Sarah Mlynowski, UPSIDE-DOWN MAGIC and WHATEVER AFTER series
Jan 20, 2025
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Sarah Mlynowski, a New York Times bestselling author known for her beloved series like 'Whatever After' and 'Upside-Down Magic,' shares her fascinating journey from adult chick lit to children's literature. She discusses her disciplined writing strategy and the integration of humor and magic into her stories. Mlynowski emphasizes empowering young female characters in modern fairy tales and reflects on how her personal experiences influence her writing. She also explores balancing parenting with her creative ambitions and her aspirations to embrace new genres.
Sarah Mlynowski shares her structured writing approach, balancing creativity, parenting, and producing multiple books annually through disciplined routines.
Her series 'Whatever After' empowers young readers by reimagining fairy tales with strong female leads, emphasizing self-agency and independence.
Deep dives
Community Support Amidst Tragedy
The podcast addresses the devastating impact of the recent fires in Los Angeles, emphasizing the community's response to the crisis. To help those affected, Zippy's bookshop in Santa Monica is distributing free books and clothing from various brands. Although these gestures may seem small compared to the scale of the disaster, they aim to provide comfort and support to individuals who have lost everything. The speaker expresses a personal connection to the tragedy, sharing their struggle to cope while assisting others in the community.
A Shift in Podcasting Focus
Due to the ongoing situation, the podcast will feature re-aired episodes from authors who have been impacted by the fires, blending these with previously recorded content. This change illustrates a commitment to honoring the voices and experiences of those affected while still providing engaging material for listeners. The upcoming rebranding of the podcast to 'Zibby's Podcast' signifies a fresh direction for future episodes. It will also continue offering insights from a diverse range of authors, maintaining the show's dedication to storytelling.
Author Insights and Writing Process
The conversation with Sarah Malnowski highlights her prolific writing career, particularly in the young adult and middle-grade genres. She shares her structured approach to writing, including her method of creating detailed outlines, which helps her avoid writer's block. By establishing manageable goals, Sarah balances the demands of writing with other responsibilities, producing multiple books each year. This disciplined routine allows her to maintain a steady output of creative work while engaging with her audience.
Themes of Empowerment in Literature
In discussing her series 'Whatever After,' Sarah Malnowski emphasizes the importance of overcoming traditional fairy tale narratives that portray princesses as passive characters. Her goal is to empower young readers by showcasing strong, autonomous female leads who actively shape their destinies. The series reimagines classic tales, encouraging girls to realize their potential without relying on a prince for validation. This feminist perspective not only modernizes these stories but also imparts crucial life lessons about self-agency and courage.
Special re-release: In support of authors who have lost their homes in the tragic LA fires, we will be resharing their podcast episodes.
Zibby chats with New York Times bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski, the creative force behind popular children’s and teen book series like WHATEVER AFTER and UPSIDE-DOWN MAGIC. Sarah shares her journey from adult chick lit to middle-grade magic, her meticulous writing strategy, and how she weaves humor, magic, relatable and empowering characters, and life lessons into her books. She also reflects on the impact of personal experiences on her work, how she balances writing and parenting, and her aspirations to explore different genres and mediums, like picture books and TV adaptations.