My Creative Life By Nancy Miller

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/@tendegreeswarmerThanks 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 onthe 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/podcastThe 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, Mass

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!

Hi Everyone, I interviewed Courtney Pippin-Mathur, children's book author and illustrator. I got to meet and talk with Courtney in person at a KW retreat and she was so welcoming!Here is more about Courtney:Courtney grew up in East Texas and passed the hot summer days reading, drawing, watching She-Ra and exploring her grandma’s farm. She doodled constantly through elementary, middle and high school but didn’t think about art as a career until a fateful art history class at The University of Texas at Austin. After transferring from Government to Studio Art, she moved to the east coast and started pursing a career in childrens’ books where she could combine all of her favorite things.She now lives in Northern VA with her husband and three kids and is the author/illustrator of several picture books, Maya was Grumpy, Dragons Rule, Princesses Drool, Fairies Don’t Fight and Dinosaur Days (2026, author only) She has also co-written and illustrated  a picture book with her sister-in-law, Sanyukta Mathur, titled Happ

Hi Everyone! I interviewed the skilled author, Eric Bell, of Alan Cole Is NOT a Coward. Eric shared some incredible wisdom about his journey as an author and someone who struggled with mental health. Here is more about Eric:Eric Bell lives and writes in Pennsylvania. He was once in middle school. He survived. You will too. Alan Cole Is Not a Coward is his debut novel, followed by Alan Cole Doesn't Dance. You can find him online at www.iamericbell.com.www.iamericbell.comThanks for listening!

Hi Everyone, my guest today is Lindsey Gerow, artist and art teacher. She talks about her passion for creating art, teaching art, and founding the Effingham Artists Association in Georgia. To learn more about the Effingham Artists Association, visit:https://effinghamartists.org/Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! I interviewed Erin Richardson, Illustrator. Here is more about Erin:As a lifelong artist, I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through illustration. Growing up, I spent countless hours lost in books, captivated by the details in the artwork and eager to create my own. My vivid childhood imagination still inspires me today—whether it’s the cozy world of my beloved dollhouse or the magic of turning a simple idea into something tangible.My dream project is to build a 3D set to illustrate the story of a spunky girl navigating her emotions in a miniature world within her dollhouse. It’s a tale of self-discovery, unlikely friendships, and realizing you don’t have to shrink to escape.I’m inspired by all things that matter to kids—emotions, relationships, and the beauty found in small, everyday moments. My artistic influences include Jessie Wilcox Smith, Norman Rockwell, David Hohn, Arthur Rackham, Chris Van Allsburg. I loved the classics from storytellers C.S. Lewis, Roald Dahl, and Judy Blume. If the

Hi Everyone! In this episode, I talk about finishing my picture book and reflecting on what's next!My work can be seen at:https://www.nmillerillustration.com/Thanks for listening!