Courage to Create

Courage to Create Episode 64 with Laura Sibson

11 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our last episode before break! Bethany Hegedus welcomes young adult author Laura Sibson whose debut novel, THE ART OF BREAKING THINGS, has been compar...

Courage to Create Episode 64 with Laura Sibson

11 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our last episode before break! Bethany Hegedus welcomes young adult author Laura Sibson whose debut novel, THE ART OF BREAKING THINGS, has been compar...

Courage to Create Episode 63 with Christina Soontornvat

04 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bethany interviews friend, Writing Barn student and teacher, and prolific author Christina Soontornvat in this episode of Courage to Create. Christina...

Courage to Create Episode 62: Creative A Team

28 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

During this episode, host Bethany Hegedus tackles the topic of critique groups, including what they are, how you find one or start one, how you keep o...

Courage to Create Episode 61: Write. Submit. Support. Segment 2

23 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In segment two of the special Courage to Create episode Bethany recorded live during her Write. Submit. Support. class's summer retreat, the group of ...

Courage to Create Episode 60: Write. Submit. Support. Segment 1

16 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this special first segment of a two part Courage to Create, Bethany leads the group of writers from her pilot program of Write. Submit. Support. du...

Courage to Create Episode 59 with Nancy Churnin

07 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nancy Churnin is the author of eight picture book biographies, including her newest release, MARTIN & ANNE: THE KINDRED SPIRITS OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER K...

Courage to Create Episode 58 with Jorge and Megan Lacera

24 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Husband and wife illustrator and author duo, Megan and Jorge Lacera, join Bethany to discuss their humorous picture book debut, ZOMBIES DON'T EAT VEGG...

Courage to Create Episode 57: Refilling Your Well

18 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Courage to Create, Bethany ruminates on what it means to refill our personal wells of energy, calling on quotes from previous guest...

Courage to Create Episode 56 with Sarah Aronson

09 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Aronson first appeared on episode 15 of Courage to Create, and she joins Bethany again in this episode to discuss her new picture book biography...

Courage to Create Episode 55 with Daria Peoples-Riley and Jess Rinker

03 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Courage to Create, author Jess Rinker and illustrator Daria Peoples-Riley join host Bethany Hegedus to discuss their picture book b...

Courage to Create Episode 54 with Kathleen Cornell Berman and Keith Henry Brown

26 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Courage to Create 53: Self-Promotion

19 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Courage to Create, Bethany tackles the sticky subject of self-promotion through Jennifer Weiner's recent Publisher's Weekly article...

Courage to Create 52 with Ann Braden

12 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ann Braden writes books about kids struggling to find their voice amidst the realities of life. Her debut middle grade novel THE BENEFITS OF BEING A...

Courage to Create 51: Naysayers & Energy Vampires Be Gone!

05 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This Courage to Create episode is all about learning to be resilient and work with the negative aspects of ourselves and others while also learning to...

Courage to Create: Episode 50 with Kathi Appelt

29 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Writing Barn friend and master storyteller Kathi Appelt returns to The Porchlight after having joined Bethany previously in episode 5. In this latest ...

Courage to Create: We've Rebranded!

22 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

That's right! You heard us correctly, the Porchlight Podcast will now be fully folded under author Bethany Hegedus' Courage to Create Series. Listen t...

Courage to Create 10: Expectations - The Time It Takes, Is The Time It Takes

15 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have great expectations about writing and publishing and how much time your literary life should take? Are you constantly disappointed because ...

The Porchlight: Episode 49 with Charlotte Sullivan Wild

08 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bethany interviews Charlotte Sullivan Wild whose debut picture book is THE AMAZING IDEA OF YOU, illustrated by Mary Lundquist (Bloomsbury, 2019). Cha...

Courage to Create #9: Creating From Personal Pain

01 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bethany Hegedus is back with episode 8 in her Courage to Create series. This is Bethany's most personal and forthright talk yet where she discusses ho...

The Porchlight: Episode 47 with Lynne Kelly

24 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of The Porchlight, Bethany interviews her friend and fellow author, Lynne Kelly. As a former special education teacher and now a sign-...

Courage to Create #8: Failure is Not Final

17 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this brand new episode of The Porchlight's popular installmentCourage to Create,author Bethany Hegedus talks about the F word. Yes you read me corr...

The Porchlight: Episode 45 with Lindsay Leslie

10 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this brand new episode of The Porchlight, Bethany Hegedus interviews friend and local Austin author Lindsay Leslie whose debut picture book, THIS B...

