The Whole Megillah- Author’s Notebook | Crushing the Red Flowers by Jennifer Voigt KaplanKaplan, Jennifer Voigt. Crushing the Red Flowers. Ig Publishing, 2019. 308 pp., $12.95 The Whole Megillah (TWM): What inspired you to write Crushing the Red Flowers? Jennifer Voight Kaplan (JVK): Crushing the Red Flowers is a middle-grade story set in … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesThree quick things: The Jewish Book Council has just announced its 2019 winners. I agree with some choices, like Michael Dobbs’s Unwanted and, of course, Lesléa Newman’s Gittel’s Journey. But another book that won I thought lacked any authenticity. Sigh. … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Two-in-One Author’s Notebook | Essie’s Revelation Summer by Deanie Yasner with Publisher Nancy SayreYasner, Deanie. Essie Rose’s Revelation Summer. Golden Alley Press, 2019, 241 pp. $8.99. The Whole Megillah (TWM): Essie Rose’s Revelation Summer captures so many historical (and emotional) details. How much of those came from your memory vs. research? How much … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesThree quick things: I received two invitations to teach: One to teach undergrad Intro to Creative Writing and one to teach undergrad Literature of the Holocaust at two different universities. Problem: They were both for Tuesday/Thursday at 2 pm when … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Writing ChaiWith today’s post, I am starting a new The Whole Megillah feature: Writing Chai. This ad hoc feature will focus on the writing life, craft books, courses, the struggles, the triumphs. I look forward to your participation! I am interested … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesHappy New Year, everyone! Today is the first day of a new year and a new decade. Three quick things: Every December I assess my year-end accomplishments and set long- and short-term goals for the coming year(s). A tool I … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesThree quick things: I just received my January/February issue of Poets & Writers, an issue focused on Inspiration. Just by thumbing through submission opportunities, I think I found it! In that same issue, I spotted the name of a former … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesThree quick things: I attended a performance of “The Sorceress” (“Di Kishefmakherin”) in Yiddish at the Museum of Jewish Heritage/National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene in New York City. Great fun! The operetta’s run ends December 29. It was written in 1878. … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesThree quick things: I am saddened and horrified by the circumstances and outcome of yesterday’s Jersey City shooting. I grew up in the same county. On a more positive note, I have now read two paragraphs of a Sholom Aleichem … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesThree quick things: I’m happy to announce that a short story being published by the literary magazine of Mercer County Community College, The Kelsey Review, has been nominated for a Pushcart. The story is based on the man who sat … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Author’s Notebook | Crushing the Red Flowers by Jennifer Voigt Kaplan
Category Archives: Authors
Author’s Notebook | Crushing the Red Flowers by Jennifer Voigt Kaplan
Kaplan, Jennifer Voigt. Crushing the Red Flowers. Ig Publishing, 2019. 308 pp., $12.95 The Whole Megillah (TWM): What inspired you to write Crushing the Red Flowers? Jennifer Voight Kaplan (JVK): Crushing the Red Flowers is a middle-grade story set in … Continue reading
Author’s Notebook | The Challah Girl by Bracha K. Sharp
The Challah Girl by Bracha K. Sharp, illustrated by Anita Tung, Mosaica Press, 2019 The Whole Megillah (TWM): What inspired you to write this story? Bracha K. Sharp (BKS): At first, it was actually more of a case regarding who … Continue reading
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Tagged Bracha K. Sharp, Bracha Sharp, Jewish folktales, Mosaica Press, The Challah Girl
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Author’s Notebook | The Book of Jeremiah by Julie Zuckerman
Zuckerman, Julie. The Book of Jeremiah: A Novel in Stories. Winston-Salem, NC: Press 53, 2019. 190 pp., $17.95. The Whole Megillah (TWM): What motivated this collection of linked short stories? Julie Zuckerman (JZ): The Book of Jeremiah started with one … Continue reading
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Tagged Julie Zuckerman, Press 53, The Book of Jeremiah, vermont college of fine arts
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Author’s Notebook | Rachel’s Roses by Ferida Wolff
Ferida Wolff, Rachel’s Roses, illustrated by Margeaux Lucas. New York: Holiday House, Available August 20, 2019. 112 pages. The Whole Megillah (TWM): What motivated you to write Rachel’s Roses? Ferida Wolff (FW): I was telling a friend about how my … Continue reading
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Tagged ferida wolff, Holiday House, Jewish immigrants, Lower East Side, rachel's roses
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Author’s Notebook | The Brave Princess and Me, written by Kathy Kacer
The Brave Princess and Me, written by Kathy Kacer and illustrated by Juliana Kolesova, Second Story Press, September 2019, 32 pp., $18.95. The Whole Megillah (TWM): The Brave Princess and Me might just be the first Holocaust book for kids … Continue reading
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Tagged Jews in Greece, kathy kacer, Princess Alice, Second Story Press, The Brave Princess and Me
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Author’s Notebook | Matzah Belowstairs, Written by Susan L. Meyer
Matzah Belowstairs, written by Susan L. Meyer and illustrated by Mette Engell. Kar-Ben, 2019, 24 pp. Hardcover, $17.99; paperback, $7.99. Ebook also available. The Whole Megillah (TWM): What inspired this story? Susan Lynn Meyer (SLM): I’ve often sat at seder … Continue reading
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Tagged Kar-Ben, Matzah Belowstairs, Passover books for children, Susan Lynn Meyer
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