Sharon G. Flake is as much an inspiration in person, as are her written words on the page. Today we are excited to welcome this three-time Coretta Scott King Honor winner, and veteran author to Cynsations to discuss her latest release Hattie Mae Begins Again (Knopf,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Sharon G. Flake on Inspiration, Community & Poetic Outcomes »
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,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Carole Lindstrom on Longer Narrative Fiction & Red River Rose »
I connected with Varsha Bajaj through her books long before we became friends online. I have read every one of them and shared them with kids. It’s an honor to celebrate Varsha at Cynsations as she welcomes her new novel, Roar (Nancy Paulsen Books, May 2026).
Your forthcoming middle-grade book,
Effective immediately, Cynsations is on spring hiatus. Read the posts from our most recent series here:
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole, Mitu Malhotra, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Sweet, Sweet Memory by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Tonya Engel (Nancy Paulsen Books,
By AJ Eversole
Excited to chat with kidlit author Ginger Reno (Cherokee) today. Her debut novel, Find Her (Holiday House, 2025), was an Edgar Award Nominee and won the Oklahoma Book Award. Today she talks about her debut picture book, Spirit Shadow,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Ginger Reno on Rekindling Connections & Spirit Shadow »
By Mitu Malhotra
Today I am excited to welcome author-illustrator Deborah Marcero to Cynsations to talk about her seventh picture book, The Great Escape (Penguin Random House/Putnam, February 2026). Reading The Great Escape took me back to the moment in time when I first met Deborah during an exceptionally cold Vermont winter.
Continue Reading Author-Illustrator Interview: Deborah Marcero Shares Her Creative Process »
Congratulations to Liara Tamani on the publication of This Ain’t Our First Rodeo (Greenwillow, Feb. 3, 2026). From the publisher’s website:
This ain’t Josie’s first rodeo. Her parents own several fancy restaurants in Houston, and they just opened a new one right outside the stadium. Josie is expected to stay inside the restaurant and help,
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Author Liara Tamani on Inspiration & MFAs »
Today, I am excited to welcome to Cynsations Alison Green Myers, author of the middle grade novel This Way to Happy (Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2025), and Alexandra Villasante, author of the young adult novel Fireblooms (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2025),
Continue Reading Authors Interview: Alison Green Myers & Alexandra Villasante on Sophomore Novels »
By AJ Eversole
For more than twenty five years, Cynthia Leitich Smith has shaped the landscape of children’s and young adult literature through her own award winning books and through her tireless advocacy for Native voices. I’ve had the privilege of seeing that impact up close as a contributor to Legendary Frybread Drive-In (Heartdrum,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Cynthia Leitich Smith – The Most Awesomest Auntie »