Interview: Author and Publisher, Lori Keating - The Memory Quilt
Hello! Come on in!
Happy Autumn. 🍁 I’m so glad you’re here.
Let’s grab a cup of something yummy, get comfy, and dig in!
This month I’m excited to share my interview with Lori Keating. Lori is an award-winning, multi-genre author with a unique talent for weaving tales that resonate with readers of all ages, blending humor, heart, and a touch of magic. In addition to her picture book, The Memory Quilt, illustrated by Alyssa Grizenko (which we will be discussing here), she is also the author of a YA Romance, Butterfly Ink, and a middle-grade novel, Angels in the Sand.
Lori is the founder and publisher of Literary Leaf Press, an independent publishing house, which has released a second edition of The Memory Quilt. I was eager to learn about her insights into the book, and about her journey to publishing a new edition. I hope you find it as interesting as I did!
SR: Hi Lori! I’m so happy to have you on the blog. Thank you for joining us. Will you tell us about The Memory Quilt?
LK: Thank you so much for having me! The Memory Quilt is a picture book about love, loss, and the power of memory. In the story, Grace creates a quilt from her late friend Jason’s favorite clothes to comfort his grieving parents. It’s a tender story about finding ways to hold on to someone we love while still learning how to move forward.
SR: I admire how gently you were able to tackle this difficult subject – one that many families face. I was also struck by the fact that Grace uses her hands to make something meaningful, which helps both the Davidsons and Grace through their grief. Can you talk a little bit about what that means to you, and what you’d like readers to feel when they’re reading the book together?
LK: For me, grief is such a deeply personal journey, but it’s also one we’re not meant to walk alone. Creating something tangible, like a quilt, can be incredibly healing. It’s a way of expressing love and preserving memories when words feel too heavy or hard to find. I hope that when families read this book together, they’ll feel seen and comforted. I want children to understand that it’s okay to miss someone, to cry, and to remember, and that there are gentle, creative ways to honor those we’ve lost. Sometimes healing comes through small, quiet acts of love, like stitching together pieces of fabric and, in a way, stitching our hearts back together too.
SR: This is actually the second edition of The Memory Quilt, re-released by your own publishing imprint, Literary Leaf Press. Could you talk about the book’s journey to re-publication? What is your favorite part about this second edition of the book?
LK: The second edition of The Memory Quilt is the vision I had for the book all along, finally brought to life through my small press. When I started Literary Leaf Press, it felt like the perfect opportunity to re-release The Memory Quilt as our very first title. This new edition features a new spread and a new ending. My favorite part is the overall design. I love the new square shape and the book jacket with spot UV detailing. It’s such a beautiful book on the outside, perfectly reflecting the story inside.
SR: The new endpapers are beautiful, too! For this new edition did you have to regain your publishing rights to The Memory Quilt?
LK: Yes, I did. When my previous publisher announced changes within their company, it created the opportunity for me to get my rights back. The timing couldn’t have been better—I’d been tossing around the idea about starting my own publishing company, and this felt like a sign that it was the right moment to take that step. Having those rights returned was incredibly meaningful to me. It gave me the chance to revisit The Memory Quilt with fresh eyes, make updates that were close to my heart, and release it in a way that truly reflects my vision, this time through Literary Leaf Press.
SR: What are the challenges and gifts of starting your own imprint? What are your dreams for Literary Leaf Press?
LK: Starting my own imprint has been both exhilarating and humbling. There are so many moving parts including editing, design, marketing, and distribution. While I don’t want to wear all those hats myself, I’ve learned how important it is to have the right team in place. I’m currently in the process of building that team to help ensure the success of the first author I’ve signed, as well as future authors who will join Literary Leaf Press. My dream for Literary Leaf Press is to create books that truly touch hearts and stand the test of time, stories that families will return to again and again. I also want authors to feel valued and appreciated for the hard work and dedication they put into their craft. It’s important to me that they have a voice in every part of the process. This isn’t about me taking over as a publisher, but about working together in partnership to bring their vision and dream to life.
SR: When I began my own writing journey, you were part of a group on Twitter/X who gave back to the community by providing free critiques. I won the lucky draw one month, and I was so grateful for the opportunity— not only to receive a critique, but also to meet new people in the kidlit community. What does the kidlit community and giving back mean to you?
LK: The kidlit community has always been incredibly special to me. When I was first starting out, other writers encouraged and supported me, so it’s always been important to give back in that same way. Offering critiques was one small way to say, “I believe in you and your story,” which can mean so much when you’re just finding your footing.
Our MidWeekCritique group with April Berry, Christine Alemshah, and Elizabeth James was incredibly rewarding. We learned from each other and celebrated one another’s milestones along the way. Even more than that, it was amazing to connect with such talented, passionate writers and build genuine friendships through our shared love of creating stories for children.
SR: Now that the kidlit community has become somewhat scattered across different social media platforms, how do you continue to nurture that sense of community?
Even though our community is more spread out now, I think those connections are still vital. I try to nurture them through smaller, more personal interactions, whether that’s engaging on Instagram, hopping into a Facebook group, or sending a quick note of encouragement. It’s about building relationships and cheering each other on, even if we’re no longer in the same virtual space.
These days, the way I give back has evolved. Through my small press, my focus will always be on the author, working closely with them to bring their vision to life and making sure they feel supported every step of the way. It has been such a joy to work with my very first signed author and help her bring her dream book to life. At its heart, writing for children is a calling to bring hope and wonder to the next generation. When we support each other as creators, that love ripples out to the readers we serve, creating a legacy of stories that inspire and connect.
SR: Lori, thank you so much for taking the time to be here and sharing your experience with us. You are so appreciated!
LK: Thank you! I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to share, and for the chance to connect with such a wonderful community of readers and writers.
Connect with Lori
● Website: www.lorikeating.com.
● Twitter/X: @LoriMKeating
● Instagram: @LoriMKeating
● BlueSky: @lorikeating.bsky.social
● Facebook: facebook.com/lori.keating.7
● TikTok: @lorikeatingauthor
Connect with Literary Leaf Press
● Website: www.literaryleafpress.com
● Twitter/X: @LitLeafPress
●. Instagram: @literaryleafpress
●. Facebook: facebook.com/literaryleafpress
GIVEAWAY!
Lori is graciously giving away a signed copy of her book.
To enter, sign up for news and updates on the form below.
If you’re already a subscriber, simply leave us a comment in the comments section. We can’t wait to hear from you!
EARN TWO ENTRIES! Request that your local library purchase The Memory Quilt. Let us know in the comments section that you’ve done it, and where your library is located, and you will receive an extra entry!