Episode 1 — Liz Garton Scanlon

How do life disruptions, beginner’s luck, and creative play lead to a published book?

In this episode of My First Book Story, Meredith Davis talks with award-winning author Liz Garton Scanlon about the surprising chain of events that led to her first picture book, A Sock Is a Pocket for Your Toes. Liz shares how motherhood, losing her home in a devastating flood, and encouragement from fellow writers opened the door to creativity and possibility.

Books mentioned

• A Sock Is a Pocket for Your Toes (Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/006053890X)

• All the World (Caldecott Honor - Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1416985808)

• Bibsy Cross series (Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Liz+Garton+Scanlon+Bibsy+Cross)

• The Dog Who Had Kittens (Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0399233872)

Links

• Liz Garton Scanlon (https://www.lizgartonscanlon.com)

• Meredith Davis (https://meredithldavis.com)

• Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (https://www.scbwi.org)

• Episode Webpage (https://open.substack.com/pub/meredithdavis/p/liz-garton-scanlons-first-book-story)

Theme music by Nate Davis

Produced by Clay Davis

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Welcome to My First Book Story, the podcast where children’s author Meredith Davis interviews successful writers about their journeys to publishing their very first book.

Whether you’re still dreaming of your debut, working on your next contract, or chasing an entirely different creative goal, these short, inspiring interviews will encourage you to keep going.

From decade-long persistence to overnight breakthroughs, each guest’s path to publication is unique — but every story ends with a book in readers’ hands.