My First Book Story

Welcome to My First Book Story, where I interview successful authors about their journeys to their first published book. Whether you’re still chasing your first book contract, going after the next one, or pursuing some other dream, these short interviews will inspire you to keep going. Have you ever wondered how to break through an editor’s slush pile and breach the publishing wall? There are many paths to success, and each one is different. Mine was more than a decade in the making, others happened almost overnight. But the one thing each of these stories has in common is that it ends with a published book in the hands of readers.I’m Meredith Davis, a traditionally published children’s book author living in Austin, Texas, a hotbed of talented book writers and illustrators. I’ve been in this world for thirty years, I’ve heard some great stories, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

My First Book Story is a arts podcast hosted by Meredith Davis, with 12 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Meredith Davis hosts My First Book Story, a arts show with 12 episodes published.

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  Episode #11

  Cynthia Leitich Smith

  Aug 17, 202631 minS1

  Episode 11 – Cynthia Leitich Smith How did a chance encounter with a picture book and the horrific Oklahoma bombing lead to a career change and debut picture book? Find out in this episode of My First Book Story, where Meredith Davis talks with New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith about the winding path from law school clerk to publishing legend. Cynthia shares how a chance encounter with a picture book in a Chicago bookstore sparked her calling, how the Oklahoma City bombing gave her permission to follow it, and how a nervous email to a top literary agent launched a lifelong partnership. Cynthia shares her story with generosity, wisdom, and her signature warmth. Books mentioned Jingle Dancer (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Jingle-Dancer-Cynthia-Leitich-Smith/dp/068816241X) Dancing with the Indians (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Indians-Angela-Shelf-Medearis/dp/0590459821) Indian Shoes (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Indian-Shoes-Cynthia-L-Smith/dp/0060295317) On a Wing and a Tear (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Wing-Tear-Cynthia-L-Smith/dp/0062870009) Here Come the Aunties! (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Here-Aunties-Cynthia-Leitich-Smith/dp/0063374692) Links Cynthia Leitich Smith (https://cynthialeitichsmith.com) Meredith Davis (https://meredithldavis.com) Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (https://www.scbwi.org) Vermont College of Fine Arts (https://vcfa.edu) Heartdrum (https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/heartdrum-a-native-focused-imprint-of-harpercollins) Curtis Brown, Ltd. (https://curtisbrown.com) Episode Webpage (link https://meredithdavis.substack.com/p/cynthia-leitich-smiths-first-book) Theme music by Nate Davis Produced by Clay Davis

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  Episode #10

  Carolyn Leiloglou

  Jun 15, 202626 minS1

  <p>Episode 10 – Carolyn Leiloglou</p><p>When her picture book about libraries launched in May 2020, when not a single library was open, Carolyn Leiloglou didn’t give up. </p><p>In this episode of My First Book Story, Meredith Davis talks with award-winning middle grade fantasy author Carolyn Leiloglou about the long road to her first published book, Library’s Most Wanted. Carolyn shares how childhood dreams of writing went dormant until motherhood reignited them, how a COVID launch when libraries were closed made her fear her publishing career was over, and how finishing her first novel on her 40th birthd...

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  Episode #9

  Varsha Bajaj

  May 11, 202626 minS1

  <p>Episode 9 – Varsha Bajaj</p><p> How did a bedtime game with her son and a flyer at the public library spark Varsha Bajaj's path to becoming a bestselling children's author?</p><p>In this episode of My First Book Story, Meredith Davis talks with New York Times bestselling author Varsha Bajaj about the journey that led to her first published book, How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?. A sweet counting game with Varsha’s young son became the heart of her debut picture book. Varsha shares how she sold the manuscript without an agent at an SCBWI Editor’s Day...

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  Episode #8

  Meghan Browne

  Apr 21, 202628 minS1

  <p>Episode 8 – Meghan Browne </p><p>How did signing up for the wrong class, and doing an interview in eighth-grade, lead Meghan Browne to her first published picture book?</p><p>Find out in this episode of My First Book Story, where Meredith Davis talks with award-winning Austin-based children’s book author Meghan P. Browne, who will soon add middle grade author to her resume with her debut novel The Edge of Forever. Meghan shares how nap time writing sessions as a stay-at-home mom, an accidental enrollment in a picture book intensive, and a long-ago eighth-grade interview with a Women Airf...

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  Episode #7

  Claudia Rueda

  Apr 11, 202635 minS1

  <p>Episode 7 – Claudia Rueda </p><p>How did a woman bent on changing the world make her way from law school and political cartoons to children's books?</p><p>In this episode of My First Book Story, Meredith Davis talks with New York Times bestselling Colombian author and illustrator Claudia Rueda—creator of over 30 picture books translated into 17 languages—about the path that led to her first published book. Claudia shares how a Zen-inspired story about a boy, his grandfather, and a runaway horse became her first published work (through an award in Mexico), and how a conversation with an art di...

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