In Memory: Ursula K. Le Guin

Authors William Alexander and Ursula K. Le Guin

By Robin Galbraith

Author Ursula K. Le Guin died while Cynsations was on winter hiatus.

Ursula K. Le Guin (1929 – 2018) from The Horn Book. Peek:

“Author Ursula K. Le Guin, who challenged the male-dominated fantasy and science fiction fields starting in the 1960s,

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Author Interview: Will Taylor Reflects on the Washington State Book Award, Writing Influences & Staying Motivated

By Suma Subramaniam

We’re thrilled to have Author Will Taylor on Cynsations today.

Congratulations on winning the Washington State Book Award! How has winning the award changed or affected your creative life? What hasn’t changed?

Thank you so much! I remember attending the Washington State Book Award ceremony the year before my first book came out and thinking “Maybe someday!” It’s truly wild that it’s actually happened.

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Author Interview: Gabrielle Byrne Reflects on the Power of Books & Writing

By Suma Subramaniam

I’m thrilled to welcome Author Gabrielle Byrne to Cynsations today!

Welcome, Gabby!

When and where do you write? Why does that time and space work for you?

I wish I were one of those writers who can roll out of bed early, ready to rumble,

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New Voices: Meredith Davis & Nicole Valentine On Being An Author

By Gayleen Rabakukk

I’m thrilled to introduce two debut authors to the Cynsations audience today. I met both at Vermont College of Fine Arts several years ago while we were all working on MFAs in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Both write middle grade, but their books are very different, illustrating the depth and diversity that exists in children’s literature.

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New Voice & Giveaway: Maggie Lehrman on The Cost of All Things

By Cynthia Leitich Smith

Maggie Lehrman is the first-time author of The Cost of All Things (Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 2015). From the promotional copy:

What would you pay to cure your heartbreak?


Banish your sadness?


Transform your looks?

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Career Builder & Giveaway: Janet Lee Carey

photo of Janet Lee Carey by Heidi Pettit

By Cynthia Leitich Smith

Janet Lee Carey was raised in the redwood forests of California. In the whispering forest, she dreamed of becoming a writer.

She is the award-winning author of eight young adult novels including Dragonswood (Dial Books, 2012) which received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal.

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Author Interview: Janet Lee Carey on Dragon’s Keep

Janet Lee Carey spent far too much time in school staring out the window dreaming of imaginary worlds. Her teachers worried she’d never be able to get a “real job.” Fortunately her “real job” requires a lot of staring out the window dreaming of imaginary worlds, and sometimes her imaginary worlds become books that earn starred reviews!

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The Wand in the Word: Conversations with Writers of Fantasy compiled and edited by Leonard S. Marcus

The Wand in the Word: Conversations with Writers of Fantasy compiled and edited by Leonard S. Marcus (Candlewick, 2006)(excerpt featuring Philip Pullman)(audio reading). Features in-depth interviews with thirteen acclaimed fantasy authors: Lloyd Alexander; Franny Billingsley (author interview);

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The New Rules of High School

Read The New Rules of High School by Blake Nelson (Viking, 2003), which is about a smart, self-absorbed boy’s fall from perceived perfection. The voice was outstanding, and the story was a compelling, one-sitting read. The author does a particularly good job with reversals. Ages 12-up.

Received a wonderful T-shirt and sweatshirt from the ever-darling Katie Davis,

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