Advertise on podcast: My Creative Life for Artists and Creators

Hi Everyone! Today my guests are David McMullins & Robb Hillman and we discuss financial planning in order to have a more creative life. Here is more about David and Robb: David McMullin and Robb Hillman have been together for 32 years, pursuing a life that mixes art, travel, and financial freedom. David is a former youth librarian and the author of FREE TO BE FABULOUS and ROCK ’N’ ROLL BABY. Robb is a registered nurse and licensed life coach, and is a spreadsheet nerd who loves the planning and preparing for early retirement and travel. They run a YouTube channel for long-term travelers called TEN DEGREES WARMER. Visit David's site:https://www.davidmcmullinbooks.com/Their Travel YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@tendegreeswarmer Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! My guest today is Erika Totoro, stop-motion Creator, I met while teaching this summer. Erika is doing some amazing work in stop-motion animation. More about Erika: Erika Totoro is a stop-motion director, writer, and producer. Her work has appeared in 70+ festival offical selections, and received numerous awards including the NATAS SouthEast Emmy Student Production "best Animation Award." Visit Erika's site: https://www.erikatotoro.com/ Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! I interview Brandi, a kidlit author in Hawaii. We met as mutual Holiday House authors! Here is more about Brandi: Brandi-Ann Uyemura is a gosei, a fifth-generation Japanese American writer, born and raised on the island of Oahu. She holds a BA in English/Ethnic Studies, a MA in Counseling Psychology, and recently completed a fellowship for Climatebase. For over 18 years, she’s written for various publications on everything from spirituality and health to finance and parenting. She is currently working on several picture books about her culture and a middle-grade mystery. Visit Brandi's website for more information! Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! I had return guest Ali Terese, MG author chat about her new book and how she infuses humor, heart, and disability into her writing. Here is more about Ali: Ali Terese writes funny and heartfelt middle grade and YA stories like FREE PERIOD (Scholastic 2024) and VOTE FOR THE G.O.A.T. (Aladdin / Simon & Schuster 2025). Her work has been honored on the National Book Award longlist, Kid’s Indie Next list, starred reviews in School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, state and ALA reading lists. Visit her site: https://aliterese.com/ Thank you for listening!

Hi Everyone! I'm going to be sharing my book marketing and publicity efforts at this time for Sun, Moon, and Star, published by Holiday House today!!! Here is more about me: Nancy So Miller is a Korean American children's book author/illustrator and art teacher based in Savannah, Georgia. She creates handmade, dimensional paper worlds that capture the magic and joy of childhood, inviting viewers to feel part of the moment. Her work conveys subtle narratives and emotions brought to life through photography. When she's not teaching or creating art, she enjoys watching K-dramas, cooking Korean food, reading, podcasting, and crocheting. She shares her home with her husband and son.​ Her debut author/illustrator picture book is Sun, Moon, and Star published by Holiday House (Spring 2026). Visit my website: https://www.nmillerillustration.com/ Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! I'm going to be sharing some behind the scenes about my children's book Sun, Moon, and Star that will be published in the next week with Holiday House. Here's more about me: Nancy So Miller is a Korean American children's book author/illustrator and art teacher based in Savannah, Georgia. She creates handmade, dimensional paper worlds that capture the magic and joy of childhood, inviting viewers to feel part of the moment. Her work conveys subtle narratives and emotions brought to life through photography. When she's not teaching or creating art, she enjoys watching K-dramas, cooking Korean food, reading, podcasting, and crocheting. She shares her home with her husband and son.​ Her debut author/illustrator picture book is Sun, Moon, and Star published by Holiday House (Spring 2026). Visit my website: https://www.nmillerillustration.com/ Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! Today, my guest is Melquea Smith, kidlit illustrator! Melquea has been a previous guest, and it was great to catch up with her! Here is more about Melquea: My name is Melquea Smith, and I'm a Black, multi-award-winning, published children's book illustrator based in New York. Melquea's website: https://www.prettykittypaintings.com/ Join Brown Sugar Graphics, Melquea's clip art membership: prettykittypaintings.com/bsgFollow Melquea on her email list: https://www.prettykittypaintings.com/podcast The book she mentioned. "Reach Out: The Simple Strategy You Need to Expand Your Network and Increase Your Influence" by Molly Beck. Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! I interviewed Cat Ward, art teacher and artist based in Savannah, GA. Here is more about Cat. Cat Ward is an art educator and fine artist. She combines that with a lifelong love of animals, and the hobby of scuba diving she began nearly a decade ago. Her work has been shown at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center and she often collaborates with the Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center. Visit her website: https://www.catwardart.com/ Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! Today, my guest is Jackie Morera, kidlit author, and a return guest. We had a heartfelt conversation about her powerful book Together We Remember, her experience attending ALA, and the lasting impact our books can have on young readers.Always inspiring to connect with fellow creatives who are making a difference through storytelling. Here is Jackie's website! https://www.jmorerabooks.com/ Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone, in this episode, I talk about where I'm at in the course of my art business. That includes updates on writing and illustrating. I think the end of year is a great time to reflect on life and what's going on. I hope everyone has a happy holidays! Pre-order a copy of Sun, Moon, and Star: A Folktale from Korea here! Coming Feb. 24, 2026, published by Holiday House Books. Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! My guest is Anne Sibley O'Brien, children's book author and illustrator! More about Anne: Anne Sibley O’Brien is a celebrated children’s book creator, author, and illustrator of over 35 titles. Raised in Korea, her work centers on multicultural themes. She co-founded I’m Your Neighbor Books and Diverse BookFinder and received the Katahdin Award for lifetime achievement from the Maine Library Association. Visit Anne's website: http://www.annesibleyobrien.com/

