Jan. 27 Designated Multicultural Children’s Book Day by Claire Kirch from Publishers Weekly. Peek: “The mission of MCCBD, co-founders Wenjen and Budayr explained to PW, is to “not only raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity, but to get more of these types of books into classrooms and libraries.”
Diversity in Single Serving Slices by Day Al-Mohamed from Disability in Kidlit. Peek: “People are perceived as being gay or autistic or black and usually one of those identities is the ‘defining’ one. If we are already seeing the ‘real world’ in this sort of compartmentalization, seeing it in fiction becomes a natural outgrowth of these assumptions.”
Creating Unforgettable Characters by Kathleen McCleary from Writer Unboxed. Peek: “The story lies in how those inborn personality traits lead characters to make choices that shape the events of their lives and, in turn, how events work with temperament to shape character.”
Reasons My Son Is Crying: Writing Edition by Cory McCarthy from Through the Tollbooth. Peek: “Dearest lovely writer friends, my wish for this holiday season is that we can all be proud of what we’ve written no matter how fancy everyone else’s writing might seem.”
The Fiction Puzzle by Brian Yansky from Brian’s Blog: Writer Talk. Peek: “No matter how long you’ve been writing, you can always get better if you keep fighting to find new ways to improve your skills.”
Four Logic Problems That Will Ruin Your Day (and Your Manuscript) by Harrison Demchick from Writers Helping Writers. Peek: “Logic problems remove readers from the world you’ve created. They take from you your narrative authority. They undercut conflict and tension. And if not identified and fixed, they will ruin your manuscript.”
Cynsational Screening Room
This Week at Cynsations
- Matt Phelan on Advice for Writer-Illustrators & Druthers
- In Memory: Norman Bridwell
- Jennifer Wolf Kam on Words from the Past
- Trisha Leaver & Lindsay Currie on Writing YA Horror, Writing as a Team & Creed
- Dana Walrath on Writing from the Marrow
Cynsational Giveaways
- Blue on Blue by Dianne White, illustrated by Beth Krommes
- Devon Rhodes is Dead by Jennifer Wolf Kam
- Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath
- 2 School for S.P.I.E.S.: Playing with Fire and 2 School for S.P.I.E.S.: Thicker Than Water by Bruce Hale
More Personally
My sympathies to the family and friends, colleagues and fans of Choctaw children’s author Greg Rodgers. I occasionally feature obituaries at Cynsations; however, in this case, I refer you to Debbie Reese at American Indians in Children’s Literature, in conjunction with Greg’s dear friend, fellow Choctaw children’s author Tim Tingle: A Remembrance of Choctaw Writer Greg Rodgers. Note: Greg and Tim also have created books for grown-ups. Tim writes in part:
“We already miss you more than you will ever know, Brother Greg. Too soon, you left us staggering far too soon. But we forgive you, on the sole condition that you work your magic through the fingers of young Choctaw writers, doing their best to continue your work.”
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| With Frosty and the gang outside GSD&M in Austin. |
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| Feral Curse is on Toby Paws’ sleigh on The Writing Barn card by Jeff Crosby. |
School Library Journal says of Feral Curse: “Smith once again weaves an action-packed plotline with campy alternating narration by Clyde, Aimee, Kayla, and Yoshi, all while dealing with the complex themes of acceptance, tolerance, freedom, and self-esteem. All this is done in a nonpreachy style to which readers can easily relate. A successful conclusion to a thought-provoking series.”
Reminder! Did you enjoy Feral Curse (Candlewick, 2014)? If so, please consider casting a vote for it (and other favorites) on the long list for the Teen Choice Book of the Year Award!
Link of the Week: Newbery/Caldecott 2015: The Final Prediction Edition by Betsy Bird from A Fuse #8 Production at School Library Journal. See also Cry to the Captain by Kara Stewart at From Here to Writernity.
Personal Links
- Minimalism When Writing Fiction
- This Is Your Brain on Crafting
- The Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner
- Uma Krishnaswami on the Case for Rereading
- 10 School Librarians You Should Follow on Twitter
- What You Learn in Your 40s
Cynsational Events
Cynthia Leitich Smith will speak at the American Library Association MidWinter Convention in Chicago from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3.
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| Pre-order Now! |
Cynthia will speak on “Writing Across Identity Markers” at 10 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Austin SCBWI monthly meeting at BookPeople in Austin.
The SCBWI Austin 2015 Writers and Illustrators Working Conference
will take place March 7 and March 8 at Marriott Austin South. Note:
Cynthia will be moderating a panel and offering both
critiques and consultations.
Cynthia will appear from April 14 to April 17 at the 2015 Annual Conference of the Texas Library Association in Austin.
Cynthia will serve as the master class faculty member from June 19 to June 21 at the VCFA Alumni Mini-Residency in Montpelier, Vermont.
Cynthia will speak from June 25 to June 30 on a We Need Diverse Books panel at the 2015 Annual Conference of the American Library Association in San Francisco.
