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:

https://fruity-budz.com/IG christina_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 💛

📲 Let’s stay in touch and continuethe conversation:

🌐 Visit my website: https://joannmdickinsonauthor.com📸 Instagram: @joann.dickinson.author📘 Facebook: @joanndickinsonauthor💼 LinkedIn: (35) JoAnn M. Dickinson | LinkedIn🐦 X (Twitter): @JoAnnDAuthor

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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!

📚 Want to be a guest? Message me today!

www.kaelenfelix.com

@kaelen_fx

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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

📲 Let’s stay in touch and continuethe conversation:

🌐 Visit my website: https://joannmdickinsonauthor.com
📸 Instagram: @joann.dickinson.author
📘 Facebook: @joanndickinsonauthor
💼 LinkedIn: (35) JoAnn M. Dickinson | LinkedIn
🐦 X (Twitter): @JoAnnDAuthor

📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube:Subscribe here

🎥 Want to start your own podcast? Use Riverside https://riverside.sjv.io/K0YKeN

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

www.farielsbooks.com

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In this heartwarming episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I sit down with debut author Christine Devane, a former elementary school teacher turned children’s book writer, to talk about her journey from shy child to published author.

Christine shares how growing up in North Andover, Massachusetts, surrounded by books, family, and a collection of lucky elephants, shaped her love for storytelling. After 13 years of teaching, she knew the magic of story time and wanted to create a book that would resonate with both shy and outgoing kids. Her debut picture book, Elephant Beach, is the result, a story about a quiet girl, a group of joyful elephants, and the unexpected friendships that form when we open up.

We discuss her teaching experience, how elephants inspired her both in life and in literature, and her goal of helping introverted children feel seen, accepted, and celebrated.

Whether you're a teacher, parent, or fellow children's book creator, this episode will leave you smiling, and maybe dreaming of your own Elephant Beach.

Thanks for watching Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson!
Don’t forget to like and follow so you never miss a new episode packed with inspiring author stories and creative journeys!

Christine Devane:

www.christine-devane.com

IG: @stined13

Additional links mentioned in this episode:

www.SCBWI.com

www.archwaypublishing.com

👇 Let’s stay connected:

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In this heartfelt episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, we’re joined by author and educator Diane Henrique, who shares the powerful story behind her debut children’s book and how it became a source of strength during one of the most difficult times in her life.

When Diane was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, her decision to publish a book became more than a creative goal; it became a lifeline. With no publishing background, a tiny social media presence, and a heart full of uncertainty, she chose to write, publish, and share her story anyway.

We talk about:

How being a teacher shaped her writing.

The challenges of self-publishing without experience.

Turning hardship into purpose.

Why championing other indie authors is part of her mission

And how writing helped her rediscover who she is.

Whether you're an aspiring author, a teacher with a story to tell, or someone in need of inspiration, Diane's journey will remind you it’s never too late to begin.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, YouTube,and all major podcast platforms.

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the.bookishauthor

Diane's Shop: Teachers Pay Teachers@joann.dickinson.author

Visit: www.joannmdickinsonauthor.com

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From whispered bedtime stories to bold, empowering picture books, Neha Moghe Roy, founder of ChatterChirps, has built a world where kindness, courage, and curiosity take center stage. In this heartwarming episode, Neha shares how storytelling with her daughter inspired books like No! Stop! Tell! and All the Sports I Can Play, which help children understand their emotions, build confidence, and stay safe.

We talk about the power of representation, why body safety should be a conversation—not a taboo—and how self-publishing gave Neha the freedom to write the stories she wished existed.

Perfect for parents, teachers, and anyone who believes in the magic of stories to shape young minds.

Follow @chatterchirpsbooks

www.chatterchirpsbooks.com

joannmdickinsonauthor.com

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