Hi Everyone! I had the honor of interviewing NYT Bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller—author of the beloved picture books Sophie’s Squash, Be Kind, When You Are Brave, and many more! We talked about her creative journey from journalism to children's books, her approach to storytelling, and Pat's perspective on the role of the illustrators for her books. Visit Pat's website: https://www.patzietlowmiller.com/

Hi Everyone, I had the pleasure of interviewing Victoria K. Chapman, kidlit author and illustrator, on this episode of My Creative Life. Here is more about Victoria: Victoria K. Chapman is a fine artist, illustrator, author, and teacher who grew up in New England and currently lives in central Massachusetts. She graduated from the University of Connecticut’s illustration program in 2004. Victoria’s art shares joy in nature, wildlife, the Earth, mindfulness, and imagination. She uses elements of nature to celebrate the diversity and beauty of life on this planet and among our humanity. Victoria's website. Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone, I interviewed Melissa Gardner, children's book author and illustrator. Melissa and I connected over a love of Kdrama's and kidlit art! Here is more about Melissa: When I was a little kid, I was always creating things. I remember making an entire family of bunny rabbits, complete with handsewn dresses, out of empty eggshells and cotton balls. I remember molding bits of clay and wood together to make teeny, tiny mouse houses that I would place all around my room. Most of of all, I remember the countless hours, laying on my bedroom floor, pouring over images from artists I loved. During those hours, Maurice Sendak and Gustav Klimt ‘taught’ me how to paint, as I copied their works over and over- determined to reproduce the brilliance I saw.  The funny thing is, that even though I deeply loved creating, I never imagined that art could be anything other than a well loved hobby. So I grew up, got married, got a dog, went to grad school and eventually started a psychotherapy practice in Boston, Massachusetts. I loved being a therapist because I loved helping people feel better, but I also felt a lot of stress and concern for many of my patients. The more stressful my work became, the more art I created on the side. Then 2018 came around, and my husband and I decided to take our family on a year long sabbatical. We packed up our belongings, rented out our condo and started an adventure that went from Switzerland, to Italy, to NYC, to Oregon and then we landed in California. All that travel and family time helped me reimagine my life and I finally embraced the inner creative in me. So, in 2019, I closed up my psychotherapy practice and we permanently moved to the West Coast of the US, where I became a full time artist, illustrator and storyteller. Now, I live in the glorious and rainy Pacific Northwest, with my husband, my two kids, our three dogs, and our 6 chickens. Most days, you can find me in my studio, painting and drawing, sipping coffee or tea, and taking frequent breaks to give my dogs all the scritches they desire.   Although the pandemic slowed my artmaking down temporarily (especially when my kids needed to be homseschooled!) I’ve still had wonderful opportunities to partner with others to make beautiful creations. My most recent collaborations have been with SCBWI, Cricket Media/Spider Magazine, the San Franscisco Symphony, Jehane Ltd and Nice Dog Books. Melissa's website Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! Today my special guest is Sarah Choi, founder of Komerican Pie, a quarterly webzine celebrating Korean-American Komerican life and the immigrant experience with defiant joy since 2024. Made with heART. In 2023, Sarah canceled her debut book deal with an international publisher to take a chance on creating new channels of media and representation. She resides in Atlanta with her family. Komerican Pie website to learn more. Thanks for listening!