When Kelly Yang recently finished a draft of a book, she called fellow author Kate DiCamillo. Normally, these are joyful conversations between two friends who share a craft and a passion for reading and writing.

“It’s such a special thing to be able to talk to someone who is so present and so creative and such an inspiration,” Yang told SLJ. “But this time we were both really kind of sad.”

The conversation had turned to the state of reading in America, specifically the lack of reading by children. The two writers worry what will happen if the trend continues, and what kind of world that will be.

But she and DiCamillo are “doers,” Yang said, so as the discussion headed toward despair, the question became: what were they going to do about it? Yang proposed a podcast, and StoryKind was born. They hope the weekly, 15-minute episodes will spark interest and curiosity in reading and writing and help wean kids off the steady diet of short-form video.

Starting with the first episode that drops on January 19, DiCamillo and Yang will answer questions from readers, share writing tips, discuss the work of teachers and librarians, and try to reveal the power of storytelling.

“It really is Kelly’s idea, and I think it’s a marvelous one,” said DiCamillo, a two-time Newbery Medalist for Flora & Ulysses in 2014 and The Tale of Despereaux in 2004. “We both answer letters from readers, so how wonderful would it be to have some of those beautiful questions from readers, have other people hear them, and have us talk together about the answers? That, to me, seems like a wonderful use of our time. Also, I’m always after connection and this is a way to not only connect with kids but, ultimately, we hope to connect with teachers and librarians.”

Yang is excited about the opportunity to spend more time with DiCamillo and share their thoughts with listeners.

“What a treat to be able to be in conversation with Kate,” says Yang, author of the “Front Desk” series, among her more than 15 titles for children, teens, and adults. “I’ve always just loved hearing the way she tells stories, and I think that there’s a real honesty with the way both of us approach our work and our friendship.”

Spend time on the phone with the two bestselling children’s authors and their respect and admiration for each other is clear, as is the ease of their conversation, the joy they get in talking to each other, and the curiosity they spark in one another. Their different personalities, and differing approaches to their craft, come together in a common goal to get kids reading more and to stop scrolling and start writing their own stories.

“This is just us hoping to create a deeper community around reading and writing,” said DiCamillo. “We’re all desperate for conversation and feeling seen and feeling connected.”

The podcast is not only for listeners age eight and up, but for parents, educators, and anyone interested in storytelling and writing. But how can they be all things to all people, providing content that interests, entertains, and inspires kids, parents, and librarians and their fellow educators? DiCamillo admits she doesn’t have the definitive answer but knows how she and Yang will try.

“We think in 15-minute bursts with us absolutely being ourselves and being honest and straightforward and present, people will respond,” said DiCamillo.

Said Yang, “We don’t know who we’re going to reach, but we hope [it’s] people who need stories, who will see the value in a story, in unpacking a story, and also being able to tell a story.”

While DiCamillo said they will be “winging it” when they sit down to record, the two will definitely spend part of each episode answering questions from readers.

“The whole idea of this is to answer a question in a really deep and meaningful way,” said Yang. “We’re trying to show kids that there’s something irresistible about a longer answer.”

“And a conversational answer,” DiCamillo jumped in to add. “There’s a wonderful thing that happens. I don’t know who said this but the quote is, “A good conversation acts as midwife to another’s thoughts.” As we talk, we’ll learn more even about each other. We’ll learn about how we work and we will probably learn something that we didn’t anticipate learning, and it’ll be the same way for the listener.”

They will be encouraging listeners to write as much as they try to inspire them to read. Not because they might become writers, but because writing is something “you can do for yourself for the rest of your life that helps you understand yourself,” said Yang.

Reading, writing, and immersing themselves in storytelling have the power to transport kids to a different place, put them in a world they can control, she said.

A notebook, DiCamillo noted, is private and a place where young people can explore their thoughts and interests.

“Another subtext to us talking is giving kids the permission to discover what they’re passionate about,” said DiCamillo. “It might not be reading, and it might not be writing, but both of those things can help you as you discover your passion.”

They can also help kids struggling in difficult times. Both DiCamillo and Yang credit books and writing with helping them get through tough times and become the people they are today.

“A lot of kids are dealing with really hard times right now,” said Yang. “People are having a hard time just putting food on the table. That’s a reality a lot of kids are going through. So what can we give kids besides escaping through YouTube?”

Said DiCamillo, “Podcasts, they’re a dime a dozen. But if we can get at this connection, conversation, permission to create, I think that we’ll be doing something that matters.”