By Cynthia Leitich Smith
  

Cynsations is going on a brief hiatus while Cynthia Leitich Smith (that’s me!) appears at book events in the upper southwest. In addition to a number of school visits, the public events are:

Alamosa Books Author Event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 7 in Albuquerque. Note: no worries if you can’t be there right at 5 p.m.

Tuscon Festival of Books March 10 and March 11 in Tucson. Appearances include:

• “Blood and Kisses: Paranormal Romance
  Panel” on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  at Education Building – Room 349;
• “Cynthia Leitich Smith
  Solo Presentation” on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Teen and Author Meeting Place;
• “Fantasy: What’s New and Who’s Reading Now?
  Panel” on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.  at Koffler – Room 204;
• “The Business of Writing for Children and Teens: Surviving the Recession Panel on Saturday from 2:30 p.m. to 03:30 p.m. at
  Education Building – Room 349.

See schedule for signing times and more information.

Cynsational News

From Cynsations Canada reporter Lena Coakley: Last week, the Canadian Library Association announced the 2012 shortlists for their three major awards, the Young Adult Book Award, the Book of the Year for Children Award and the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award.
The winners of these awards, and the Honour Books, will be announced prior to the National Canadian Library Association Conference and Trade Show. The awards will be presented at the conference in Ottawa, Ontario on May 31 at at the annual awards reception.

Austinites! Breaking news from Greg Leitich Smith. Peek: “The world premiere of the movie based on K.L. Going’s Printz Honor winning novel, Fat Kid Rules the World (Putnam, 2003), will be this Friday during the SXSW Film Festival.” See details.

Kidlit Celebrates Women’s History Month: a celebration blog. Peek: “We are fortunate to have many resources for our children to learn about
women’s history, everything from fabulous biographical picture books about remarkable women from the past to historical novels, to fascinating history books written especially for young people. We hope
this blog will help you identify some of these resources, learn about new books on women’s history, and enjoy reflections by some distinguished authors in the field.” Source: The Miss Rumphius Effect. 

Authors for Henryville: this fundraising effort is spearheaded by Julia Karr with help from fellow authors Mike Mullin, Ashley Hope Pérez, Christine Johnson, and Josie Bloss. Peek: “…working to raise funds for Henryville schools, which were destroyed by the March 2 tornadoes in Southern Indiana. All monies donated will either go to the rebuilding of the school libraries or to the Red Cross (it’s the schools’ choice!)Meanwhile… We’re asking for your help! Pledge book(s) and/or book swag to be given away as one of the prizes in a drawing from the names of those who donate to the Henryville cause.”

5 Chances to Win!

Awesome Prize Package!

Reminder! Enter to win ongoing Cynsations giveaways: five ARCs of Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood for YA fans and the Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen by Donna Gephart Prize Package for middle grade book lovers!

The Cynsational winner of Firelight by Sophie Jordan was Deena in New York, and the winner of Vanish, also by Sophie, was Jennifer in Wyoming. Both novels are published by Harper.

When Cynsations posts resume next week, look for more insights from new and established authors and other children’s book professions, a variety of exciting giveaways, as well as the continuing Celebrating Poetry series by Kate Hosford and upcoming SCBWI Bologna 2012 series, coordinated by Angela Cerrito.