In this episode of Plot Twist Radio, host Erin Egnatz sits down with children’s book author Lori Orlinsky, creator of the Being Me series, to talk about writing stories that help kids navigate confidence, identity, and growing up.

Lori’s journey into children’s literature began with a personal moment—when her young daughter struggled with teasing about being the smallest child in class. That experience inspired her debut book, Being Small Isn’t So Bad After All, which went on to sell more than 10,000 copies. Since then, Lori has continued writing books designed to help children understand themselves and feel empowered through storytelling.

In this conversation, Erin and Lori discuss Lori’s latest book, Being Middle, a heartfelt and humorous celebration of middle children everywhere. They explore how books can help parents start important conversations with their kids, the role humor and rhyme play in engaging young readers, and why literacy remains one of the most important tools for a child’s lifelong success.

They also talk about:

• How children’s books can teach emotional resilience
• Why reading challenges and audiobooks help kids discover a love of books
• Lori’s unique writing process and how ideas come to her throughout the day
• The importance of helping kids feel seen, understood, and confident in who they are

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, author, or lifelong reader, this episode is a thoughtful look at how storytelling can shape young minds and build confidence from an early age.

Learn more about Lori Orlinsky and her books at loriolinskyauthor.com, and follow her on social media @loriolinskyauthor.

What happens when a humor-loving author teams up with an illustrator whose imagination runs wild? You get the wonderfully weird and creative Snoodles universe.

In this episode of Plot Twist Radio, host Erin Egnatz sits down with author Steven Joseph and illustrator Andy Case, the creative duo behind the Snoodles in Space children’s book series. Steven, an attorney by day and storyteller by night, shares how humor, psychology, and a lifetime of observations inspire his quirky characters and meaningful themes. Andy, an accomplished illustrator who has worked on more than 40 books, explains how he transforms Steven’s stories into vibrant worlds packed with hidden details, strange creatures, and visual jokes for both kids and adults.

The two discuss their collaborative process, how music helped inspire their latest book Escape from Zoodle Trash, and why creative partnerships thrive when artists are willing to experiment, revise, and push each other’s ideas further.

They also share what’s next for the Snoodles universe—including the exciting possibility of bringing the series to television.

If you love imaginative storytelling, creative collaborations, and a peek behind the scenes of children’s publishing, this episode is for you.

Learn more:
Steven Joseph – stevenjosephauthor.com
Andy Case – andycaseillustration.com

What if the bravest thing a child can do is simply be themselves?

In this episode of Plot Twist Radio, Erin Egnatz sits down with author Derek Amarillas, creator of the imaginative children’s book Socko the Flamingo with Tennis Shoes. Through the story of a flamingo who embraces his uniqueness, with the help of some very bold sneakers, Derek explores themes of courage, identity, and emotional literacy in a way that’s playful, accessible, and deeply meaningful for young readers.

During the conversation, Derek shares the inspiration behind Socko, how imagination can help children understand their feelings, and why stories that celebrate being different are so important for kids (and adults) alike.

Erin and Derek also discuss the creative journey of bringing a children’s book to life, from collaborating with illustrators to building a larger storytelling universe that supports social-emotional learning in classrooms.

You’ll also hear about Derek’s literacy outreach, his upcoming classroom resources for educators, and what’s next for the growing world of Socko.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, writer, or simply someone who believes in the power of storytelling, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the greatest courage is embracing what makes you unique.

Where to find Derek:

Instagram

Amazon