By AJ Eversole
Today we get to hear from Brian Young, author of American Indian Youth Literature Award Winning Healer of the Water Monster (Heartdrum, 2022). The sequel, Heroes of the Water Monster (Heartdrum, 2023) will be released May 23. From the promotional copy:
An unmissable companion to Healer of the Water Monster,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Brian Young Discusses The Joy of Writing His Second Book »
As much as I’m a reader, I also love movies and television. As I recently told my boyfriend, “I’m addicted to story,” and I have been for as long as I can remember. Growing up, Disney animated features like The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin were some of my absolute favorites.
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Night Market Rescue by Charlotte Cheng, illustrated by Amber Ren (Rocky Pond Books, 2023).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Q&A With Zion Clark and James Hirsch by Georgie Fehringer from Publishers Weekly.
Congratulations to Diana López on the publication of Felice and the Wailing Woman, book 1 of the Los Monstruos series (Kokila, April 18, 2023). From the promotional copy:
When Felice learns that she’s the daughter of La Llorona, she catches a ride to the magical town of Tres Leches, where her mother is said to be haunting the river.
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Diana López on Confetti Girl »
I am so happy I came across an early copy of Fake Dates and Mooncakes (Underlined/Penguin Random House, 2023). It charmed me from the very beginning of the story, the meet cute had me squealing, and then took me on a wonderful ride. I just knew I wanted to celebrate it and was delighted when author Sher Lee agreed to an interview.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Sher Lee on her Debut Journey & Fake Dates and Mooncakes »
My journey in calendaring my manuscripts did not begin with a calendar. It began with a list—a lengthy, elaborate document I had created to cross-reference dates, settings, and activities for my main character Yasmeen in my debut middle grade novel, Wishing Upon the Same Stars (HarperCollins, 2022). I thought my list was perfect.
Continue Reading Guest Post: Jacquetta Nammar Feldman: Your Manuscript Needs a Calendar! »
Today we welcome author Darshana Khiani to talk about her journey to becoming a published author and how writing her new book, I’m An American, illustrated by Laura Freeman (Viking, May 2, 2023) presented very different challenges from her debut picture book, How to Wear a Sari,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Darshana Khiani on Finding a Structure to Tell Your Story »
Happy Spring, Cynsational readers!
Effective immediately, Cynsations is on a short hiatus. We’ll return the week of April 24 (after the Texas Library Association Conference) with more inspiration, insights, and information on children’s-YA writing, illustration, literature and publishing. In the meantime, you’re welcome keep up on all those topics by following Cynthia Leitich Smith on Instagram and Facebook.
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: A Garden in My Hands by Meera Sriram, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2023).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Congratulations to editors Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Rocky Callen on the release of their new anthology, Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes (Candlewick, April 11, 2023). Contributors include: Mercedes Acosta, Karen Jialu Bao, James Bird, Rocky Callen, Nora Shalaway Carpenter,