Episode 2

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Published on:

26th Jan 2026

Kari Lavelle

Episode 2 - Kari Lavelle

How did five years of rejection eventually lead to a ten-editor auction and a first book deal?

In this episode of My First Book Story, Meredith Davis talks with picture book author Kari Lavelle about the winding, emotional journey that led to her first published book, We Move the World. Kari shares how motherhood reignited her creativity, how years of revision and rejection shaped her voice, and how an unexpected auction launch changed her career trajectory. From imposter syndrome to breakthrough moments, this conversation offers an honest look at one woman’s story breaking into children’s publishing.

Books mentioned

• We Move the World (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/We-Move-World-Kari-Lavelle/dp/0062916858)

• Ode to Grapefruit: How James Earl Jones Found His Voice (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Ode-Grapefruit-James-Jones-Found/dp/059337276X)

• Butt or Face? series (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWVTNT9Y?binding=hardcover&qid=1769308952)

Links

• Kari Lavelle (https://www.karilavelle.com)

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

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

• The Log Line Substack (https://logline.substack.com)

• Episode Webpage (https://meredithdavis.substack.com/p/kari-lavelle-on-my-first-book-story)

Theme music by Nate Davis

Produced by Clay Davis

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About the Podcast

My First Book Story
Interviews with successful authors about their journeys to their first published book
Welcome to My First Book Story, where I interview successful authors about their journeys to their first published book. Whether you’re still chasing your first book contract, going after the next one, or pursuing some other dream, these short interviews will inspire you to keep going.

Have you ever wondered how to break through an editor’s slush pile and breach the publishing wall? There are many paths to success, and each one is different. Mine was more than a decade in the making, others happened almost overnight. But the one thing each of these stories has in common is that it ends with a published book in the hands of readers.

I’m Meredith Davis, a traditionally published children’s book author living in Austin, Texas, a hotbed of talented book writers and illustrators. I’ve been in this world for thirty years, I’ve heard some great stories, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

About your host

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Meredith Davis

Meredith Davis is the author of THE MINOR MIRACLE and THE MINOR RESCUE, books one and two in THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF NOAH MINOR series (Waterbrook, 2024/25) and co-author of HER OWN TWO FEET: A RWANDAN GIRL’S BRAVE FIGHT TO WALK (Scholastic, 2019). She once worked at an independent children’s bookstore, started the Austin Chapter of SCBWI, and earned her Masters of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults at VCFA. Her superpowers include reading, grandmothering, and finding ways to fit more books in her Austin, Texas home.