Jennifer Nestor on Empowering Young Readers!

In this uplifting episode, I sat down with children’s author and communications professional Jennifer Nestor shares the powerful inspiration behind her debut picture book Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality.

What started as a story of self-discovery became a much-needed message of mental health, courage, and acceptance—especially for young readers facing anxiety or pressure to fit in. Jennifer opens up about:

• Why she wrote Jane to celebrate individuality and emotional strength

• How her school visits use hands-on learning and storytelling to inspire confidence

• Partnering with her illustrator, an art teacher, to create a jungle filled with color and heart

• The personal feedback that affirmed her mission as an author

• A sneak peek into the next book in the Jane series!

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or aspiring author, this episode is a beautiful reminder that what makes us different is also what makes us powerful.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify

YouTube: @JoAnnMDickinsonAuthor

Follow Jen & JoAnn

IG: @JoAnn.Dickinson.Author

www.joannmdickinsonauthor.com

IG: @Jennestorauthor

www.jennestorauthor.com

Behind the Scenes with a Rhyming Pro in Children’s Publishing!

In this episode of "Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson."

I sits down with her longtime editor and rhyme expert, Robin Katz, to talk all things children’s book editing, from structure and metering to fun facts and emotional beats.

Robin is the founder of Word Wiz Editing and specializes in helping authors craft engaging, developmentally appropriate stories for young readers.

With a background in rhyming texts, metered verse, and educational content, she’s helped bring countless children’s books to life—including JoAnn’s own Rylee, Amelia Ophelia, and Lou’s Zoo series.

We talk about:

✔️ Why rhyme is harder than it looks

✔️ What makes a manuscript kid-friendly

✔️ How Robin helps authors simplify educational content for young readers

✔️ Wearing multiple hats: from fact-checker to sounding board

✔️ Tips for self-published authors looking for the right editor

✔️ The difference between editing for kids vs. adults

✔️ And which of JoAnn’s books was her favorite to edit!

Whether you’re a self-published author, illustrator, or aspiring editor, this episode is full of wisdom, encouragement, and behind-the-scenes magic.

Who's New At Lou's Zoo children's book, was mentioned in this episode, won Best Cover by Best Independent Book Awards, and book of the year by The Golden Wizard Book Prize. My books are available on my website (autographed copies) or on Amazon.

🎧 Don't miss an episode! Follow us: Beyond the Book with JoAnn M. Dickinson | Podcast on Spotify

@robinkatzeditorHome | Word Wiz
www.joannmdickinsonauthor.com

IG: @joann.dickinson.author

FB: @joanndickinsonauthor

Subscribe to YouTube

In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I sit down with self-published author, screenwriter, and mother Vix Browne to talk about the emotional power behind her stories.

We discuss her heartfelt children's books—The Day My Clock Broke, The Day My Monster Spoke, and The Night My Feelings Spoke—and how they were inspired by her journey helping her son navigate big emotions.

Vix also shares her experience writing several novels, and we dive into her exciting new comic book launching on June 28th, 2025, which was sparked by her son's simple (but deep) question about thunderstorms.

This episode is a thoughtful look at parenting, creativity, and how storytelling can help children—and adults—better understand their feelings.

YouTube at: JoAnn M. Dickinson Author

www.joannmdickinsonauthor.com⁠

Follow: @joann.dickinson.author

@vixbrowne

https://www.enjoyyoursilly.com/