Welcome to our interview series, Raven Howell!
It’s a pleasure to have you with us. With more than three decades in children’s literature, your work as an author, interviewer, and storyteller has inspired readers of all ages. From thoughtful conversations with celebrated creators to your support for indie publishing and meaningful children’s stories, your journey continues to bring warmth, imagination, and positivity to the literary world. We’re excited to learn more about your experiences and creative path today.
You’ve been part of the children’s literature world for such a long time. What first drew you toward writing for children?
I’ve heard several authors say they became inspired to write children’s books when they became parents. Although that influenced my timeline in pivoting toward work in the kid lit community, I have been drawn to the whimsical my whole life.
As a child, I was writing poetry, singing a song, building a fairy house in the woods, or composing music on the piano. After graduating school, I worked in the songwriting and publishing division of a major record label. My songs, especially the lyrics, continued to intone a whimsical echo. It was less about being drawn to writing for children and more accurately about my writing naturally being befitting to children’s literature.
Your journey moved from writing stories to having conversations with authors, actors, and creators. Did that happen naturally over time?
Always one to support a fellow author, illustrator, or creator, I grew excited when I found myself in the position to highlight someone’s inspirational work. Interviews, writing articles, and using social media are all wonderful means to share the good intentions and joyful vibes of others. It’s like providing nutritional sunshine and rain to our community garden. It has been a naturally evolving aspect of my career.
You’ve interviewed people like Jamie Lee Curtis, Matthew McConaughey, and Amanda Gorman. What do you enjoy most about those conversations?
First, as I prepare for the interviews, I most enjoy my own excitement about not knowing what my interviewee will be like! There have been times that the author is not at all what I had expected and times where they turn out to have the personality and integrity just as I had imagined.
For instance, Matthew McConaughey is the complete opposite of the Dazed and Confused character he played in the movie that first made him famous. I knew him from several romantic comedies, and yes – he’s a great actor, but more so, when I talked to him, he showed up as the lovingly grounded, passionate, deeply thoughtful author that he is.
Matthew’s a staunch advocate for children, deeply dedicated to his own family, and to bringing more kindness into our world. Our meeting stuck with me for a long time. He’s multi-talented, highly intuitive, and one of the most creative spirits in our society today.
One thing readers notice in your interviews is how warm and personal they feel. How do you create that kind of comfort during a conversation?
I think my own experience as an author helps to create a more personal atmosphere. I know what they’ve been asked a million times already, and instead, I try to connect on things they may really want to share. And most authors write with intentions to inspire, to influence a child in a positive way. That’s what I spotlight. You can’t avoid “warm and personal” in that realm.
Was there ever an interview that surprised you or stayed in your heart long after it ended?
Yes, there have been several, but just a month ago I spoke with James Patterson. His life’s mission is to write and entertain and enlighten. He’s the most popular storyteller of our time.
James has an exceedingly giving heart, donating millions of dollars over the years for children’s education. He’s exceptional because of his hands-on involvement with making literacy, reading, and access to a good education available for all kids.
When it came time to meet him, I decided to approach our interview with a casual tone. Many of his previous interviews are with suit-and-tie professional journalists, so I wanted to hit another note and talk to him more like two people befriending each other and having a little fun. And he was game! He has a great sense of humor and by the end of the interview he told me, well, our interview had lots of offshoots, but I like that – it’s different for me, and I appreciate it!
Your feature on Mia Armstrong was incredibly inspiring and later received the Outstanding Creator Award. What was special about telling her story?
Mia is a young teen. As not only such a young person in age, but as someone with Down syndrome, she is a shining example of love and light incarnate in our world. She is an advocate of teaching us to be our own masterpiece – that we were created for a purpose.
She told me, “A masterpiece isn’t perfectly done. It is done with excellence.” Telling her story was an honor.
You’ve always supported indie publishers and smaller voices alongside well-known names. Why has that mattered so much to you?
