Traitor's Game (2:41) In a true dilemma, you find yourself facing two conflicting options. Which is best?  Which do you choose? Our first guest, children’s book author, Jennifer Nielsen, talks about the “dilemma” at the heart of her latest novel, "The Traitor’s Game". The main character must choose between staying true to her beliefs or – well, let’s not give it away. Jennifer Nielsen is a New York Times Bestselling author. Her books include "The Ascendance" trilogy – beginning with "The False

In this episode, Alain and Natalie present the 2018 Arches & Canyonlands Fine Art Photography Summit which takes place in Moab, Utah. They talk about the schedule of the Summit, the locations you will photograph and the contents of the seminar presentations by Alain Briot and Jeff Schewe. They also talk about the Limited Edition print of the Summit and the free photo coffee mug that early registrants receive as a gift.

Sharlee Glenn Library on Wheels (2:39) Unsung heroes – there are many. People who do something significant, ground-breaking, history making – but little is known about them or their deeds. Our first guest on Worlds Awaiting, Sharlee Glenn, is singing the praises of one such forgotten hero. Sharlee tells of her experience discovering Mary Lemist Titcomb, inventor of the Book Mobile. Mary’s desire to get books into the hands of people far from cities, led to her pioneering efforts with her “Book

This episode focuses on Antelope Canyon in Arizona, one of the most beautiful photographic locations in the world. Alain and Natalie talk about their experience photographing there from the first time they went there in 1986 until now. They talk about the changes that they have witnessed and how these have impacted the way they photograph the canyon.

In this episode Natalie and Alain talk about our new Master Class workshop and discuss the main aspects of this exciting event. This is an advanced workshop designed for students who want to reach the next step with their work. The goal of the workshop is to help you turn your dreams into goals and reality.

In this episode Alain and Natalie talk about the 2018 Rendez Vous that they just taught in Chinle, Arizona, the home of Canyon de Chelly. The Rendez Vous is a gathering of alumni, Students who have previously attended a workshop with Alain and Natalie. ALain and Natalie describe what the Rendez Vous consists of and which unique activities are part of this event. These include the Print Exchange, the Personal Print Presentation and the photography field trips to Little Known areas of Navajoland.

10,000 Hours (3:41) In the book Outliers, author Malcolm Gladwell says his theory is that it takes roughly ten thousand hours of practice to achieve mastery in a field or skill. Our first guest, children’s book author and illustrator, Rosemary Wells talks about the 10,000 hours (and then some) that she put into reading, writing, and drawing from a very young age that eventually led to success in her present profession. "It was practice, practice, practice" she said, that enabled her to master

From Computer Game to Book (3:29) Sometimes a movie comes out before the book. Sometimes it goes the other way, as a book first. Today, we bring you a unique twist, with a book series based, not on a movie, but on a computer game. Our first guest today on Worlds Awaiting, children’s book author Matthew J. Kirby talks to Rachel about his Assassins Creed book series that is based on the computer game of the same name. Matt was approached by the creators of the game to write this series; and now the

Speculative Fiction (3:29) Our first guest today on Worlds Awaiting has a real hankering for speculative fiction. So just what is ‘speculative fiction’? Well, let’s speculate: it could be science fiction or fantasy … or maybe space opera, steampunk, or cyberpunk. Let’s include any story you care to add from among the many superhero stories, and dystopian fiction or horror (if you have the stomach for these!). The list goes on. David John Butler’s career in writing springs from his childhood love of

Steps to Reading Early (3:28) They say – It’s never too early to introduce a child to reading. So when should you begin?  At birth? Or even before – in the womb? – (by osmosis). Or, maybe during early infancy, holding a baby in your lap. Our first guest, Kathleen Brown, Director of the University of Utah Reading Clinic, shares some tips on the most productive ways to help a child learn to read beginning at an early age. Kathleen Brown spent seven years in southern Idaho as a remedial reading and

From Reader to Writer (3:31) Just because you love to read doesn’t mean you love to write. Obviously, the advantages of reading are many – opening new worlds of thought and meaning, providing entertainment and refuge, expanding our horizons. But here’s a plus to reading we often overlook: How about helping us become better writers? Our first guest – Educator and writer, Mary Bigler confirms this. Books (from picture books to novels) can actually become a child’s mentor – giving them opportunities

