Carol Brendler, A Cliffhanger Success!

One of the many traditions enjoyed/endured as a MFA student at Vermont College of Fine Arts is deciding upon a name for one's particular class. My group, as eclectically diverse as any group could ever be, decided upon naming ourselves The Cliffhangers. I have come to love the Cliffhangers as they were my own brothers and sisters. That being so, when someone in our group does something amazing, such as publishing her first picture, my pride meter registers off the chart! Such is the case for my friend Carol Brender who is currently promoting her latest publication, Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer. She graciously took the time to break away from the paparazzi to chat about her new found celebrity! Go, Carol!

Tell me about Winnie Finn.

Winnie is a girl who loves worms like crazy. She wants to win a prize for her worms at the county fair, but there's no prize for worms. Instead, she uses her worm compost to help her neighbors win prizes.

How is the book promotion going?

Winnie’s story was fun to write, and it has been well received so far by parents, teachers and reviewers alike. Yay! Before Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer came out, I dreaded the thought of a book launch and book signings. But actually, it's been kind of fun. Wherever I go, worm lovers are crawling out of the woodwork . . . so to speak. I'm amazed by how many people either have a worm farm or know someone who does.

Tell me about the inspiration for your new blog. How will this blog be structured?

Graphic design and the creative process involved with children's book covers has always interested me, and I knew that Vermont College of Fine Arts faculty member, poet and children's book author Julie Larios was interested, too. So, when Betsy Bird of the School Library Journal blog “Fuse #8” suggested having another blog exclusively about children’s book covers, I immediately contacted Julie. The result is "Jacket Knack." http://jacketknack.blogspot.com/ We alternate posting on Mondays, so every week there's something new.

What are your working on now? What are some of your other plans for the future?

I have finished several new picture books, and a YA novel about the golden age of radio. Now I'm working on a middle grade novel set in a traveling circus. Next, I think I'll tackle a sort of a steampunk story for young adults that's steeping in the back of my mind. Can't wait to get started!

Carol is a 2008 cliffhanging graduate of the MFA Program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her picture book Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer, illustrated by Ard Hoyt, was released in August, 2009. Check out her new website at http://www.carolbrendler.com/.