Author Interview: Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adams Speaks to Carrying Ancestral Wisdom Into Her Writing

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By AJ Eversole

Super excited to chat with debut author, Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams today on Cynsations. Reading An Expanse of Blue (Heartdrum, 2026) was a transformative experience for me. From the opening to poem I was hooked and ready to follow main character Aouli along on her journey. So far the young adult novel-in-verse has received a stunning three stars and released on May 19th!

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In Memory: Authors Andrea Page, Michael Hague & Marsha Chall; Bookseller Jewell Stoddard & Editor Ellen Rudin

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By Gayleen Rabakukk

Author Andrea M. Page

Author Andrea M. Page (Hunkpapa Lakota) died March 5, 2026 at the age of 61, after a difficult battle with breast cancer, stated Walker Brothers Funeral Home. Andrea taught 6th grade English Language Arts for more than 30 years. During that time, she started researching the Lakota Code Talkers,

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Author Interview: Christine Hartman Derr Explores Culture, Connection & the Magic of Food in MG Debut, Raven Rising

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By AJ Eversole

Today we have Christine Hartman Derr (Cherokee) to discuss her debut novel, Raven Rising (Heartdrum, 2026). Raven, Rising has received two starred reviews ahead of its July release. Today Christine speaks to the heart of the story and how being Cherokee has shaped her life.

Raven possesses magical powers in the kitchen.

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Author Interview: Nora Shalaway Carpenter on Crafting Short Stories & Editing “Cli-Fi” Anthology, Onward

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By Mitu Malhotra

Today we are excited to welcome to Cynsations, Nora Shalaway Carpenter, contributing editor of Onward (Charlesbridge Teen, 2026) a collection of sixteen short stories published on Feb. 24. While reading Nora’s latest anthology, I was reminded of Amitav Ghosh’s words: “The climate crisis asks us to imagine other forms of human existence—a task to which fiction is the best suited of all cultural forms.” Kirkus Reviews called this book “A powerful look at a shifting world,” and in a starred review,

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Author Interview: Byron Graves Explores Skating & Relationships in Medicine Wheels

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By AJ Eversole

Today we welcome author Byron Graves (Ojibwe/Lakota) whose debut novel, Rez Ball (Heartdrum, 2023) won the William C. Morris Award, the American Indian Youth Literature Award and multiple student-choice state awards. His new book, Medicine Wheels, publishes June 2 from Heartdrum.

What drew you to explore skateboarding culture after the success of Rez Ball?

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Author Interview: Carole Lindstrom on Longer Narrative Fiction & Red River Rose

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By AJ Eversole

Today we’re welcoming award-winning author Carole Lindstrom (Anishinaabe/Metis) to discuss her new middle grade novel, Red River Rose (Bloomsbury, March 2026) and the importance of presenting authentic experiences in historical fiction.

You’re making your middle grade debut with Red River Rose. What drew you to expand into longer narrative fiction,

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