Thanks to my webdesigner/master/guru Lisa Firke of Hit Those Keys. My site is now updated in synch with Cynsations through the March posts. If you haven’t already, read the Story Behind the Redesign. See also Wild Keys, Lisa’s recently redesigned blog.
Thanks to Cynsations LJ reader Colleen Cook for expressing appreciation at my post on the 2006 CLN conference.
Anne Bustard, author of the picture book biography Buddy: The Story of Buddy Holly (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman, 2005), and its illustrator Kurt Cyrus received the June Franklin Naylor Award for the Best Book for Children on Texas History from The Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library Committee on May 19 at the DRT annual conference in Dallas.
Continue Reading Buddy: The Story of Buddy Holly Wins Daughters of the Republic of Texas Award »
Laura Ruby is the author of the children’s novel Lily’s Ghosts (HarperCollins, 2003)(excerpt), the children’s fantasy The Wall and the Wing (HarperCollins, spring 2006)(excerpt), and the young adult novel Good Girls (HarperCollins, fall 2006). She also looks forward to a collection of short stories for adults,
No Bows! by Shirley Smith Duke, illustrated by Jenny Mattheson (Peachtree, 2006). “No bows. BRAIDS!” A lively exploration of contrast–pitting expectations for little girls against an individual girl with her own ideas about her preferences. Ages 4-up. See excerpt.
Shirley Smith Duke on Shirley Smith Duke: “Books were always exciting and important to me.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Shirley Smith Duke on No Bows! »
Lila Guzmán is an “author of young adult novels about the American Revolution, children’s fiction and nonfiction, and short stories.” Her latest releases are Lorenzo and the Turncoat (Arte Público Press, 2006) and Kichi in Jungle Jeopardy, illustrated by Regan Johnson (Blooming Tree, 2006). She offers a critique service and is based in the Austin area.
from the Children’s Literature Network:
Life sends surprises.
One day you’re celebrating the publication of your first book—or another book—and your friends are jumping up and down with congratulations.
The next day you wake up and realize that you’re now a self-employed person, a small business owner, an entrepreneur. Maybe those hats feel a little uncomfortable.
Continue Reading You’re at the Helm! The Business of Writing and Illustrating for Children »
Congratulations to Austin SCBWI founder and former RA Meredith Davis, whose manuscript “Tree” is a finalist in the Writers’ League of Texas Manuscript Competition. Spookycyn readers should note that Meredith is a Writefest alumane. See the complete list of finalists!
Traffic on my website is holding firm at the end of the school year at about 20,000 unique visitors a week.
Blackbeard The Pirate King by J. Patrick Lewis, illustrated by vintage art (National Geographic, 2006). “Several yarns detailing the legends, myths, and real-life adventures of history’s most notorious seaman; told in verse.” Ages 4-up. Cyn Note: though marked for ages 4-up, this picture book would work as well for teen readers.
From the flap bio: J.
Continue Reading Author Interview: J. Patrick Lewis on Blackbeard The Pirate King »
Yowza! What an exciting few days it has been!
I’m dancing around the house carrying both the F&G for Santa Knows by Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, illustrated by Steve Bjorkman (Dutton Children’s Books, September 2006)(a holiday picture book, 4-up) and the ARC for Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick Press,
The Asian American Writers’ Workshop is offering “Where I’m Calling From,” a new writing project for youth that focuses on capturing personal experiences in the form of creative non-fiction, stories based on real life, essays and journals. WICF is open to youth, grades 9 to 12, from all racial backgrounds in New York City and surrounding areas. All youth who participate in WICF will receive an artist stipend of $200,
