Cynsations

Cynsational News, Links & Giveaway

Win an autographed copy of Piper Reed, Navy Brat by Kimberly Willis Holt (Henry Holt, 2007)! To enter, simply email me with your name, snail/street mail address, and to whom you would like the book personalized. Type “Piper Reed, Navy Brat” in the subject line. Deadline: 5 PM CST Dec. 14. Good luck!

More News & Links

“Edit Yourself Into Print” by Gail Martini-Peterson from the Institute of Children’s Literature. Focus is on line editing.

Reminder: Austin SCBWI offers a great line-up for its April 26 conference. Speakers include: author and editor Deborah Noyes Wayshak from Candlewick Press (author-editor interview); Alvina Ling from Little Brown (personal blog); agent Erin Murphy (interview from Olswanger.com)(interview by Pam Mingle from Kite Tales, Rocky Mountain chapter, SCBWI); artist’s agent Christina Tugeau; and writing professor Peter Jacobi. See details at Austin SCBWI.

Wonders of the World by Brian Yansky: a recommendation by Greg Leitich Smith from GregLSBlog. Here’s a sneak peek: “Told with sardonic humor, Wonders of the World is quirky, gritty, and riveting, with a great voice and terrific story. Sometimes grim, sometimes hopeful, this novel is an amazing, compelling read. Highly recommended.” Read the whole recommendation. Read a Cynsations interview with Brian.

The Houston chapter of SCBWI is sponsoring the “Passport to Publication” conference from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 at Greenspoint Marriot Hotel (255 N. Sam Houston Parkway East), in Houston. 2008 Speakers: award-winning author Kimberly Willis Holt (author interview); editor Molly O’Neill of HarperCollins’ newest (as of yet unnamed) imprint headed by Brenda Bowen; editor Sarah Cloots of Greenwillow; editor Abigail Samoun, of Tricycle Press; Jennifer Jaeger of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency; and illustrator-cartoonist Don Tate (illustrator interview).

Congratulations to Suzanne Crowley on the release of The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous (HarperCollins, 2007)(excerpt). From the promotional copy: “Merilee leads a Very Ordered Existence. V.O.E., for short. Her schedule (which must not be altered) includes, among other entries: * School (horrendous) * Litter patrol (30 minutes daily) * Lunch (PB&J and a pickle) * Bottle return (Friday only at the Piggly Wiggly) * Dame Fiona’s meditation show (Saturday only, 6:00 AM). The V.O.E. is all about precision. Merilee does not have time for Biswick O’Connor. Merilee does not have time for Miss Veraleen Holliday. He with his annoying factoids and runny nose. She with her shining white shoes as big as sailboats. Both of them strangers who, like the hot desert wind that brings only bad news, blow into town and change everything.” Suzanne lives in Southlake, Texas. Learn more, and read Suzanne’s blog.

Looking for Lindsey Lane, author of Snuggle Mountain, illustrated by Melissa Iwai (Clarion, 2003)? Lindsey’s new site will debut in February 2008! In the meantime, you can still contact her from here. Read a Cynsations interview with Lindsey.

The Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults debuts a new official site! Note: I’m a member of the faculty.

Marguerite W. Davol: official site of such books as The Loudest, Fastest, Best Drummer in Kansas, illustrated by Cat Bowman Smith (Scholastic, 2000) and Black, White, Just Right! illustrated by Irene Trivas (Albert Whitman, 1993). Marguerite is the author of nine books and based in Massachusetts. Learn more!

Reminder: registration for the 2008 Writers’ League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference is open now. The Conference will take place at the Sheraton Austin Hotel, June 20 to 22. Members: $309; Non-Members: $354 (Early Bird: $324). To register, call 512.499.8914.