In this inspiring episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I sit down with Katie Gigliotti—teacher, illustrator, bestselling children’s book author, and self-publishing mentor. Katie shares how her roles as a mom, educator, and creative spark her storytelling and illustration process.

We discussed the personal inspirations behind her books, her upcoming playful series about color, and what it’s like to bring other authors’ visions to life as an illustrator. Katie also opens up about keeping a childlike sense of wonder alive, much like her grandfather, balancing faith and family with creativity, and why it’s important for authors to give themselves permission to create just for fun.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer, illustrator,or simply curious about the creative journey, this episode is packed with heartfelt advice and encouragement.

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Katie Gigliotti

www.katiegigliotti.com

IG: katiegigliottibooks

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In this inspiring episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I sat down with Dr. Latonya Peterson, author, educator, and community leader, to explore how storytelling can be a powerful tool for building emotional resilience and self-confidence in children.

With deep roots in Georgia and a career dedicated to leadership and justice, Dr. Peterson and her husband co-author heartfelt children’s books that blend adventure with Social Emotional Learning (SEL).

We discuss the inspiration behind their writing, the impact of their work in the classroom, their community, and their mission to shape the next generation of compassionate kids.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or aspiring author, this episode will uplift and empower you.

🎧 Tune in to learn more about how this family is helping their community and others to thrive.

Dr. Latoya Peterson:

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Let's go Beyond the Book and into the heart of storytelling that makes a difference.

Children’s author interview: Suzy Duffy on United Tales of America, 50 fairy tales for 50 states blending SEL for kids, geography for kids, and engaging stories for reluctant readers. With 2M+ video views, 7 published books, and multiple #1 Amazon bestsellers, Suzy shares how a decade in Boston with five children sparked a gratitude project that’s become a movement.

Discover how Suzy and illustrator Mike Roberts craft hand-painted characters (Michigan Muppenuff, California Quackadoo, New Jersey Nuddleup), pair celebrity narrators with each state, and weave social-emotional learning (kindness, confidence, voice) into unforgettable read-alouds for classrooms, libraries, and homeschools.📚 Every State Has a Story, and this is one journey you don’t want to miss!👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring author interviews.www.UnitiedTalesofAmerica.com @unitedtalesofamerica3530

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In this episode, we explore Bullying into Bravery with Christine B. Bianco (also known as Christina Del Monte), the author and illustrator of the whimsical Dorothy Dustbucket series and the fun, heartfelt Frog, Fish & Worm. Christine’s journey, from nurse to TV designer to self-published author, is a powerful story of creativity, resilience, and purpose.Christine shares how she uses art and humor to teach children about bullying prevention, bravery, kindness, teamwork, and social-emotional learning (SEL). She also discusses the process of writing, illustrating with Procreate, and navigating self-publishing vs. hybrid publishing, offering valuable tips for independent authors, teachers, and parents.

If you’re an indie author, illustrator, or simply love children’s books filled with heart, don’t miss this vibrant conversation!

🔗 Listen and subscribe for more episodes that go beyond the book!
🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you stream podcasts.

Christine B. Bianco:

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In Part Two of Secrets of Hawthorne Manor: Behind the Scenes, JoAnn dives into the challenges of writing her very first middle-grade mystery. From pacing short, suspenseful chapters to weaving in cliffhangers, discover the writing journey that brought this spooky story to life.

Highlights from this episode:

• Spooky discoveries: a hole in the deck, eerie wall carvings, a self-playing piano, thunder, and secret boxes.

• Suspenseful details: pulsing coins, jade stones, a cursed chalice, and the mysterious Guardian Stone.

• A chilling excerpt from Chapter 6—when Jack meets his ghostly grandfather for the first time.

Find out how JoAnn built layers of mystery, left readers with a powerful cliffhanger, and set the stage for the next adventure in the Hawthorne Manor series.

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Hawthorne-Manor-JoAnn-Dickinson/dp/B0F5379X3P

Thanks for tuning in to Beyond theBook with JoAnn Dickinson!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast so you nevermiss a new release! Your support means the world 💛

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In this inspiring episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I sit down with award-winning author and illustrator Kaelen Felix, the brilliant mind behind Wings and Whispers: Tales of Friendship.

We explore how she turned a time of uncertainty into a powerful story about kindness, friendship, and transformation, with her nieces featured as characters in her new book!

We also discussed her journey of working with a publisher, her artistic process, and the importance of staying connected to your creative spirit, even when it feels out of reach.

🎨 Whether you're an aspiring author, illustrator, or creative of any kind, Kaelen’s story will uplift and motivate you to keep going, and maybe even pick up the pencil again.

🔗 Listen now on Spotify and YouTube!

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www.kaelenfelix.com

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Step behind the scenes of JoAnn M. Dickinson’s middle-grade mystery, Secrets of Hawthorne Manor.

In Part One of this special mini-series, JoAnn shares how her characters came to life:

• Jack, the new kid with a mysterious family past and a deep tie to Hawthorne Manor.

• Twins Oliver and Olivia—the bold leader and clever strategist.

• Their friends Violet and Ethan gd humor.

✨ Learn how each character adds heart, brains, and bravery to this spooky adventure, and why they’re the perfect team to uncover the manor’s secrets.

Thanks for tuning in to Beyond theBook with JoAnn Dickinson!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast so you never miss a new release!

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Hawthorne-Manor-JoAnn-Dickinson/dp/B0F5379X3P

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In this heartfelt episode, debut picture book author Farial English shares the deeply personal inspiration behind her upcoming release, The Boy Who Wanted to Fly, based on her cousin Amna, who contracted polio as a child but never stopped dreaming of running, climbing, and soaring through the sky.

Set in a screen-free world of books, handmade kites, and imagination, Farial’s story is a celebration of resilience, unplugged play, and the joy of creating with your hands.

She also discusses her writing journey, life on a farm in upstate New York, and how she turned years of tucked-away stories into two beautiful picture books, The Boy Who Wanted to Fly and Charlie & Sophie’s Great Escape.

If you’ve ever believed in the power of storytelling to honor real lives and inspire children, this episode will lift your heart and spark your imagination.
🪁 The Boy Who Wanted to Fly launches September 3, 2025.

@farielenglish

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