We welcome picture book debut authors Hayley Barrett and Jasmyn Wright to Cynsations today! They share their inspiration for their debut books as well as some of the challenges in bringing those stories to life.
Hayley Barrett
What were the best and worst moments of your publishing journey?
We are thrilled that Elisabeth Norton is joining the Cynsations team covering the European market. The above photo shows The Matterhorn, Zermatt, Switzerland. Hiking is one of the ways Elisabeth refills her creative well.
Welcome to Cynsations! Could you tell us about your vision for covering books related to the European market here at the blog?
Jennifer Lane Wilson—a beloved author, loving mother, and wife—passed away from cancer Oct. 13 in Topeka, Kansas. She was forty-eight.
Obituary: Her family and friends shared their reflections here.
As news of her death broke, Jennifer’s friends shared their reflections: Clelia Gore,
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Overground Railroad by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James Ransome (Holiday House, 2020).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Katie Yamasaki Talks With Roger by Roger Sutton from The Horn Book.
David Gale, talented and beloved editor, died Oct. 9 after a long illness. He was 65.
Obituary: David Gale from Publishers Weekly. Peek:
“Children’s book editor David Gale…shaped a distinguished roster of award-winning titles and proudly championed works of LGBTQ literature….”
Today we’re chatting with a few Angelella Editorial editors about what it’s like to be a freelance editor, along with tips for working with a freelance editor.
First, what makes Angelella Editorial different from other editorial companies?
Diane: We’re small enough to work as a team,
Continue Reading Editor Interview: Angelella Editors on Freelance Editing »
Today I am so pleased to welcome the illustrator/author debut duo Larissa and Keith Marantz. From being inspired by their own children to working as a team, they’ll share their unique path to publication.
What first inspired you to write for young readers?
Keith: Well,
I am so pleased to welcome Elisa Boxer, author of The Voice That Won The Vote: How One Woman’s Words Made History, illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger (Sleeping Bear, 2020). Today Elisa shares her thoughts on writing for children and the importance of each voice.
Continue Reading Interview: Elisa Boxer on Writing, Voting & the Importance of Each Voice »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
(Author Monique Gray Smith and illustrator Nicole Niedhardt are the creators of When We Are Kind (Orca, 2020).)
Author/Illustrator Insights
Congratulations, Lisa on the release of Novels in Verse for Teens: A Guidebook with Activities for Teachers and Librarians (ABC-CLIO, 2020)! What is it about novels in verse that fascinates you?
Thank you so much, Cynthia! I think novels in verse first grabbed my attention when I attended an event a few years ago where author Kwame Alexander performed live rap-like performances for his poems from The Crossover (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,