I support indie and “smaller” voices along with well-known authors, illustrators and publishing houses because EVERY voice matters. There is no hierarchy, one is not better than another. A natural contribution is inherent in each of us. That’s how I choose to celebrate kinship, both in my personal and professional life. In fact, there is so much love and goodness creators are offering the children’s communities, I only wish I could highlight them all!
Through your work with magazines like Story Monsters Ink Magazine and Voice, you’ve connected with so many different readers. What kinds of stories do you personally connect with the most?
I connect with children’s stories and poetry that embody an encouraging perspective or celebrate some aspect of life on earth that I feel may be important for all of us to hear.
You know what I love reading? I receive a newsletter that includes “Happy news from around the world”. It always makes me smile. For instance, in a recent issue there was an article about students fundraising to save a bald eagle habitat where they watch chicks hatch and grow via a livestream. “News” like that warms my heart.
Children today are growing up in a very different world than previous generations. What changes have you noticed in the stories young readers are drawn to now?
Children are still drawn to chapter books, graphic novels and graphic type artwork which have been trending for a few years. The subject matter of picture books that interests kids has not changed as much as one may imagine. One thing’s for sure: kids still love humor!
Overall, energetically speaking, children are more consciously expanded these days. That reflects in what interests them.
You often write about kindness, imagination, inclusion, and hope. Do you think children’s books have a special power to shape the way kids see the world?
I think children’s books have a special role, and capacity to influence the reader. And kids’ books often have layers. I hear parents say things like, “They read your book the first time and loved the story. They read it again and noticed something they missed the first time. Then they reread it again and started talking and asking about how the character feels.”
After more than three decades in children’s literature, what still excites you every time you begin a new project or interview?
What excites me is that there always seems to be something to write about or cover! The world is changing so quickly, and I look, listen, and interact with students and preschoolers on a fairly regular basis. Many of my book ideas are inspired by their interactions with me.
You’ve had such a rich career across books, magazines, and interviews. When you look back, what moments make you feel the proudest?
Earlier this year, I experienced that feeling when illustrator Anny Chen and I finally had our picture book, The Look Inside Book, picked up for publication. The story is based on a poem I wrote. It evolved into a picture book text and Anny illustrated the words and my intentions so beautifully. It was a happy, very creative collaboration. Both of us wanted to deliver a book that truly spoke to children, something we could offer the world today during these stressful times of unrest and anxiety.
We had our fingers crossed for over a year, just waiting for a positive submission response. When Orange Hat Publishing picked it up for publication, we were over the moon! I am so proud of our book, our story, our collaboration and hard work that went into creating it.
For someone who wants to enter the world of children’s writing today, what advice would you honestly give them?
First of all, if you want to enter the world of children’s writing, then write. Keep writing, try to find your own style, or your own rhythm. This doesn’t happen overnight. Combine that with reading the best children’s writing you can get your hands on these days. You really have to figure out what you like best, and what comes to you most naturally. Then you may consider sharing your writing with a critique partner or the SCBWI group for feedback. See where that lands, and afterwards, start submitting your writing to the right venue. Children’s writing covers a large arena!
Before we end, we’d love to hear a little about your picture book A Day With the Dragons. What inspired that story, and what kind of experience do you hope it gives young readers?
A Day With the Dragons was the most fun book I’ve ever written! It’s a story about dragon brothers, each with their own interests. The day takes comedic and tragic twists and turns before they figure out how to compromise and spend a really good time together.
It’s a super read-aloud, and I’ve been sharing it in story time with children of all ages. I’ll be dropping in to various bookstores this summer to sign books, and I’ll be highlighting A Day With the Dragons at book festivals through the end of the year.
Thank you for the interview. I always enjoy connecting.
Much love and light to everyone!
Raven
Raven Howell’s A Day With the Dragons is a joyful and entertaining picture book that celebrates sibling relationships, teamwork, and laughter. Perfect for story time, the book has become a favorite among young readers and families. Check out the book on Amazon
Previous Interviews
The Power of Poetry in Children’s Literature: A Conversation with Raven Howell
Blink and Glow: Raven Howell on Inspiring Children Through Nature, Imagination, and Storytelling
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