In celebration of the ten-year anniversary of www.cynthialeitichsmith.com, I asked some
first-time authors the following question:
As a debut author, what are the most important lessons you’ve learned about your craft, the writing life, and/or publishing, and why?
Here’s the latest reply, this one from author Ellen Booraem:
My time as a published debut author has just started as I write this.
Enter to win a copy of Demigods and Monsters: Your Favorite Authors on Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, edited by Rick Riordan with Leah Wilson (BenBella, 2008)(PDF excerpt)! Read a Cynsations interview with Rick. From the promotional copy:
How are the Greek gods like your middle school principal?
We last spoke in April 2007 about The Seer series (Llewellyn, 2004-). Could you update us on news of your writing life since that time?
Well, at that time I was getting a little nervous about what would sell next since I’d finished the fifth The Seer. I happened to mention my Dead Girl Walking book in an email to my editor,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Linda Joy Singleton on Dead Girl Walking »
In celebration of the ten-year anniversary of www.cynthialeitichsmith.com, I asked some first-time authors the following question:
As a debut author, what are the most important lessons you’ve learned about your craft, the writing life, and/or publishing, and why?
Here’s the latest reply, this one from author Stacy A.
Continue Reading 10th Anniversary Feature: Stacy A. Nyikos »
TSRA Literature Awards for Children
Awarded by the Texas State Reading Association.
Winner: When is a Planet Not a Planet? The Story of Pluto by Elaine Scott (Clarion)(author interview).
Honor: The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous by Suzanne Crowley (HarperCollins)(author interview).
Marilyn Singer on Marilyn Singer:
“I have written over eighty books in many genres for toddlers to teens, as well as articles, poetry for adults, teaching guides, filmstrips, film notes and catalogs. I like to write lots of different stuff because it’s challenging and it keeps me from getting bored.
“For four years I taught high school English.
About 200 people descended on the second floor of BookPeople last Thursday night for the Austin SCBWI annual holiday party!
To kick off the festivities, author-poet Philip Yates read from his latest book, A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas (Sterling, 2008).
Author and VCFA student Lindsey Lane coordinated a group photo in support of Amadi’s Snowman by Katia Novet Saint-Lot,
Continue Reading Austin SCBWI Holiday Party; Brazos Valley SCBWI Conference »
By Gail Langer Karwoski
Courtesy of Sylvan Dell
When did you start doing school visits?
As soon as my first book was published, I began visiting classrooms, schools, and libraries to talk to young readers about writing. I’m a former teacher and a mom, and my colleagues–as well as my children’s teachers–invited me to speak to their students and library patrons.
Continue Reading The ABCs of School Visits – A Primer for Authors and Illustrators »
Enter to win an autographed copy of Santa Knows by Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, illustrated by Steve Bjorkman (Dutton, 2006)! Four runners up will receive audio productions of the book either on tape or CD (Scholastic Book Club, 2007)! From the promotional copy:
Who knows if you’ve been naughty or nice?
Biography of author Drew Hayden Taylor.
What first inspired you to write for teens? For adults?
Well, I started in theatre. In fact, my very first play was a play for young audiences called “Toronto at Dreamer’s Rock.”
The play was very popular, and it was remounted several times.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Drew Hayden Taylor on The Night Wanderer: A Native Gothic Novel »
