Author Interview: Karen Cushman on What Sparks Her Inspiration

By Stephani Martinell Eaton

Today we welcome Karen Cushman to Cynsations. She is the author of Newbery Medal winner The Midwife’s Apprentice (Clarion, 1995), the Newbery Honor book Catherine Called Birdy (Clarion, 1994) among many other prize-winning historical fiction novels. Today Karen will talk to us about her newest book,

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Author Interview: Sheela Chari On Her Writing Process & Personal Journey

By Suma Subramaniam

We’re thrilled to welcome Sheela Chari to Cynsations today.

Could you tell us about your latest book?

It’s great to be back! I was interviewed here when my first novel, Vanished (Hyperion, 2011), was published. Right now, I’m working on two “latest” middle-grade projects,

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Native Voices: Traci Sorell on Writing With & About Community

By Kim Rogers

Today, I’m excited to welcome back Traci Sorell, former Cynsations reporter and award-winning author. Traci’s book Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer, illustrated by Natasha Donovan, was published by Millbrook Press in March. Her book We Are Still Here: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know,

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Illustrator Interview: Simona Ceccarelli on Illustrating Internationally

By Elisabeth Norton

I’m talking today with Simona Ceccarelli, an illustrator based in Switzerland who has worked books for publishers in several countries, including the U.S. market.

Simona, it’s been so rewarding to watch your career take off! It wasn’t that long ago that the first book you illustrated came out,

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Guest Post: Chris Barton & Jennifer Ziegler on the “This One’s Dedicated to…” Video Series

By Chris Barton and Jennifer Ziegler

Time is everything.

We know that’s not quite how the old saying goes. But time — the scarcity of it, the abundance of it, the passage of it, how we choose to fill ours or ask others to spend theirs — has shaped all aspects of our new kidkit video series,

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Native Voice: Brian Young on Writing Healer of the Water Monster

By Kim Rogers

Today, we’re chatting with Navajo author Brian Young. Brian is a film maker and personal trainer. His debut middle grade novel is Healer of the Water Monster (Heartdrum, 2021). From the promotional copy:

“When Nathan goes to visit his grandma, Nali, at her mobile summer home on the Navajo reservation,

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