Summary: <p>This week, we’re talking with award-winning author Cornelia Funke, author of beloved books like the Inkheart series, <em>The Thief Lord</em>, and <em>Dragon Rider</em>. After many years, Cornelia is returning to the Dragon Rider world with the long-anticipated sequel, <em>The Griffin’s Feather</em>, out July 31.</p> <p>We’re also joined in the studio by Cornelia’s editor, Barry Cunningham. Barry is the founder and publisher of Chicken House, and the acquiring editor of <em>Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone</em> in the UK. He talks about what he looks for in a manuscript, and the advice he gives aspiring writers.</p> <p><strong>Additional resources:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.scholastic.com/kids/books/dragon-rider/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Learn more about Dragon Rider #2: <em>The Griffin's Feather </em></a></li> <li><a href="http://oomscholasticblog.com/podcast/barry-cunningham-and-mg-leonard-talk-books-and-beetles" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Listen to our earlier episode with Barry Cunningham: "Barry Cunningham and M.G. Leonard talk books (and beetles!)"</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.chickenhousebooks.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Learn more about Chicken House</a></li> </ul><p><strong>Guests:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <strong>Cornelia Funke</strong> is one of today’s most beloved writers of magical stories for children. She is the author of <em>The Thief Lord</em>, <em>Dragon Rider</em>, <em>Inkheart</em>, <em>Inkspell</em>, the Ghosthunters series, <em>When Santa Fell to Earth</em>, and <em>Igraine the Brave</em>. She lives with her family in Los Angeles, California, in a house full of books.</li> <li> <strong>Barry Cunningham</strong> is the founder of Chicken House, a lively and creative company publishing highly original and enjoyable children’s books, with a special emphasis on new fiction. Chicken House launched in the US in 2001 and marked its 15th anniversary here this past summer. Barry is also known for signing up J.K. Rowling’s <em>Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone</em> while at Bloomsbury. Together with Chicken House and Scholastic, Barry is proud to have brought the voices of five-time <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Cornelia Funke (T<em>he Thief Lord; Dragon Rider;</em> the Inkheart trilogy), Printz Honor Award-winning Lucy Christopher (<em>Stolen</em>), Kevin Brooks (<em>Martyn Pig; Lucas; Candy</em>), Rachel Ward (Numbers trilogy), Cathryn Constable (<em>The Wolf Princess</em>), and M.G. Leonard (<em>Beetle Boy</em>) to the world.</li> </ul><p><strong>Special thanks:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl</li> <li>Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jordan and Chris Johnson</li> <li>Produced by Emily Morrow</li> </ul>
