Our deepest sympathies to the friends, family, colleagues, and readers of Texas children’s author and poet Jerry Wermund, who died July 15 at age 94. He’s pictured above at a Texas Library Association conference.
A founding member of Austin’s SCBWI chapter, Jerry was a geologist who began writing for children after retiring from the Bureau of Economic Geology at The University of Texas at Austin.
Book people love a good story. One that is filled with twists and turns. Interpreting Pinterest analytics is much like watching a drama unfold. Ups and downs. Peaks and valleys.
With a little bit of training, Pinterest users can read the receptibility of their content within a few days of posting.
Continue Reading Guest Post: Debbie Gonzales on Kidlit Promotion, Pinterest Analytics & You »
The typical Pinterest user searches the platform for one-off ideas to enhance their projects. Such pinners typically establish Personal Accounts on which to save and classify pins they find to be educational, inspirational, or edifying.
Oftentimes, book creators build what are known as “mood boards” by selecting and categorizing pins that visually represent themes,
Pinterest is so, so, so much more than a quick reference for great recipes or DIY projects. The marketing potential on this dynamic platform is phenomenal! Studies show that Pinterest is the largest website traffic driver in the world. Thoughtfully crafted content has the potential of becoming 80 percent more viral than on any other social media platform.
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
PW KidsCast: A Conversation With Michael W. Waters conducted by Emma Kantor from Publishers Weekly. Peek: “I might not change the world,
By Stephani Martinell Eaton, above photo by Lisa Ratnavira
Kathleen Duey, award-winning and beloved author, teacher, and mentor died from cardiac arrest on June 26 at her home in Fallbrook, California. She was 69.
Kathleen Duey, a Mentoring Children’s Book Author, Dies at 69 from The New York Times. Peek: “A prolific writer, she published more than 75 books, Continue Reading In Memory: Kathleen Duey »
During the time I’ve been a Cynsations Reporter for “Heart and Spirit,” my now-debut middle grade novel in verse, Reeni’s Turn (Regal House, 2020), popped up in numerous Cynsations columns as a work-in-progress.
It’s been quite a journey for Reeni and me, with plenty of obstacles,
Continue Reading Heart & Spirit: Carol Coven Grannick on Depth of Emotion in Writing Character »
My recent book, Law and Authors: A Legal Handbook for Writers (University of California Press, 2020), includes a chapter on advice for authors wanting to use photographs and other artwork created by others in their work: their books, blogs, and social media.
When I drafted the chapter,
Continue Reading Guest Post: Jacqueline D. Lipton on Images, Law & Writers »
I was born and raised in India and had always been a reader since I was a child. Most of my time while in school and outside school was spent in the library. We didn’t travel much. We couldn’t afford to travel much. But my parents filled my life with books.
Continue Reading Cynsations Intern: Suma Subramaniam on Her Love of Books »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Author Interviews: Aida Salazar from Bridget and the Books. Peek: “If you are a kid wanting to be a writer…listen to the world around you. Open your heart and pay attention to people’s stories….And live,