Story in Computer Games (3:39) Where do stories come alive? In movies? Yes! And before movies, there were books. And before that, on papyrus and parchment, and before that – around prehistoric campfires. But now, we’re in the digital age – stories come alive in computers, and, as it happens, they thrive in the world of computer games. Our first guest – author, artist and video game director Dustin Hansen talks to Rachel about the story aspect of computer games that began in the arcades and has now

Curiosity (3:42) How curious are you about the world around us? Perhaps you’re mostly interested in learning about other people. What’s life like for them? How do they accomplish what they do? Or, maybe your inquisitive nature is about plants, animals, minerals, dinosaurs, medicine, language... Our guest today on Worlds Awaiting, Elizabeth MacLeod has a deeply curious nature which, she says, has propelled her to write non-fiction books for kids of all ages on any number of subjects – from

Authors and Fans (3:21) If you’re a teacher, you get to look your audience in the eye. If you’re a stand-up comedian, you play to a visible crowd. If you’re an athlete, the bleachers hold fans and spectators. When does a children’s book author ever get to see her readers? Today Rachel welcomes author Julie Berry, who answers this question for us. Spoiler alert: She’s pleased to know that she makes a difference. Berry is the author of The Emperor’s Ostrich, as well as the 2017 Printz Honor novel The

Victorian Children’s Lit (3:23) Today’s children’s and young adult literature ranges from tales of knights, dragons and wizards, to dystopian societies, mystery, humor, and the like. Children’s lit in the 1700’s and earlier was more focused on moralizing. Stories simply had to teach a lesson! Today on Worlds Awaiting Rachel Wadham welcomes Jamie Horrocks, BYU English Professor and an expert in Victorian literature and culture. Horrocks talks about the Golden age of Children’s literature that dawned

The Wonderling (3:59) We use the phrase “Achilles Heel” to describe a vulnerability. But what if that supposed weakness isn’t a weakness at all, but the key to a person’s success. For example, Richard Branson, self-made billionaire and founder of multiple companies, used his own weakness – dyslexia – to develop one of his greatest strengths – communication and delegation. Author and Illustrator Mira Bartók talks to Rachel today on Worlds Awaiting about The Wonderling, her first novel for young

Chip Camp (3:33) There’s the saying: “Work’s more fun when it’s done with more than one!” This insight just happens to be a fundamental premise for most any learning camp devised for children. Today Rachel introduces us to Dr. Aaron Hawkins, professor in the BYU Electrical Engineering Department, who directs one such learning camp. He’s the founder/director of the BYU Chip Camp, offered to students in the 7th and 8th grades. Kids at Chip Camp dive into the field of Engineering, Electronics, and

Better Writers (3:22) Reading and writing go hand in hand. Practicing one improves the other. Today on Worlds Awaiting Steve Graham, a professor at Arizona State University’s Teacher College, talks with Rachel about how parents can help their children become better writers. He also emphasizes that writing is a powerful tool that helps them acquire info at school and better-equips them for future jobs. For over 30 years Graham has been researching how to teach young people to write effectively, and,

Twain Story Discovered (3:32) Historical figures can sometimes be larger than life. But, they led real lives as well – like something as simple as telling their children a bedtime story. Today, Rachel visits with children’s book author, Philip Stead, who along with his illustrator wife Erin brought to life a bedtime story that Mark Twain made up for his daughters. It was never published in his lifetime. Stead shares the backstory – of the recent discovery of the manuscript and he and his wife being

When something affects us, we often feel a need to share it. Perhaps a passage from a book or even a poem excites or engages you. You just want to share that excitement by telling someone else about it. Today’s episode of Worlds Awaiting is prompted by an event sponsored by LitWorld. It’s called “World Read Aloud Day.” Coming up, some of our BYU Radio colleagues share passages from their favorite books. Featured are: Jeff Simpson, Co-host of the The Matt Townsend Show reading from The Wonderful