Episode 44 (Courage to Create #7: Meaning or Happiness)

13 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this season 3 finale of The Porchlight Podcast, Bethany Hegedus caps off her newest series Courage to Create with an episode on  In this inspiring...

The Porchlight: Episode 43 with author Rob Sanders

06 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Fourth grade teacher and author Rob Sanders joins Bethany for this inspiring episode of The Porchlight where they discuss everything from Rob's litera...

Episode 42 (Courage to Create #6: The Deeply Disciplined Half-Ass)

30 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In episode six of Courage to Create, Bethany talks about how to become what writer Elizabeth Gilbert calls a deeply disciplined half-ass. Our own inne...

The Porchlight: Episode 41 with author Marcie Colleen

23 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In episode 41 of The Porchlight, Marcie Colleen charms us with her wit and heart, both of which are larger than life. Marcie holds a bachelor's degre...

Episode 40 (Courage to Create #5 - Dark Night of the Soul)

16 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The dark night of the soul. As writers, we've all been there. We've all had those moments where we feel like our work is not good enough. Will never b...

The Porchlight: Episode 39 with Librarian + Podcast Host, Matthew Winner

09 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of The Porchlight we flip the script and interview Matthew Winner, Librarian and Podcast Host of All The Wonders, a podcast that we h...

Episode 38 (Courage to Create #4: Believing Your Book Into Being)

02 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In episode four of The Porchlight's new Courage to Create series with Bethany Hegedus, Bethany talks about the power of believing stories and books in...

The Porchlight: Episode 37 with Author/Agent Alex Penfold

19 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this live Words and Wine event at The Writing Barn, Bethany Hegedus interviews her own literary agent, Alexandra Penfold, who is the author of five...

Episode 36 (Courage to Create #3: The Author/Agent Relationship)

12 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In episode three of the new Courage to Create series, Bethany Hegedus takes us through the agent/client relationship, including what it should and sho...

The Porchlight: Episode 35 with Lucia DiStefano

05 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On episode 35 of The Porchlight, Bethany Hegedus speaks with debut author Lucia DiStefano about her YA novel BORROWED, a genre-bending book about the ...

The Porchlight: Episode 34 (Courage to Create #2)

28 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In episode two of The Porchlight's new series, Courage to Create, Writing Barn founder and author Bethany Hegedus asks listeners to answer the questio...

The Porchlight: Episode 33 with Cate Berry

21 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Join Bethany Hegedus as she interviews friend and fellow author, Cate Berry, about Cate's debut picture book, PENGUIN AND TINY SHRIMP DON'T DO BEDTIME...

The Porchlight: Episode 32

14 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Writing Barn founder and director, Bethany Hegedus, launches her Literary Life series of talks on this episode of The Porchlight. Bethany's goal with ...

The Porchlight: Episode 31 with Jamie Swenson

07 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Jamie A. Swenson, author of the newly released picture book A FALL BALL FOR ALL, joins Bethany on this episode of The Porchlight. Jamie has an MFA fro...

The Porchlight: Episode 30 with Samantha M. Clark

07 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this latest episode of The Porchlight Podcast, Writing Barn Founder, Bethany Hegedus, speaks with author, long-time friend, and Austin's own SCBWI ...

The Porchlight Podcast: Episode 29 with Carrie Fountain

21 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this newest episode of The Porchlight, Writing Barn Founder talks with poet and novelist Carrie Fountain about her debut novel I'm Not Missing (Fla...

Episode 28: Diane White

07 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dianne White  is the award-winning author of Blue on Blue (S&S/Beach Lane Books), illustrated by Caldecott medalist, Beth Krommes. She holds an eleme...

The Porchlight: Episode 27 with Natalia Sylvester

20 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

  Author Natalia Sylvester joins Bethany at The Writing Barn for this interview in which they discuss Natalia's first novel, CHASING THE SUN, as well...

The Porchlight Podcast: Episode 26 with Deborah Hopkinson

15 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of the Porchlight features Deborah Hopkinson, author of more than 50 books for young readers, including picture books, middle grade ficti...

Episode 25 with Lisl Detlefsen

15 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Bethany talks to picture book author Lisl Detlefsen. Lisl is the author of TIME FOR CRANBERRIES and IF YOU HAD A JET PACK as well as ...

The Porchlight: Episode 24 with Nanci Turner Steveson

18 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This inspiring episode of The Porchlight features middle grade author Nanci Turner Steveson, author of SWING SIDEWAYS and GEORGIA RULES as well as a ...

The Porchlight: Episode 23 with Daria Peoples

11 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Daria Peoples-Riley's first job was at nine years old in the children's section of her hometown library. Much later, she became a teacher, and now s...

