By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramanian, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Cover Reveal for Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young, cover by Shonto Begay (Heartdrum,
Category: General
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
PW KidsCast: A Conversation With Michael W. Waters conducted by Emma Kantor from Publishers Weekly. Peek: “I might not change the world,
Heart & Spirit: Carol Coven Grannick on Depth of Emotion in Writing Character
During the time I’ve been a Cynsations Reporter for “Heart and Spirit,” my now-debut middle grade novel in verse, Reeni’s Turn (Regal House, 2020), popped up in numerous Cynsations columns as a work-in-progress.
It’s been quite a journey for Reeni and me, with plenty of obstacles,
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Cynsations Intern: Suma Subramaniam on Her Love of Books
I was born and raised in India and had always been a reader since I was a child. Most of my time while in school and outside school was spent in the library. We didn’t travel much. We couldn’t afford to travel much. But my parents filled my life with books.
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Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Author Interviews: Aida Salazar from Bridget and the Books. Peek: “If you are a kid wanting to be a writer…listen to the world around you. Open your heart and pay attention to people’s stories….And live,
We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) Mentorship Program Announces Sixth Year
Washington, DC — The We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) Mentorship committee is pleased to announce the program’s sixth consecutive year. Starting Oct. 1, upcoming writers and artists will get the chance to apply for one of 15 year-long mentorships in four different categories. The program has awarded mentorships to 48 diverse authors and illustrators since 2015.
In 2021,
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Cynsational Return: Fall 2020
Welcome back to Cynsations!
Since 2004, our philosophy has been to be upbeat and useful, offering information and inspiration to the children’s-YA literature community while raising up new voices, innovators, guiding lights, and those whose identities are underrepresented in the conversation of books.
Our emphasis is on thoughtful dialogue with substantive takeaways for readers,
Cynsational Summer Hiatus
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Thank you to everyone who joined us over the 2019-2020 academic year!
We dearly appreciate the authors, illustrators, gatekeepers and industry pros who shared their insights and inspirations. We’re so grateful to our readers,
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
How Safe Spaces Save Lives with Tobly McSmith from YouTube. Peek: “[In the library] I felt safe enough that I could be myself, and that allowed me the space to dream….[P]eople can also be a great safe space…Books are the ultimate safe space…especially fiction.
Guest Chat: Authors Liz Garton Scanlon & Tricia Springstubb on Seeds & Stories
By Liz Garton Scanlon and Tricia Springstubb
Liz: I like to imagine we’re together in an actual garden – dirt underneath our fingernails and a bunch of seed packets newly emptied into the ground.
Tricia: Oh, yes! Is anything more hopeful than planting a seed? When I was seven or eight, I grew two straight lines of zinnias.
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