Happy Holidays, Cynsational Readers!
Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm. I wish you the very best throughout this celebratory season and look forward to reconnecting in 2019.
Thanks to the many voices who contributed their insights to the blog over the past year.
By Cynthia Leitich Smith,
Robin Galbraith, Gayleen Rabukukk, and Stephani Eaton
Celebrating Books for Readers
Congratulations to SCBWI on another successful year of the Books For Readers project! See the video from the Indigenous People’s Celebration in Fargo, North Dakota and the book donation to the Indian Education Program of Fargo and West Fargo public schools. Continue Reading Cynsational News »
Young Suzanne with her Grandfather Tio
in Uvalde, Texas
As writers, we are frequently asked where we draw inspiration from. I think it’s true that everything we write is somewhat autobiographical.
I know I scatter a bit of myself in everything I write – that’s what gives it a soul and makes my stories “sing,” if you will.
Continue Reading Guest Post: Suzanne Crowley on Finding Inspiration Close to Home »
I hate weapons, especially firearms. Always have, and always will. Even the sight of a legally sanctioned gun—police office, hunter—makes me recoil and I literally take a step back.
Along with hating weapons, I hate war and though I concede that some wars have been necessary,
Continue Reading Guest Post: Yona Zeldis McDonough on Staying True to Yourself »
Learn more about Shutta Crum
By Shutta Crum
So you’re zipping along—doing your thing—and below the radar one, or more, of your books goes silently out of print.
When a book goes out of print, it always hurts—it’s a death in the family. You’ve spent a significant portion of your life living with it,
Continue Reading Guest Post: Shutta Crum on A New Life for an Out-of-Print Book »
Author Tara Luebbe, photo by Carl Kerridge
By Traci Sorell
Tara Luebbe is on a roll!
She has been doing double duty promoting two debut picture books published earlier this year.
Luckily, her sister Becky Cattie co-authors the books with her, so they can share this journey together.
Continue Reading New Voice: Tara Luebbe on Crafting a Double Debut & Writing With the Stars »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith,
Robin Galbraith, Gayleen Rabukukk, and Stephani Eaton
Cover Reveal: The Hero Next Door, edited by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich (Random House, 2019)(Ages 8-up). Peek:
Not all heroes wear capes. Some heroes teach martial arts.
Learn more about Art Coulson
By Traci Sorell
I’m delighted to feature author and former journalist Art Coulson today on Cynsations.
Fellow Cherokee Nation citizen and newcomer to the field of children’s literature like myself, Art has been busy writing and getting books published. Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army,
Samantha M. Clark and Melanie Sumrow
Today I’m excited to share the publishing journeys of two Texas middle grade authors, Samantha M. Clark and Melanie Sumrow.
Both are members of the Electric Eighteen debut author group and both are passionate about community involvement as a component of publishing success.
Continue Reading New Voices: Samantha M. Clark & Melanie Sumrow on Writing Communities »
Learn more about Alan Cumyn.
In children’s-YA writing, maintaining an active publishing career is arguably an even bigger challenge than breaking into the field.
Reflecting on your personal journey (creatively, career-wise, and your writer’s heart), what bumps did you encounter and how have you managed to defy the odds to achieve continued success?
