By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, AJ Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: I Hope by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard (Orca Book Publishers, 2022).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Throwback Thursday: Varsha Bajaj on Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood
Congratulations to Varsha Bajaj on Thirst (Nancy Paulsen Books, July 2022), a New York Times Bestseller!
Take a look back at Varsha’s thoughts about her debut novel, Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood (Albert Whitman, 2014). This post originally appeared on Cynsations March 3, 2014.
Varsha Bajaj is the debut novelist behind Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood (Albert Whitman,
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Varsha Bajaj on Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood »
Kidlit Caravan Authors Debbie Zapata, Donna Cangelosi, Margaret Aitken, Rebecca Gardyn Levington & Robyn McGrath Discuss Picture Book Journeys
Today, I’m thrilled to welcome Kidlit Caravan authors Debbie Zapata, Donna Cangelosi, Margaret Aitken, Rebecca Gardyn Levington, and Robyn McGrath to Cynsations.
Kidlit Caravan is a troupe of authors and author-illustrators with debut picture books headed your way in 2022.
Author-Illustrator Interview: Ying-Hwa Hu Reflects on Inspiration & the Magic of Picture Books
By AJ Eversole
Today we welcome author-illustrator Ying-Hwa Hu to Cynsations to share insights on her craft and what fuels her creative spirit. We’re also highlighting her solo author-illustrator debut, Ten Blocks to the Big Wok (Lee & Low, 2022), a colorful celebration of Chinese culture.
When and where do you write?
Cynsations Summer Hiatus
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Rae, A.J. Eversole, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Thank you to everyone who joined us over the 2021-2022 academic year!
We dearly appreciate the authors, illustrators,
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Rae, AJ Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: The World Belonged to Us by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Leo Espinosa (Nancy Paulsen Books,
Native Voices: Jen Ferguson on What She Has Learned As A Writer
By AJ Eversole
Today we welcome debut author Jen Ferguson. Ferguson (she/her) is Métis and white, an activist, a feminist, an auntie, and an accomplice armed with a PhD. She believes writing, teaching and beading are political acts. Her debut YA novel, The Summer of Bitter and Sweet,
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Kidlit Caravan Authors Carrie Tillotson, Harshita Jerath, Kimberly Wilson, & Paula Cohen Discuss Picture Book Journeys
Today, I’m thrilled to welcome Kidlit Caravan members, Harshita Jerath, Kimberly Wilson, Carrie Tillotson, and our dearest Paula Cohen who passed away in February a few days before her book launch. Kidlit Caravan is a troupe of authors and author/illustrators with debut picture books headed your way in 2022.
New Voices: Jacquetta Nammar Feldman & Sean Petrie: From Poetry to MG Novels
I’m thrilled to welcome two Austin/VCFA authors with debut middle grade novels. I met Jacquetta Nammar Feldman at an intensive at The Writing Barn, and Sean Petrie and I were Vermont College of Fine Arts students at the same time. It’s very exciting when passages you’ve read in a workshop become a published book!
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Author Interview: Alessandra Narváez Varela on Her Craft Journey
By AJ Eversole
Today on the blog we welcome Alessandra Narváez Varela to the blog. Narváez Varela speaks about her journey to write for young readers and how her experiences growing up shaped the story of her debut, Thirty Talks, Weird Love (Cinco Puntos Press,
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