By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: I Am the Subway by Kim Hyo-eun, translated by Deborah Smith (Scribble US, 2021).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Editor Interview: Levine Querido’s Nick Thomas on Perspectives & Accessibility
Today I’m talking with Nick Thomas, Senior Editor at Levine Querido, an independent publisher of books for young readers that was founded by Arthur A. Levine in 2019.
Nick, thank you for joining me!
Thank you for having me! Cynsations is one of my favorite websites—I use it as a resource all the time to learn from creators and publishing people I respect.
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New Voices: Austin Authors Kari Lavelle & Anne Wynter Celebrate Community
I’m thrilled to welcome two debut Austin picture book authors to Cynsations today! Please join us in celebrating Kari Lavelle‘s We Move the World, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali, released in May (HarperCollins), and Anne Wynter‘s Everybody in the Red Brick Building,
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Guest Post: Author Alex Sanchez Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Rainbow Boys
By Alex Sanchez
I’ve actually been writing longer than twenty years, but to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of my first novel, Rainbow Boys (Simon & Schuster, 2001)(Woo-hoo!), here are a few life lessons I’ve picked up along the way.
1. Surround yourself with people who believe in you. They don’t need to be other writers,
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Native Voices: Cherie Dimaline Talks About Her Love of Story
By AJ Eversole
Today we are honored to welcome veteran author Cherie Dimaline to the blog to discuss the people who inspire her and her love of story. Her latest novel, Hunting By Stars (Abrams Kids/Penguin Teen, 2021), released last month.
What do you love most about the creative life/being an author?
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Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: What Will My Story Be? by Nidhi Chanani (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2021).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Agent Interview: Ana Crespo, Author, Agent, Booklover
Ana Crespo is an assistant agent for the East West Literary Agency. She is also the author of many amazing picture books. I had the pleasure of meeting her at a library conference when we were both signing books for Albert Whitman.
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Guest Post: Rajani LaRocca Writes About Her Process For Evoking a Story Set in 1980s
My novel in verse Red, White, and Whole (Quill Tree Books, 2021) is set in 1983. It’s about thirteen-year-old Reha, the child of Indian immigrants, who is torn between the worlds of her parents and her friends at school. Like many teens her age, she wants to wear cool clothes, and go to a middle school dance.
In Memory: Jerry Pinkney
Photo credit: Alvin Trusty
Celebrated and legendary illustrator Jerry Pinkney died of a heart attack Oct. 20 at Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, New York. He was 81.
Obituary: Jerry Pinkney by Shannon Maughan from Publishers Weekly. Peek: “Renowned children’s book illustrator Jerry Pinkney,
Native Voice: Joelle Bearstail on Bear’s Braid & Bullying
Joelle, congratulations on the release of your picture book Bear’s Braid, illustrated by Denise Tadlock (Mascot Books, 2021)! Could you tell us about your journey to becoming a children’s author and your initial inspiration for writing this story?
Thank you! It has been new and exciting so far.
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