By AJ Eversole
We’re excited to welcome award-winning author Kevin Maillard to Cynsations to share the vacation story that became a picture book, The Ones Who Came Before, illustrated by Sibu TP (Roaring Brook Press, 2026). From the publisher website:
A Native American “city kid”
By AJ Eversole
Today we’re welcoming author Anne Broyles (Cherokee) to Cynsations to discuss her new young adult novel, Words Spoken True (Scholastic, Nov. 3, 2026). From the publishers’ website:
Award-winning author Anne Broyles weaves the lyrical story of fourteen-year-old Jane Bushyhead and her family’s forced removal, upon threat of death,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Ann Broyles Discusses Weaving Historical Fact into YA Fiction »
Today we’re chatting with Susan K. Holt, author, former school librarian and Nonfiction Ninja. She’s also one of my critique group buddies.
Your new book, There Once Was a Cowgirl (TCU Press, 2026), marks a couple of milestones in your career. Tell us about that.
I feel as though I’ve come full circle!
Spotlight image: Author Benjamin Alire Sáenz at the Texas Book Festival in 2009, from the Cynsations archives.
Author and poet Benjamin Alire Sáenz died July 28 in El Paso. He was 71, reported Shannon Maughan for Publishers Weekly.
He has two books out this fall.
My conversation with Rebecca Gardyn Levington and Naomi M. Gruer, authors I’ve known for over a decade as part of a New Jersey SCBWI writers support group, continues.
Rebecca’s 10th book, I Wish that You Knew, illustrated by Alyssa Russell (Little Bee Books,
Spotlight photo: Authors Rebecca Gardyn Levington and Naomi Gruer with editor Lili Rosenstreich from Kalaniot Books.
Today we welcome two picture book authors to talk about their new releases. Rebecca Gardyn Levington’s I Wish that You Knew, illustrated by Alyssa Russell (Little Bee Books,
I first met Khushboo Patel through her books. When I read the announcements for Stolen Colors and All That Chandni Knows in Publishers Weekly, I was immediately drawn to both premises. After reading the books, I was even more impressed by the depth she brings to her characters. I’m delighted to welcome Khushboo to Cynsations.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Khushboo Patel on Writing Stories of Courage & Complexity »
Today we’re celebrating the upcoming publication of Gabriel’s Winter Count by Andrea M. Page, illustrated by Alfreda Beartrack Algeo (Charlesbridge, Oct. 6, 2026). From the publisher’s website:
A warm, intergenerational picture book introducing the Lakota tradition of winter counts and celebrating resilience, remembrance, and connection across distance. A moving story of love and tradition –
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Author Andrea M. Page on Creating Education Guides »
Today we are excited to welcome Rebecca Bendheim to Cynsations to talk about her debut novel, When You’re Brave Enough (Viking/Penguin Random House, 2026), which released on April 7th. In this hopeful, queer Bildungsroman, Lacey the protagonist’s emotional journey is so achingly real, with all her worries about traditions—whether they are the weird loving family kind or religious temple kind or school theater ones—that any teen would find it relatable.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Rebecca Bendheim on Author-Agent Relationships & Being Brave »
By Mitu Malhotra
Today we are excited to welcome National Book Award–winning author Shifa Saltagi Safadi to Cynsations to talk about her recent novel Sisters Alone (Putnam, PRH, 2026) which released on Sept. 8. This expertly crafted verse novel with its honest depiction of anxiety and intrusive thoughts will definitely resonate with middle grade readers.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Shifa Saltagi Safadi On Being a Vulnerable & Persistent Poet »