Happy New Year, and much joy and success to all of my Cynsational Readers in 2006! For a report on my New Year’s Eve celebrating, surf over to Spookcyn.

Author Interview: Ellen Jackson by Sue Reichard from suite101.com. She talks about journaling, science writing, writing full time, favorite books from childhood, and more. Her answer to question number 6 quotes some advice from me.

Florida Teens Read: the Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) offers a new state YA award! Check out the 20005-2006 nominees, which include Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn (HarperColllins, 2001)(related author interview).

Kid Magazine Writers: January update includes: an interview with Becky Ances, editor of Moo Cow Fan Club; an article on goals by author Kathryn Lay; an article on writing poetry about the natural world by Becky Loescher; and an article on how to encourage social consciousness in children without preaching by Rita Milias.

Making Your Writing World Safe by Jane Anne Staw from Writing-World.com. Focuses on dealing with those negative voices in your head, finding the write audience, embracing the process, and learning to think “small.”

Secrets of Success: An Interview with Marni McGee, author of picture books, easy readers, historical fiction and nonfiction, from Ellen Jackson.

Writer’s Digest offers a new-year-related writing prompt.

Your Favorite Quotes by Kimberly Pauley from Young Adult Books Central.