Welcome to middle grade authors Arianne Costner and Sarah Kapit who discuss both their publication journeys, starting from the inspiration for their debut novels, as well as their favorite craft books. And we want to wish Arianne a very happy book birthday as her debut, My Life as a Potato (Random House,
Continue Reading New Voices: Arianne Costner & Sarah Kapit and the Journey to Publication »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gail Vannelli, Gayleen Rabukukk, and Stephani Eaton for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros by Mr. Schu from Watch. Connect. Read. Peek: “[W]e all have stories to tell. Each of our experiences is unique and equally important.
How to place things to ‘look right’ in your story illustrations…
Illustrators, let’s talk about a fundamental issue of draftsmanship that you’ve probably run up against in your pictures.
It falls under “linear perspective.”
The issue is eye level (or you might have heard it called “horizon line.”) Viewers are typically unaware of it.
Continue Reading Guest Post: Mark Mitchell on Linear Perspective in Illustration »
Today I am pleased to introduce YA debut authors Adalyn Grace and Rabiah York Lumard to our Cynsations readers. Both of these authors talk about the importance that their main characters’ identities bring to their work, their transitions to writing as a career, as well as connection to community.
Continue Reading New Voices: Adalyn Grace & Rabiah York Lumbard on Character, Career & Connection »
Closed. Canceled. Rescheduled. These are words we are hearing over and over.
As COVID-19 spreads, life is changing each day. With so many closures and cancellations, many within the children’s-YA book community are finding ways to use technology to bring people together, sharing their love of books without sharing the germs.
Continue Reading Children’s-YA Book Community Strategies for Sharing While Social Distancing »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gail Vannelli, Gayleen Rabukukk, and Stephani Eaton for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Conversation with the Creators Behind “Layla’s Happiness” by Nadine Pinede from Enchanted Lion Books. Peek: Ashleigh Corrin: “Tap into your personal story and find value in your own insight and perspective on life and the art you’re making.
Today is the last day of my Cynsations Spooky Middle Grade Takeover! I thought I’d go out with a bang and give you a double-librarian interview.
Since a lot of spooky middle grade books tread that fine line between upper elementary and lower middle school age,
Welcome to Day 3 of my Cynsations Spooky Middle Grade Takeover!
Today’s post is an author interview with fellow spooky middle grade writer, Adrianna Cuevas. Adrianna’s debut novel, The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez (FSG), comes out May 12. It’s now available for preorder.
Continue Reading Guest Interview: Adrianna Cuevas on Spooky Stories Inspired by Folklore »
It’s Day 2 of my Cynsations spooky middle grade takeover!
Today’s post is an interview with Jane Pica, the illustrator for The Second Best Haunted Hotel on Mercer Street (Amulet, Aug. 18, 2020). She is responsible for the gorgeous cover and the interior illustrations.
Continue Reading Guest Interview: Illustrator Jane Pica on Drawing Spooky Stories »
My next book, The Second Best Haunted Hotel on Mercer Street, is coming out from Abrams/Amulet on Aug. 18 and is now available for preorder. To celebrate, I’m taking over Cynsations this week to talk about spooky middle grade!
Continue Reading Guest Post: Cory Putman Oakes on Writing Spooky Middle Grade Books »