By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender, AJ Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Uncle John’s City Garden by Bernette Ford, illustrated by Frank Morrison (Holiday House,
Nonfiction for Older Readers: Kekla Magoon on How Discovery is in the Details
Photo of Kekla Visiting an Oakland Museum of California exhibit on the Black Panther Party. The wall images are spreads from The Black Panther, the Party’s weekly newspaper.
Today I am thrilled to welcome Kekla Magoon to talk about the process of researching and writing her multi-award winning book Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People (Candlewick,
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Nonfiction for Older Readers: Maureen Charles & Ashley Walker Talk About Collaborating on a Nonfiction Project
Today I am excited to introduce our Cynsations readers to Maureen Charles and Ashley Walker who recently collaborated on a nonfiction project for older readers. Their book Music Mavens from Chicago Review Press comes out this fall as part of their Women of Power series.
Nonfiction for Older Readers: Martha Brockenbrough on the Joys of Writing Nonfiction
By Bree Bender
Award-winning author Martha Brockenbrough has written more than a dozen books for children and teens. Her work covers a wide range of topics from biographies to masterful fairytale retellings, nonfiction to fiction. Her work is insightful, thought-provoking, and industry changing. I had the incredible opportunity to chat with her about books,
Nonfiction For Older Readers: Gail Jarrow on Digging Deep into Research
Today we kick off a series of posts about writing nonfiction for older readers. In her book Nonfiction Matters (Stenhouse, 1998), Stephanie Harvey explores nonfiction reading and writing in the classroom with an emphasis on the process of discovery. She writes:
“As we studied,
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Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender, AJ Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: You Are the Loveliest by Hans and Monique Hagen, illustrated by Marit Tornqvist,
Author Interview: Nelly Buchet on Mindfulness & Humor
Journaling has been part of my daily routine for many years, a way of giving myself space to reflect on the page. I fully embraced how it bolstered my creativity and nourished my writer brain. Then in 2020 I found myself coping with stress on multiple fronts: global pandemic, navigating the virtual world,
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Author Interview: Diana Renn Reveals Her Mystery Writing Process
Diana Renn has written mysteries for adults and young adults about everything from cycling and spies to art and antiquities, set in locations around the world. But her newest book Trouble at Turtle Pond (Fitzroy Books, 2022) is aimed at younger readers, and is set much closer to home.
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WNDB Native Children’s – YA Writing Intensive Applications Open
A writing community can make all the difference in navigating the long and often frustrating journey of becoming a published author. Whether it’s sharing craft tips or submission opportunities, writing buddies provide the encouragement and support needed for going the distance. But connecting can be a challenge, especially if a given community represents a small percentage of the population.
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Illustrator Interview: Ale Díaz Bouza on Publishing in Spain
Spotlight image: Ale Díaz Bouza at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy.
Today I’m talking with Ale Díaz Bouza, an illustrator who also serves as the Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators chapter in Spain, about publishing for young readers there.
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