The Porchlight: Episode 22 with Lina Maslo

06 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Lina Maslo is the debut author and illustrator of FREE AS A BIRD: THE STORY OF MALALA and the forthcoming picture book biography of C.S. Lewis, THE ...

The Porchlight: Episode 21 with Linda Williams Jackson

21 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features Linda Williams Jackson, the debut author of Midnight Without a Moon and its recently released sequel, A Sky Full of Stars. Our P...

The Porchlight: Episode 20 with Julie Hedlund

07 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features founder of 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, Julie Hedlund. Julie is an award-winning children's book author and a regular...

The Porchlight: Episode 19 with Cory Putman Oakes

24 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this Writing Barn Words and Wine event, Program Manager Claire Campbell talks with author Cory Putman Oakes about her latest book, Witchtown (Hough...

The Porchlight: Episode Eighteen with Katherine Applegate

07 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 18 features Newbery winner Katherine Applegate, author of The One and Only Ivan, Crenshaw and most recently, Wishtree. Our Porchlight conversa...

The Porchlight: Episode Seventeen with Hannah Barnaby

22 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 17 features Hannah Barnaby, author of novels Wonder Show and Some of the Parts and picture books Bad Guy and Garcia and Colette Go Exploring....

The Porchlight: Episode Sixteen with Sheryl Scarborough

19 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Disclaimer: This episode contains some distracting paper shuffling. Nothing too jarring. We wouldn't be serious writers without some paper shuffling e...

The Porchlight: Episode Fifteen with Sarah Aronson

04 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features the sparkly, Sarah Aronson. Sarah began writing for kids and teens when someone in an exercise class dared her to try. Since the...

The Porchlight: Episode Fourteen with Misha Maynerick Blaise

06 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In this Writing Barn Words and Wine event, Program Manager Claire Campbell talks with author and illustrator Misha Maynerick Blaise about her new book...

The Porchlight: Episode Thirteen with Jason Gallaher

23 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Episode Thirteen features Jason Gallaher, author of Whobert Whoover, Owl Detective, Margaret K. McElderry Books, July 2017. Jason's debut picture b...

The Porchlight: Episode Twelve with Jessixa Bagley

10 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Episode Twelve features Jessixa Bagley, author & illustrator of Boats for Papa, Before I Leave, and Laundry Day.   This Porchlight episode was record...

The Porchlight: Episode Eleven with Katie Bayerl

29 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 11 features Katie Bayerl, author of A Psalm For Lost Girls, Putnam, March 2017. Katie's debut novel is a contemporary YA in mystery clothing, ...

The Porchlight: Episode Ten with Cynthia Levinson & Donna Janell Bowman

28 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 10 features Cynthia Levinson, author of We've Got a Job; Watch Out for Flying Kids: How Two Circuses, Two Countries and Nine Kids Confront Con...

The Porchlight: Episode Nine with Varsha Bajaj

25 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 9 features Varsha Bajaj, author of the lyrical picture books How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight? (illustrated by Ivan Bates), T is for Taj M...

The Porchlight: Episode Seven with Evan Turk

17 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 7 Evan Turk   Evan phones in from Queens to chat with his friend and collaborator Bethany Hegedus. Evan is the illustrator of two picture boo...

The Porchlight: Episode Eight with Kristen-Paige Madonia

18 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 8 Kristen-Paige Madonia   Join the live audience at Austin's Bookpeople as author Bethany Hegedus chats with author Kristen-Paige Madonia. K...

The Porchlight: Episode Six with Sara Pennypacker

12 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 6 features Sara Pennypacker, award-winning author of Pax, the New York Times best-selling Clementine series, the Waylon! series, Summer of th...

The Porchlight: Episode Five with Kathi Appelt

13 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 5   Kathi Appelt Kathi Appelt is the author Maybe a Fox, co-written with Alison McGhee. Her many other award-winning books include The True B...

The Porchlight: Episode Four with Carmen Oliver

12 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 4 features fabulous friend and Writing Barn teaching artist Carmen Oliver, author of Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies and founder of The B...

The Porchlight: Episode Three with Katherine Catmull

23 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Porchlight Craft & Creativity Conversations Episode Three From time to time, here at the Porchlight podcast we will be sharing a LIVE podcast directly...

Porchlight: Episode Two with Greg Neri

16 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Porchlight Craft & Creativity Conversations Episode Two The Porchlight: Craft & Creativity Conversations welcomes author G. Neri (Greg to his friends...

The Porchlight: Episode One with Donna Gephart

16 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Writing Barn is thrilled to premiere its new series Porchlight Podcast So much of being a writer involves talking about writing. Whether it be abo...