Navigating the Complexities of
Stepfamily Life:
Tools for Conflict Resolution and Harmony
Georgina Warren, is a graduate of Christopher Newport University, where she majored in French, and recently received her Master of Library and Information Science degree from the Catholic University of America. She lives in Washington, D.C. and currently works at the Library of Congress.
Homeschooled until she was fifteen, she later attended the British School of Washington and the Field School, where she first cultivated her profound love of the literary, visual and performing arts, and pursued her vision to become a writer, artist and actor. Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers is the first installment of what will eventually be a three-volume collection.
Georgina Warren has been featured as a guest speaker on In The Blend, Raising His Kids, The Stepmom Wisdom Circle (Stepmom Coach), Women Winning At Writing, and the DC Public Library podcast channels.
Samantha berger may not be...
an otter with an attitude
a crankycrankycranky little boy
a pig who needs glasses
a Christmas reindeer
a princess on the potty
a sloth at a music festival
a witch at a day spa
a Sasquatch with anxiety
a snail traveling cross country
a girl riding a Pegacorn
a drawing that comes to life
a glamorous grandma
or a monster with major underwear dilemmas...
BUT --
she has written picture books about them ALL over the last 25 years!
Samantha Berger is the award-winning author of 100 books for young readers. She's also a four-time Emmy nominated preschool writer for Sesame Street, and currently writes for PBS' Carl the Collector and Donkey Hodie. Sam believes in creating her way through life, keeping a sense of humor and always putting kindness first.
Website: SamanthaBerger.com
Renee bolla, a children's picture book author, seamlessly transitioned from the corporate world of fashion retail to craft enchanting literary worlds for young minds. With the release of her self-published picture books, Finding Bunny and Imagine That, in 2022, and her newest book, The Truth About Stepmoms, released Mother's Day 2024, Renee has emerged as a storyteller who captivates hearts and sparks imaginations.
As a devoted mother to three daughters, Renee weaves the magic of her personal experiences into every narrative, creating stories that resonate with the shared joys and challenges of parenthood. Writing serves as her creative sanctuary, unlocking the enchantment of literature and inviting readers into boundless realms of imagination.
Renee is committed to fostering a love for reading and writing among elementary school children. As a founder of the empowering initiative, A Pop of Indie, she is on a mission to connect local Indie authors directly with students. Her commitment to creating meaningful connections between authors and young readers reflects her belief in the transformative power of storytelling and its ability to shape and enrich young minds.
Renee's passion for literature extends beyond her own creations. As a writing contributor for Detroit Mom, a proud member of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), an active participant in Julie Hedlund's 12x12 Picture Book Challenge, and founding member of Kidlit at Heart, a grassroots children's picture book marketing group, she is deeply ingrained in the vibrant world of children's literature.
Join her as she continues to inspire young hearts, one story at a time.
Website: reneebollaauthor.com
HOLLY MAXSON
I was born and raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with four brothers. My father worked for the telephone company and my mother was a homemaker. An early undergraduate art degree in printmaking and photography was the background for my interest in the conservation of art on paper. After an apprenticeship, I started my own private practice in Philadelphia, restoring archival paper documents, art on paper, and photographs.
I met Samantha when she was about 10 years old, and joined the family formally (as a stepmother) in 1984 when I married her dad.
Eight years later, David and I moved to New York City where we started to manage apartments and real estate for his family. I gave up my conservation work and became a building superintendent in Greenwich Village for the next 26 years.
I retired from that line of work in 2018 when we moved to the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Among other activities, we oversee the Milton J. Hinton Photographic Collection (www.MiltHinton.com).
Here are some of the main points from our Authors interview:
- Positive Representation of Stepmothers in Literature and Media
- Drawing from Real-Life Experiences
- Breaking the Stigma and Changing Language
- The Importance of Communication and Cooperation in Stepfamilies
- Messages of Hope and Encouragement for Blended Families
(the full version of this session runs 0:44:18)