHER WE RIDE (April) and RIDE, ROLL, RUN: TIME FOR FUN! (October). Sequels to these books (TOGETHER WE SWIM and BING, BOP, BAM: TIME TO JAM!) as well as a Scholastic early reader series, RAINBOW DAYS, are slated for 2023. I SEE COLOR will be published in 2024.

A graduate of Tufts University and Columbia University, Teachers College, Valerie has been an educator for almost 30 years. She currently works as an Instructional Coach for Greenwich Public Schools and, additionally, teaches picture book writing classes. She is also a WNDB mentor and deeply immersed in the kidlit writing community, particularly involved with SCBWI, the 12X12 Picture Book Challenge, and Black Creators HeadQuarters.

Valerie and her husband live in Connecticut and enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, going to the theater, and dancing.

linktr.ee/ValerieBolling

About Kailei Pew

Kailei Pew is a wife, mother, and children's book author represented by the amazing Emily Forney of Bookends Literary. She loves to write books that help kids see they can

do anything they set their minds to.

Upcoming books include:

THE MONSTER ABOVE THE BED (Clarion/Harper, Fall 2023)

I SEE COLOR (With Valerie Bolling, HarperKids, Winter 2024)

KID MADE (F& F/Macmillan, Spring 2024)

Learn more HERE

Title I School Fundraiser Book Drive

Hello, friends! If you follow me on Twitter, you may have already seen this call out. So first of all, a HUGE thank you to those who have already sent books. I am so very grateful and will be sending you each a personalized thank you as well. I am blown away with the response so far. This past week, I was informed that the school doesn't have enough basket coordinators volunteered for the event, and asked me if I could do some additional baskets. So I'm in need of some additional donations. See all the details below and thank you SO much for your consideration!

My children's (Title I) school hosts a silent auction each year with 100% of the proceeds going back to the teachers. (For privacy and safety, I am not stating publicly which school this is, and I am grateful for your understanding. Know that I will post pictures of the baskets at the event, and this really is a true thing).

Each teacher is required to provide a basket. I am working with our librarian (and now another couple teachers) to create book baskets. Our hope is that the kids who can't generally afford books will be able to buy a large set of books for the price of 1. Many of the kids at our school do not have any sort of home library. So this is an opportunity for them to be able to get some wonderful books at home.

PLUS, 100% of the proceeds go back to the school. Funding in AZ has been so low that our teachers are in great need. They've come to our PTO asking for new books, shelves to replace broken ones, basic supplies, instruments for kids who want to take orchestra but can't afford the rentals, and more. The PTO is helping everywhere we can, but our funds are dwindling.

This money will go directly to teachers specifically to help the students. And I LOVE the idea of helping kiddos start their own at-home libraries, so I came up with the idea of book baskets. I will be making book caddies for each set of books and filling them with as many books as possible.

I'm also looking for handmade bookmarks, original art, library bags, and anything else reading/book related.

If you are able to help, please send donations to:

Kailei Pew

PO Box 45115

Phoenix, AZ 85064

or if sending via Amazon/UPS/or FedEx:

Kailei Pew

5021 N. 20th #45115

Phoenix, AZ 85064

This is an elementary school, so I am looking for Picture book, early reader, chapter books, and middle grade donations. We've received quite a few PBs, so we especially need CB and MG. Though I'll always love to see more PB too!!

And since I've had some people ask for suggestions on what to send, some books that I would love to see are:

Amari and the Night Brothers series (received)

Diary of an Ice Princess series (received)

Front Desk series

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Any early or MG graphic novels

The Marvellers

Nigel and the Moon

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners/Eyes that Speak to the Stars

Creepy Carrots series

Chez Bob

Watercress

Unspeakable

Not Quite Narwhal/ Perfectly Pegasus

But truly, I am so very grateful for ANY books that you love and want to share.

I need all donations received by October 20th, please.

Thank you SO much for the consideration. I am so grateful for this community and all of your love and support!